EFCC witness falls sick during Yahaya Bello nephew’s money laundering trial
There was a mild drama in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court as a prosecution witness, Rabiu Tafada, in the alleged N10 billion fraud charge against Ali Bello, nephew of former Governor Yahaya Bello, told the court he was feeling sick.
Mr Tafada, the third prosecution witness, was led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.
“I am presently not feeling well,” said Mr Tafada and he was given water to take.
Earlier, Mr Tafada told the court that he was a bureau de change operator and his company’s name was Rabiu Tafada Global Ltd.
He also said he was familiar with the defendants but could not recall his transaction details with them.
The prosecutor tendered some documents as evidence through the witness.
The documents comprised a hardcover notebook with some papers and another notebook.
When asked to confirm what was written in the books, the witness said that he could not do so because he was not the person who recorded the book’s contents.
He said he had boys in his office who took down all the records, including the names of people who came to transact business with him and the amounts involved.
When asked about an individual Sunny Bengazi and the N15 million recorded against the name, the witness said he would not recall the transaction.
Mr Tafada also told the court that he did not know anyone named Abdulsalami Hudu or his driver.
He, however, said whoever came to his office either came to change naira to dollar or dollar to naira, transfer some money into his account for him to give them cash, or borrow money.
It was at this point that the witness suddenly told the court that he was not feeling well as he had high blood pressure.
The judge asked an official of the court to get him water, which he drank.
The defence counsel, Z.E Abass and Nureini Jimoh had earlier objected to the prosecution tendering the documents in evidence but said they would reserve their reasons until the final address.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the matter until February 13, 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.
The judge asked the witness to use the opportunity of the adjournment to attend to his health and familiarise himself with the transactions that he said his boys recorded for him in the tendered exhibits.
Mr Bello, now the chief of staff of Governor Ahmed Ododo, and Dauda Suleiman are standing trial on a 10-count criminal charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC specifically accused them of engaging in misappropriation and money laundering.
In the charge, the EFCC claimed the defendants, with Mr Hudu, withdrew N10.2 billion from Kogi’s treasury for personal use.
The offence, the EFCC said, is contrary to sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
(NAN)
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