A Bureau De Change (BDC) Operator, Ayuba Tanko, on Wednesday testified in the ongoing money laundering trial of former Governor of Anambra, Mr Willie Obiano.
The BDC operator said between April and December 2017, a total sum of N416 million was paid into a company account he used by proxy.
Ayuba testified before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja while being led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Slyvanus Tahir, SAN.
Ayuba, who is the 5th prosecution witness (PW-5), said the N416 million which was received in tranches, was given back as $1.137 million equivalent.
“I am a trader. I trade in forex exchange. I trade in USD, Euros, and pounce sterling
“I do source for customers and I do exchange and collect commission,” he said.
The PW-5 said he used two companies – Sauki Bureau De Change and Zigaziga Trading and Company Ltd – for his business.
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He said he was invited by the EFCC, through its Investigation Department, in 2023 and was questioned about Zigaziga Trading and Company Ltd’s account domiciled in one of the commercial banks.
When the senior lawyer asked him how much he received during the period, the witness said: “Between April 2017 to December 2017, the total money I received at that period was N416 million.
“And I gave a dollar equivalent as $1,137,000.00,” he said.
Ayuba said besides this transaction, he did not do any other business with the Anambra government under Obiano.
Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, during cross-examination, asked the PW-5 if he had ever had any dealing with the ex-governor directly; Ayuba said: “I did not deal directly with the defendant.”
The prosecution counsel also called three bankers, who gave their testimonies in the alleged money laundering charge.
After the four witnesses testified and were cross-examined by Ikpeazu, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Feb. 24, Feb. 25, and Feb. 26, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.