Bureau de Change Operator Testifies Against Dauda Suleiman over Alleged N10b Money Laundering

In a high-profile trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja, new revelations have emerged in the alleged N10 billion money laundering case involving Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman.

A prosecuting witness, known as Pw3, recently took the stand, shedding light on Suleiman’s purported business dealings.

Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau de Change Operator and owner of Rabiu Tafada Global Ventures located in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, provided crucial testimony on Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Tafada revealed that Suleiman was a regular client at his bureau de change office, often engaging in transactions related to the exchange of dollars.

Led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Tafada detailed his interactions with Suleiman, stating that Suleiman would visit his office or send representatives for various business transactions, including buying, borrowing, or selling dollars. This testimony provides insight into Suleiman’s alleged involvement in financial activities amounting to N10 billion, as per the charges against him.

During his testimony, Tafada confirmed that in 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) visited his office and seized several documents, including a hard-copy notebook and an exercise book. Oyedepo sought to tender these items as evidence, which the defence initially objected to on grounds of admissibility. However, Justice James Omotosho overruled the objection, allowing the documents to be admitted as evidence (Exhibit f & g) in the trial.

Tafada further elaborated on the contents of the exhibits, indicating that every name recorded in the record book pertained to individuals seeking currency exchange or in need of cash, typically facilitated through transfers to his bank account. While Tafada admitted that he did not record these transactions due to his inability to write, he affirmed that his office staff documented transactions on his behalf.

Among the transactions highlighted in Tafada’s testimony were instances where Suleiman allegedly directed payments to specific individuals, including Sunny Benghazi and Bashir Falala, totalling millions of Naira. This testimony strengthens the prosecution’s case against Suleiman, implicating him in financial transactions of significant value.

In addition to Tafada’s testimony, both the prosecution and defence addressed the court regarding an amended charge and a counter-affidavit filed by the respective parties. Following the conclusion of Pw3’s testimony, Justice Omotosho adjourned the trial to February 13, 2024, for further proceedings.

The unfolding trial offers a glimpse into the intricate web of financial dealings and alleged money laundering activities. As the case progresses, more revelations are expected to come to light, shaping the outcome of one of Nigeria’s most significant financial fraud cases in recent years.