Bello Tied to ₦10bn Kogi Fraud
The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
A prosecution witness told the court that funds traced to the Kogi State Government were linked to Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, and Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering amounting to ₦10,270,556,800.
Testifying as the 17th prosecution witness, EFCC investigator Ahmed Audu Abubakar identified a document marked Exhibit F, which he said contained details of inflows and outflows of funds recovered during investigation.
He told the court that $91,000 paid on February 5, 2021, was transferred to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to the first defendant, Ali Bello.
The witness also pointed to a ₦150,000 outflow on February 6, 2021, made to “Presido,” and explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported ₦150 million from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
Further entries dated February 19, 2021, showed ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000 to Daud, said to be Dauda Sulaiman. He added that “Alhaji Ali” also referred to the first defendant.
On transfers linked to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness said ₦80 million and ₦20 million were paid for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja. He stated that the ₦100 million total, made in ten tranches of ₦10 million each, was traced to Maigari Murtala, described as an ally of the first defendant.
An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was later admitted in evidence as Exhibit Q.
During proceedings, the prosecution sought to tender extra-judicial statements made by the defendants in November and December 2022. Defence counsel objected, arguing that the statements did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act regarding voluntariness and audio-visual recording.
Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statements were voluntarily made. The witness maintained that the statements were taken without threats or promises and in the presence of counsel.
After the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, with no further objection from the defence. The witness was later discharged, and the matter was adjourned until February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.