Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Links Fund Transfers To Ali Bello, Co-defendant

The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja continued on Monday, February 16, with the 17th Prosecution Witness, PW17, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello with funds from Kogi State Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered in the course of investigation that contains details of inflows and outflows of funds.

In response to prosecution counsel’s enquiry on $91,000.00 outflow, dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the first defendant, Ali Bello.

On February 6, 2021, the witness identified an outflow of ₦150,000.00, released to “Presido.”

He further explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who came from Lokoja to transport money, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to the bureau de change operator.

The witness also identified entries, dated February 19, 2021, showing an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000 to Daud. He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also refers to the first defendant, while “Daud” refers to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.

On investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the payments were for Plot 1060, located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, made by the company. The ₦100 million total he said, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and reflected in Exhibit F.

“There were 10 entries of ₦10 million each, making a total of ₦100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact with the Bureau de Change operator,” he said.

The irrevocable power of attorney for the said property was subsequently tendered in evidence by the prosecution, marked Exhibit Q.

The prosecution counsel’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, dated November 29, 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 for the first defendant, and November 30 and December 1, 2022 for the second defendant was objected to by counsel to the first and second defendants on the alleged ground that their admissibility did not comply with Section 15(4) and Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, particularly with regards to the voluntariness of audio-visual recording of statements.

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ruled for immediate commencement of trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.

In his testimony, the witness identified the statements of the defendants and affirmed that they were voluntarily made.

“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.

Following the proceedings in the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, as there was no further objection from counsel.

Counsel to the first and second defendants cross-examined the witness. With the exhaustion of their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness from the witness box and adjourned the matter till February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.