Ali Bello
By Abdullahi Abubakar
A prosecution witness on Monday linked the alleged N10 billion transfer fraud, allegedly traced to the Kogi State government, to Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The witness made the revelation as the trial resumed on Monday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Ali Bello, who is a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering amounting to ₦10,270,556,800.00.
The 17th Prosecution Witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an investigator with the EFCC, was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
He identified Exhibit F as a document recovered during investigations, detailing inflows and outflows of funds linked to the case.
Responding to an enquiry regarding a $91,000 outflow dated February 5, 2021, the witness told the court that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to the first defendant, Ali Bello.
He further identified an outflow of ₦150,000 dated February 6, 2021, released to “Presido.”
The witness also explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported cash from Lokoja, Kogi State capital, to a bureau de change operator.
According to him, ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja for that purpose.
Abubakar also pointed to entries dated February 19, 2021, indicating payments of ₦10 million to Bello and ₦500,000 to “Daud,” which he clarified referred to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
He added that “Alhaji Ali” mentioned in the records also referred to the first defendant.
On findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness testified that transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million were made for Plot 1060 located in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
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He told the court that the ₦100 million 99total payment, made in ten tranches of ₦10 million each, was reflected in Exhibit F and paid to Dantata and Sawoe for the property.
“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.
An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, dated between iNovember 29 and December 12, 2022, for the first defendant, and November 30 and December 1, 2022, for the second defendant, was initially opposed by defence counsel.
Counsel for both defendants argued that the admissibility of the statements did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly regarding the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of the statements.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ordered the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 serving as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.
During his testimony, Abubakar identified the defendants’ statements and maintained 0that 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 told the court.
Following the sub-trial proceedings and in the absence of further objections from defence counsel, the court admitted the statements into evidence.
After cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
