Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed its case against Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, after presenting 17 witnesses before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja. The defendants are being prosecuted on an amended 16‑count charge bordering on misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10,270,556,800.00 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty‑Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).
At the sitting on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, the 17th prosecution witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an investigator with the EFCC, concluded his testimony under re‑examination by the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered statements made by Abdulsalam Hudu, cashier of the Kogi State Government House Administration, dated August 7, August 14, September 3 and September 24, 2024. With no objections from the defence counsel, the court admitted the statements into evidence and marked them as Exhibits B1, B2, B3 and B4 respectively.
The prosecution then asked the witness to identify portions of the exhibits relating to the payment of N300,000 by a bureau de change operator to Hudu. The witness pointed to the August 14, 2024 statement and read from the document, stating that the N300,000 was received from Ali Bello – who is presently the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo – for the purchase of books intended for a community school project. Following the conclusion of his testimony and with no further questions from either side, the witness was discharged from the witness box.
Thereafter, the prosecution counsel informed the court that the commission had concluded its case after calling 17 witnesses and tendering several documentary exhibits in support of the charges against the defendants. With the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel to the first defendant, A. M. Aliyu (SAN), and counsel to the second defendant informed the court of their intention to file a no‑case submission.
The defence requested four days to file their no‑case submission. The prosecution sought three days to file a reply, while the defence further requested 24 hours to respond on points of law. Justice Omotosho granted the applications and adjourned the matter until 15 June 2026 for the adoption of written addresses on the no‑case submission.
The case has drawn significant attention given the high‑profile nature of the defendants and the staggering amount involved. Ali Bello, a key political figure in Kogi State, now awaits the court’s ruling on whether he and his co‑defendant have a case to answer.
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