Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, July 9, 2026, arraigned the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore (also referred to as Kautal Hore), Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and terrorism financing involving $2.63 million.
Bodejo was brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo, where he pleaded not guilty to all the counts after the charges were read to him. The charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/375/2026, was dated June 24 and filed on June 25, 2026, with Bodejo listed as the sole defendant.
According to the charge sheet, the EFCC accused the Miyetti Allah leader of laundering approximately $2.63 million and engaging in transactions allegedly linked to the financing of terrorism, offences said to contravene the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the counts alleged that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash from Sa'idu Abubakar on January 11, 2022, in Abuja. The anti-graft agency also alleged that he received $200,000 on January 21, 2022; $980,000 on February 7, 2024; and $500,000 on March 20, 2024. The charge read in part: "That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 7th day of February 2024, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one SA'IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law."
The EFCC further accused Bodejo of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. The case is connected to a broader investigation into the alleged diversion of public funds from the Bauchi State Government. In previous charges, the EFCC had accused Bauchi State officials of releasing $2.33 million belonging to the state government to Bodejo and others, who allegedly used the cash, partly or wholly, to finance an alleged terrorist or terrorist group.
When the case was called before Justice Inyang Ekwo, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) informed the court that the matter was scheduled for Bodejo to take his plea. Defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) did not oppose the application.
After taking the defendant's plea, Justice Ekwo entertained submissions from both parties on his bail application. The defence urged the court to admit Bodejo to bail on liberal terms, arguing that he had consistently made himself available to law enforcement agencies and posed no flight risk. The prosecution did not oppose the application but urged the court to impose conditions that would guarantee the defendant's attendance throughout the trial.
Justice Ekwo subsequently admitted Bodejo to bail on terms to be fulfilled before the court registrar and adjourned the matter to a later date for the commencement of trial.
The fresh charges come months after Bodejo separately faced prosecution by the Federal Government over the alleged establishment of an unauthorised vigilante outfit, a case that generated nationwide debate over community security initiatives and the regulation of private armed groups. In March 2024, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Bodejo in Nasarawa State in connection with the formation of a vigilante group in the state. He was later released on bail. The EFCC had previously announced its intention to arraign Bodejo over the money laundering and terrorism financing allegations on June 24, 2026.
The charges remain allegations, and Bodejo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the court.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments