RismadarVoice Reporters
June 2, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed its case against Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, after presenting 17 witnesses before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants are standing trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering involving N10.27 billion.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, the 17th prosecution witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, concluded his testimony under re-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
During the hearing, the prosecution tendered statements made by Abdulsalam Hudu, a cashier with the Kogi State Government House Administration, dated August 7, August 14, September 3 and September 24, 2024.
The documents were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence and marked as Exhibits B1, B2, B3 and B4.
The prosecution subsequently directed the witness to identify portions of the statements relating to a payment of N300,000 allegedly made by a bureau de change operator to Hudu.
The witness pointed to the August 14, 2024 statement and stated that the money was reportedly received from Ali Bello, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for the purchase of books intended to support a community school project.
Following the completion of his testimony and with no further questions from either party, the witness was discharged.
Prosecution counsel thereafter informed the court that the EFCC had concluded its case after calling 17 witnesses and tendering several documentary exhibits in support of the charges against the defendants.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, counsel to the first defendant, A.M. Aliyu (SAN), and counsel to the second defendant indicated their intention to file a no-case submission.
The defence requested four days to file its submission, while the prosecution sought three days to respond. The defence further requested an additional 24 hours to address any points of law raised in the prosecution’s reply.
Justice Omotosho granted the applications and adjourned the matter until June 15, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses on the defendants’ no-case submission.
