RismadarVoice Reporters
February 16, 2026
The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the 17th Prosecution Witness (PW17) linking him to funds allegedly originating from the Kogi State Government.
Bello, who is also 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.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, PW17, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered during investigations containing details of inflows and outflows of funds.
Responding to questions regarding an outflow of $91,000 dated February 5, 2021, the witness testified that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to the first defendant, Ali Bello.
He also identified a ₦150,000 outflow dated February 6, 2021, released to “Presido.” The witness further explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly travelled from Lokoja to convey funds, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
The witness pointed to additional entries dated February 19, 2021, showing ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000 paid to “Daud,” whom he identified as the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman. He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also referred to the first defendant.
Testifying on findings related to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness said transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million were made for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja. The ₦100 million total payment, he stated, was 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,” the witness told the court.
An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was subsequently tendered by the prosecution and admitted in evidence as Exhibit Q.
However, the prosecution’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 opposed by defence counsel. They 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 parties, Justice Omotosho ordered an immediate trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 serving as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.
During the sub-trial, the witness affirmed that the statements were made voluntarily.
“In EFCC, we have a standard procedure. There were no threats or promises, and the statements were taken in the presence of counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being most present,” he said.
Following the proceedings, the statements were admitted in evidence without further objection from defence counsel.
After cross-examination by counsel to the first and second defendants, the court discharged the witness and adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
