The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally closed its prosecution in the high-profile money laundering and fraud case involving Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman.
The defendants are facing trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on an amended 16-count charge. The allegations center on the misappropriation and laundering of N10.27 billion (approximately N10.2 billion).
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the EFCC’s 17th prosecution witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar—an investigator with the anti-graft agency concluded his testimony under re-examination by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).
The court admitted into evidence several extrajudicial 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. These were marked as Exhibits B1 to B4 without objection from the defence.
Abubakar highlighted details from the statements, including a N300,000 payment allegedly linked to a bureau de change operator and received from Ali Bello who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the purchase of books to support a community school project.
After discharging the witness, the prosecution formally announced the closure of its case, having presented 17 witnesses and tendered multiple documentary exhibits.
Counsel to the defendants, including A.M. Aliyu (SAN) for the first defendant, indicated their intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case against their clients.
The defence requested four days to file the application, while the prosecution sought three days to respond, with an additional 24 hours for the defence to reply on points of law. Justice Omotosho granted the requests and adjourned the matter to June 15, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses on the no-case submission.
Ali Bello and Dauda Suleiman have both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The outcome of the no-case submission will determine whether the defendants are called upon to open their defence.
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