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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Fresh drama unfolded at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigator directly linked Kogi State’s Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, the nephew for former governor Yahaya Bello in massive cash movements allegedly siphoned from government funds.
Bello serves under Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo and is standing trial alongside Dauda Sulaiman over an alleged ₦10.27 billion misappropriation scheme.
The case is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 16-count amended charge bordering on money laundering and diversion of public funds.
Testifying as the 17th prosecution witness, EFCC investigator Ahmed Audu Abubakar walked the court through Exhibit F, a financial trail document showing multiple inflows and suspicious withdrawals tied to the defendants.
Led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, the witness revealed that a $91,000 transfer made on February 5, 2021, was sent to “Oga Ali,” which he identified as Ali Bello.
He further disclosed that ₦150,000 was paid to “Presido,” while “Rashido” identified as Abdulrasheed physically transported ₦150 million from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
More entries dated February 19, 2021 allegedly showed ₦10 million sent to Bello and ₦500,000 to Sulaiman.
“There were ten separate transfers of ₦10 million each, making ₦100 million in total,” the witness told the court. “The funds came from Maigari Murtala, an associate of the first defendant who worked with a bureau de change operator.”
The witness also confirmed that ₦100 million was paid to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company for the purchase of Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja a transaction backed by an irrevocable power of attorney admitted as Exhibit Q.
When the prosecution sought to tender extra-judicial statements made by the defendants in late 2022, defence lawyers objected, arguing they failed to meet the voluntariness standards under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Presiding judge James Omotosho immediately ordered a trial-within-trial to settle the dispute.
Taking the stand again, the EFCC witness insisted the statements were freely made.
“There were no threats, no inducements and no pressure,” he said. “All statements were taken in the presence of lawyers, including Z.E. Abbas.”
Following the mini-trial, the court admitted the statements into evidence and discharged the witness after cross-examination.
Justice Omotosho adjourned proceedings to February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
“This case shows our resolve to trace public funds and hold powerful individuals accountable,” a prosecution source said after the session.