₦10bn Kogi Fraud Trial: Prosecution Witness Links Ali Bello to Alleged Transfers
A prosecution witness on Monday linked a massive ₦10 billion alleged transfer fraud tied to the Kogi State government to Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The revelation came as the trial resumed at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho. Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, faces prosecution alongside Dauda Sulaiman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count amended charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering totaling ₦10.27 billion.
The 17th prosecution witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, testified under questioning by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN). He identified key documents—marked Exhibit F—detailing inflows and outflows of funds linked to the case.
Abubakar revealed that a $91,000 transfer on February 5, 2021, was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to Ali Bello. Other transactions included ₦150,000 to “Presido” and cash movements via “Rashido,” allegedly Abdulrasheed, who transported ₦150 million from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, to a bureau de change operator.
He further pointed out entries showing payments of ₦10 million to Bello and ₦500,000 to Dauda Sulaiman on February 19, 2021, clarifying that “Alhaji Ali” in the records also referred to the first defendant.
Regarding account number 1000688500, held by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness testified that ₦100 million was transferred in ten ₦10 million tranches for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja. The payments, he explained, originated from Maigari Murtala, an ally of Ali Bello connected to the bureau de change operator. An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was later admitted as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution also sought to admit extra-judicial statements of the defendants, recorded in late 2022. The defence initially challenged their admissibility, citing sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) regarding voluntariness and proper recording. Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to verify voluntariness, during which Abubakar testified that the statements were made voluntarily in the presence of legal counsel.
After cross-examinations and in the absence of further objections, the court admitted the statements into evidence. Proceedings were adjourned to Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
