Jun 2, 2026

EFCC Closes N10.2 Billion Fraud Case Against Kogi Governor’s Nephew

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rested its prosecution Tuesday in the high-profile money laundering and misappropriation trial of Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Gov. Yahaya Bello, after calling 17 witnesses over several months.

Bello, who serves as chief of staff to current Kogi Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, face an amended 16-count charge alleging they diverted and laundered N10.27 billion (about $6.4 million at current rates) in public funds.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama presided over the session where the EFCC formally closed its case.

The final witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, wrapped up his testimony under re-examination by lead prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, a senior advocate.

Prosecutors introduced four statements from Abdulsalam Hudu, a former cashier at the Kogi State Government House, dated Aug. 7, Aug. 14, Sept. 3 and Sept. 24, 2024. The court admitted them without objection as Exhibits B1 through B4.

During cross-examination of the exhibits, Abubakar highlighted a N300,000 cash payment that Hudu reportedly received from Bello.

The funds, according to the statement, were intended for purchasing books to support a community school project.

The case centers on alleged financial irregularities during Yahaya Bello’s administration, which ended in 2024.

Ali Bello’s position as a senior official in the successor government has drawn additional public scrutiny, raising questions about continuity of alleged practices and accountability in state resource management.

Defense attorneys A.M. Aliyu, SAN, for Bello, and his counterpart for Suleiman immediately signaled plans to file a “no-case submission,” arguing the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case warranting a defense.

They requested four days to file the motion. Oyedepo asked for three days to respond, with the defense seeking an additional 24 hours for points of law.

Omotosho granted the timetable and adjourned proceedings to June 15 for adoption of written addresses.

The ruling on whether the defendants must open their defense could come shortly afterward.

This trial forms part of a broader EFCC crackdown on alleged graft linked to the Bello family and Kogi State finances.

Yahaya Bello himself faces separate money laundering charges involving significantly larger sums in other courts, though he maintains his innocence and has described the probes as politically motivated.

Legal observers note that no-case submissions succeed only when the evidence presented is deemed too weak or contradictory to require rebuttal.

A successful submission would lead to immediate discharge of the defendants; rejection would shift the burden to the defense team.

The development comes amid heightened national focus on corruption and public fund management, especially in states with histories of fiscal disputes between executive and anti-graft agencies.

Supporters of the accused view the case as selective prosecution, while critics see it as a necessary step toward institutional accountability.

As of Tuesday evening, neither Bello nor his legal team had issued a public comment beyond court proceedings.

The EFCC has described the matter as a straightforward financial crime investigation built on documentary evidence and witness testimonies.

The case continues to fuel debate over governance standards in Nigeria’s resource-rich but often underdeveloped states.

For families and communities in Kogi, the outcome carries implications far beyond the courtroom—touching on trust in leadership and the proper use of funds meant for development projects like the school initiative mentioned in testimony.