By Peter Omopo
A prosecution witness from the (EFCC) on Monday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that financial transactions traced to the Kogi State Government were allegedly linked to Ali Bello in the ongoing N10.2 billion fraud trial.
The witness, Ahmed Abubakar, an EFCC investigator and the 17th prosecution witness, testified that bank records and transaction documents recovered during investigations revealed inflows and outflows allegedly connected to Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor and nephew of former governor , alongside Sulaiman, is facing a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering of N10,270,556,800.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Abubakar identified Exhibit F, a compilation of transaction entries uncovered during the probe. He told the court that a $91,000 transaction dated February 5, 2021, was paid to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to Ali Bello.
The witness also cited a N150,000 transaction dated February 6, 2021, listed as payment to “Rashido,” identified as Abdulrasheed, who allegedly travelled from Lokoja to transport funds. According to Abubakar, N150 million was moved from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
Further entries dated February 19, 2021, allegedly showed N10 million paid to Ali Bello and N500,000 to Sulaiman. Abubakar stated that references such as “Alhaji Ali” and “Daud” in the documents corresponded to the first and second defendants.
The investigator also pointed to transfers linked to account number 1000688500 belonging to . He told the court that N80 million and N20 million, totalling N100 million, were transferred in connection with Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
“There were 10 entries of N10 million each, making a total of N100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact of the bureau de change operator,” Abubakar testified.
An irrevocable power of attorney relating to the property was admitted by the court as Exhibit Q.
Proceedings were briefly interrupted when the prosecution sought to tender extrajudicial statements allegedly made by the defendants in November and December 2022. Defence counsel objected, arguing that the statements did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly regarding voluntariness and audio-visual recording.
During a trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of the statements, Abubakar maintained that the defendants’ statements were obtained without coercion.
“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.
Following the mini trial, the court admitted the statements into evidence after the defence raised no further objections.
The case was adjourned for continuation of trial.
