N10bn Kogi Fraud Trial: Court Admits Ali Bello’s Statements, Dismisses Duress Claims

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday ruled that the extra-judicial statements made by Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman were voluntary and admissible in evidence.

Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, is being prosecuted alongside Sulaiman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering amounting to N10,270,556,800.

The ruling followed a trial-within-trial conducted to determine whether the statements were obtained under duress, as alleged by the defendants. They had opposed the prosecution’s attempt to tender eight statements, claiming they were threatened into making them.

In his decision, Justice Omotosho held that the defendants had legal representation present when the statements were taken, and that counsel endorsed them as voluntary. He said this complied with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The court subsequently admitted the statements into evidence. Those earlier marked as Exhibits TWA–TWA5 and TWB–TWB1 were admitted as Exhibits R2–R5 and S–SW1 in the substantive trial.

The matter was adjourned to April 21 and 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.