N10bn Kogi Fraud Trial: EFCC Witness Ties Funds To Ali Bello, Court Admits Defendants’ Statements

The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with fresh testimony linking the defendant to funds allegedly traced to the Kogi State Government.

The 17th Prosecution Witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court that financial records recovered during investigations connected Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, to multiple fund transfers.

Ali Bello—nephew to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello—is being prosecuted alongside Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering amounting to N10,270,556,800.00.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness identified Exhibit F as a document detailing inflows and outflows of funds uncovered during the investigation.

According to the witness, a $91,000 outflow dated February 5, 2021, was paid to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to the first defendant, Ali Bello. Another outflow of N150,000 on February 6, 2021, was released to “Presido.”

PW17 further testified that “Rashido” referred to Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported N150 million from Lokoja to a Bureau de Change operator.

He also identified entries dated February 19, 2021, showing N10 million paid to Ali Bello and N500,000 to “Daud,” said to represent the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman. The witness clarified that references to “Alhaji Ali” also pointed to the first defendant.

On transfers linked to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness stated that N80 million and N20 million payments—totalling N100 million—were made for 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 with the Bureau de Change operator,” he testified.

An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was tendered and admitted as Exhibit Q.

However, when the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants—dated between November and December 2022—defence counsel objected, arguing non-compliance with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) regarding the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of statements.

After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho ordered an immediate trial-within-trial to determine the admissibility of the statements. In the sub-trial, PW17 maintained that the statements were voluntarily made.

“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,” the witness said.

Following the sub-trial proceedings and no further objections from defence counsel, the court admitted the statements into evidence.

Justice Omotosho subsequently discharged the witness after cross-examination and adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.