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Kogi: EFCC witness links Gov Ododo’s CoS Ali Bello with N10.27b fraud
The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness linking several fund transfers to the first defendant.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering involving N10,270,556,800.00.
The 17th prosecution witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, told the court that Exhibit F—a document recovered during investigation—detailed inflows and outflows of funds allegedly connected to the defendants.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness identified a $91,000 outflow dated February 5, 2021, which he said was paid to “Oga Ali,” referring to Ali Bello.
“The $91,000.00 paid on February 5, 2021, was to ‘Oga Ali,’ which is the first defendant,” the witness told the court.
He also identified a February 6, 2021 entry of N150,000 released to “Presido.”
Explaining further entries, the witness said “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported N150 million in cash from Lokoja to a Bureau de Change operator.
On transactions dated February 19, 2021, the witness pointed to an endorsement of N10 million paid to Ali Bello and N500,000 to Dauda Sulaiman.
“Alhaji Ali’ refers to the first defendant, while ‘Daud’ refers to the second defendant,” he stated.
Testifying on investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness said transfers of N80 million and N20 million were made for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja.
According to him, the N100 million total payment was reflected in Exhibit F.
“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 said.
The prosecution subsequently tendered the irrevocable power of attorney for the property, which was admitted and marked as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants—dated November 29 and 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 (for the first defendant), and November 30 and December 1, 2022 (for the second defendant)—was opposed by defence counsel.
The defence argued that the statements did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly regarding the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of the statements.
After hearing arguments, Justice Omotosho ordered the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements.
During 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,” he said.
Following the proceedings, the statements were admitted in evidence after no further objections were raised by defence counsel.
Justice Omotosho subsequently discharged the witness after cross-examination and adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026 for continuation of the trial.
The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgement that removed its leadership.
The opposition party also disclosed that it had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The party made this known in a statement on Friday, November 6, adding that it had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the legal steps taken,
The appeal is against the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2025, involving Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
The party urged INEC to refrain from taking any further action on the matter until the Court of Appeal has considered the case.
It argued that the application for a stay of execution was yet to be decided and that the electoral commission should not take any step that could affect the outcome of the appeal.
According to the ADC, it expects INEC to respect the ongoing legal process and allow the appellate court to hear the matter before making any decision connected to the judgement.
The statement partly read, “The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgement is now being challenged before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
“We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decisions.”
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the court judgement would not stop its political activities.
It said its campaigns would continue while it explored all available legal options to defend its position.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee that oversaw the party’s affairs illegal and invalidating all decisions taken by the committee.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate, had already selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the David Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate all actions undertaken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The plaintiff maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the authority of the caretaker committee and decisions taken under its leadership.
The verdict is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly over Atiku’s presidential ambition and the party’s preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
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