The trial of Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, resumed on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the 17th prosecution witness detailing how funds were allegedly routed through bureau de change (BDC) operators for transfers to associates.
The witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar (PW17), testified while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
He told the court that Ali Bello, the first defendant, in his extra-judicial statement, acknowledged both inflows and outflows of funds through BDC channels.
“The second column shows that the utilisation of the funds in the BDC were carried out by the instruction of the first defendant, most of them are cronies of the first defendant. In the extrajudicial statement, he has already made a statement as to the inflows and outflows,” the witness said.
Responding to further questions, the witness alleged that the funds were expended for the benefit of both Ali Bello and former Governor Yahaya Bello, with several beneficiaries linked to the transactions.
“The spending of the money is for the first defendant and for the former governor. Some of the beneficiaries were cronies of the first defendant,” he told the court.
He further referenced multiple transactions, including payments to entities and individuals such as Mother Care Welfare, described as an NGO linked to the former governor’s wife, and Mumuni Benghazi of Wuse, Abuja.
The witness also cited alleged payments including ₦100 million to Dantata on behalf of the first defendant, a further ₦20 million to complete the same transaction, ₦80 million for property acquisition, ₦19 million to Sunny Benghazi, and payments to CI Automobiles.
“These are the statements of the defendant before my lord,” he added.
The PW17 was subsequently cross-examined by defence counsels Ahmed Raji, SAN, and O. Jolaooyo, SAN.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to May 6, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) is prosecuting Ali Bello, who serves as Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering and misappropriation of ₦10.27 billion.
