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 the 17th prosecution witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello to funds from the Kogi State Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello — a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello — alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered during the investigation containing details of inflows and outflows of funds.
Responding to the prosecution counsel’s enquiry regarding a $91,000.00 outflow dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the first defendant, Ali Bello.
On February 6, 2021, the witness identified another outflow of ₦150,000.00 released to “Presido.”
He further explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who came from Lokoja to transport money, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
The witness also identified entries dated February 19, 2021, showing an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000.00 to “Daud.” He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also referred to the first defendant, while “Daud” referred to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
On investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the payments were for Plot 1060, located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, made by the company. The ₦100 million total, he said, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and reflected in Exhibit F.
“There were 10 entries of ₦10 million each, making a total of ₦100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact of the bureau de change operator,” he said.
The irrevocable power of attorney for the said property was subsequently tendered in evidence by the prosecution and marked as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution counsel’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 objected to by counsel for both defendants on the ground that their admissibility did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly with regard to the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of the statements.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ordered the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.
In his testimony, the witness identified the defendants’ statements and affirmed that they were voluntarily made.
“In the EFCC, we have standards — no threats, no promises — and the statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being most present,” he said.
Following the proceedings in the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, as there was no further objection from defence counsel.
Counsel to the first and second defendants subsequently cross-examined the witness. Upon the conclusion of cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
