By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The trial of Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with the 17th Prosecution Witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, detailing how alleged funds were moved through Bureau De Change (BDC) operators to associates of the defendant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Ali Bello, who also serves as Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, alongside Dauda Sulaiman on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering of ₦10.27 billion.
According to evidence by prosecution counsel and Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness told the court that Ali Bello, in his extra-judicial statement, admitted to inflows and outflows of funds routed through BDC operators.
He further alleged that the utilisation of the funds was done on the instruction of the first defendant, adding that several transactions were traced to individuals described as his associates.
According to him, “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 the cronies of the first defendant.”
He also told the court that part of the funds were linked to both Ali Bello and former Governor Yahaya Bello, alleging that some payments were made for personal and associated interests.
The witness mentioned transactions including alleged payments to CI Automobiles, Dantata, and other individuals, as well as an NGO identified as Mother Care Welfare, said to be linked to the former governor’s wife.
He added that N100 million was allegedly paid to Dantata in tranches of N80 million and N20 million, alongside other transfers to various beneficiaries.
During proceedings, defence counsel Ahmed Raji, SAN, and O. Jolaooyo, SAN, cross-examined the witness.
Justice Omotosho thereafter adjourned the matter to May 6, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.