₦10bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Hyperlinks Fund Transfers to Ali Bello, Co-defendant

The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Employees to the governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo earlier than Justice James Omotosho of the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Maitama, Abuja continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, with the seventeenth Prosecution Witness, PW17, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello with funds from Kogi State Authorities.

The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended cost bordering on alleged misappropriation and cash laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.

Led in proof by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, recognized Exhibit F as a doc recovered in the middle of investigation that accommodates particulars of inflows and outflows of funds.

In response to prosecution counsel’s enquiry on $91,000.00 outflow, dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the quantity was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the primary defendant, Ali Bello.

On February 6, 2021, the witness recognized an outflow of ₦150,000.00, launched to “Presido.”

He additional defined that “Rashido” referred to at least one Abdulrasheed, who got here from Lokoja to move cash, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to the bureau de change operator.

The witness additionally recognized entries, dated February 19, 2021, exhibiting an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000.00 to Daud. He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” additionally refers back to the first defendant, whereas “Daud” refers back to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.

On investigation findings regarding account quantity 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Building Firm, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the funds have been for Plot 1060, positioned in Gwarimpa,Abuja, made by the corporate. The ₦100 million complete he stated, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and mirrored in Exhibit F.

“There have been 10 entries of ₦10 million every, making a complete of ₦100 million. The supply is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the primary defendant and a contact with the Bureau de Change operator,” he stated.

The irrevocable energy of legal professional for the stated property was subsequently tendered in proof by the prosecution, marked Exhibit Q.

The prosecution counsel’s try and tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, dated November 29, 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 for the primary defendant, and November 30 and December 1, 2022 for the second defendant was objected to by counsel to the primary and second defendants on the alleged floor that their admissibility didn’t adjust to Part 15(4) and Part 17(2) of the Administration of Prison Justice Act, ACJA, notably with reference to the voluntariness of audio-visual recording of statements.

After listening to arguments from each side, Justice Omotosho dominated for rapid graduation of trial-within-trial to find out the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the primary prosecution witness within the sub-trial.

In his testimony, the witness recognized the statements of the defendants and affirmed that they have been voluntarily made.

“In EFCC, now we have a normal. No threats, no guarantees, and statements have been taken within the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being essentially the most current,” he stated.

Following the proceedings within the sub-trial, the statements have been admitted in proof, as there was no additional objection from counsel.

Counsel to the primary and second defendants cross-examined the witness. With the exhaustion of their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness from the witness field and adjourned the matter until February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.