By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday, closed its case against Ali Bello a nephew of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Adoza Bello and his co-defendant Dauda Suleiman after calling 17 witnesses in the trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama Abuja.
The defendants are facing amended 16-count charges bordering on misappropriation and money laundering involving the sum of N10 270 556 800.
At Tuesday’s sitting the 17th prosecution witness Ahmed Audu Abubakar an investigator with the EFCC concluded his testimony under re-examination by the prosecution counsel Director of Public Prosecution Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.
The prosecution tendered statements made by Abdulsalam Hudu the cashier of the Kogi State Government House Administration on August 7 August 14 September 3 and September 24 2024. With no objection from the defence counsel the court admitted the statements as exhibits B1 B2 B3 and B4 respectively.
The witness was asked to identify portions of the exhibits relating to the payment of N300 000 by a bureau de change operator to Hudu. He pointed to the statement of August 14 2024 and read that the money was received from Ali Bello who currently serves as chief of staff to Kogi State governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the purchase of books meant to support a community school project.
After the conclusion of his testimony and with no further questions from either side the witness was discharged.
Prosecution counsel then informed the court that the EFCC had closed its case having presented 17 witnesses and several documentary exhibits in support of the charges.
Counsel to the first defendant A M Aliyu SAN and counsel to the second defendant indicated their intention to file a no-case submission.
They requested four days to file the submission while the prosecution sought three days to respond and the defence asked for an additional 24 hours to reply on points of law.
Justice Omotosho granted the applications and adjourned the matter to June 15 2026 for the adoption of written addresses on the no-case submission.
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