An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness on Tuesday tendered multiple exhibits in the ongoing ₦3.08 billion money laundering case involving Ali Bello, nephew of Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and four others at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The EFCC presented Mr. Femi Remigus, a compliance officer at Zenith Bank Plc, as its sixth prosecution witness before Justice Obiora Egwuatu. Ali Bello, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Dodo, stands trial alongside Abba Daudu, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello (who is currently at large).
The defendants were first arraigned on February 8, 2023, on an 18-count charge of alleged criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦3,081,804,654.00.
According to the EFCC, the defendants, in June 2020, allegedly procured E-Traders International Limited to retain the total sum of over ₦3 billion—funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. The charge violates Sections 18(a) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
All defendants pleaded not guilty, paving the way for the commencement of trial.
During Tuesday’s hearing, EFCC lead counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) guided Remigus in providing details of suspicious financial transactions. The witness testified that in 2018, substantial sums were deposited into the bank account of Komfort Koncept Company by various local government areas (LGAs) in Kogi State.
Remigus highlighted that on October 4, 2018, there were nine separate credits to Komfort Koncept’s account, including:
-
₦18.6 million from Ibaji LGA
-
₦20.8 million from Adavi LGA
-
₦17.5 million from Kogi LGA
-
₦18.4 million from Kabba LGA
-
₦17 million from Ankpa LGA
-
₦18.2 million from Yagba West LGA
-
₦21.3 million from Ofu LGA
He also noted that prior to these inflows, the account had a balance of just ₦7,275. Subsequently, a total of ₦105 million was transferred from the Komfort Koncept account to the defendants, particularly Abba Daudu.
Remigus presented related banking documents—account statements, opening forms, and certificates of identification—linked to Komfort Koncept, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Abba Daudu.
EFCC counsel applied to tender the documents as exhibits. While the defense counsel objected, they deferred their formal opposition to the final written address stage. Justice Egwuatu admitted the documents, stating that their evidentiary value would be assessed during the court’s judgment.
Next Steps
The court adjourned the trial to May 5, 19, 20, and 21 for continued hearings.
Additional Information
Ali Bello is also facing prosecution in a related money laundering case before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.