The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) 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.
At the resumed hearing, the 17th Prosecution Witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, testified that financial records recovered during investigations linked Bello to multiple fund transfers allegedly originating from the Kogi State Government.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness identified Exhibit F as a document detailing inflows and outflows of funds uncovered in the course of investigation.
According to the witness, an outflow of $91,000 dated February 5, 2021, was paid to “Oga Ali,” which he said referred to the first defendant, Ali Bello. Another entry dated February 6, 2021, showed ₦150,000 released to “Presido.”
He further testified that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who allegedly transported ₦150 million from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
The witness also identified entries dated February 19, 2021, indicating ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000 to “Daud,” which he clarified referred to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
Testifying on transfers linked to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, the witness stated that ₦80 million and ₦20 million were transferred for the purchase of Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja. He said the ₦100 million total payment was 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 with the Bureau de Change operator,” the witness told the court.
An irrevocable power of attorney for the property was subsequently tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit Q.
During proceedings, defence counsel objected to the admissibility of the defendants’ extra-judicial statements dated between November and December 2022, arguing non-compliance with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) regarding voluntariness and audio-visual recording.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying in the sub-trial.
The witness maintained that the statements were made voluntarily.
“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.
Following the sub-trial proceedings, the statements were admitted in evidence after no further objections were raised by defence counsel.
After cross-examination by counsel to both defendants, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
