The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has sent one Ali
Bello to prison.
The nephew to Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello and his alleged
accomplice Dauda Sulaiman are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC),
They will remain there pending the fulfilment of bail
conditions.
They were remanded by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho
alongside Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier at the Kogi State House (currently at
large).
The defendants face a 10-count charge of misappropriation
and money laundering committed between January and December 2021.
Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing
at total of N10,270,556,800 from the state treasury.
They delivered the money to a Bureau de Change operator,
Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to change to foreign currencies “for personal gains”.
The alleged offence violates sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of
the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under
section 15 (3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) asked the court to fix a date for the
commencement of trial.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab
Mohammed (SAN) informed the court of his application for bail.
Justice Omotosho admitted them to bail in the sum of
N1billion each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of N2billion each and
have landed property worth N500 million.
The properties must be registered with the court.
The sureties must submit bank statements, international
passports, an affidavit of means, and evidence of tax clearance for 3 years.
The defendants will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre
in Abuja until bail is met. The matter resumes February 6, 2023.
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