The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Usman Ododo, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho at the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The 17th prosecution witness, PW17 Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linked Bello to multiple fund transfers from the Kogi State Government.
Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, is being prosecuted alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge of alleged misappropriation and money laundering totaling ₦10,270,556,800.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC investigator identified Exhibit F, a document detailing inflows and outflows of government funds. When asked about a $91,000 outflow dated February 5, 2021, PW17 stated the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to Bello.
The witness further highlighted transactions including:
₦150 million moved on February 6, 2021, via “Rashido” (Abdulrasheed) from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000 to Dauda Sulaiman on February 19, 2021.
₦100 million transferred to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company for Plot 1060 in Gwarimpa, Abuja, in ten separate ₦10 million installments. PW17 noted the source of these funds as Maigari Murtala, an associate of Bello.
The prosecution also tendered the irrevocable power of attorney for the property as Exhibit Q.
Trial-Within-Trial on Defendant Statements
The prosecution attempted to admit extra-judicial statements of both defendants, dated November–December 2022, but counsel for Bello and Sulaiman objected, questioning the voluntariness of the audio-visual recordings under Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Justice Omotosho ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first witness. The investigator affirmed that the statements were voluntarily given: “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 testified.
Following the sub-trial, the statements were admitted into evidence without further objection.
Proceedings and Next Steps
Counsel for both defendants cross-examined PW17 before he was discharged from the witness box. Justice Omotosho adjourned the case to February 17, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
The proceedings underscore the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable in one of Nigeria’s high-profile anti-corruption cases.
