Crime
Money laundering: Access Bank staff member testifies against Yahaya Bello’s nephew, others
Money laundering: Access Bank staff member testifies against Yahaya Bello’s nephew, others
In a recent development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, an amended money-laundering charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Ali Bello, the nephew of former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello, and his co-defendant Dauda Sulaiman, has taken center stage. This legal battle sheds light on alleged misappropriation of state funds and money laundering activities involving the accused individuals.
During the court proceedings, the defendants, including Ali Bello who currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Dodo, entered pleas of not guilty in response to the amended charges brought against them by the EFCC.
Key Testimony in Court
Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the EFCC counsel, presented a pivotal witness from Access Bank, Olom Otane Egoro, to provide crucial testimony. Egoro detailed how significant sums of money were deposited into the Kogi State bank account and subsequently withdrawn in cash, on multiple occasions, throughout 2019. The witness highlighted that these cash withdrawals, often amounting to N10 million each, occurred on the same day as the deposits.
Egoro’s testimony was based on thorough examination of bank statements from the Kogi State Government House account held at Access Bank, spanning the period between 2019 and 2021. In a bid to strengthen the case, Oyedepo sought the court’s approval to admit these bank documents as exhibits in evidence.
Legal Proceedings and Adjournment
In response to the request for admission of the bank documents, counsels representing the defendants, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN) and Olusegun Jolaawo (SAN), opted to withhold their objections until the submission of their final written addresses. Consequently, Justice Omotosho ruled for the case to be adjourned to the 19th and 20th of June for the continuation of the hearing.
Key Takeaways
It is noteworthy that the EFCC is concurrently prosecuting the defendants in other related cases, with these sister cases being overseen by Justice Obiora Egwuatu and Justice Emeka Nwite. Reports from Nairametrics indicate that the charges before Justice Emeka Nwite’s court also implicate the former Kogi governor as a defendant.
In conclusion, the unfolding legal proceedings underscore the gravity of the allegations surrounding money laundering and misappropriation of state funds. The testimonies and evidence presented in court serve as critical components in the pursuit of justice and accountability in financial crimes cases of this nature.
Stay tuned for further updates as this case progresses through the judicial system, shedding light on the complexities of combating financial crimes and ensuring transparency in governance.
