A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over an alleged $2.63 million money laundering case.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after Bodejo was arraigned by the anti-graft agency on multiple counts bordering on alleged money laundering and alleged terrrism financing. The judge directed that the defendant remain in EFCC custody pending the determination of his bail application and adjourned the matter until July 20 for a ruling.
The EFCC, represented by Wahab Shittu, SAN, filed the charges against Bodejo on June 25. After the charges were read, the Miyetti Allah leader pleaded not guilty to all counts. Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant.
Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and sought permission to move the motion. Raji argued that the application, filed on June 30, was supported by several grounds, maintaining that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.
He urged the court to grant his client bail. Opposing the application, Shittu told the court that the EFCC had filed a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit, which it adopted in its entirety. He argued that Bodejo had previously been detained by the Department of State Services, DSS over other alleged offences, adding that there was a risk he could commit further offences if released on bail.
The prosecution also dismissed the defendant’s claim of ill health, contending that the injury cited was not recent and that Bodejo did not appear to be in poor health. Shittu further argued that the defendant could use his influence to interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
However, he urged the court to impose stringent conditions should it decide to release him. According to the EFCC, Bodejo unlawfully accepted several cash payments from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Attorney-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody.
The agency alleged that on January 21, 2022, Bodejo received $200,000 in cash from Abubakar in Abuja, exceeding the legal transaction threshold. It further accused him of receiving another $100,000 on October 26, 2022, as well as an additional $980,000 in separate cash transactions.
The EFCC said the alleged offences contravene Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.
