The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.
According to TheCable, Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday ordered that Bodejo remain in EFCC custody pending the determination of his bail application. The court adjourned the matter until July 20 for a ruling on the bail request.
Bodejo pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following the arraignment, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant. However, Bodejo’s lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ahmed Raji, urged the court to grant bail, arguing that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Raji told the court that the bail application, filed on June 30, was supported by several grounds.
Opposing the request, Shittu relied on a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit, arguing that Bodejo had previously been questioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) over other matters and could commit further offences if released.
The prosecution also challenged the defendant’s claim of ill health, stating that the injury cited was not recent and that he did not appear to be medically unfit. Shittu further argued that Bodejo could interfere with witnesses if granted bail, while urging the court to impose strict conditions should bail be approved.
According to the charge, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo accepted $200,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, on January 21, 2022, in a transaction exceeding the legal threshold.
The commission also alleged that he later received another $100,000 in cash from Abubakar on October 26, 2022, as well as an additional $980,000 through 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.
