$2.63 Million Money Laundering Case: Court Remands Miyetti Allah President in EFCC Custody, Delays Bail Decision

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Bello Bodejo, National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, 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 on Thursday shortly after Bodejo was arraigned on multiple counts bordering on alleged unlawful cash transactions and money laundering offences.

The court directed that the Miyetti Allah leader remain in EFCC custody pending a ruling on his bail application, which has been fixed for July 20.

Bodejo was docked as the sole defendant in a charge filed by the anti-graft agency on June 25. During the proceedings, the charges were read to him, after which he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Following the plea, EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), urged the court to set a date for trial and order the defendant's remand.

However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution. He subsequently moved the application, arguing that the offences for which Bodejo was being prosecuted were bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Raji urged the court to grant his client bail, stressing that the law permits such relief and that the application was supported by several grounds and affidavits.

The EFCC strongly opposed the request. Shittu told the court that the commission had filed a detailed 28-paragraph counter-affidavit challenging the bail application.

According to the prosecution, Bodejo's record showed that he had previously been investigated and detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in relation to other matters, raising concerns that he could commit further offences if released.

Shittu also dismissed claims relating to the defendant's health condition, arguing that the injury cited by the defence was not recent and that Bodejo did not appear to be in poor health.

The EFCC further contended that the defendant's position and influence could enable him to interfere with witnesses expected to testify during the trial.

While urging the court to refuse bail, the prosecution added that if the court was inclined to grant the application, it should impose stringent conditions to ensure compliance.

At the centre of the case are allegations that Bodejo unlawfully received large sums of cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Attorney-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody.

The EFCC alleged that on January 21, 2022, Bodejo accepted a cash payment of $200,000 from Abubakar in Abuja without lawful authority, an amount said to exceed the legal threshold for cash transactions.

The commission further alleged that he received another $100,000 in cash on October 26, 2022, as well as an additional $980,000 from the same source, all in violation of provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the anti-graft agency, the alleged transactions formed part of a broader $2.63 million money laundering scheme, contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Act and punishable under Section 19(2)(b).

With the defendant now in EFCC custody, attention shifts to July 20 when the court is expected to determine whether Bodejo will regain his freedom on bail or remain behind bars as the high-profile trial progresses.