A Federal High Court in Abuja has 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) pending the ruling on his bail application over alleged money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after Bodejo was arraigned on a six-count charge accusing him of laundering about $2.63 million. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, after which the prosecution sought a trial date while the defence asked the court to first hear the bail application.
Defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) argued that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and urged the court to grant his client bail.
Opposing the application, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) told the court that Bodejo had previously been in the custody of the Department of State Services over other offences. He argued that the defendant could commit further offences, interfere with witnesses and that his health claims were not sufficient grounds for bail.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until July 20 for a ruling on the bail application and ordered that Bodejo remain in EFCC custody.
According to the EFCC, Bodejo unlawfully received multiple cash payments from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, between 2022 and 2024. The agency alleged that the transactions, ranging from $100,000 to $980,000, exceeded the legal cash transaction threshold without passing through any financial institution.
The anti-graft agency said the alleged offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and are punishable under the relevant laws.
