EFCC
Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Links Fund Transfers to Ali Bello, Co-defendant
The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the 17th prosecution witness (PW17), Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello to funds from the Kogi State Government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello — a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello — alongside Dauda Sulaiman on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered during the investigation containing details of inflows and outflows of funds.
Responding to the prosecution counsel’s enquiry regarding a $91,000.00 outflow dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the first defendant, Ali Bello.
On February 6, 2021, the witness identified another outflow of ₦150,000.00 released to “Presido.”
He further explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who came from Lokoja to transport money, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to a bureau de change operator.
The witness also identified entries dated February 19, 2021, showing an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000.00 to “Daud.” He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also referred to the first defendant, while “Daud” referred to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.
On investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the payments were for Plot 1060, located in Gwarimpa, Abuja, made by the company. The ₦100 million total, he said, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and reflected in Exhibit F.
“There were 10 entries of ₦10 million each, making a total of ₦100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact of the bureau de change operator,” he said.
The irrevocable power of attorney for the said property was subsequently tendered in evidence by the prosecution and marked as Exhibit Q.
The prosecution counsel’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants — dated November 29 and 30; December 1, 10, 11, and 12, 2022 for the first defendant; and November 30 and December 1, 2022 for the second defendant — was objected to by counsel for both defendants on the ground that their admissibility did not comply with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), particularly with regard to the voluntariness and audio-visual recording of the statements.
After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ordered the immediate commencement of a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.
In his testimony, the witness identified the defendants’ statements and affirmed that they were voluntarily made.
“In the EFCC, we have standards — no threats, no promises — and the statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being most present,” he said.
Following the proceedings in the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, as there was no further objection from defence counsel.
Counsel to the first and second defendants subsequently cross-examined the witness. Upon the conclusion of cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has commended the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, and the Commission for their efforts and vital role in Operation Artemis, a joint international effort to disrupt financially motivated sextortion networks targeting minors.
The commendation was conveyed in a letter signed by FBI Director Kash Patel, who praised the Commission for its collaboration with the Bureau in the arrest and extradition of suspects facing federal charges in the United States.
In the letter addressed to Olukoyede, Patel acknowledged the Commission’s contribution to the operation, stating that “the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has played a vital role in Operation Artemis, a joint effort focused on disrupting financially motivated sextortion rings targeting juveniles.”
He said that, under Olukoyede’s leadership, the EFCC designated personnel to support the investigations and facilitate the transfer of suspects from Nigeria to face prosecution in the United States.
Specifically, the FBI Director commended the EFCC for apprehending Adebola Festus Adekunle and Mudashiru Afeez Olawale, who were indicted in the United States in 2023 over allegations relating to the sexual exploitation and extortion of minors.
The two suspects were extradited to the United States in August 2026, with the EFCC facilitating the process following investigations and extradition proceedings. They are facing federal charges relating to sexual exploitation in cases involving the deaths of minors.
Patel noted that the successful outcome of the cases would not have been possible without the EFCC’s assistance and commitment to international law enforcement cooperation.
“The successful outcome of these cases would not have been possible without your assistance and dedication to international law enforcement collaboration,” he said.
The FBI Director further expressed appreciation to Olukoyede and the Commission for their commitment to justice and continued cooperation, while expressing optimism about strengthening the partnership between both agencies.
“Please accept my sincere appreciation for your commitment to justice and steadfast cooperation. I look forward to the continued partnership with the EFCC,” he stated in the letter.
The extradition of Adekunle and Olawale followed FBI investigations into separate sextortion schemes targeting male minors in the United States. The investigations linked the alleged activities to two teenage victims who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
The Japanese Ambassador-Designate to Nigeria, His Excellency, Hideo Suzuki Paid a Courtesy Visit to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in his office today, October 28, 2026. He was accompanied on the visit by First Secretary, Security, Yuji Murakami and Senior Information Analyst, Dogara Ankut.
Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, sentenced a former banker, Christopher Jackson Edeh, to a total of 39 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a ₦2.7 billion fraud prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Edeh, who was arraigned on February 28, 2024, faced nine counts bordering on fraudulent false accounting and unauthorised access to a computer system.
The charges alleged that he altered the bank account details of several customers and government-related entities, including the Kano State Government Power Intervention Fund, NNPC Trading Limited, Stallion Vision Ltd, the Lagos State Government Blue Line, the State Contributory Pension Account and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, with intent to defraud.
During the trial, prosecuting counsel, Z. B. Atiku, called three witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence to establish the case against the defendant. The defence, in turn, called one witness.
In her judgment, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted Edeh on all nine counts.
The court sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts one to seven, bordering on fraudulent false accounting, and two years’ imprisonment without an option of fine on each of counts eight and nine, relating to unauthorised access to a computer system with intent to facilitate the commission of crimes.
The court ordered that all the sentences run concurrently.
FBI Commends Olukoyede, EFCC for Support in Tackling Sextortion, Cybercrime
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