EFCC arraigns Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo over alleged $2.33m money laundering, terrorism financing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering and terrorism financing involving about $2.33 million.

Bodejo was brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo on a 12-count amended charge bordering on alleged money laundering and terrorism financing. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly received large sums of cash in foreign currency outside the formal banking system, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash in Abuja on January 11, 2022, and another $200,000 on January 21, 2022, without processing the funds through a financial institution.

The Commission further alleged that on February 7, 2024, he received $980,000 in cash, which investigators claim he knew or reasonably ought to have known constituted proceeds of unlawful activity. It also accused him of receiving an additional $500,000 in cash on March 20, 2024, in violation of the country’s anti-money laundering laws.

The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Wahab Shittu, told the court that a significant portion of the funds was allegedly traced to Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody.

Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecution opposed his bail application, urging the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial. Shittu argued that Bodejo’s influence and the nature of the allegations raised concerns that he could interfere with witnesses or the investigation. He also informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) has an ongoing security interest in the matter.

Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji, SAN, however, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms or, alternatively, allow him to remain in the custody of the EFCC instead of being remanded in a correctional centre.

After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of his bail application.

The judge adjourned the matter until July 20, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application and further proceedings.

The charges remain allegations, and Bodejo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.