EFCC ARRAIGNS MIYETTI ALLAH LEADER BODEJO OVER ALLEGED $2.33M MONEY LAUNDERING

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By; Sunmola Ganiyat

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.

According to the anti-graft agency, Bodejo was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu, asked the court to fix a trial date and remand Bodejo in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of proceedings.

However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji, urged the court to grant his client bail based on an application filed on June 30, 2026.

Opposing the request, the prosecution argued that Bodejo could pose a flight risk and might interfere with witnesses and the judicial process if released.

Shittu further told the court that the Department of State Services was monitoring the defendant and maintained that his influence could affect the progress of the case.

Justice Ekwo subsequently ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility and adjourned proceedings until July 20 for a ruling on the bail application.

According to the charges, Bodejo allegedly received $100,000 in cash from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, without routing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

The EFCC also alleged that he accepted an additional $980,000 in cash from the same individual in February 2024 in contravention of provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The anti-corruption agency said the total amount involved in the charges is approximately $2.33 million.

The case is expected to continue on July 20 when the court delivers its decision on the defendant’s bail application.