EFCC to arraign Yahaya Bello’s nephew, wife Monday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has revealed that the money laundering trial of two family members of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; his nephew, Ali Bello and his wife Rashida Bello (at large) will resume on Monday, February 13, 2023, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, The PUNCH reports.

Ali Bello was among four defendants remanded upon arraignment on February 8, 2023, on an 18-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00.

The other defendants are Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyada Sadat.

The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren revealed on Sunday in a statement obtained by our correspondent.

Last week, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. In view of their pleas, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had urged the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Justice Egwuatu remanded the defendants and adjourned the case till February 13, 2023, for hearing and determination of their bail applications.

Count one of the charges reads, “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu, Yakubu Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in June 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court procured E-Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654.00, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Count three reads, “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu and Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Count 17 reads, “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu and Rashida Bello (at large) between July 26, 2021, and April 6, 2022, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $570,330 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Count 18 reads, “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adaudu and Rashida Bello (at large) between July 26, 2021, and April 6, 2022, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $845,852.84 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

(Punch)