By Francis Wilfred
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged $2.33 million money laundering case.
Bodejo was arraigned before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo on a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering and unlawful cash transactions, contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
At the commencement of proceedings, EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), informed the court that the 12-count charge was dated June 24 and filed on June 25, 2026, and urged the court to allow the defendant to take his plea. The request was granted.
One of the charges alleged that Bodejo knowingly accepted $100,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, on January 11, 2022, in Abuja.
According to the EFCC, the transaction exceeded the legal cash transaction threshold of N5 million and was not processed through a financial institution as required by law.
Another count alleged that he received $980,000 in cash from the same former government official on February 7, 2024, also in Abuja, without routing the funds through a financial institution.
The anti-graft agency maintained that the transactions violated the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The prosecution told the court that the alleged transactions formed part of a wider pattern of cash dealings amounting to about $2.33 million.
When the charges were read, Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts.
Following the plea, Shittu asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending further proceedings.
However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail, relying on a bail application filed on June 30, 2026.
The prosecution opposed the application, relying on a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit filed on July 6, 2026.
Shittu argued that the defendant posed a public risk and could interfere with witnesses or obstruct the course of justice if released. He also informed the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) had an interest in the matter.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC holding facility pending a ruling on his bail application.
The court adjourned the matter until July 20, 2026, for ruling on the bail application.
