The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and Dauda Sulaiman resumed briefly at the Federal High Court in Abuja before being adjourned. The proceedings before Justice James Omotosho were halted after Ahmed Raji, SAN, appeared as new lead counsel for Bello and requested an adjournment to review the case file. EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the application, arguing it was a tactic to delay the trial. Raji maintained the adjournment was necessary to ensure a fair hearing. The judge granted the request and rescheduled the trial for May 5 and May 6. Bello and Sulaiman face a 16-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering involving N10.27 billion, allegedly obtained from Kogi State government funds during the tenure of former Governor Yahaya Bello. Ali Bello is Yahaya Bello's nephew. The EFCC alleges the duo conspired to launder the funds, including stashing millions with Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change operator in Abuja operating under Global Venture. The charges cite violations of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Ali Bello, facing trial for allegedly laundering N10.27 billion, now has a Senior Advocate of Nigeria leading his defence, raising questions about how such high-powered legal representation is secured amid serious corruption charges. Bello holds a key advisory role in the current Kogi State government while his case, tied to the previous administration, remains unresolved. Nigerians named in the EFCC's charges, including Rabiu Musa Tafada, await clarity on their involvement as proceedings drag. The adjournment until May gives the court another chance to confront the substance of the allegations without delay.
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