The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally closed its case against Ali Bello, nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and his co-defendant, Dauda Suleiman, after presenting 17 witnesses in an ongoing ₦10.27 billion alleged money laundering trial.
The development came on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, marking a major procedural milestone in the high-profile corruption case.
The defendants are standing trial on an amended 16-count charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering involving ₦10,270,556,800 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira).
At the resumed hearing, the 17th prosecution witness, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, an EFCC investigator, concluded his testimony under re-examination by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Director of Public Prosecutions.
During proceedings, the prosecution tendered multiple statements made by Abdulsalam Hudu, cashier of the Kogi State Government House Administration, dated August 7, August 14, September 3, and September 24, 2024. The documents were admitted as evidence without objection from the defence and marked as Exhibits B1 to B4.
The witness was then asked to identify relevant portions of the exhibits relating to a ₦300,000 transaction involving a bureau de change operator. He referred to the August 14, 2024 statement, where it was indicated that the sum was allegedly received from Ali Bello for the purchase of books intended for a community school project.
Following the conclusion of testimony and with no further questions from either side, the witness was discharged, bringing the prosecution’s case to a close.
Announcing the development in open court, the prosecution counsel informed the court that the EFCC had concluded its case after calling 17 witnesses and tendering documentary evidence in support of the charges.
With the prosecution resting its case, counsel to the first defendant, A.M. Aliyu, SAN, and counsel to the second defendant indicated their intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not established sufficient grounds to require the defendants to enter a defence.
The defence requested four days to file their written submissions, while the prosecution sought three days to respond. The defence further requested 24 hours to reply on points of law.
Justice Omotosho granted all applications and adjourned the matter to June 15, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses on the defence’s no-case submission.
The case, which continues to attract significant public attention, now enters a critical legal phase that will determine whether the defendants are called to open their defence or discharged at this stage of proceedings.
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