Miyetti Allah Leader Docked Over Alleged $2.63 Million Laundering

The National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, Bello Bodejo, was on Thursday arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged $2.63m money laundering offence.

Naija News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also accused Bodejo of terrorism financing.

The charge, dated June 24 and filed on June 25, named Bodejo as the sole defendant.

One of the counts alleged that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash from one Sa’idu Abubakar on January 11, 2022, in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that he received $200,000 on January 21, 2022; $980,000 on February 7, 2024; and $500,000 on March 20, 2024.

The charge read, “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 7th day of February 2024, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.”

The EFCC further accused Bodejo of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

When the matter was called before Justice Inyang Ekwo, EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), informed the court that the case was scheduled for Bodejo to take his plea.

Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), did not oppose the application.

After the 12 counts were read to him, Bodejo pleaded not guilty.