Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering charges against the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Ali Bello, and three others to May 27, 2024.
The judge, on Thursday, adjourned the trial following the conclusion of evidence by the second witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Olomotane Egoro.
The adjournment was to allow counsel to Ali Bello, Abubakar Aliu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to cross examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.
At Thursday’s proceedings, in the suit marked: ABJ/CR/573/2022 (FRN Vs. Ali Bello and 3 others), Egoro, a Staff of Access Bank, tendered Bank Statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting and Integrated Limited and testified of cash lodgements into the accounts from 14 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.
The witness, who did not state the purpose for which the monies were transferred into the accounts, also testified as to withdrawals from the said accounts.
The lodgements and withdrawals were said to have been made from between 2017 and 2022.
At the end of the witness’ testimony, counsel to the 1st Defendant, Ali Bello, A. M. Aliyu, SAN, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him cross examine the witness.
With the agreement of counsel, the matter was adjourned.
Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa, SAN, appeared for the prosecution.
Nureini Jimoh, SAN, appeared for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants.
Ali Bello and three others are facing trial over an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the EFCC.