EFCC to arraign Miyetti Allah president over $2.53m money laundering, terrorism financing

Bello Bodejo, the president of Miyetti Kautal Hore, faces arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of terrorism financing and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo, alleging he received and possessed substantial foreign currency linked to unlawful activities.

The anti-graft agency stated that Bodejo is accused of accepting multiple cash payments from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, without adhering to legal requirements for routing transactions through financial institutions. Specific counts in the charge detail Bodejo allegedly receiving sums such as $100,000 on January 11, 2022, $200,000 on January 21, 2022, $500,000 on March 20, 2024, and $980,000 on February 7, 2024, all in physical currency.

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That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 11th day of January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a payment of the sum of One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $100,000) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

In addition to receiving funds, the EFCC accuses Bodejo of possessing money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity. One count specifically alleges he took possession of $980,000 in Abuja on or about February 7, 2024, under circumstances where he knew or should have known its illicit origin. The arraignment is anticipated in the coming days, where Bodejo will enter his plea.

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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.