Miyetti Allah leader, Bodejo docked, remanded in EFCC custody over $2.33m fraud

Bello Bodejo, the leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore association, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of money laundering amounting to $2.33 million. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented a 12-count charge against Bodejo, accusing him of knowingly accepting significant cash payments without proper financial institution routing.

One count details an alleged acceptance of $100,000 in cash on January 11, 2022, from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar. This transaction reportedly exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5,000,000 without being processed through a financial institution, violating the Money Laundering Act.

“

That you, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo (male, adult), 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 cash payment of the sum $100,000.00 in physical currency from one Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force, which sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5,000,000.00, prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Another count specifies a similar alleged offense on February 7, 2024, involving $980,000 in cash from the same individual. Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution requested a trial date and for Bodejo to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service. His defense counsel sought bail, but the prosecution strongly opposed this, citing a counter-affidavit.

The case highlights the EFCC's ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes, with the leader of a prominent pastoralist group now facing serious allegations. The proceedings are expected to continue as the court considers the bail application.

“

That you, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo (male, adult), 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 $980,000.00 in physical currency from one Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force, which sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5,000,000.00 prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act