The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.
Bodejo appeared before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday, where he was docked on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful cash transactions and money laundering.
The anti-graft agency accused the Miyetti Allah leader of receiving huge sums of cash outside the country’s financial system, contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
Bodejo Pleads Not Guilty
During the court proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) informed the court that the charge, dated June 24, 2026, had been properly filed and requested that the defendant take his plea.
Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts.
Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail, relying on a bail application filed on June 30, 2026.
EFCC Opposes Bail Request
The EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that Bodejo posed a flight risk and could interfere with the judicial process.
According to the prosecution, the Department of State Services (DSS) is also searching for the defendant over related matters.
The commission further argued that, given Bodejo’s influence, he could manipulate witnesses or obstruct the investigation if granted bail.
After listening to both parties, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility pending the determination of his bail application.
The judge adjourned the case until July 20 for a ruling on the bail request.
Details Of The Charges
According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that on January 11, 2022, Bodejo unlawfully accepted $100,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody.
The commission claimed the cash transaction exceeded the legal threshold permitted under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws and was not processed through a financial institution as required by law.
Another count alleges that on February 7, 2024, Bodejo received an additional $980,000 in physical cash from the same former Bauchi State Accountant-General, also without routing the funds through a recognised financial institution.
The EFCC maintains that the transactions violated the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The anti-graft agency is seeking to prove that the alleged cash transactions were carried out unlawfully and exceeded the statutory limits allowed under Nigerian law.
The case is expected to continue after the court delivers its ruling on Bodejo’s bail application later this month.
Source: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
