Witness Links Ali Bello to ₦10bn Kogi Fraud Case

The trial concerning a ₦10 billion fraud in Kogi State continued on February 16, 2026, with witness Audu Abubakar linking fund transfers to Ali Bello, the chief of staff to the Kogi State governor, Ahm Usman Ododo. Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, faces 16 amended charges related to the alleged misappropriation and laundering of funds totaling ₦10,270,556,800.

The prosecution, led by counsel Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, presented evidence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), detailing inflows and outflows of funds. Notably, on February 5, 2021, ₦91,000,000 was identified as an outflow, with further payments to Bello and Sulaiman.

The trial also involved discussions on the admissibility of statements made by the defendants, with Justice Omotosho ruling on the voluntariness of the statements. The matter was adjourned until February 17, 2026, for further proceedings.