Court Admits Kogi CoS Statements in N10bn Fraud Case

On February 16, 2023, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled to admit statements made by Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, as evidence in a trial concerning an alleged N10 billion money laundering scheme involving former Governor Yahaya Bello. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented these statements, which were made voluntarily, despite objections from the defense.

The defense, represented by Dauda Suleiman and others, argued that the statements were obtained under duress. The court noted that the EFCC complied with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The trial included a "trial within a trial" to assess the voluntariness of the statements. The defense's failure to call Z.E.

Abba, a lawyer present during the statement-taking, was deemed a fundamental error. The case continues as the court examines the evidence presented.