Judge Withdraws from Ali Bello's N10 Billion Fraud Case

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja recused himself from the N10 billion money laundering trial involving Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, and Dauda Suleiman, following allegations of evidence tampering by court registrar Nasir Onimisi. The judge cited an incident where Onimisi confessed to tampering with a crucial exhibit, a phone containing WhatsApp messages related to the case.

Omotosho noted that the ongoing investigation into the tampering incident could undermine public confidence in the judiciary. The defendants, including Bello, have pleaded not guilty to the charges of misappropriation of state funds and money laundering.

The judge ordered the case file to be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge. The EFCC is also prosecuting the defendants in a related case before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, while Justice Emeka Nwite oversees a separate money laundering case involving Ali Bello's uncle, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.