Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has adjourned the money-laundering case against Kogi state governor’s chief-of-staff, Ali Bello, and his co-defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, until July 15. The case, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saw a witness from Access Bank being cross-examined by the defense counsels, revealing no incriminating evidence against Bello.
The witness clarified that the bank’s compliance unit was not responsible for managing the servers where transaction information originates. The defense counsels concluded their cross-examination, leading to the discharge of the witness. The trial is set to continue on July 15 and 16.
Previously, the EFCC had presented the witness, who provided statements indicating withdrawals of N10 million in various tranches. The case, involving a 10-count charge of money laundering, centers on transactions related to Kogi State Government House between 2018 and 2021.
The development in the trial indicates a potential lack of evidence against the defendants, highlighting the complexities of financial crime investigations.