$2.33m probe: Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo remanded over alleged money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.

Mr Bodejo was arraigned on Thursday before Justice Inyang Ekwo on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged violations of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), informed the court that the charge, dated 24 June 2026, and filed on 25 June, was ready for arraignment and urged the court to allow the defendant to take his plea. The court granted the request.

Allegations against Bodejo

According to the first count, Mr Bodejo allegedly accepted $100,000 in cash on 11 January 2022, from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, without routing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

The EFCC alleged that the act contravened Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

In Count Four, the anti-graft agency further alleged that Mr Bodejo accepted another $980,000 in cash from Mr Abubakar on 7 February 2024, also without passing the funds through a financial institution, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Mr Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all 12 charges.

Following the plea, Mr Shittu asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Bail request opposed

Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to grant his client bail based on an application filed on 30 June 2026.

The prosecution opposed the application, relying on a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit dated 6 July 2026.

Mr Shittu argued that Mr Bodejo posed a flight risk, adding that the Department of State Services (DSS) was also interested in him. He further contended that the defendant’s influence could enable him to interfere with witnesses and obstruct the trial.

Justice Ekwo ordered that Mr Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility and adjourned the case until 20 July 2026, for a ruling on his bail application.