EFCC to Arraign Miyetti Allah’s President Bello Bodejo Over Alleged $2.53 Million Terrorism Financing, Money Laundering Charges

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge against the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving approximately $2.53 million.

According to the anti-graft agency, Bodejo is expected to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja in the coming days to answer charges bordering on the receipt and possession of large sums of foreign currency suspected to be linked to unlawful activities.

In a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission alleged that Bodejo received several cash payments in US dollars from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, without processing the transactions through any financial institution as required by law.

One of the charges alleges that on January 11, 2022, Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash from Abubakar in Abuja, while another count claims he received an additional $200,000 from the same source on January 21, 2022. The EFCC further accused him of collecting $980,000 in cash on February 7, 2024, and another $500,000 on March 20, 2024.

The commission maintains that the transactions exceeded the legal limits for cash payments and were carried out outside the banking system, contrary to provisions of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.

Beyond the alleged cash transactions, the EFCC also accused Bodejo of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. One of the counts specifically alleges that he took possession of $980,000 on February 7, 2024, under circumstances that should have raised suspicion about the source of the money.

The case is expected to proceed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bodejo will take his plea on the charges.