A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, at N2 billion, with two sureties in the like sum.
Bodejo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly laundering $2.63 million.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that one of the sureties must present evidence of a three-year tax clearance and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Ekwo also ordered that the second surety must have land worth N2 billion in Abuja, the court registrar shall verify the property documents.
The judge also ordered Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and not travel outside the country without the leave of the court.
He noted that the offences with which the defendant is charged are bailable and that the court has the discretionary power to exercise it in the defendant’s favour.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 5 for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo is, in count one, alleged to have, on or about January 11, 2022, in Abuja, without lawful authority, accepted a cash payment of $100,000 in physical currency from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General (AG) of Bauchi State, who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force.
The EFCC said the sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and was not routed through a financial institution as required by law.
He was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act, the charge read.
In count two, Bodejo is alleged to have, on or about Jan. 21, 2022, in Abuja, without lawful authority, accepted a cash payment of $200,000.00 in physical currency from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former AG of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, which exceeded the transaction threshold.
He is, in count three, accused of accepting a cash payment of another $100,000.00 on or about Oct. 26, 2022, in Abuja, without lawful authority, from Abubakar.
In count four, Bodejo is alleged to have, on or about Feb. 7, 2024, in Abuja, without lawful authority, accepted a cash payment of $980,000.00 in physical currency from Abubakar.
Bodejo is, in count five, accused of accepting $750,000.00, on or about March 3, 2024, in Abuja, from Abubakar without lawful authority.
In count six, he is alleged to have, on or about March 20, 2024, in Abuja, accepted a cash payment of $500,000.00 in physical currency from Abubakar without lawful authority.
The EFCC said the amount exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and was not routed through a financial institution as required by law.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.
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