EFCC Charges Miyetti Allah President Over Funds

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

According to the anti-corruption agency, Bodejo is expected to appear before the Federal High Court Abuja in the coming days to respond to allegations connected to the receipt and possession of large amounts of foreign currency suspected to be tied to unlawful activities.

In a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission claimed that Bodejo received several cash payments in United States dollars from a former Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sa’idu Abubakar, without routing the transactions through recognised financial institutions as required by law.

Court documents cited by the commission allege that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash from Abubakar in Abuja on January 11, 2022. Another charge states that he received a further $200,000 from the same source on January 21, 2022. The EFCC also alleged that he collected $980,000 in cash on February 7, 2024, followed by an additional $500,000 on March 20, 2024.

The commission argues that these transactions exceeded limits permitted under Nigeria’s money laundering laws and were conducted outside the formal banking system. Prosecutors maintain that the alleged transactions violated financial regulations designed to monitor large cash movements and prevent illicit financial activities.

In addition to the cash transaction allegations, the EFCC charges include claims that Bodejo possessed funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities. One count specifically relates to the alleged possession of $980,000 on February 7, 2024, under circumstances that investigators say should have raised concerns about the origin of the funds.

The EFCC charges will now be considered by the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bodejo is expected to enter his plea and begin his defence against the allegations.