FRN V. Ali Bello & 3 Ors: The court is adjourned to May 27 for continuation of the hearing

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed further hearing in the alleged money laundering charge against Ali Bello and three others until May 27, 2024.

The judge on Thursday stayed the trial following the conclusion of the main evidence by the second witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Olomotane Egoro.

The suspension was to allow Ali Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliu, a senior lawyer of Nigeria SAN, to cross-examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.

During Thursday’s proceedings, in the suit titled: ABJ/CR/573/2022 (FRN vs. Ali Bello and 3 others), Egoro, a staff of Access Bank, submitted bank statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting and Integrated Limited and testified to cash deposits into the accounts of 14 local government areas of Kogi State.

The witness, who did not indicate for what purpose the funds were transferred to the accounts, also stated that withdrawals were made from the said accounts.

The submissions and withdrawals are said to have taken place between 2017 and 2022.

At the end of the Witness’s testimony, the first defendant’s counsel, Ali Bello (AM Aliyu SAN), requested the court for an adjournment so that he could cross-examine the Witness. With the consent of counsel, the case was adjourned.

Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa, SAN, appeared for the prosecution.

Nureini Jimoh SAN appeared for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants.

Ali Bello and three others are facing trial over an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the EFCC.