The National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by a Federal High Court in Abuja, following his arraignment on alleged money laundering offences involving about $2.63 million.
Bodejo pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him before Justice Inyang Ekwo.
His lawyer however urged the Court to grant him bail, arguing that the offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The EFCC opposed the application, contending that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and citing concerns about his previous encounters with security agencies.
The prosecution also asked the Court to impose strict conditions if bail was eventually granted.
After hearing the arguments of both counsel, Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo remain in EFCC custody pending a ruling on his bail application and adjourned the matter to July 20.
According to the EFCC, the charges stem from several cash transactions allegedly received from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, with amounts ranging from $100,000 to $980,000 between 2022 and 2024.
The Commission alleged that the payments exceeded the legal cash transaction limit and were not processed through financial institutions as required by Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
