The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged $2.33 million money laundering case.
Bodejo was brought before Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo on Thursday on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering.
At the commencement of proceedings, EFCC counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), urged the court to allow the defendant to take his plea on the charge filed on June 25, 2026. The court granted the request.
According to the charges, Bodejo allegedly received several cash payments in United States dollars from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, without routing the transactions through a financial institution as required by the Money Laundering Act.
One of the counts alleged that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash in January 2022, while another accused him of receiving $980,000 in cash in February 2024, both in excess of the legal cash transaction threshold.
Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts.
Following his plea, the prosecution asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending trial.
However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to grant Bodejo bail based on an application filed on June 30, 2026.
The EFCC opposed the bail request, arguing that the defendant posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses. The prosecution also told the court that the Department of State Services (DSS) was monitoring the defendant.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo be remanded in the EFCC’s holding facility and adjourned the case until July 20, 2026, when the court is expected to rule on the bail application.
