The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has sent Ali Bello, a nephew to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya to prison.
He was sentenced alongside his alleged accomplice Dauda Sulaiman who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
They will remain there pending the fulfilment of bail conditions.
They were remanded by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho alongside Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier at the Kogi State House (currently at large).
The defendants face a 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering committed between January and December 2021.
Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing at total of N10,270,556,800 from the state treasury.
They delivered the money to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to change to foreign currencies “for personal gains”.
The alleged offence violates sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) informed the court of his application for bail.
Justice Omotosho admitted them to bail in the sum of N1billion each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of N2billion each and have landed property worth N500 million.
The properties must be registered with the court.
The sureties must submit bank statements, international passports, an affidavit of means, and evidence of tax clearance for 3 years.
The defendants will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja until bail is met. The matter resumes February 6, 2023.
