Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo Set for EFCC Trial Over $2.53m Allegations

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to bring Bello Bodejo, who serves as the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faces serious allegations of terrorism financing and extensive money laundering, involving approximately $2.53 million.

The anti-graft body officially filed a 12-count charge against Mr. Bodejo on June 22, 2026. These charges accuse him of receiving and possessing substantial amounts of foreign currency, which are suspected to be proceeds from illegal activities. Such actions are deemed a contravention of Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, Mr. Bodejo is expected to appear in court and enter his plea in the coming days. The Commission alleges that he accepted multiple cash payments from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State. These transactions reportedly bypassed formal financial institutions, a requirement under Nigerian law.

One of the counts details that on January 11, 2022, in Abuja, Mr. Bodejo allegedly accepted a cash sum of $100,000 from Mr. Abubakar. This amount significantly exceeded the legal limit for cash transactions. The charge explicitly states: “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 11th day of January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a payment of the sum of One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $100,000) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.”

Further allegations by the EFCC include another instance on January 21, 2022, when Mr. Bodejo purportedly received $200,000 in physical cash from the same individual, again in violation of anti-money laundering regulations. The charges continue, claiming that on March 20, 2024, an additional $500,000 in cash was accepted from Abubakar. Another count points to February 7, 2024, where Mr. Bodejo allegedly received $980,000 in physical currency.

Count four specifies this particular transaction: “That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 7th day of February 2024, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a cash payment of the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty Thousand United States Dollars (USD $980,000.00) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR… without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.”

Moreover, the EFCC also accuses Mr. Bodejo of being in possession of funds believed to be derived from illicit activities. According to count 10, he allegedly took possession of $980,000 in Abuja on or around February 7, 2024, under circumstances where he either knew or reasonably should have known that these funds were proceeds of unlawful acts.

The Commission has indicated that the alleged offences carry penalties under various sections of the amended Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Mr. Bodejo’s arraignment will proceed once a specific court date has been determined.