EFCC to arraign Miyetti Allah leader Bodejo over alleged $2.53m terrorism financing, money laundering

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Bello Abdullahi Bodejo (the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani socio‑cultural association in Nigeria) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving $2.53 million.

The anti-graft agency disclosed on Wednesday in a statement that it had filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo, accusing him of receiving and possessing large sums of foreign currency suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the EFCC, Bodejo is expected to take his plea before the court in the coming days as formal prosecution begins.

The Commission alleged that Bodejo received multiple cash payments in U.S. dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force.

The charges allege that the transactions exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold and were conducted outside the banking system, contrary to provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

According to the charge sheet, Bodejo allegedly received $100,000 on January 11, 2022, and $200,000 on January 21, 2022, without routing the funds through a financial institution as required by law.

The EFCC further alleged that he received $980,000 in cash on February 7, 2024, and another $500,000 on March 20, 2024, from the same source under similar circumstances.

In one of the counts, the Commission also accused Bodejo of knowingly taking possession of $980,000 believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity, an offence punishable under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The EFCC said the alleged offences are punishable under various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The Commission added that further proceedings would commence once the Federal High Court fixes a date for Bodejo’s arraignment.

The EFCC has not disclosed whether Bodejo has entered any plea or secured legal representation. Under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.