Kogi governor's wife, Rashida Bello, nephew, Ali Bello
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The Justice Obiora Egwuatu-led Federal High Court, Abuja will today, Monday 13, February, 2023 begin a criminal trial of the Kogi State governor’s wife, Rashida Bello over the alleged money laundering to a whopping sum of N3 billion belonging to Kogi State government.
The trial was contained in a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Commission, EFCC’s Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Sunday in Abuja.
Rashida Bello who has gone into hiding was being charged in absentia alongside other accomplices that have been arrested and detained since the 8th February, 2023, on 18-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.
“The other defendants are Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyada Sadat.”
He said count one of the charge reads “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, YAKUBU SIYAKA ADABENEGE, IYADA SADAT, RASHIDA BELLO (at large), sometime in June, 2020 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E- Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
Uwujaren said count 3 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO (at large) sometime in November, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 to account number No; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
Similarly, “Count 17 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between July 27, 2021 and April 6, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $570,330 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) ( c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 )of the same Act.”
Count 18 reads, “That you, ALI BELLO, ABBA ADAUDU, RASHIDA BELLO(at large) between 26th July 2021 -6th April, 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured E-Traders International Limited to remove from the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court to account no. 426-664-4272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, the aggregate sum of $845,852.84, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit; criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(c ) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 ( 3 ) of the same Act.”
Reacting to charges, the defendants pleaded not guilty while the EFCC’s Lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) told the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.
However, the Defence Counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The spokesperson noted that Justice Egwuatu remanded the defendants and adjourned the case till February 13, 2023 for hearing and determination of their bail applications.
