Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering charges against Ali Bello and three others till May 27, 2024.
The judge, yesterday, adjourned the trial following the conclusion of evidence-in-chief by the second witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olomotane Egoro.
The adjournment was to allow counsel to Bello, Abubakar Aliu (SAN), to cross-examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.
At yesterday’s proceedings, in the suit marked: ABJ/CR/ 573/2022 (FRN Vs. Ali Bello and three others), Egoro, an employee of Access Bank, tendered bank statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting, and Integrated Limited and testified on cash lodgements into the accounts from 14 local councils of Kogi State.
The witness, who did not state the purpose for which the monies were transferred into the accounts, also testified to withdrawals from the said accounts between 2017 and 2022.
At the end of the witness’s testimony, Bello’s counsel prayed to the court for an adjournment to enable him to cross-examine the witness.
By agreement of both counsels, the matter was adjourned.
While Rotimi Iseoluwa (SAN) appeared for the prosecution, NureiniJimoh (SAN) appeared for the second, third and fourth defendants.
Bello and three others are facing trial on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the EFCC.
