Abuja Judge Exits N10bn Money Laundering Case of Kogi Governor’s Chief of Staff Over Exhibit Interference Claims

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the N10 billion money laundering trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, after allegations that a crucial exhibit was tampered with. Omotosho announced his decision when the case was called for the adoption of written addresses on no-case submissions filed by Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman. The judge said continuing to hear the matter could create an impression of bias and damage public confidence in the judiciary and the administration of justice. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, against Bello and Sulaiman in 2022. The charges concern the alleged diversion of funds belonging to the Kogi State Government. The defendants have denied any wrongdoing. The evidence controversy emerged after court registrar Nasir Zubairu Onimisi admitted that he had tampered with an exhibit containing a mobile phone with WhatsApp messages related to transactions connected to the case. Omotosho said Onimisi had earlier visited his residence and confessed to interfering with the phone, claiming that the defendants had promised him a house in Abuja. "When the matter was called at about 10:00am, I played in open court the recording of the conversation that had taken place in my sitting room when Nasir came to disclose these facts to me," the judge said.