Court Grants Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo ₦2bn Bail in Alleged $2.63m Money Laundering Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of ₦2 billion as he faces trial over alleged money laundering involving about $2.63 million.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, held that the offences against Bodejo are bailable and that the court has the discretionary powers to admit him to bail pending the determination of the case.

As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered Bodejo to produce one surety in like sum. The surety must reside in Abuja, possess a valid three-year tax clearance certificate, and own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory valued at ₦2 billion. The property documents are to be verified by the court registrar.

Justice Ekwo also directed the Miyetti Allah leader to surrender his international passport to the court and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.

The matter was adjourned until October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Bodejo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The EFCC, represented by senior advocate Wahab Shittu, had urged the court to remand the defendant pending trial following his arraignment on charges filed on June 25, 2026.

However, defence counsel Ahmed Raji, SAN, argued that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and urged the court to grant his client bail. The prosecution opposed the application.

Justice Ekwo had earlier fixed July 20 for the ruling after ordering Bodejo’s remand in EFCC custody.

According to the charges, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo unlawfully received several cash payments in United States dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the transactions, which took place between January 2022 and March 2024, involved cash payments of $100,000, $200,000, another $100,000, $980,000, $750,000 and $500,000.

The commission contended that the cash transactions exceeded the statutory thresholds permitted under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, because they were allegedly not conducted through financial institutions as required by law.

The EFCC further alleged that the offences are contrary to the relevant provisions of the anti-money laundering laws and are punishable under the Acts.

The trial is expected to begin in October, when the prosecution will present evidence in support of the allegations, while Bodejo will have the opportunity to defend himself. As with all criminal proceedings, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.