The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a 12-count charge against Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, alleging terrorism financing and money laundering offences involving approximately $2.53 million, as the anti-graft agency moves to commence formal prosecution before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The charges, filed on June 22, 2026, accuse Bodejo of receiving and possessing large sums of foreign currency allegedly linked to proceeds of unlawful activities in violation of Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
According to court documents filed by the commission, Bodejo is expected to be arraigned in the coming days and will have an opportunity to enter his plea before the court.
The EFCC alleges that several cash transactions involving substantial amounts of United States dollars were conducted outside legally approved financial channels and exceeded statutory thresholds prescribed under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In one of the counts, the commission alleged that on January 11, 2022, in Abuja, Bodejo knowingly accepted $100,000 in physical cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently said to be in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force.
The agency alleged that the transaction exceeded the legal cash limit of N5 million and was not processed through a financial institution as required by law.
The EFCC further alleged that Bodejo received an additional $200,000 in cash from the same source on January 21, 2022, under similar circumstances.
Another count alleges that Bodejo accepted $500,000 in physical cash on March 20, 2024, while prosecutors also claim that he received $980,000 in cash on February 7, 2024, in a transaction that allegedly breached provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
According to the charge sheet, the commission further alleges that Bodejo took possession of the $980,000 despite knowing, or reasonably being expected to know, that the funds formed part of proceeds of unlawful activity.
The anti-graft agency contends that the transactions constitute offences under various provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering legislation and are punishable upon conviction.
The case is expected to attract significant public attention because of the nature of the allegations and Bodejo’s prominence as President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore socio-cultural association.
Reports have also linked him politically to Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, although no allegations have been made against the governor in the charge filed by the EFCC.
The filing of charges marks the beginning of criminal proceedings and does not amount to a finding of guilt. Under Nigerian law, Bodejo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.
The forthcoming arraignment will formally open the prosecution’s case, after which the court is expected to set timelines for further proceedings, including the presentation of evidence and defence arguments.
The development adds to a series of high-profile financial crime cases being pursued by the EFCC as the agency intensifies enforcement of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing regulations aimed at strengthening financial transparency and national security.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
