The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to arraign Bello Abdullahi Bodejo before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving $2.530 million.
The anti-graft agency filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo on Monday, June 22, 2026, accusing him of receiving and possessing huge sums of cash in foreign currency allegedly linked to proceeds of unlawful activities.
The charges were brought under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Bodejo, who has been linked to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, is expected to take his plea before the court in the coming days as EFCC begins formal prosecution.
In one of the counts, EFCC alleged that Bodejo, on or about January 11, 2022, in Abuja, knowingly and wilfully accepted $100,000 in physical cash from one Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is said to be in the lawful custody of the Nigeria Police Force.
The commission said the cash payment exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million and was allegedly not routed through a financial institution as required by law.
EFCC said the alleged conduct violated Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended, and is punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
In another count, the commission alleged that Bodejo, on or about January 21, 2022, also in Abuja, received another $200,000 in physical cash from the same former Bauchi Accountant-General.
The agency again alleged that the transaction exceeded the legal cash threshold and was not processed through any financial institution.
Another count accused Bodejo of receiving $500,000 in physical cash on or about March 20, 2024, from the same source, an amount EFCC said also breached the statutory cash transaction limit under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The charge further alleged that on or about February 7, 2024, Bodejo accepted $980,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar in Abuja without lawful authority or excuse.
According to EFCC, the $980,000 cash payment exceeded the N5 million threshold prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and was allegedly not routed through a financial institution.
The commission said the alleged offence is contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Act and punishable under Section 19(2)(b).
In count ten, EFCC alleged that Bodejo took possession of $980,000 in Abuja on or about February 7, 2024, under circumstances in which he either knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the funds formed part of proceeds of unlawful activity.
The agency specifically alleged that the funds were connected to money laundering.
EFCC said the alleged act violated Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
The 12-count charge marks the beginning of what could become a major financial crime trial, with EFCC expected to press its case once Bodejo is arraigned and formally takes his plea.
Further proceedings are expected after the court fixes a date for arraignment.
Discussion about this post