Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo Pleads Not Guilty To $2.63Million Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing Charges

The National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and terrorism financing before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bodejo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Inyang Ekwo over allegations involving the laundering of $2.63 million.

The anti-graft agency also accused the Miyetti Allah leader of financing terrorism, marking another high-profile prosecution involving allegations of financial crimes and terrorism-related offences.

At the commencement of proceedings, counsel to the EFCC informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea on the charges filed against him.

Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji, SAN, did not oppose the application, paving the way for the arraignment to proceed before the court.

After the 12-count charge was read to him in open court, Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

His plea formally set the stage for the commencement of trial, with the prosecution expected to present evidence in support of the allegations while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the charges in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Following the plea, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter for further proceedings in accordance with the law.

Although the specific details of the allegations were not canvassed during Thursday's proceedings, the charges relate to the alleged laundering of $2.63 million and accusations of terrorism financing brought against the Miyetti Allah leader by the EFCC.

The arraignment represents the latest development in the anti-graft agency's prosecution of the case, with the Federal High Court expected to determine the merits of the allegations as the trial progresses.

Under Nigeria's criminal justice system, a defendant who pleads not guilty is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the charges beyond reasonable doubt before the court.

The proceedings on Thursday were limited to the taking of Bodejo's plea, as no witnesses were called and no evidence was tendered before the court.

With Bodejo's not guilty plea now entered, the case will proceed to the next stage of the criminal trial process, during which both the prosecution and the defence are expected to present their respective cases before the court reaches a determination on the allegations.