EFCC vs Ali Bello: Judge withdraws from N10 billion fraud case over alleged tampering

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has withdrawn from the N10 billion fraud case involving Ali Bello, Usman Ododo's Chief of Staff, and two others. Omotosho cited evidence tampering by court registrar Nasir Onimisi and ongoing investigations into the case files as reasons for his recusal. The defendants, Bello, Ododo, and Dauda Suleiman, were charged by the EFCC for misappropriation of state funds and money laundering.

The judge emphasized that the case's credibility is crucial and any further tampering could harm public trust in the judiciary. He had previously forfeited a property in Gwarimpa, Abuja, related to the case, and ordered the case file to be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment. The EFCC is pursuing the defendants in another case, where Yahaya Bello, Ali Bello's uncle, is accused of diverting N80 billion in public funds.