Judge recuses self from N10bn money laundering case against Ali Bello

Justice James Omotosho, a judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, has recused himself from a money laundering case against Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and Dauda Sulaiman. The case was instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2022, with allegations of fraud involving the diversion of funds from the Kogi State Government's coffers.

Omotosho ruled that his decision was reasonable, fair and in the best interest of the parties and society. The case stems from allegations that EFCC registrar Nasir Zubairu Onimisi tampered with one of the exhibits in the case, which included WhatsApp messages related to the transactions. Onimisi confessed to the tampering in February 2026, stating that he had been promised a house in Abuja by the defendants.

The judge ordered Onimisi's arrest and directed the police and DSS to investigate the registrar and the defendants. The EFCC closed its case after calling 17 witnesses, and the defendants opted for a no-case submission due to insufficient evidence. However, when the case was called for the defence lawyers to adopt their written addresses on the no-case submission, Omotosho asked the EFCC about the outcome of the investigation, which had been ongoing for seven months.