A Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned for further hearing in the alleged money laundering charges against Ali Bello and three others until May 27.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu on Thursday adjourned the trial following the conclusion of evidence-in-chief by the 2nd witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Olomotane Egoro, an Access Bank staff.
The adjournment was to allow counsel to Ali Bello, Abubakar Aliu, SAN, to cross-examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Egoro tendered bank statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting and Integrated Limited and testified of cash lodgements into the accounts from 14 Local Government Areas of Kogi.
The witness, who did not state the purpose for which the monies were transferred into the accounts, also testified as to withdrawals from the said accounts.
The lodgements and withdrawals were said to have been made from between 2017 and 2022.
At the end of the witness’ testimony, counsel to the 1st defendant (Ali Bello), Aliyu, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him cross-examine the witness.
Following the consensus agreement lawyers to the parties, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until May 27 for trial continuation.
While Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, appeared for the EFCC, Nureini Jimoh, SAN, appeared for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants.
It would be recalled that in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/573/2022, Ali Bello and three others are facing trial on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the anti-graft agency.