The Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has admitted into evidence extra-judicial statements made by Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman in an ongoing money laundering trial.
Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is being prosecuted alongside Sulaiman by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The ruling followed a trial-within-trial conducted to determine whether the statements were obtained under duress, as claimed by the defendants.
The duo had opposed the prosecution’s move to tender eight statements, alleging that they were threatened into making them.
Delivering his ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the statements were made voluntarily and in compliance with the law.
He noted that the defendants had legal representation present when the statements were taken and that their lawyers endorsed them as voluntary.
The judge said the process complied with Sections 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Following the ruling, the court admitted the statements into evidence.
The statements earlier marked as Exhibits TWA–TWA5 and TWB–TWB1 were admitted as Exhibits R2–R5 and S–SW1 in the substantive trial.
Bello and Sulaiman are facing a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering amounting to ₦10,270,556,800.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the case to April 21 and April 24, 2026, for continuation of trial.
