EFCC denies electric chair threat against Ali Bello in Kogi N10bn trial
EFCC Denies Threat Allegations in Kogi State Fraud Case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted allegations that it threatened Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Dauda Sulaiman, with an electric chair during the investigation of an alleged fraud case involving N10 billion in Kogi State.
The controversy emerged on February 17, 2026, during a trial-within-trial at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, overseen by Justice James Omotosho. Bello, who serves as Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and is the nephew of former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, is facing a total of 16 amended charges related to alleged misappropriation and money laundering, totaling N10,270,556,800.
In a statement posted on X, the EFCC asserted that Yazid Bawa, an investigator with the agency, testified in court that neither defendant was coerced into making any statements. When questioned about who had allegedly threatened Sulaiman, Bawa responded, “No one. In fact, I have never seen one before.”
Bawa emphasized that the defendants’ statements were given voluntarily, asserting that “no form of coercion or threat” was applied.
Another prosecution witness, Adamu Usman Yusuf, who led the EFCC’s investigative team, also dismissed the claims of intimidation. “This is surprising. If My Lord goes through the statements, he will see places where he said that he would not comment or that he could not say anything,” Yusuf noted. During the proceedings, he indicated that both defendants had a legal representative present and were treated appropriately.
When presented with documents labeled as exhibits and asked about the nature of the defendants’ written statements, Yusuf affirmed that no pressure was exerted: “No. And he signed the cautionary words.”
During cross-examination, A.M. Aliyu, SAN, counsel for Bello, alleged that EFCC officers had threatened his client with incarceration unless he acknowledged certain properties as belonging to Yahaya Bello. Yusuf countered, stating, “My Lord, that is not true.”
He further explained that Sulaiman was held due to his inability to provide a surety. When questioned about the absence of audio-visual recordings of the statements, Yusuf stated that the confessions were made in the presence of counsel, who did not raise objections regarding treatment.
The trial-within-trial was convened to assess whether the defendants’ statements were made under duress. Following the cross-examination, defense attorneys sought an adjournment to prepare their case.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the proceedings until February 18, 2026, to allow the defense to present its arguments and continue with the hearing.
