The National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which filed the charges, also accused Bodejo of terrorism financing.

According to court documents dated June 24 and filed on June 25, Bodejo is the sole defendant in the 12-count charge.

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The anti-graft agency alleged that Bodejo received several cash payments in United States dollars from one Sa’idu Abubakar without processing the transactions through a financial institution, contrary to the provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.

Among the allegations, the EFCC claimed that Bodejo accepted $100,000 in cash on January 11, 2022, and another $200,000 on January 21, 2022, both in Abuja.

The commission further alleged that he received $980,000 on February 7, 2024, and $500,000 on March 20, 2024, in separate cash transactions.

According to one of the charges, Bodejo allegedly accepted $980,000 in physical cash from Sa’idu Abubakar on February 7, 2024, without routing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

The EFCC also accused the Miyetti Allah leader of possessing funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The case came up before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Thursday, where counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defendant to take his plea.

Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji (SAN), did not oppose the prosecution’s application.

After the 12-count charge was read to him in open court, Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

The court is expected to fix a date for the commencement of trial as the prosecution seeks to prove the charges against the defendant.