Malik Yahya/
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 12-count charge against Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, accusing him of alleged terrorism financing and money laundering involving more than $2.53 million in cash transactions.
The charges, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 22, come at a particularly sensitive moment, following the United States’ announcement of fresh sanctions against a Nigerian citizen and several companies accused of facilitating financial transactions linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The development underscores growing international concern over terrorism financing networks operating within and around Nigeria.
Bodejo, who has long been one of the most influential figures in the Fulani socio-cultural movement through his leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, is also described in the EFCC filing as being linked to Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Bodejo knowingly received massive sums of cash in United States dollars from former Bauchi State Accountant-General, Sa’idu Abubakar, without routing the transactions through financial institutions as required by Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
According to the charge sheet, Bodejo allegedly accepted cash payments of $100,000 and $200,000 in January 2022 from Abubakar.
The EFCC further alleges that he subsequently received $980,000 on February 7, 2024, and another $500,000 on March 20, 2024, among several other transactions forming part of the total amount under investigation.
One of the counts specifically alleges that Bodejo took possession of $980,000 under circumstances in which he knew, or reasonably ought to have known, that the funds represented proceeds of unlawful activities.
The charge is brought under provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The commission said the transactions exceeded the statutory cash limits prescribed by law and were allegedly conducted outside the regulated banking system.
His expected arraignment is likely to generate intense political interest because of his prominence within Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and his perceived connections within northern political circles.
The case also follows a turbulent period for Bodejo personally and politically.
He was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Jalingo, Taraba State, on May 7, 2026, while reportedly consulting stakeholders regarding a planned bid for the Taraba Central Senatorial District seat.
While in custody, he later withdrew from the race on May 24, declaring support for President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders.
The latest EFCC action comes against the backdrop of renewed efforts by Nigerian and international authorities to dismantle terrorism financing channels.
On June 22, the United States Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against three individuals and six entities allegedly involved in facilitating financial transactions for ISIS and its affiliates across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa.
Among those designated was Nigerian national, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad and three Nigerian bureau de change companies accused of helping move funds linked to ISWAP.
The Nigerian government subsequently welcomed the sanctions and said the affected individuals and entities had been subjected to extensive intelligence gathering and financial investigations.
The convergence of the US sanctions announcement and the EFCC’s prosecution of Bodejo is expected to heighten public debate over terrorism financing, especially as Nigerian security agencies continue efforts to cut off financial lifelines sustaining insurgent groups operating across the North East and other vulnerable regions.
Neither Governor Bala Mohammed nor Bodejo had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
The EFCC said further proceedings would commence once a date is fixed for Bodejo’s arraignment before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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