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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has denied bail to Bashir Ibrahim Bello, who is facing multiple prosecutions over alleged involvement in a N30 billion fraud.
The ruling came as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) simultaneously commenced a three-day national workshop aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing enforcement across Nigeria.
Justice R.M. Aikawa refused Bello’s bail application, citing the seriousness of the charges and the fact that he is currently standing trial in three separate cases.
Bello, Managing Director of Formal Act Legacy Limited, is being prosecuted on allegations bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, money laundering and retention of proceeds of crime.
He was first arraigned on Wednesday, October 29, on a seven-count charge (FHC/KD/316C/2025), again on Monday, November 3 on an eight-count charge (FHC/KD/285C/2025), and for the third time on Thursday, November 6 on a five-count charge (FHC/KD/246CC/2025).
According to the EFCC, more than 400 petitions have been filed against him at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate.
During the bail hearing, prosecution counsel F.A.I. Asemebo argued that the likelihood of the defendant absconding was high, given the volume of cases and pending allegations.
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Bello was arrested on Sunday, April 28, following complaints from hundreds of alleged victims.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, the EFCC opened a three-day capacity-building workshop on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) enforcement at the EFCC Academy in Karu.
Declaring the workshop open, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, represented by the Commandant of the Academy, ACE I Joseph Ogwiji, said the training was timely as Nigeria works to strengthen its response to complex and evolving financial crimes.
He noted that financial crimes have become increasingly sophisticated and transnational, undermining the economy and national security.
Participants drawn from the EFCC, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Justice, NDLEA, ICPC and Nigeria Customs Service will receive training on areas including mutual evaluation preparation, money laundering investigation and prosecution, special investigation techniques, financial intelligence deployment, evidence preservation, and asset tracing and confiscation.
Ogwiji emphasised the need for inter-agency collaboration and continuous professional development to enhance the country’s capacity to combat financial crimes effectively.
The workshop will run through the week with facilitators and subject-matter experts leading the sessions.
