EFCC to Arraign Miyetti Allah President Over $2.53m Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing and money laundering offenses involving about $2.53 million.

Bello Bodejo is a prominent figure in the livestock sector, serving as the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a powerful herders' association in Nigeria. He has been involved in various high-stakes negotiations between herders and farmers, often representing the interests of nomadic pastoralists.

The anti-graft agency filed a 12-count charge against Bodejo on June 22, 2026, accusing him of receiving and possessing large sums of foreign currency allegedly linked to proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to the charge, Bodejo, on January 11, 2022, in Abuja, knowingly accepted $100,000 in cash from Sa'idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, without routing the transaction through a financial institution as required by law. The charge read in part, 'That you, BELLO ABDULLAHI BODEJO, on or about the 11th day of January 2022, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly and willfully, without lawful authority or excuse, accept a payment of the sum of One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD $100,000) in physical currency from one SA’IDU ABUBAKAR without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.'

The EFCC alleged that Bodejo received $200,000 in physical cash from the same source on January 21, 2022, and $980,000 in physical currency on February 7, 2024. The Commission also accused Bodejo of possessing funds suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Bodejo is expected to be arraigned once a date is fixed by the court.

The case has significant implications for Nigeria's anti-corruption efforts and the country's struggle to curb terrorism financing.

The EFCC's action against Bodejo comes as the federal government faces increasing pressure to address concerns about terrorism financing in the country. The National Assembly has repeatedly called for more stringent measures to prevent the use of charities and other organizations for terrorist activities.

The EFCC's spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement, 'This is a major breakthrough in our efforts to combat money laundering and terrorism financing in the country.'

Bodejo's arraignment has sparked widespread debate about the role of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in promoting national unity and security. While some critics have accused the organization of promoting ethnic and religious tensions, others have defended it as a necessary voice for the interests of pastoralists.

Bodejo's fate will be determined by the court, but the case has far-reaching implications for Nigeria's fight against corruption and terrorism financing.