14th February, 2024
Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the alleged N10 billion money laundering case involving Ali Bello and Dauda Sulieman, Hannatu Kofarnaise, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that prosecution witness, Rabiu Musa Tafada has been reluctant to show up in court because he has been receiving threats over his earlier testimony.
Tafada first testified before the court on Wednesday, February 6, 2024.
Bello, first defendant in the matter is the current Chief of Staff to Governor Usman Dodo of Kogi State and a nephew of his predecessor Yahaya Bello.
Kafarnaise disclosed that she tried to persuade the witness to appear in court on Tuesday for the continuation of his testimony but would no longer take her calls because he had become too scared following an alleged threat to his life after his testimony of February 6.
However, when all hopes over Tafada’s appearance seemed lost, the witness surprisingly sauntered into the courtroom and continued his testimony.
During his cross-examination by defence counsel, Nureini Jimih, Tafada affirmed that he could recognize Bello and recalled that the second defendant, Suleiman once told him that he doubled as a musician and a contractor.
Tafada further disclosed that one Mutalar Maigeri, (now deceased) was his business partner, while another, simply identified as Mubarak, is his office assistant. “Mubarak is my boy. He works for me in the shop. He is educated and right now he is in University. Most times, I am not around because I have an aged father that is 93, so I travel often to go and see him , so my boys in the office usually keep the records whether I am around or not based on my instruction,” he said.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter till February 22 and 23, 2024 for continuation of hearing.