EFCC Denies “Electric Chair” Threat in Ali Bello’s N10bn Trial
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
The EFCC has denied claims that it threatened Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman with an electric chair during a N10.27 billion fraud probe.
The allegations arose during a trial-within-trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Investigator Yazid Bawa testified that no coercion was used during the questioning. Addressing the specific execution threat, Bawa told the court, “No one. In fact, I have never seen one before.”
Prosecution witness Adamu Usman Yusuf expressed surprise at the claims, noting that the defendants were allowed to decline comments. He added that the suspects even had lunch during the sessions with their lawyers present.
Defense counsel Aliyu alleged that officers threatened Ali Bello with life in prison unless he implicated former Governor Yahaya Bello. The EFCC witness firmly refuted this, insisting all statements were voluntary.
The commission clarified that Sulaiman was detained only because he could not provide a reliable surety.
They maintained that the constant presence of legal counsel prevented any form of maltreatment.
Justice James Omotosho ordered the trial-within-trial to determine if the defendants’ extra-judicial statements were obtained under duress. This follows claims by the defendants that their confessions were forced.
The matter has been adjourned to February 18, 2026, for the defense to present its case. The court must decide if the statements are admissible as evidence in the ongoing money laundering trial.
