The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, following allegations of an ₦80 billion fraud leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding over the case on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite set the bail at ₦500 million. The court mandated Bello to present two sureties who must provide the same sum. The sureties are required to swear to an affidavit of means and own verifiable properties located in Abuja.
The judge directed that the title documents of the properties would be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court. Additionally, Bello was ordered to surrender his international passport and submit two recent passport photographs alongside those of his sureties.
Until the bail conditions are met, the court ruled that the former governor would remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.
Bello, who pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charge of money laundering filed by the EFCC, appeared in court as his legal battle commenced.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of his decision to withdraw a prior application to reschedule the arraignment date, stating that the request was now unnecessary. Counsel for the defense, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal, leading Justice Nwite to strike out the application.
