A Federal High Court in Abuja has reduced the bail granted to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Bello Bodejo, from N2 billion to N1 billion in his ongoing money laundering trial.
Bodejo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of laundering $2.63 million. He was arraigned on July 9 on a six-count charge and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had initially granted the defendant bail on July 20 in the sum of N2 billion, with two sureties in like sum. The court also directed that one surety must provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance and reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must own landed property worth N2 billion in Abuja.
However, ruling on an application to review the bail conditions, vacation judge Justice Salim Ibrahim on Wednesday varied the terms, reducing the bail amount to N1 billion.
Under the revised conditions, Bodejo is to provide two sureties, one of whom must own landed property valued at N1 billion in either Guzape, Asokoro, or Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Ibrahim further ordered that both sureties submit photocopies of their driver’s licence, National Identification Number (NIN), or international passport as part of the bail documentation.
The judge subsequently directed that the case file be returned to Justice Ekwo for the continuation of the substantive hearing.
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