BREAKING : Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500 Million Bail in Alleged N110 Billion Money Laundering Case

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like amount. Justice Maryann Anenih delivered the ruling on Thursday after the ex-governor’s previous bail application was rejected on December 10 due to being filed prematurely.

In her earlier ruling, Justice Anenih had stated that the bail application was incompetent as the 1st defendant, Bello, was neither in custody nor present before the court at the time. The court, however, left room for the defense to submit a fresh bail application.

Bello, who faces charges of alleged money laundering involving N110 billion, along with two co-defendants, has pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the hearing on Thursday, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that a further affidavit had been filed in response to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit but requested to withdraw it in a bid to avoid making the case contentious. The prosecution, represented by Olukayode Enitan, SAN, raised no objections, and the court granted the request, striking out the affidavit.

Daudu further highlighted that the defense team had held discussions with the prosecution, leading to an agreement for a prompt trial. He appealed for a review of the bail conditions, requesting that the scope of properties for bail sureties be expanded beyond Maitama to include other areas within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), such as Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, and Asokoro.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged the bailability of the charges against Bello and granted the bail application. In addition to the N500 million bail, the ex-governor must provide three sureties, each with landed property in the specified areas. Bello is also required to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. Until the bail conditions are met, he will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre.