The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, who is facing charges of alleged ₦80 billion fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding over the session on Friday, set the bail sum at ₦500 million. As part of the bail conditions, Bello is required to provide two sureties in like sum.
Justice Nwite specified that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and own properties within Abuja. The court directed that the title documents for the properties be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
Additionally, Bello must deposit his international passport with the court, while he and his two sureties are also required to submit two recent passport photographs. The judge ordered that Bello remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja until the bail conditions are fully met.
The former governor pleaded not guilty to a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including allegations of money laundering.
At Friday’s proceedings, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of his decision to withdraw a previous application for an abridgment of the date initially set for the arraignment. Pinheiro stated that the application had been overtaken by events, a motion which the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose. Justice Nwite subsequently struck out the application.
Bello had earlier been remanded in connection with a fresh ₦110 billion charge by the EFCC while awaiting his bail application.
The case has been adjourned to February 24, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.
The EFCC alleges that Bello mismanaged public funds during his tenure as governor, funneling funds through money laundering schemes. This marks one of the most high-profile corruption cases involving a former governor in recent years.
Justice Nwite emphasized the need for strict compliance with the bail conditions, signaling the court’s commitment to ensuring accountability in the ongoing trial.
The case has attracted significant public attention, as it underscores the government’s efforts to combat corruption among public officials in Nigeria.
