The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, in the amount of ₦500 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the court session on Friday, directed that Bello produce two sureties, each with a bond of the same amount. The sureties must submit affidavits of means and provide proof of ownership of properties located in Abuja. Additionally, the title documents for these properties will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
The court also ordered that Bello deposit his international passport with the court, while both he and his sureties must submit two recent passport photographs.
While granting bail, Justice Nwite instructed that the ex-governor be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja until his bail conditions are fulfilled.
Bello has pleaded not guilty to the ₦80 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arraigned Bello before Justice Nwite on a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering.
At the resumption of the hearing, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of his intention to withdraw a previous application to abridge the date for the arraignment, as the matter had been overtaken by events. Defense Counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Nwite granted the request, striking out the application.
Earlier, the EFCC had remanded Bello in custody over a separate ₦110 billion charge. The case was adjourned to February 24 for the continuation of hearings.
