The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, setting the amount at ₦500 million with three sureties.
The ruling was delivered by Justice MaryAnne Anenih after reviewing a fresh bail application filed following the court’s earlier refusal to grant Bello bail during the previous hearing.
Bello, along with two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges involve allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to ₦110.4 billion.
Justice Anenih also granted bail to the second and third defendants, setting their bail at ₦300 million each, with two sureties and additional conditions.
For Bello’s bail, the court specified that the sureties must be reputable individuals who own property in one of the following areas of Abuja: Maitama, Guzape, Apo, Wuse 2, or Asokoro. The property documents must be submitted to the court registrar, along with two recent passport photographs.
The judge further directed Bello to provide two recent passport photographs and a copy of a valid means of identification, such as an International Passport or National Identity Card, after presenting the original to the court registrar.
Justice Anenih emphasized, “The first defendant must not travel without the permission of this court and shall remain in the Kuje Correctional Facility until the bail conditions are fully met.”
This development comes after the court previously rejected Bello’s bail application on December 10, citing procedural errors. The judge had ruled that the earlier application, filed on November 22, 2024, was premature as it preceded Bello’s arraignment on November 27, 2024, and his detention on November 26, 2024.
