Federal High Court Abuja Grants Bail to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Fixes Feb 24 for Trial
ABUJA – On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, setting the amount at N500 million, with two sureties also required to provide the same sum.
This online news outlet reports that the ruling, delivered by trial Justice Emeka Nwite, stipulated that the sureties must possess landed properties in Abuja.
In addition to requiring the sureties to present the title documents for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, Justice Nwite instructed them to swear to an affidavit of means.
The court also mandated that both the defendant and the sureties submit recent passport photographs.
Furthermore, it ordered the former governor to surrender his international passport and prohibited him from traveling abroad without prior permission.
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The court determined that the defendant should remain in Kuje prison until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
It has scheduled February 24 and 28 for the start of a comprehensive hearing regarding the 19-count money laundering charge brought against the defendant by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, who served as the governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, had previously declared his innocence concerning the alleged involvement in an N80.2 billion fraud.
The EFCC specifically accused him of using five proxies to acquire prime properties in affluent areas of Abuja and Dubai.
