By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the amount of ₦500 million. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the court proceedings on Friday, stipulated that Bello must provide two sureties, each also valued at ₦500 million.
The court emphasized that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and own properties located in Abuja. Furthermore, the title documents of these properties will be subject to verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
In addition to the bail conditions, Justice Nwite ordered that Bello must deposit his international passport with the court. Both Bello and his sureties are required to submit two recent passport photographs for court records.
While the bail conditions are being finalized, Justice Nwite ordered that Bello be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.
Bello faces allegations of fraud amounting to ₦80 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include a total of 19 counts related to alleged money laundering.
During the hearing, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of his intention to withdraw a previous application seeking to expedite the arraignment process, stating that the situation had changed and made the request irrelevant. The defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose this, leading Justice Nwite to grant the request and strike out the application.
