Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday granted bail to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in the sum of N500 million with three sureties. This followed a fresh bail application after his earlier request was denied on December 10. The initial denial was based on the fact that Bello had not been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the time the application was filed on November 22.
Bello was eventually taken into custody by the EFCC on November 26 and arraigned on November 27, alongside two others, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu. The three defendants are facing a 16-count charge brought by the EFCC, accusing them of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving the sum of N110.4 billion. One of the allegations includes the dishonest use of N950 million from the Kogi State treasury in 2023 to purchase property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
The offences are said to contravene Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Law of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and are punishable under Section 312 of the same law. All three defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.
In ruling on the bail application, Justice Anenih granted bail to Bello on the condition that he provides three sureties, each of whom must be responsible Nigerian citizens possessing landed property in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, or Jabi districts of the FCT.
The court also required the submission and verification of the original Certificates of Occupancy for these properties. Additional requirements included two passport photographs, valid identification documents with National Identification Numbers (NIN), and Bello’s travel documents, which were to be deposited with the court. The judge further prohibited him from traveling outside Nigeria without prior court approval.
The second and third defendants were granted bail under less stringent terms of N300 million each, with two sureties. Meanwhile, Bello will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until all bail conditions are met.
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