The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, in the sum of N500 million. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, outlined stringent conditions for the bail, requiring two sureties to back the bond with properties located in Abuja.
The court stipulated that the sureties must present the title documents of their properties for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar. Additionally, the sureties are mandated to swear an affidavit of means. Both the defendant and the sureties must provide recent passport photographs as part of the bail conditions.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered Bello to surrender his international passport and prohibited him from traveling outside the country without prior approval. Until the bail conditions are met, the former governor is to remain in Kuje prison.
Justice Nwite also announced that a full trial on the 19-count charge of money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Bello will commence on February 24 and continue on February 28, 2024.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, pleaded not guilty to allegations of complicity in an N80.2 billion fraud case. The EFCC accuses him of using five proxies to acquire high-value properties in prime locations, including Abuja and Dubai, in a scheme it described as elaborate money laundering.
The charges against Bello have drawn significant public attention, as the former governor maintains his innocence, vowing to clear his name in court. The trial is expected to be a high-profile case in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.
