By Damilare Adeleye
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Maitama has granted N500 million bail to Yahaya Bello, former Kogi State governor, over allegations of a N110 billion fraud.
While ruling on Thursday, Justice Maryann Anenih, approved the bail application on the condition that Bello provides three sureties in like sum, who must be responsible citizens with landed properties in prime areas of the FCT, including Guzape, Wuse 2, Apo, Asokoro, and Jabi.
The judge explained that the sureties are also required to submit two passport photographs each and provide valid means of identification, including their National Identification Number (NIN).
This follows an earlier decision on December 10 when the court rejected Bello’s initial bail application on the grounds that it was filed prematurely before his arraignment or detention.
The former governor’s legal team subsequently filed a fresh application.Bello, who is facing 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving N110 billion, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).During the hearing, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, requested to withdraw a further affidavit previously filed in response to the prosecution’s objection, stating the move was to avoid making the matter contentious. The prosecution, led by Olukayode Enitan, SAN, raised no objection, and the court struck out the affidavit.The court also reviewed the bail conditions for Bello’s co-defendants, Umaru Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, granting them bail at N300 million each with two sureties owning properties in specified areas of the FCT. They are also required to surrender their travel documents and remain in custody until their conditions are met.
