Yahaya Bello, the immediate former governor of Kogi State, was granted ₦500 million bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, along with two sureties.
On delivering the decision, trial judge Justice Emeka Nwite said that the court has the authority to grant bail.
He stated, “I have heard both counsels’ applications. To begin, the court has the authority to set bail, regardless of whether it is supported or opposed. Under normal circumstances, I would have given the application submitted by the defendant’s learned senior counsel another look in light of the case’s history, especially the defendant’s actions. But I am inclined to change our previous stance on this issue in light of the detour taken by the learned senior counsel for the defendant, J.B. Daudu (SAN), which was returned by the learned senior counsel for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN).
Taking everything into consideration, I am willing to approve the application submitted by both attorneys. I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the following terms: One—bail is granted to the defendant in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties in the like sum. The two sureties shall own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court, Abuja.
“This honorable court’s chief deputy registrar will verify the property’s documents, and the two sureties will submit to an affidavit of means.” The defendant will turn in his foreign passport to this honorable court’s chief registrar. Both the defendant and the sureties are required to provide the deputy chief registrar of this honorable court with two recent passport photos. Upon the completion of the bail conditions, the defendant will be released. The case is adjourned to February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, for trial.”
Bello is facing 19 charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and embezzlement of ₦80.2 billion in public funds.
At the reopened hearing, Pinheiro, the EFCC’s attorney, told the judge that the prosecution would be dropping a prior request to postpone the arraignment date. He stated that the application had been overtaken by events. Due to the lack of objections from the defendant’s attorney, Daudu, Justice Nwite granted the request and struck out the application.
Following this, the 19 counts were read to Bello, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the defendant’s Lawyer expressed regret for the previous actions and asked for bail while the charges were being heard and decided.
He assured the court that Bello, a two-term governor with only two foreign trips under his belt, posed no flight risk and that his client would be present on all trial dates.
Remember that Bello is also going up against a separate charge of ₦110.4 billion before Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Anenih had previously denied Bello’s bail application due to procedural irregularities in its filing and ordered his remand in Kuje Correctional Facility until his bail application was heard and decided.
Justice Nwite has also mandated that Bello be remanded in Kuje prison until the terms of the bail are finalized.
SEE REACTIONS BELOW:
@Allezamani: For someone that stole ove 80 Billion Naira?
@Ikenna_ezeja: Balance 79.5b nothing still come out 🥺🥺😠😠
@Iamkotolayo: Poor man wey thief maggi
Omo dem go show him face for crime fighter (Crime fighter)
Rich man wey thief money
Omo we no dey see their face for crime fighter
Tell me something I don′t know
Rich man go dey halla prayer (Modupe)
Poor man go dey shout (Anwuola me e)
Rich man go dey halla prayer (Modupe)
Poor man go dey shout (Anwuola me e)
@BOD_repuplic: 83,000,000,000-500,000,000=82,000,500,000.
If you like no steal when you get the chance.
Generational wealth begin with one big thief.
@reallest_gee: 2025: My year of fraud 😊
Published by Ejoh Caleb
