The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, in the sum of ₦500 million with stringent conditions. Bello faces a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling ₦80.2 billion.

Bail Terms and Conditions

Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the bail after considering submissions from both prosecution and defense counsel. Justice Nwite emphasized that while bail is at the court’s discretion, the assurances from both legal teams influenced the decision.

The bail conditions are as follows:

1. Bail Amount: ₦500 million, with two sureties in the same amount.
2. Sureties’ Assets: Each surety must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court (Abuja).
3. Affidavit of Means: The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, and their property documents will be verified by the Chief Deputy Registrar of the court.
4. Passport Submission: Bello must deposit his international passport with the Chief Registrar of the court.
5. Photographs: The defendant and sureties must submit two recent passport photographs each to the Deputy Chief Registrar.
6. Release upon Compliance: Bello will be released once the bail terms are perfected.

Justice Nwite also scheduled trial dates for February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, and ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje prison pending fulfillment of the bail conditions.

EFCC’s Case Against Bello

The EFCC accuses Bello of mismanaging public funds during his tenure as governor. The charges include:

• Money laundering.
• Breach of trust.
• Misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion in public funds.

At Friday’s hearing, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, confirmed the withdrawal of an earlier application for an abridgment of the arraignment date, stating it had been overtaken by events. The court then struck out the application.

Bello pleaded not guilty to all 19 counts read to him. His counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, requested bail, assuring the court that Bello would attend all trial dates and posed no flight risk.

Defense’s Arguments for Bail

Daudu apologized for prior actions that might have given the impression of disrespect toward the court, explaining that Bello’s legal team had pursued jurisdictional challenges up to the Supreme Court. He assured the court of Bello’s respect and commitment to the legal process.

“Yahaya Bello, as a two-term governor who traveled abroad only twice during his tenure, will appear on all trial days. I give my word that he will not jump bail,” Daudu stated.

Prosecution’s Stance on Bail

Although Pinheiro had initially opposed the bail application, he later withdrew his objection, citing discussions with the defense counsel to ease tensions.

“We are prosecutors, not persecutors, and the EFCC is a prosecutorial commission, not a persecutorial commission,” Pinheiro said. He accepted the defense’s assurances that Bello would attend all trial sessions.

Additional Legal Troubles

Bello is also facing a separate ₦110.4 billion charge before Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Justice Anenih had earlier ordered his remand in Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing of his bail application after rejecting the initial application for procedural irregularities.

Next Steps

Pending the perfection of his bail terms, Bello will remain in Kuje prison. The case is expected to proceed to trial in early 2025, with both sides preparing to present their arguments.

This development marks a significant step in the legal proceedings against Bello, as the courts balance the need for accountability with the defendant’s rights.