A Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, in the sum of N500 million.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, who delivered the ruling, ordered Bello to produce three sureties of the same amount.
The sureties must be prominent Nigerians with landed properties in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro.
Bello was also required to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court.
The court ruled that Bello would remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he fulfills the bail conditions.
The former governor, alongside two others, is facing trial over alleged money laundering to the tune of N110 billion.
He pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Justice Anenih had rejected Bello’s bail application on December 10, citing that it was filed prematurely as Bello was neither in custody nor before the court at the time.
However, the defence later filed a fresh application for bail.
At today’s hearing, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, informed the court that discussions with the prosecution team led to an agreement to expedite the trial.
He urged the court to consider granting bail and requested the conditions be broadened to include properties across the Federal Capital Territory, rather than limiting them to Maitama.
Prosecution counsel Olukayode Enitan confirmed these discussions, assuring the court of the EFCC’s cooperation in ensuring a speedy trial.
“We have decided not to make this contentious, leaving the matter to your lordship’s discretion,” Enitan said.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih stated that the charges against Bello were bailable and exercised her discretion to grant his application.
The court emphasised strict compliance with the bail conditions, warning against any delay in their fulfillment.
