The Federal High Court, Abuja has granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
This was after the former governor had pleaded not guilty to 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N80bn.
After Yahaya Bello took his plea, his counsel, Joseph Daudu made clarifications on the reasons his client had not been in court much earlier. He said his legal team had challenged the trial Court’s jurisdiction to try him and had to await the decision of both the Appeal and the Supreme Courts.
Daudu assured that Bello didn’t evade trial and never had any intention to disrespect the Court either. While moving an application for bail, he assured that the former Governor would always be present in court for the trial.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, said though they had filed a counter-affidavit, the EFCC would not oppose the bail, going by the assurances of Yahaya Bello’s counsel.
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, thereby admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties who must be owners of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The ex Kogi State Governor was also asked to submit his passport, while he would remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
Meanwhile, 24 February 2025 is for continuation of hearing.
Yahaya Bello was earlier remanded in a fresh N110bn charge by the EFCC, after another trial judge, Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja had denied him bail for filing his bail application prematurely.
Godfrey Eshiemoghie
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