Court grants ex-Kogi gov Yahaya Bello N500m bail over alleged N110.4bn fraud
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama on Thursday granted bail of N500 million to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, with three sureties in like sum.
Justice Maryanne Anenih approved the bail while ruling on a fresh application submitted earlier in the day by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
Bello, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing trial on a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Daudu withdrew a further affidavit previously filed by Bello, stating that he wanted to avoid contentious issues.
The prosecution’s lawyer, Olukayode Enitan (SAN), did not object, leading the court to strike out the affidavit and allowing Daudu to submit the fresh bail request.
Daudu told the court that discussions had taken place between lawyers to parties, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
He added that should the court be minded to grant bail to Bello, it should kindly review the bail conditions for the other two defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
Enitan confirmed that the defence legal team had been in talks with the prosecution team.
He assured of the prosecution’s cooperation in expediting the trial.
Ruling, Justice Anenih held that the offence with which Bello was charged is bailable and proceeded to grant him bail N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The judge sureties must be notable Nigerians, with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
She also ordered Bello to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
The judge ordered that Bello should i remain at Kuje prison in Abuja until he is able to meet the bail conditions.
The court had on December 10 granted bail to each of Bello’s two co-defendants – Oricha and Hudu – bail
at N300m with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, before whom Bello is standing trial for another case of about N80.2b fraud, also granted him N500m bail on December 13.
