Yahaya Adoza BelloThe immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello may breathe fresh air again with the court granting him bail in the sum of N500 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, gave the ruling on bail today, December 13, with stringent conditions.
The court stipulated that Yahaya Bello must provide two sureties with landed property in Abuja. The title documents for these property are to be verified by the deputy chief registrar of the court and the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means.
Also, both Yahaya Bello and his sureties are required to submit recent passport photographs.
As part of the conditions, Yahaya Bello was ordered to surrender his international passport and is barred from travelling outside Nigeria without court approval.
“I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum who must possess landed property in Abuja.”
The court directed that Yahaya Bello should remain in Kuje prison until the bail conditions are met.
The bail was granted without opposition from the EFCC, which left the decision at the court’s discretion.
The court scheduled February 24 and 28, 2025, for the commencement of the trial on the 19-count money laundering charges brought against the former Governor by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yahaya Bello had pleaded not guilty to allegations of N80.2 billion fraud.
