The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted N500 million bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, after he pleaded not guilty to the alleged ₦80 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (“EFCC”).
In addition, the court ruled that the former governor must provide two sureties in a similar sum, who must swear to an affidavit of means and be owners of properties in Abuja.
Presiding over the court proceedings on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite emphasized that the properties must be in Abuja and that the title documents would be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court before being accepted.
Justice Nwite also ordered that the ex-governor must deposit his international passport with the court, and both he and his two sureties are required to submit two recent passport photographs to the court.
Furthermore, he ruled that Bello be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, where he had been brought by the “EFCC”, until his bail conditions are fulfilled.
The court granted Bello bail after he pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charge filed by the “EFCC”, following investigations into the eight years of his administration in Kogi State.
While asserting that there was no basis for the suit before the court, the former governor promised to attend all court sittings until the proceedings are concluded.
He also apologized to the Federal High Court in Abuja and the “EFCC” for failing to honor the court summons and invitations issued regarding the allegations against his administration in the state.
Bello acknowledged that his actions over the past months were not well considered and promised to honor future court summons concerning the suits filed by the anti-graft agency against him.
