Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail on Fraud Charges
Governor Yahaya Bello’s
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, following his “not guilty” plea to allegations of an N80 billion fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding over the hearing on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite set Bello’s bail at N500 million, with conditions requiring two sureties of like sum. The sureties must provide an affidavit of means and own verifiable properties located in Abuja.
Charges and Proceedings
Bello was arraigned on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering by the EFCC. During the session, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, withdrew a prior application seeking to expedite the arraignment date, citing its irrelevance due to current proceedings. The court struck out the application, with no objections raised by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Bail Conditions
Justice Nwite emphasized that the title documents of the sureties’ properties must be verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar. Bello’s bail comes as he faces rigorous legal battles to address the charges against him.
The court’s decision marks the commencement of what promises to be a closely watched legal case involving the former governor. FCT Police, NSCDC Assure Residents of Yuletide Security
