Key Points
- Yahaya Bello granted N500M bail with three sureties.
- Sureties must own property in high-brow Abuja areas.
- Previous bail request was denied due to procedural flaws.
Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, was granted N500 million bail with three sureties by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
Yahaya Bello granted N500M bail with three sureties
After considering a new bail application that was filed with the court, the trial judge, Justice Maryanne Anenih, made the decision. At its most recent session, the court had earlier rejected Bello’s bail plea.
Bello is on trial for 16 accusations filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, along with co-defendants Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha. N110.4 billion in money laundering and criminal breach of trust are among the charges.
Oricha and Hudu were both granted bail by Justice Anenih, who put the amount at N300 million apiece, required two sureties for each, and added restrictions.
The judge outlined the requirements for Bello’s bail, ruling that the sureties must be law-abiding individuals who own real estate in Maitama, Guzape, Apo, Wuse 2, or Asokoro, among other locations of Abuja.Â
The judge mandated that Bello provide a copy of a legitimate form of identification, such as a national identity card or an overseas passport, along with two recent passport-sized photos.Â
Justice Anenih declared, “The first defendant shall remain in the Kuje Correctional Facility until all bail conditions are met and shall not travel without the permission of this court.”
Earlier bail request denied over procedural errors, judge rules
According to Punch, Bello’s first bail plea was denied by the court on December 10 due to procedural errors in the application. The motion was deemed premature by Justice Anenih, who pointed out that the bail application was filed on November 22, 2024, prior to Bello’s arraignment in court on November 27, 2024. Bello has been arrested on November 26, 2024.
Justice Anenih declared, “This instant application is incompetent because it was not filed when the first defendant was in custody or before the court.” “Therefore, the application is hereby denied due to its premature filing.”
J.B. Daudu (SAN), Bello’s attorney, asked the court to consider a fresh bail plea for the former governor during Thursday’s hearing.Â
“We implore the court to grant the first defendant’s bail application,” Daudu stated, adding that all three defendants’ release terms have to be examined.
Olukayode Enitan, the prosecuting attorney, attested to the defense attorney’s conversations with the prosecution.
“I attest to the conversations with J.B. Daudu (SAN), the defense’s lead attorney,” Enitan stated. When it doesn’t impede the administration of justice, we strive to collaborate with bar members in accordance with legal tradition.Â
