A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello in the sum of N500 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the ruling on Friday, setting stringent conditions for the bail.
The court stipulated that 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. Additionally, both Bello and his sureties are required to submit recent passport photographs.
As part of the conditions, 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,” Justice Nwite ruled.
The court directed that Bello remain at Kuje prison until the bail conditions are met.
It also scheduled February 24 and 28, 2025, for the commencement of the trial on the 19-count money laundering charges brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, who pleaded not guilty to allegations of N80.2 billion fraud, secured bail without opposition from the EFCC, which left the decision at the court’s discretion.
