Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday granted bail to former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Haliru Bello, and his son, Abba, two days after they were arraigned on money laundering charges.
Mohammed ordered the duo to pay N300million each, as well as produce two sureties each, in like sum.
Bello is one of many high profile personalities charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving parts of arms funds allegedly diverted by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The accused persons were on Tuesday, docked before the court by the EFCC.
They are facing a four-count criminal charge bordering on alleged N300million fraud.
Equally charged before the court was a private firm, BAM Projects and Properties Limited, which the EFCC said was used to perpetuate the fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the accused persons, through the firm, withdrew the sum of N300m from an account the Office of the National Security Adviser operated with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The fund was said to have been transferred to the accused persons, 11 days to the 2015 presidential election, by Dasuki.
However, both Bello who was docked in a wheelchair and his son, pleaded not guilty to the charge dated December 23 but amended on December 30, 2015, even as their lawyers prayed the court to release them on bail.
Specifically, the former PDP boss, through his lawyer, Mr. Abdulaziz Ibrahim, urged the court to grant him bail on rely recognition.
Bello told the court that he was still recuperating from a spinal cord surgery he had in the United Kingdom.
“The 3rd defendant is over 70 years old, an elder statesman who has served this country meritoriously in various capacities. My lord he was not only a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but also the former Chairman of one of the biggest political parties in Africa.
“We pray this court to grant him bail on self recognition, or in the alternative, grant him bail on the most liberal terms. He has responsible persons that are ready to stand surety for him,” his lawyer submitted.
In granting the bail, Mohammed ruled that Abba Bello be remanded at Kuje prison, while Haliru Bello should remain under the care of the Inspector General of Police, until the conditions are met.
The court adjourned till February 16 for commencement of trial.
