The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved bail for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, setting the amount at ₦500 million.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the Friday session, stipulated that the former governor must provide two sureties with the same financial standing. These sureties are required to submit sworn affidavits of means and must own properties located in Abuja.
The court further directed that the property documents would be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar and that Bello must surrender his international passport. Additionally, Bello and his sureties are to submit two recent passport-sized photographs.
Justice Nwite ruled that Bello should remain in Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja until all bail conditions are met.
The former governor has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging his involvement in an ₦80 billion fraud case. The EFCC had filed a 19-count charge against him, primarily focusing on alleged money laundering.
During the hearing, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, withdrew a prior application seeking an earlier date for arraignment, stating that the matter had become irrelevant. Bello’s legal representative, Joseph Daudu, SAN, raised no objections, and Justice Nwite subsequently dismissed the application.
Bello was initially remanded on separate charges involving ₦110 billion pending the review of his bail request.
The court adjourned the case to February 24 for further proceedings.
