By Adenike Lawal
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello bail of ₦500 million. Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering the ruling on December 13, 2024, mandated Bello to provide two sureties with properties in Abuja, verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.
The sureties must submit affidavits of means, title documents, and recent passport photographs, alongside Bello’s international passport.
Until these conditions are met, Bello will remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Center.
Bello, who pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of alleged ₦80 billion fraud brought by the EFCC, faces charges primarily linked to money laundering.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, withdrew an earlier application for expedited arraignment, a request Justice Nwite granted without opposition from Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN.
