₦80bn Fraud Case: Court Grants Yahaya Bello ₦500m Bail
The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, was granted bail on Friday, December 13, by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Emeka Nwite set the bail at ₦500 million and outlined stringent conditions for his release.
Bello, who pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is accused of involvement in a ₦80.2 billion fraud scheme. The charges include money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as governor.
Under the bail conditions, Justice Nwite ordered that Bello must produce two sureties each for ₦500 million. These sureties must be property owners in Abuja, with the title deeds of their properties subject to verification by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar. Additionally, Bello is required to deposit his international passport with the court, along with two recent passport photographs for himself and his sureties.
While awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions, the former governor will be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.
Also Read: The Comedy of Yahaya Bello and the EFCC
EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, at the hearing informed the court that events had overtaken the earlier application to expedite the arraignment date and would be withdrawn. Defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, leading Justice Nwite to grant the request and strike out the application.
