Follow Us on Google
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has admitted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in the same amount.
Bello, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing trial on a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion.
Justice Maryanne Anenih, in her ruling, granted bail upon an application that was moved and argued by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
She also ordered Bello to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
The judge ordered that Bello should remain at Kuje prison in Abuja until he is able to meet the bail conditions.
The court had on December 10 granted bail to each of Bello’s two co-defendants—Oricha and Hudu—at N300 million with two sureties in like sum.
Earlier in the proceedings, Daudu withdrew a further affidavit previously filed by Bello, stating that he wanted to avoid contentious issues.
The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan (SAN), did not object, leading the court to strike out the affidavit and allowing Daudu to submit the fresh bail request.
Daudu told the court that discussions had taken place between lawyers and parties, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
He added that should the court be minded to grant bail to Bello, it should kindly review the bail conditions for the other two defendants.
Other News
The defence counsel, therefore, urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
Responding, Enitan confirmed that the defence legal team had been in talks with the prosecution team.
He assured of the prosecution’s cooperation in expediting the trial.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih held that the offence with which Bello was charged was bailable and proceeded to grant him bail of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The judge held that the sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
Bello, who piloted the affairs of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in a N110 billion fraud.
He is answering a 16-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and two officials of the Kogi state government—Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The charge against the defendants, marked CR/7781, borders on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).
Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
In other proceedings, the Abuja division of the Federal High Court had earlier granted the erstwhile governor bail in the sum of N500m with two sureties in relation to another 19-count charge that borders on alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
