The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja granted Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, bail in the sum of ₦500 million and three sureties on Thursday.
Justice MaryAnne Anenih made the pronouncement after considering a fresh bail application, which followed the court’s initial refusal to grant Bello bail.
Bello, along with two others, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is facing trial on 16 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering, totaling ₦110.4 billion, as preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The court granted the second and third defendants bail in the sum of ₦300 million with two sureties, subject to additional conditions.
For Bello’s bail, the judge stipulated that the sureties must be responsible citizens and landowners in designated areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Guzape, Apo, Wuse 2, or Asokoro.
The sureties are required to deposit property documents with the court’s registrar, along with two recent passport photographs.
Bello must also deposit two copies of his recent passport photograph, a photocopy of his identification (either an international passport or national ID card), and the original ID for verification by the court’s registrar.
The court ordered Bello not to travel without permission and to remain in the Kuje Correctional Facility until the bail conditions are met.
This ruling comes after the court initially rejected Bello’s bail request on December 10, citing procedural irregularities in the filing of the application.
