The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of ₦500 million. Presiding over the hearing on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite outlined the conditions for bail, requiring Bello to present two sureties with properties in Abuja.

The court specified that the sureties must swear affidavits of means, and the title documents of their properties must be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar. Additionally, Bello is required to surrender his international passport to the court and provide two recent passport photographs along with those of his sureties.

Until the bail conditions are met, Justice Nwite ordered that Bello remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charge of alleged ₦80 billion fraud filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to alleged money laundering during his tenure as governor.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the withdrawal of an earlier application to expedite the arraignment date, stating it had been rendered moot by recent developments. Defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not oppose the withdrawal, and Justice Nwite granted the request, striking out the application.

RELATED: Former Governor Bello Pleads Not Guilty to EFCC’s N80bn Charge

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to an alleged N80 billion money laundering case.

During Friday’s hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the prosecution’s decision to withdraw a prior application seeking an earlier arraignment date. Pinheiro explained that the application was no longer relevant due to recent developments.

The defense team, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, raised no objections, and Justice Emeka Nwite granted the prosecution's request. The case now proceeds to the next stage in court.

READ ALSO: Yahaya Bello and Two Others Plead Not Guilty to EFCC Criminal Charges

The Nigerian Senate has issued a warrant of arrest against the management of Julius Berger, a construction company, for repeatedly ignoring invitations to appear before its Committee on Works.

The decision was made on Thursday after Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West, raised a motion highlighting the company's consistent failure to honor Senate invitations. Ngwu expressed concern over numerous incomplete and failed contracts associated with Julius Berger across the country, emphasizing the need for an investigation. He accused the company of disregarding the authority of the Senate.

Ngwu referenced the Senate’s constitutional powers to summon individuals or entities for hearings, stating, "If a committee summons any person or entity to come for a committee hearing and that entity does not send a representative or appear in any way, the normal procedure is to report to the presiding officer, who then issues a warrant."

He called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to enforce compliance and compel Julius Berger to appear. Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, supported the motion, citing constitutional provisions and Senate rules that empower the presiding officer to issue warrants of arrest in such cases.

Ningi explained that committees operate under these powers, but the authority to compel attendance rests with the presiding officer and requires the Senate’s collective mandate.

While Senator Adams Oshiomhole expressed a differing view, Senate President Akpabio affirmed the Senate's authority to issue the arrest warrant. He referenced relevant sections of the Constitution and Senate rules to justify the action, ensuring Julius Berger’s management would be compelled to address the Senate’s concerns.