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.

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