UPDATED: Another Judge Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, N500m bail in the alleged N110bn money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Maryann Anenih, in a ruling on Thursday, granted him bail with two sureties in like sum.

Anenih also granted N300m bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

The court on December 10 refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely, as he was neither in custody nor before the court, when the application was filed.

Last week, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted N500m bail to Bello in a different suit involving alleged N80.2bn money laundering.

At Thursday’s resumed hearing, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court of discussions with the leader of the prosecution team to ensure a speedy trial.

Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application and further requested for a review of the bail conditions earlier granted to the 2nd and 3rd defendants.

The senior lawyer urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the FCT rather than limiting it solely to Maitama.

The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, did not object to the bail application and the application for a review, leaving it to the discretion of the court.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.

Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.

Justice Anenih ordered that he remains at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.