Yahaya Bello Released After Fulfilling Bail Conditions

Yahaya Bello Released After Fulfilling Bail Conditions

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, has regained his freedom after complying with bail conditions…READ MORE…

Bello faces allegations of criminal breach of trust involving a total of N110,446,470,089, which violates sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and is punishable under section 312 of the same law.

On Thursday, a high court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) located in Maitama granted Bello bail in the amount of N500 million.

Trial judge Maryann Anenih stipulated that Bello must provide three sureties for the same sum, who must be reputable citizens of Nigeria.

These sureties are required to possess landed properties in areas such as Guzape, Wuse 2, Apo, Asokoro, and Jabi within the FCT. They must also submit two passport-sized photographs and other forms of identification, including the National Identification Number (NIN).

In a video that has since gone viral, Bello and Kogi’s current governor, Usman Ododo, can be seen celebrating his release.

Reports indicate that the former governor is already back in Kogi State, where he was filmed surrounded by supporters rejoicing over his freedom.

This bail ruling comes just a week after Bello was released on another N500 million bail by the federal high court in Abuja, concerning a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering amounting to N80 billion.

CASE ADJOURNED TO JANUARY

Bello and co-defendants Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were arraigned on November 27 before the FCT court on charges involving alleged money laundering of N110 billion.

On December 10, Judge Anenih postponed the case until January 29 and 30, as well as February 25 and 27, after denying Bello’s previous bail request on the grounds that it was submitted prematurely.

When the case resumed for hearing on Thursday, Bello’s attorney, Joseph Daudu, informed the court that the defense team had filed a new affidavit in response to a counter affidavit from the prosecution.

However, he sought to withdraw the newly filed affidavit.

“ We do not wish to make the matter contentious,” Daudu explained.

There were no objections from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan. Consequently, the court approved the withdrawal and dismissed the further affidavit.

Daudu also requested that the court grant bail to Bello and modify the bail conditions for the other defendants.

He urged the court to expand the acceptable property locations for the bail bond to include areas throughout the FCT, rather than restricting it to Maitama.

The prosecution did not raise any objections, and as a result, the judge granted bail to Bello, while also modifying the bail conditions for the second and third defendants to allow for sureties owning properties in any location within the FCT.

Additionally, Bello was instructed to surrender his international passport and any other travel documents to the court. He will remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre until all bail conditions are fulfilled.

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