A High Court in Abuja has granted a N500 million bail to a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Friday with two sureties of the same amount. He earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial judge, Emeka Nwite, also ruled that the sureties must possess owned land in Abuja. Besides requiring the sureties to provide proof of property ownership, which will be confirmed by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, Justice Nwite also instructed them to submit an affidavit of means.
The court also ruled that the defendant hand over his international passport and prohibited him from travelling abroad without prior permission. Bello will remain in Kuje prison until the bail conditions are fully met.
Furthermore, the court set dates of February 24 and 28 to hear the 19-count money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
