In a major development in the ongoing money laundering case against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the Federal High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, granted N300 million bail to Abdulsalami Hudu, a co-defendant in the high-profile case.
Hudu is one of three individuals charged with a massive N110 billion money laundering scandal. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the charges, accusing Hudu, Bello, and others of illicitly moving vast sums of money. The case has drawn significant public attention, especially as it involves a former state governor.
The decision to grant Hudu bail was delivered on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, by Justice Maryann Anenih. However, the bail comes with stringent conditions that Hudu must meet before he can be released from detention.
Hudu was ordered to provide two sureties, each responsible for a sum equal to his bail amount. Additionally, the sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. This property must be located in the upscale district of Maitama, with a value of no less than N300 million. The title documents of these properties will be subject to verification by the court’s registrar.
The conditions also specify that Hudu must submit two recent passport photographs to the court and deposit his travel documents, including his passport, with the court registrar. Moreover, the court barred him from leaving Nigeria without prior permission.
The court further ordered that Hudu remains in the Kuje Correctional Centre until these conditions are fulfilled. This ruling emphasizes the seriousness with which the court is treating the charges against him.
While Hudu’s bail application was successful, the case involving his co-defendant, Yahaya Bello, remains in limbo. Bello, the first defendant in the case, had his bail application denied earlier this week. Justice Anenih ruled that the application was filed prematurely, as Bello had not yet been in court or in custody at the time the application was made. Bello’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) JB Daudu, had argued that sufficient grounds existed for his release. However, the court rejected this reasoning, with the judge asserting that bail applications should be filed only after an individual is arraigned.
Bello was remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre until the next hearing of his case. His bail application remains on hold, with further hearings scheduled for January and February 2027.
In a separate ruling, the second defendant in the case, Umar Oricha, was granted the same bail conditions as Hudu. Oricha was also required to provide two sureties with properties in Maitama, valued at N300 million each. He, too, was directed to deposit his passport with the court and was prohibited from leaving the country without court approval.
The bail decision for both Hudu and Oricha is seen as a significant moment in the trial, as the court appears to be taking a tough stance on money laundering. These charges are part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to curb financial crimes in Nigeria, particularly among influential figures such as ex-governors and business elites.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the scale of the alleged crimes. The EFCC claims that the accused laundered billions of Naira, allegedly using fraudulent means to siphon public funds. The trial is expected to be one of the most high-profile cases in recent years, with national and international media closely following the developments.
For many Nigerians, the case represents a significant test of the country’s commitment to tackling corruption. The involvement of a former state governor, in particular, raises questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in the country.
At the center of the case, the EFCC has maintained that it is determined to ensure that justice is served, regardless of the political status or connections of the accused. The outcome of this trial could have serious implications for future anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.
As the case continues to unfold, many are watching closely to see whether the defendants will be able to meet the strict bail conditions set by the court. The coming months are likely to see more legal challenges, as well as a deeper examination of the financial activities of those involved.
The next major hearing in the case is scheduled for January 29, 2027, when the court will hear further arguments from both the defence and prosecution.
