In a dramatic turn of events on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million, alongside three sureties each also valued at N500 million.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Maryann Anenih, comes after a previous bail application filed on December 10 was dismissed as premature. At the time, Justice Anenih had expressed concerns, stating the application was filed when the ex-governor was neither in custody nor before the court.
This setback did not deter Bello’s legal team, led by the renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, who swiftly refiled a fresh application. The court was informed by Daudu that discussions had taken place between the defense and the prosecution, ensuring a smoother, cooperative approach moving forward.
“The prosecution counsel has been cooperative, and we hope this leads to a swift trial,” said Daudu after announcing the withdrawal of a further affidavit filed earlier. This move was made to avoid making the matter contentious.
Echoing Daudu’s sentiments, prosecution counsel Olukayode Enitan, also a Senior Advocate, acknowledged the discussions and confirmed that the prosecution would not oppose the bail application, leaving the matter entirely to the discretion of the court.
“The law is clear on the matter. The decision to grant or deny bail lies with your lordship’s discretion,” Enitan remarked in court. “We have no objections to the bail being granted, and we remain committed to expediting the trial process.”
Bello, who is facing an alleged money laundering trial worth a staggering N110 billion, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Alongside him in the dock are two co-defendants, Umaru Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who are also facing similar charges.
Justice Anenih, in her ruling, acknowledged that the offense for which Bello is charged is bailable, and thus, she granted him bail, setting the conditions for his release.
The former governor’s bail was set at N500 million, with the requirement that the sureties be high-profile individuals who own properties in upscale areas of the FCT, including Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, and Asokoro.
As part of the conditions, Bello must surrender his international passport and all other travel documents to the court, with the explicit instruction to remain in the Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail conditions are fully met.
In a related move, the bail conditions for the other two defendants, Oricha and Hudu, were also varied. They were granted bail in the sum of N300 million each, with the same stipulation that they provide sureties with properties in select areas of the FCT, although their initial bail conditions were limited to Maitama.
Like Bello, the two co-defendants are required to deposit their international passports and travel documents with the court and remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing trial of the former governor, which has captivated both political and public attention. The case continues to draw scrutiny, with many questioning the implications of such large-scale corruption cases on the Nigerian political landscape.
In the aftermath of the ruling, Bello’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, while emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that the trial proceeds without unnecessary delays.
“This is a step forward in securing justice,” said Daudu, after the ruling. “We are confident that this will allow for a fair trial.”
Meanwhile, critics of the former governor, especially those in opposition circles, have continued to denounce the charges, calling for a swift and transparent resolution to the case. The EFCC, which has been investigating Bello for several months, maintains that the ex-governor’s wealth and assets are disproportionate to his known income, further fueling the allegations of corruption and money laundering.
