The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The bail decision followed Bello’s plea of not guilty to a 19-count charge of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges relate to allegations of laundering N80 billion during his tenure as governor.
When the case was called, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the prosecution’s intention to withdraw a prior application seeking an earlier arraignment date, stating that the request was now moot.
The defense, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Emeka Nwite approved the withdrawal.
After taking his plea, Yahaya Bello’s counsel addressed the court to clarify his client’s earlier absence at proceedings.
“I would like to place on record that for any impression that might have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship, coincidentally, the ruling on my lord’s sitting this morning dealt with the issue of jurisdiction,” Daudu said.
He explained that the defendant had pursued a jurisdictional challenge that escalated to the Supreme Court. “It was not wishful disrespect, but he was only trying to defend himself,” Daudu noted, adding that the situation was now resolved.
In moving the bail application, Daudu assured the court that Yahaya Bello would attend all trial proceedings.
“I am saying this with the highest sense of responsibility that the defendant, a two-term governor of Kogi State who travelled only two times out of his eight years in service, will always be present in court at all times. There should be no apprehension that he will jump bail,” he said.
The EFCC counsel, Pinheiro, SAN, expressed no opposition to the bail request, acknowledging the defense’s assurances.
“We are prosecutors, not persecutors, and EFCC is a professional commission, a prosecutorial, and not persecutorial commission,” Pinheiro said, confirming discussions with the defense to ease the burden on the court.
Ruling on the application, Justice Nwite said: “I have listened to the submissions of both counsels. It is not in dispute that both counsels have filed applications in respect of this. Based on the account exhibited by learned counsel for the defendant, which was exhibited and supported by prosecution counsel, I am minded to change my earlier stand on this matter.”
The court granted Bello bail with the conditions that he provides two sureties who own landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction, submit their title deeds for verification, and swear affidavits of means.
The defendant was also ordered to submit his international passport and remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
Yahaya Bello was earlier remanded in custody on a separate N110 billion charge by the EFCC pending his bail application.
The court has scheduled February 24, 2025, for further hearings in the case.
