Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello recently appeared in court, facing trial over alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering charges ¹. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been prosecuting Bello alongside two other defendants, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion ².
*Background of the Case*
Bello's trial began after the EFCC accused him of misusing state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million) ³. Other properties allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury include Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and more ³.
*Court Rulings and Bail Conditions*
On December 13, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum ¹. The sureties must own properties within the court's jurisdiction, and Bello is required to deposit his international passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, submit recent passport photographs, and swear an affidavit of means ¹.
In a separate ruling on December 19, 2024, Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum ² ⁴ ³. The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro ² ⁴ ³. Bello is also required to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court registrar ² ⁴ ³.
*Reaction to the Ruling*
Bello's counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN, expressed regret for any perceived disrespect toward the court, stating that the defendant's earlier actions were not intended as contempt ¹. The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Eniton SAN, did not oppose the bail application, stating that the defence legal team had been in talks with the prosecution team ² ⁴.
*Next Steps*
The trial is set to continue, with the court adjourning the hearing on the substantive suit until January 29, 2025 ² ³. Bello remains in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre, Kuje, until he meets the bail conditions ¹ ² ⁴ ³.
References:
¹ Yahaya Bello Apologizes as Court Grants ₦500 Million Bail
² Yahaya Bello Begs Court: Spare me Landed Property in Maitama for Bail
⁵ Court of Appeal Orders Yahaya Bello to Show up for Arraignment
⁴ Yahaya Bello Begs Court to Spare him Landed Property in Maitama
³ Alleged N110.4bn fraud: Ex-Kogi Gov Bello secures N500m bail
