Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500m Bail, Sets February 24 for Trial
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like amount.
Justice Emeka Nwite, delivering the ruling on Friday, stipulated that the sureties must own landed properties within Abuja. The court further directed the sureties to submit the title documents of their properties, which will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar. They are also required to swear to an affidavit of means.
In addition, both the defendant and the sureties are to provide recent passport photographs. The court ordered Bello to surrender his international passport and prohibited him from leaving the country without prior approval.
Until he meets the bail conditions, Bello is to remain in custody at Kuje prison.
The court scheduled February 24 and 28 for the commencement of hearings on the 19-count charge of money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC accused Bello of embezzling N80.2 billion through the use of proxies to acquire luxury properties in Abuja and Dubai. However, the former governor has maintained his innocence.
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