The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N2 billion bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, who is standing trial over allegations of laundering $2.63 million.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling delivered on Monday, held that the offences brought against Bodejo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are bailable and exercised the court’s discretion in his favour.
The court attached stringent conditions to the bail.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo must provide two sureties in the sum of N2 billion each.
According to the ruling:
- One surety must be a resident of Abuja and present three years’ tax clearance certificates.
- The second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at not less than N2 billion.
- Bodejo must deposit his international passport with the court registrar.
- He is also barred from travelling outside Nigeria without obtaining prior approval from the court.
Following the bail ruling, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC had arraigned Bodejo on July 9 on charges bordering on alleged money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to all the counts after they were read in open court.
During the proceedings, defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) urged the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that the alleged offences fall within the category of bailable offences under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Raji informed the court that the bail application had been filed on June 30, insisting there was no legal basis to deny the defendant his constitutional right to bail.
However, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) opposed the application and urged the court to keep Bodejo in custody pending trial.
The anti-graft agency filed the charge against Bodejo on June 25, accusing him of laundering approximately $2.63 million.
The Miyetti Allah leader remains the sole defendant in the case and is expected to face trial when proceedings begin in October.
The case is one of several high-profile financial crime prosecutions currently before the Federal High Court as the EFCC continues its crackdown on alleged money laundering and corruption offences across the country.
