On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the amount of ₦500 million, with two sureties. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, emphasized that the decision to grant bail lies at the discretion of the court, regardless of whether the application is supported or opposed.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite explained, I have considered the arguments from both sides. Bail is granted at the court’s discretion, irrespective of opposition. Typically, based on the history of this case and the defendant’s conduct, I would have reconsidered the application made by the defense counsel. However, after reviewing the approach of both the defense counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), and the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), I am inclined to approve the bail application.
The bail conditions are as follows: Yahaya Bello is granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties in the same amount. The sureties must own property within the jurisdiction of the court in Abuja. They are required to swear to an affidavit of means, with the property documents verified by the court’s chief deputy registrar.
In addition, Bello must surrender his international passport to the chief registrar of the court and both he and the sureties must provide two recent passport-sized photographs to the deputy chief registrar. Bello will be released once the bail conditions are fulfilled. The trial is scheduled for February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025.
Bello faces a 19-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling ₦80.2 billion.
During the resumed hearing, the EFCC counsel, Pinheiro, informed the court that the prosecution wished to withdraw a previous application for an abridged arraignment date, stating that the application had become irrelevant due to subsequent developments. Bello’s counsel, led by Daudu, did not object, and Justice Nwite struck out the application.
The 19 charges were read to Bello, who pleaded not guilty. Afterward, his lawyer apologized for any misunderstanding caused by the earlier legal challenges and requested bail pending the trial. The defense assured the court that Bello would attend all trial dates, noting that as a two-term governor who had only traveled abroad twice, he posed no flight risk.
In his statement, Daudu clarified, My Lord, I apologize for any impression that the defendant did not want to appear for his arraignment. His actions were motivated by the belief that he was defending his rights to the best of his ability. He has the utmost respect for this court and has never intended to disrespect it. The situation has been clarified, and we intend no harm.
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Prosecution counsel, Pinheiro, expressed no objection to the bail request, despite previously filing a counter. He added, “We accept the assurances from the defense that the defendant will appear for trial, and we respect the learned counsel.”
Additionally, Yahaya Bello faces a separate ₦110.4 billion charge before Justice MaryAnne Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama. Justice Anenih had earlier ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje Correctional Centre, rejecting an application for procedural errors. Justice Nwite has also ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje prison until the bail conditions are met.
