Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, was granted a fresh bail of N500 million on Thursday, December 19, by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama. This comes after his detention since December 10.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih ordered Bello to provide three sureties in the same amount, stipulating that the sureties must own landed properties in high-end areas of Abuja.
Additionally, the court directed Bello to surrender his international travel documents and prohibited him from leaving the country without prior permission.
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted Bello bail of N500 million with two sureties in a separate case involving a 19-count charge of alleged N80.2 billion fraud. The former governor is currently facing trial over his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 16-count charge against Bello and two officials of the Kogi State government, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The charges, marked CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully acquired property.
The EFCC accused Bello of misappropriating state funds to acquire several properties, including:
- No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (N950 million).
- No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million).
- No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).
- Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million).
- Hotel Apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (valued at 5,698,888 Dirhams).
- Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million).
- No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
The defendants were also accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing funds unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, totaling N677.8 million.
The court’s decision marks a significant development in Bello’s ongoing legal battle over allegations of large-scale financial misconduct.
