ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of N500 million over allegations of an N80 billion fraud.
Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the hearing on Friday, ordered Bello to provide two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and own properties within Abuja.
The title documents for the properties will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed Bello to deposit his international passport and two recent passport photographs with the court.
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The sureties are also required to submit their passport photographs. Until the bail terms are met, Bello is to remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja.
Bello pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges include alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80 billion during his tenure as governor.
During the proceedings, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court of the withdrawal of an earlier application for abridgment of the arraignment date.
He explained that the application had become unnecessary due to the current developments. Defense counsel Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object to the withdrawal, and Justice Nwite granted the request, striking out the application.