On Friday, the Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is facing a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges, primarily involving alleged money laundering and mismanagement of ₦80 billion, have garnered widespread attention.
Bail Conditions Set by Justice Emeka Nwite
Presiding over the case, Justice Emeka Nwite granted bail to the former governor in the sum of ₦500 million with stringent conditions:
- Two Sureties in Like Sum:
- Bello must provide two sureties who will each commit to the bail amount of ₦500 million.
- The sureties must submit affidavits of means to confirm their financial capacity.
- Ownership of Properties in Abuja:
- The sureties must be verified owners of properties located within Abuja.
- Title documents for the properties must be submitted for verification by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court.
- Seizure of International Passport:
- Bello is required to deposit his international passport with the court, ensuring that he cannot leave the country without court approval.
- Submission of Passport Photographs:
- The former governor and his sureties must submit two recent passport photographs each to the court.
Remand Pending Bail Conditions
Until the bail conditions are fully met and verified, Justice Nwite ruled that Bello should be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja. This ensures the court maintains oversight over the defendant’s whereabouts while the bail process is underway.
Background of the Case
Yahaya Bello, who served as Kogi State governor from 2016 to 2024, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency accuses him of diverting public funds, including state funds earmarked for salaries and developmental projects, and laundering the proceeds through the acquisition of properties and other assets.
Among the alleged acquisitions are:
- Several high-value properties in Abuja and Dubai.
- Transfers of substantial amounts of foreign currency to accounts outside Nigeria.
With bail conditions set, the onus is now on the former governor and his legal team to meet the stipulated requirements for his release. Meanwhile, the EFCC is expected to continue its investigations and present evidence to substantiate its claims in subsequent court proceedings.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption within public offices in Nigeria and has drawn significant public and media attention, given its scale and high-profile nature.
