The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties.
Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, stated that bail is granted at the court’s discretion while delivering the ruling.
He said, “I have listened to the application from both counsels. First off, bail is at the discretion of the court, whether the bail is opposed or supported. Ordinarily, based on the antecedents of this case, particularly the conduct exhibited by the defendant, I would have reconsidered the application made by the learned senior counsel for the defendant. However, based on the detour exhibited by the learned senior counsel for the defendant, J.B. Daudu (SAN), which was reciprocated by the learned senior counsel for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), I am inclined to depart from our earlier position on this matter.
“In view of the foregoing, I am prepared to grant the application made by both counsel. I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the following terms: One—bail is granted to the defendant in the sum of ₦500 million, with two sureties in the like sum. The two sureties shall own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court, Abuja.
“The two sureties shall swear to an affidavit of means, and the documents of the property shall be verified by the chief deputy registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall deposit his international passport with the chief registrar of this honourable court. The defendant and the sureties shall each deposit two recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall be released upon the perfection of the bail terms. The case is adjourned to February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, for trial.”
Bello faces a 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), relating to money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totalling ₦80.2 billion.
Upon the resumed hearing, the EFCC counsel, Pinheiro, informed the court of the prosecution’s intention to withdraw a previous application for an abridgement of the arraignment date. He stated that the application had been overtaken by events. The defendant’s counsel, led by Daudu, did not object, and Justice Nwite accordingly granted the request, striking the application out.
Following this, the 19 counts were read to Bello, to which he pleaded not guilty.
After taking his plea, the defendant’s lawyer apologised for the earlier actions and requested bail pending the hearing and determination of the charges.
He assured the court that his client would attend all trial dates, stating that Bello, a two-term governor who had travelled abroad only twice, posed no flight risk.
He said, “My Lord, I apologise for any impression that may have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship for his arraignment. What he did, which is not uncommon in law, was to direct his counsel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which took them to the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and back here.
“My Lord, it was not willful disrespect. He acted with the belief that he was defending himself as best as possible. He holds this court in high esteem, and we all do. This episode could have been avoided, but it has passed, and things are clearer now. We mean no harm to this court.
“Secondly, my Lord, and I say this with every sense of responsibility, having regard to the positions I have held in this profession, the governor, as a two-term governor of Kogi State, who travelled abroad only twice during his eight years, will appear on all trial days. I give my word that he will not jump bail.”
Pinheiro, on his part, told the court that he would not object to the bail request, despite having earlier filed a counter.
He stated, “I have great respect for my learned counsel, who was a past president of the NBA. I confirm we have been discussing how to ease the pressure on your lordship.
My Lord, we are prosecutors, not persecutors, and the EFCC is a prosecutorial commission, not a prosecutorial commission.
“We accept the assurances of the eminent counsel that the defendant will be available for trial, subject to your lordship’s terms.”
Recall that Bello is also facing a separate ₦110.4 billion charge before Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Anenih had earlier ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application after rejecting the application for procedural irregularities in its filing.
Meanwhile, Justice Nwite has also ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje prison pending the perfection of the bail terms granted.