Yahaya Bello Freed: A Look at the Bail Conditions and What Comes Next
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of ₦500 million. The conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
Additionally, the court ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The former governor, along with two others, is facing fraud charges involving ₦110 billion allegedly diverted from the Kogi State government’s coffers.
He has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial is scheduled to commence on January 29, 2025. In a separate case, the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello also faces ₦80 billion money laundering charges, has earlier granted him bail and fixed dates for the commencement of trial.