December 20, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, was released from Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday evening after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court, Maitama, had on Thursday granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.
The court specified that the sureties must be prominent Nigerians owning landed properties in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro areas of Abuja. Additionally, Bello was required to surrender his international passport and was restricted from leaving Nigeria without prior court approval.
The court had earlier remanded Bello and two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, at the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 27. They were later transferred to Kuje Custodial Centre on December 10 after pleading not guilty to a 16-count charge of money laundering amounting to N110.4 billion.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed Bello’s release.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed,” Duza said.
Bello and his co-defendants face allegations of misusing state funds to acquire several properties,
The EFCC also accused Bello of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and of possessing N677.8 million allegedly stolen from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
Bello, who had earlier evaded arrest during a failed EFCC operation in April, pleaded not guilty to all charges. The case is ongoing, and further hearings are expected in the coming months.
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