The Federal High Court has granted N500 million bail to Alhaji Yahya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, with two sureties, and ordered him to deposit his international passport and provide photo guarantees, while setting a trial date for February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted the bail application, noted that this was based on his discretion but added that the sureties must have landed properties in Abuja.

He made his ruling on Friday and also ordered the Kogi State former governor to deposit his international passport with the court, while the two sureties must provide two passport photographs with the court. The judge also ruled that Alhaji Yahaya Bello be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja pending the perfection of the bail conditions.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a case against Alhaji Bello on charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds worth N80.2 billion. The former governor pleaded not guilty to all the charges, and his counsel moved an application for his bail.

Upon the resumption of the hearing today, Yahaya Bello through his legal team led by J.B. Daudu (SAN), apologised to the court for the former governor’s action before his arraignment, in which he evaded attempts to be arrested by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.

In his appeal, the former governor’s lawyer said he only acted based on the advice given to him to challenge the trial court’s jurisdiction on the matter, reiterating that Alhaji Bello did not disregard the court in any way. He also added that the former governor is not a flight risk as he only travelled twice as a governor.

“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.”

In his judgement, Justice Nwite said he would have denied the former Kogi State governor bail, but due to the appeal of his lawyer, which was not antagonised by the prosecuting legal team. He then adjourned the case to February 24, 28, and March 6 and 7, 2025, for trial.

“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.

“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.

“Given 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 for ₦500 million, with two sureties in the like sum. The two sureties shall own a 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.”