The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the sum of ₦500 million.
Bello, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust, pleaded not guilty to all allegations. The charges, under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, accuse Bello of diverting over ₦80.2 billion of Kogi State funds, allegedly using proxies to acquire properties in Nigeria and abroad.
In his ruling on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite granted bail with stringent conditions. Bello is required to provide two sureties, each owning properties in Abuja, with verified title documents. The sureties must also swear affidavits of means.
Additionally, Bello must surrender his international passport to the court and submit two recent passport photographs alongside his sureties.
Justice Nwite ordered that Bello be held at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja until he meets the bail conditions.
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Opeoluwa Benson – Content Researcher
