Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has secured a N500 million bail from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama today, marking his second bail grant while facing multiple corruption charges.
Justice Maryann Anenih ordered Bello, who has been in prison since December 10, to provide three sureties who own properties in Abuja’s high-end areas. The court also mandated surrendering his international travel documents and restricted his movement outside Nigeria without permission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Bello, who governed Kogi from 2016 to 2024, alongside state officials Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu in a 16-count case involving alleged N110 billion fraud. The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
According to EFCC allegations, Bello diverted state funds to acquire multiple properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million), Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (5,698,888 Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
The commission also accused the defendants of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing N677.8 million allegedly obtained unlawfully from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
This latest bail follows an earlier N500 million bail granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja for a separate 19-count charge involving alleged N80.2 billion fraud.
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