BREAKING: Court grants Yahaya Bello N500m bail

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Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, was on Friday granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum.

Bello is facing trial for alleged money laundering involving N80 billion during his time in office.

However, the former governor pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Counsel for the EFCC informed the court during hearing that the Prosecution wished to withdraw an earlier application to abridge the date initially set for arraignment, adding that stated that the application had been overtaken by events.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, Bello’s counsel, objected and Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request.

After Bello had entered his plea, Daudu, SAN, made some clarifications with regard to his absence at earlier court sessions.

“I would like to place on record that any impression suggesting the Defendant was unwilling to appear before your lordship is incorrect. Coincidentally, this morning’s ruling on jurisdiction highlights this issue,” he said.

“The Defendant instructed his counsel to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, which was escalated to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. It was not a matter of willful disrespect but a legitimate defense strategy. We hold your lordship in high esteem. If the Defendant had no respect for the court, he would not have presented himself for arraignment. That matter is behind us now.”

Thereafter, he moved a bail application, and assured the court that Bello was committed to attending future court sessions.

“With the highest sense of responsibility, I state that the Defendant, a two-term governor of Kogi State who traveled only twice during his eight years in office, will always be present in court. There should be no concern that he will abscond. We, therefore, urge your lordship to grant reasonable bail conditions,” Dauda stated.

Commending the Prosecution counsel for his professional conduct, Dauda added: “The Prosecution Counsel has handled this case with integrity, demonstrating that this matter is not a do-or-die affair.”

Responding similarly, Pinheiro, SAN, expressed his respect for Dauda.

“I must commend the very eminent lead senior counsel. His stature in the legal profession, as a former NBA president, is remarkable. We have engaged in discussions to ensure minimal burden on the court in compliance with Rule 26 of the Rules of Professional Ethics,” the prosecution counsel noted.

“We are prosecutors, not persecutors, and the EFCC is a professional body. We accept the assurances of the learned SAN that the Defendant will appear in court as required.”

He added that although the Prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit, they were not opposed to the bail application, since the defence counsel had assured that Bello would be present in court to face his trial.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite stated: “I have considered the submissions of both counsels. Based on the evidence and assurances provided, I am inclined to reconsider my earlier position on this matter.”

He granted the Bello bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties, who must own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and provide affidavits of means.

He also directed that “the title deeds must be verified by the court registrar”.

Additionally, the judge ordered the defendant to submit his international passport and remain in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, pending when he fulfills the bail conditions.

It will be recalled that Bello was also remanded in prison custody on a separate N110 billion charge filed by the EFCC, pending his application for bail.