Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Thursday, granted the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello N500 million bail with three sureties in the like sum.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC is prosecuting
Bello, alongside two others on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of N110billion, along with two others.
On the bail conditions, the court held that the sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
Also, Bello is to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
On his arraignment and sequel not guilty plea on December 10, the court declined his bail application on the ground that it was filed prematurely and incompetent having been filed why the defendant was neither in custody nor before the court.
There was, however room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date
At the resumed proceeding,
Thursday, Counsel to Bello, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that they filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.
Daudu, SAN also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.
He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.
In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.
He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.
“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st Defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
