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Court grants Yahaya Bello N500m bail over alleged N80.2bn fraud

Published

7 hours ago

December 13, 2024

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the tune of ₦500 million.

Bello had earlier been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The charges, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024, allege that Bello diverted over ₦80.2 billion belonging to Kogi State.

The funds were reportedly used to acquire properties in Nigeria and abroad through proxies.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Friday, admitted Bello to bail at N500m with two sureties in like sum.

He said the two sureties must swear to an affidavit of means and must be owners of Properties in Abuja.

In addition, the title documents of the properties, which must be in Abuja, will be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

Justice Nwite ordered that the ex-governor must deposit his international passport with the court, while he and his two sureties are also to deposit two recent passport photographs with the court.

He also ruled that Bello be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja pending the perfection of his bail conditions.