Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the amount of N500 million, with three sureties, each of like sum.
This decision follows a previous ruling on December 10, when Justice Anenih had rejected the ex-governor’s bail application, deeming it premature.
She had stated that the application was filed at a time when the first defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, rendering the application incompetent.
However, the judge allowed the option for the defense to file a fresh bail application and request a hearing date.
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The former governor is facing charges related to alleged money laundering totaling N110 billion, alongside two other individuals.
He has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the proceedings, the defense counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that they had filed a further affidavit in response to a counter affidavit from the prosecution.
However, Daudu sought to withdraw the affidavit, explaining, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.” There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, and the court granted the request, striking out the further affidavit.
Daudu also mentioned that discussions had been held with the prosecution team, resulting in an agreement to ensure a swift trial. In light of this, he urged the court to grant the bail application.
Additionally, Daudu requested that if bail was granted to Bello, the court should consider reviewing the bail conditions for all three defendants.
He proposed expanding the acceptable locations for bail sureties to include properties across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of limiting them to Maitama alone.
Prosecution counsel, Enitan, confirmed that the prosecution had been in discussions with the defense and assured the court of their cooperation in expediting the trial, in line with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).
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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.”
In her ruling, Justice Anenih recognized that the offense the first defendant was charged with was bailable and therefore granted the former governor bail in the amount of N500 million, with three sureties each providing a similar sum.
The sureties must be prominent Nigerians who own property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro.
Additionally, Bello was instructed to surrender his international passport and any other travel documents to the court. He will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
