The nephew of Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, Ali Bello, has been granted bail by a federal high court in Abuja.
The offenses against Bello and his co-defendants are bailable, according to the presiding judge’s ruling on the bail application on Monday. Obiora Egwuatu.
He claimed that the accused could fully prepare for their trials with the help of bail.
The judge decided that the sureties had to live in Abuja, have recognizable addresses, and own landed properties worth N500 million within the court’s jurisdiction. The defendants were admitted to bail in the amount of N500 million each with two sureties in the same quantity.
He stated that the original title documents for the properties, along with proof of tax payments for the three years between 2020 and 2022, must be filed with the court’s registrar.
Also, the defendants must leave their foreign passports in the custody of the court and are only permitted to leave the country with prior court approval.
The case has been postponed until April 16 so that the trial can begin.
Bello was charged by the EFCC on February 8 together with Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyada Sadat for allegedly stealing N3,081,804,654.
The 18-count allegation “bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering” was brought against the defendants, who entered a not guilty plea.
They were held behind bars while the bail request was being moved.
Yahaya Bello’s spouse Rashida was also listed in the allegation.