Another Court Grants Ex-Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello, N500m Bail

Alex Enumah in Abuja 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has admitted the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.

This is coming barely one week after Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, admitted Bello to bail in the same sum, over alleged corruption charge at the Federal High Court.

The trial judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Maryanne Anenih, had last week declined Bello’s application for bail on the grounds that the application was premature.

However, Bello, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), had brought another application which was heard and granted on Thursday.

When the matter was called for hearing, Daudu informed the court that the defence counsel had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsel.

He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying: “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”

Since the counsel to the prosecution, Olukayode Enitan (SAN), raised no objections, the court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.

Speaking further, Bello’s lawyer drew the court’s attention to an understanding reached by parties towards the speedy trial of the matter.

He therefore urged the court to release his client on bail to enable him prepare adequately for the trial.

Meanwhile, the senior lawyer prayed the court to kindly review the bail conditions for the first, second, and third defendants. 

According to Daudu, the court should broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the FCT, rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.

Responding, Enitan 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.”

Justice Anenih, while delivering ruling, acknowledged that the offence the first defendant was charged with was bail-able and subsequently granted him bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.

The sureties, according to the judge, must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro. 

In addition, the first defendant is to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court and is to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail.

The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110 billion, along with two others.

They were last month arraigned before the FCT High Court on a 16-count charge bordering on corruption and breach of trust amongst others.

They however pleaded not guilty to all the counts brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ).