The Federal High Court Abuja on Friday granted former Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.
The former governor had earlier pleaded not guilty to the 19-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N80 billion, but pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
When the case was called for hearing on Friday, the counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, notified the court of the intention of the prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgment of the earlier date fixed for arraignment.
He said the application had been overtaken by events and the defendant’s counsel, led by Joseph Daudu, did not object and Justice Emeka Nwite accordingly granted the request.
Dauda said, “I would like to place on record that for any impression that might have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship, coincidentally, the ruling on my lord’s sitting this morning dealt with the issue of jurisdiction.
“What the Defendant did was to ask his counsel to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, which got to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.”
While moving the bail application, he assured that the former governor would always be present in court for the trial.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite said, “I have listened to the submissions of both counsels. It is not in dispute that both counsels have filed applications in respect of this.
“Based on the account exhibited by learned counsel for the defendant which was exhibited and supported by prosecution counsel, I am minded to change my earlier stand on this matter.”
He granted the defendant N500 million bail with two sureties.
“Sureties must be landed property owners within the jurisdiction of this court. They must swear an affidavit of means and the title deeds of priority to be verified by the court’s registrar.”