JUST IN: Court grants Yahaya Bello N500m bail

On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, in the amount of N500 million with two sureties of the same sum.

Despite the initial refusal of bail on December 10 by Justice Maryann Anenih due to the premature filing of the application, the ex-governor’s lawyers were given the opportunity to file a fresh application.

Bello is currently facing a money laundering trial involving N110 billion and has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the EFCC.

When the case was called for hearing on Thursday, counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter-affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.

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

There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN.

The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal and struck out the further affidavit.

Daudu, SAN, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.

In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.

He further requested that, if the court would graciously grant the defendant bail, it should review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.

He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, rather than limiting them solely to Maitama.

The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, acknowledged that Daudu, SAN, had been in talks with the prosecution team.

In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct, RPC, the EFCC counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.

He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar 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.”

Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.

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

The 1st defendant was also ordered to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.