Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, secured fresh bail of N500 million on Thursday from a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, Abuja.
Justice Maryann Anenih, who delivered the ruling, directed Bello to provide three sureties, each owning landed properties in high-value areas of Abuja. The court also ordered Bello to surrender his international passport and barred him from leaving Nigeria without prior approval.
Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2024, faces a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property, totaling N110 billion.
Two other officials of the Kogi State government, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are also named in the case marked CR/7781.
The EFCC accused Bello of using stolen state funds to acquire several high-value properties, including:
No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja: N950 million.
No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja: N100 million.
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja: N920 million.
Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: N170 million.
Hotel Apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai: AED 5.69 million.
Block 18 Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: N60 million.
No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja: N310.4 million.
Additionally, Bello is accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States and receiving N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
This new bail follows an earlier one granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja in relation to a separate 19-count charge of alleged N80.2 billion fraud. That bail was also set at N500 million with two sureties.
Bello’s trial will resume on February 24, 2025.
