Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed the release to the PUNCH on Friday evening.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday),” Duza stated. He added that the Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was present to ensure Bello’s release was smooth and followed due protocols.
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500 million. The bail conditions required him to provide three sureties, each owning property in high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
Additionally, the court directed Bello to surrender his passport and barred him from traveling outside Nigeria without prior approval.
The former governor is facing a 16-count charge, alongside Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Initially, Justice Anenih had rejected Bello’s bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants. However, after a fresh application, Bello’s bail was approved on Thursday, leading to his eventual release.
Bello’s case has drawn significant public attention. Reports indicate that 148 Chinese nationals and 645 others were recently arrested in separate cases of cyberfraud and romance scams in Lagos, underlining the EFCC’s intensified focus on economic crimes.
With his release, Yahaya Bello’s legal battle continues as he prepares to face trial.
