From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday admitted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to bail in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum.
The decision was made after the former governor had pleaded not guilty to the 19-count money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello and his co-defendants are facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N80bn.
After the defendant had taken his plea, Joseph Daudu, SAN Daudu SAN made clarifications on the reasons he had not been in court during the previous hearings.
While moving an application for bail, he assured that the former governor would always be present in court for the trial.
He commended the prosecution counsel, saying he had conducted himself in the best tradition because the matter was not a do-or-die one.
Agreeing to the submissions, the prosecution counsel, Pinheiro said: “I must express my honour to the very eminent lead senior counsel. He is a man of immense stature, not because of his size. He added: “We accept the assurances of the very eminent SAN that the defendant will make himself available subject to your lordship’s discretionary terms that may be imposed.”
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Nwite granted the defendant N500 million bail with two sureties.
“Sureties must be landed property owners within the jurisdiction of this court. They must swear to affidavit of means. The title deeds of priority to be verified by the court registrar,” he said. The defendant was also asked to submit his international passport while he would remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The former governor was earlier remanded in the Kuje prison by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over a fresh N110bn charge by the EFCC, pending his bail application.