A federal high court in Abuja headed by Justice Emeka Nwite has granted Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state bail of N500 million and two sureties who have property in the federal capital territory, Abuja.
Bello has been at loggerheads with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC over arrest and arraignment of the former governor which led to the fisticuffs that ensued between him and officials of the anti graft agency in his Abuja house earlier in the year. It could be recalled that officials of the agency stormed Bello’s residence to effect his arrest and arraignment, but was shielded by the current governor of Kogi state, Gov. Ododo who came and drove him away.
Bello a week ago turned himself in to the agency for arraignment. He was remanded in the Kuje prison facility in Abuja and was today, Friday, 13th of December, 2024 granted him bail. He’s accused of stealing N80 billion of Kogi treasury when he was governor nine years ago. Bello pleaded guilty to the nineteen count of money laundering and fraud. The matter was adjourned to a later date for hearing. 