A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama yesterday granted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello another N500 million bail with three sureties in like sum.
Justice Maryanne Anenih granted the bail while ruling on a fresh bail application filed by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN).
Bello is standing trial alongside two others – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – on a 16-count charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against them.
The three men are facing a charge bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089.
At the mention of the case yesterday, Daudu applied to withdraw a further affidavit that Bello filed on the grounds that he did not intend to make the issues contentious.
Lawyer to the prosecution, Olukayode Enitan (SAN), did not object, and the court struck out the affidavit.
The development paved the way for Daudu to make the fresh request for bail for his client.
Daudu told the court that discussions had taken place between lawyers to parties, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
The lawyer averred that should the court grant bail to Bello, it should kindly review the bail conditions for the other two defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of the properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
Enitan, who confirmed that the defence legal team had been in talks with the prosecution team, assured of the prosecution’s cooperation in expediting the trial.
Ruling, Justice Anenih held that Bello’s alleged offence was bailable and granted him a N500 million bail with three sureties in like sum.
The judge said the sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, and Asokoro.
She also ordered Bello to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
Justice Anenih ordered that Bello shoud remain at Kuje Prison in Abuja until he meets the bail conditions.
She adjourned till January 19 for the commencement of trial.
On December 10, Justice Anenih had granted bail to each of Bello’s two co-defendants – Oricha and Hudu – a N300 million bail each with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, before whom Bello is standing trial for another case of about N80.2 billion fraud, also granted him a N500 million bail on December 13.
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