Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, granted bail to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the sum of N500 million.
The judge admitted the former governor to bail after striking out his earlier bail application on December 10.
The court had refused the earlier bail application on the grounds that as of November 22, when it was filed, Bello had not yet been taken into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had on November 27 arraigned Bello and two others, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu before Justice Anenih.
Bello and two other defendants were arraigned by the EFCC in a case marked FCT/HC/CR/778/24 on a 16-count charge of alleged N110billion fraud.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap 89 Law of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and are punishable under Section 312 of the same law.
But when the charge was read to Bello and the other two defendants, they pleaded not guilty to the offence.
In her ruling on Bello’s bail application, Justice Anenih granted bail to the ex-governor in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.
The judge added that the sureties must be responsible citizens of Nigeria and possess landed property within Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, or Jabi districts of the FCT, saying that the original Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for the properties must be deposited with the court after verification.
Justice Anenih further directed each surety to submit two passport photographs and a copy of a valid identification document, including their National Identification Number (NIN) to the court.
The judge also ordered the former governor to deposit his passport or other travel documents with the court and prohibited him from traveling outside the country without the permission of the court.
Justice Anenih further directed that Bello should remain at Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
