BREAKING: Court Grants Yahaya Bello N500 Million Bail in EFCC’s Alleged N80 Billion Fraud Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello bail in the amount of N500 million, following his arraignment on 16 counts of money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello pleaded not guilty before Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday. Bello, along with others, is accused of conspiring in February 2016 to convert N80,246,470,088.88, allegedly obtained through criminal breach of trust, violating Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.

Reports indicate that today’s hearing followed over four prior sessions where the ex-governor was absent due to legal disputes raised by his defense team in higher courts. During the resumed session, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, requested that the charges be read to Bello, which was not opposed by his lawyer, Joseph Daudu SAN.

Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometime in November 2021 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, indirectly procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit, criminal breach of trust, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.” 

Bello’s lawyer, Daudu, clarified that his client did not deliberately skip court sessions but had directed his lawyers to challenge the jurisdiction of the trial court in higher courts. He assured the court that Bello would attend all future hearings.

In seeking bail, Daudu highlighted that his client, a two-term governor, had only traveled abroad twice and would not jump bail. The EFCC did not oppose the bail application, leaving the decision to the discretion of the court.

What the Judge Said 

Ruling on the submissions of the lawyers, Nwite acknowledged the behavior of the defendant’s new counsel, Daudu, and the prosecution team.

He said bail is the constitutional right of a party.

“I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the sum of N500 million and two sureties in like sum who must possess landed property in Abuja,” he ruled.

He also ordered that the defendant shall deposit his international passport with the court, adding that he shall be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.

The judge then adjourned the case to February 24, 28, 2025, and March 6 and 7 for trial.

What You Should Know

Reports have indicated that the EFCC and other security agencies have declared Bello wanted, stating difficulties in tracking his whereabouts or arresting him. The EFCC also accused the Kogi State government of using Bello’s immunity to shield him.

In the midst of this, higher courts are addressing issues related to Bello’s arraignment. Additionally, the EFCC has filed another fraud case against him at the FCT High Court, which is separate from the N100 billion case he faces there. The FCT High Court had previously declined granting him bail, calling his application “premature.”

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