Court grants Bello bail, pleads not guilty to N80.2billion fraud charges
The former Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello, who facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on money laundering charges involving alleged diversion of N80.2 billion in public funds has been granted bail.
Penpushing reports that the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, on Friday granted the defendant’s bail application following an agreement between the prosecution and defence teams, as Bello pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution was represented by Kemi Pinheiro, a Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), while the accused person was equally represented by Joseph Daudu, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Penpushing further reports that at the trial, Daudu told the court that as a team of lawyers representing the former governor, there was need to plea and clear air for any impression created that the defendant does not wish to appear before the Court.
The Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which arraigned Bello on 18 counts of money laundering, however, pointed out his respect for the defence counsel and confirmed that both sides had discussed to avoid unnecessary delays.
Penpushing also reports that Pinheiro acknowledged a counter-affidavit the prosecution team filed to oppose the bail application, he agreed that the defendant should be granted bail subject to conditions imposed by the court.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing the ant-graft stated that granting bail lies entirely at the discretion of the honourable court, adding that his team, however, trust the assurances provided by the defence counsel
Penpushing reports that following the parties’ agreement, the judge granted the embattled former Governor bail for N500 million with two sureties in the same amount, emphasizing that the sureties must have landed properties in Abuja.
The judge ordered the accused and the two sureties to submit their passports to the court’s registrar and consequently ordered him (Bello) to be remanded at Kuje correctional centre in Abuja pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Penpushing further reports that the lead defence lawyer, expressed readiness for trial, and the judge thereafter fixed 24 and 28 February and 6 and 7 March 2025 for trial, while it is on record that the commission is prosecuting the former governor for allegedly conspiring with his nephew, Ali Bello, and others to convert N80.2 billion belonging to Kogi State for personal use
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