Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State.
The court admitted him to bail for N500 million with two sureties.
Justice Anenih turned down the ex-governor’s bail application on December 10, saying it was filed prematurely.
The court initially denied him bail after saying, “Having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“There was room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh bail application and apply for a hearing date”.
The former governor and two others are facing an alleged N110 bn money laundering trial.
He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When the case was called for hearing on Thursday, Counsel to the Bello, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.
He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”
The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, did not object. Therefore, the court granted the application for withdrawal and struck out the further affidavit.
Daudu, SAN, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.
He further requested that, if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties for bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.
By the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.
He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.
“We are, therefore, leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st Defendant was charged with was bailable and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
The 1st Defendant was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. He will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
