KEY POINTS

• Yahaya Bello met N500 million bail conditions, including three sureties owning Abuja properties, passport surrender, and travel restrictions without court approval.
• Bello faces 16-count charges from EFCC, including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and property possession, all denied by the former governor and co-defendants.
• FCT NCoS confirmed Bello’s release under strict supervision, with NCoS FCT Controller ensuring compliance with established protocols.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after fulfilling the stringent bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja. His release was confirmed by Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, on Friday evening.

“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening,” Duza stated. The NCoS Controller for FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, personally oversaw the process to ensure all protocols were followed.

Bail conditions and court ruling

According to Punch, Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih, requiring a sum of N500 million. The conditions stipulated that he provide three sureties, each owning property in high-value areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. Additionally, Bello was required to surrender his international passport and obtain court permission before any travel outside Nigeria.

The decision came after an initial rejection of Bello’s bail application on procedural grounds, although his co-defendants, Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, were granted bail earlier. A fresh application was subsequently approved, leading to his release.

Legal charges and pleas

Bello and his co-defendants are facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and unlawful possession of property. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

The EFCC accuses Bello of mismanaging state funds and abusing his position while in office as governor of Kogi State. The charges form part of broader efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability among public officials in Nigeria.

Political implications

Bello’s release marks a significant development in a high-profile case that has drawn public and political attention. As a former governor and influential figure in Nigerian politics, Bello’s legal challenges have implications for his political career and the broader narrative of governance and accountability in the country.

With the case still in court, Bello’s movements and compliance with bail conditions will be closely monitored. The trial proceedings are expected to unfold in the coming months, shedding light on the allegations and evidence presented by the EFCC.

Bello’s legal team has reiterated his innocence, emphasizing their confidence in the judiciary. Meanwhile, public discourse continues to focus on the broader implications of the case for anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.