Yahaya Bello released from prison after meeting bail terms

The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre and returned home after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

A brief statement from the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development on Friday.

“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was present to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were followed,” Duza said.

Bello was granted bail by Justice MaryAnne Anenih on Thursday, with the bail set at N500 million. The conditions required Bello to provide three sureties, each owning property in high-value areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. Additionally, the court ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted him from traveling outside Nigeria without prior approval.

Bello, along with two others, is facing fraud charges related to the alleged diversion of N110 billion from Kogi State’s government funds. He has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

On December 10, Justice Anenih adjourned the case to January 29 and 30, as well as February 25 and 27, after rejecting Bello’s bail request on the grounds that it was filed prematurely.

During Thursday’s proceedings, Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, informed the court that a further affidavit had been filed in response to the prosecution’s counter affidavit but applied to withdraw it. The judge has scheduled the trial to commence on January 29, 2025.

Bello also faces money laundering charges amounting to N80 billion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he has been granted bail and a trial date has been set.