The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre and is back home after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
This was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, on Friday.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions and the Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed,” he said.
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500 million.
The conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The former governor and two others are facing fraud charges involving N110 billion allegedly diverted from the Kogi State government’s coffers.
He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The trial judge, Maryanne Anenih, had on 10 December, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.
The judge had earlier fixed 29 January 2025 for commencement of trial in the case.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, where Bello also faces N80 billion money laundering charges, has earlier granted him bail and fixed date for commencement of trial.
