The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the amount of ₦500 million.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the hearing on Friday, ordered that Bello provide two sureties, each with the same sum. The sureties must swear an affidavit of means and own property in Abuja. The Deputy Chief Registrar of the court will verify the title documents of these properties.

Additionally, the court ordered that Bello deposit his international passport with the court and submit two recent passport photographs, alongside those of his sureties. Bello will remain at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja until his bail conditions are met.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the ₦80 billion fraud charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had arraigned him on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering.

During the hearing, EFCC Counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he intended to withdraw a previous application to abridge the arraignment date, noting that the request had been overtaken by events. The defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, did not object, and Justice Nwite granted the request, striking out the application.