The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of N2 billion, with two sureties required to provide a similar amount.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, ordered that one of the sureties must be a resident of Abuja and provide a three-year tax clearance certificate to the court. The judge also ruled that the second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.
As part of the bail conditions, Bodejo was directed to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and must not travel outside Nigeria without the court’s approval.
Justice Ekwo held that the offences alleged against the defendant were bailable and that the court had the discretion to grant bail under the circumstances. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to October 5, 6, and 7 for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo had been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9 after he was arraigned on allegations bordering on money laundering.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed the charge dated June 24 and submitted on June 25, with Bodejo listed as the sole defendant. When the charges were read to him during his arraignment, Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, Shittu applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending the hearing of the case.
However, counsel to Bodejo, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that his client had a pending bail application dated and filed on June 30.
While arguing the application, Raji submitted that the allegations against Bodejo, which bordered on money laundering, were bailable offences under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to exercise its discretion and grant his client bail.
The EFCC opposed the application, with Shittu asking the court to reject the request.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Justice Ekwo admitted Bodejo to bail subject to the conditions set by the court.
