After meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal High Court sitting in the Maitama District of the nation’s capital, Abuja, former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre Friday evening.
The Punch online said the spokesperson for the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr. Adamu Duza, confirmed Bello’s release.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions,” Duza was quoted as saying. “He was released this evening (Friday).
“The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.”
Bello, who is standing trial for alleged money laundering to the tune of N110 billion, had been granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500million and three sureties who must have property in highbrow areas like Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
Bello, alongside Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, is facing a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The troika pleaded not guilty.
It would be recalled that Justice MaryAnne Anenih had rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants. Luckily for the former Kogi governor, his fresh application was approved on Thursday and he was subsequently released.
