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 in like amount over his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering.
Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered the ruling on Monday while determining Bodejo’s application for bail, holding that the charges brought against the defendant are bailable and that the court had the discretion to admit him to bail under the law.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed that one of the sureties must reside in Abuja and provide evidence of tax clearance covering the last three years.
The judge further ruled that the second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at not less than N2 billion.
Justice Ekwo also ordered Bodejo to surrender his international passport to the court registrar and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.
Following the ruling, the judge fixed October 5, October 6 and October 7 for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations bordering on money laundering.
The EFCC arraigned him before the Federal High Court on July 9, after filing criminal charges against him.
The anti-graft agency, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, listed Bodejo as the sole defendant in the charge filed before the court.
When the charges were read, the Miyetti Allah leader pleaded not guilty to all the counts preferred against him.
Following his plea, the prosecution requested that the court fix a date for trial and remand the defendant pending the determination of the case.
Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji, SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
Raji submitted that there was no legal basis for denying the defendant his liberty while awaiting trial and asked the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the accused.
The application was, however, opposed by the prosecution, with Shittu urging the court to refuse the request.
After considering the arguments of both parties, Justice Ekwo ruled in favour of the defendant and admitted him to bail under the conditions set by the court.
The trial is expected to commence in October, when the prosecution will begin presenting evidence in support of the allegations against the Miyetti Allah leader.
