Yahaya Bello’s Prison Release Sends Shockwaves — What You Need To Know
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre following his fulfillment of the bail conditions in his ongoing case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The release, which took place on Friday evening,…
came after Bello met the ₦500 million bail requirement set by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command spokesperson, Adamu Duza, confirmed the news, saying, “Yahaya Bello was released this evening after meeting the bail conditions.” He further stated that the Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was present to ensure the proper procedures were followed during the release.
Last Friday, the Federal High Court granted the former governor bail amounting to ₦500 million, with additional conditions that included providing two sureties of equal value, each owning property in high-value areas of Abuja like Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. Bello was also required to surrender his passport and seek permission before traveling outside Nigeria.
This ruling followed a prior rejection of Bello’s bail request on December 10 by Justice Maryann Anenih, who found that the application was prematurely submitted. However, with the recent approval, the former governor has been granted temporary freedom while he faces charges of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property. He, along with co-defendants Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case continues as the EFCC pursues the charges against the trio.