Monday, July 20, 2026 - 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 sum.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday,
ordered that one of the sureties must reside in Abuja and present a three-year
tax clearance certificate before the court. The judge further ruled that the
second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.
As part of the bail conditions, Bodejo was ordered to
deposit his international passport with the court registrar and must not travel
outside Nigeria without the permission of the court. Justice Ekwo held that the
offences against the defendant were bailable and that the court had the
discretion to grant him bail.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 5,
October 6 and October 7 for the commencement of trial. Bodejo was 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, naming Bodejo as the sole
defendant. When the charges were read to him at his arraignment, Bodejo pleaded
not guilty to all counts. Following the plea, Shittu applied for a trial date
and urged the court to remand the defendant.
Counsel to Bodejo, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court of
his client's pending bail application, which was dated and filed on June 30.
Arguing the application, Raji submitted that the charges against Bodejo related
to alleged money laundering and were bailable under the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of
the defendant by granting him bail. The EFCC, however, opposed the application,
with Shittu urging the court to refuse the request. Justice Ekwo subsequently
admitted Bodejo to bail subject to the conditions imposed by the court.
0 Comments