Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has regained his freedom from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama.
His release was confirmed on Friday evening by Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening,” Duza stated, adding that the FCT Controller of Corrections, Ajibogun Olatubosun, supervised the release to ensure all protocols were observed.
Bello’s bail was granted on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500 million. The stringent conditions required three sureties, each owning property in high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
Additionally, Bello was ordered to surrender his passport and was restricted from traveling outside Nigeria without prior court approval.
The former governor, alongside co-defendants Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property. All three have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Justice Anenih had previously rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds, granting bail only to his co-defendants at the time. However, Bello’s renewed application was approved on Thursday, paving the way for his release.
The case continues to draw significant public attention as Bello and his co-defendants prepare to face trial, with the EFCC determined to pursue the charges vigorously. The next hearing is expected to provide more insights into the allegations and defense strategies.