The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of N2 billion over allegations of $2.63 million money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, approved the bail application after holding that the offences contained in the charge are bailable under Nigerian law and that the court has the discretion to grant bail in appropriate circumstances.
As part of the bail conditions, the court directed Bodejo to produce two sureties in the same sum of N2 billion each. The judge ruled that one of the sureties must be a resident of Abuja and provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, while the second surety must own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory valued at N2 billion.
Justice Ekwo further ordered the Miyetti Allah leader to surrender his international passport to the court registrar and barred him from leaving Nigeria without obtaining prior approval from the court. The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 5, 6 and 7 for the commencement of trial. Bodejo was earlier remanded in the custody of the EFCC on July 9 after being arraigned before the court on charges relating to alleged money laundering.
The anti-graft agency, represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed the charge on June 25, naming Bodejo as the sole defendant. During his arraignment, the Miyetti Allah president pleaded not guilty to all the allegations contained in the charge. Following his plea, the prosecution requested that the court fix a trial date and remand the defendant pending the hearing of the case.
However, Bodejo’s counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), urged the court to admit his client to bail, arguing that the alleged offences are bailable under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). While the EFCC opposed the application, the court ultimately exercised its discretion in favour of the defendant, subject to the stringent bail conditions imposed ahead of the trial.
