The Federal High Court in Abuja has admitted Bello Bodejo, National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, to bail in the sum of N2 billion, with two sureties in like amount, over allegations of money laundering involving $2.63 million.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruling on Bodejo’s bail application on Monday, stipulated that one surety must present three years’ tax clearance and reside within Abuja, while the second must possess landed property valued at N2 billion within the Federal Capital Territory.
The judge further ordered Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and barred him from travelling abroad without judicial permission.
Justice Ekwo held that the offences with which the defendant is charged are bailable, and that the court retained discretionary powers to grant bail in the interest of justice.
The case has been adjourned to 5, 6 and 7 October for trial commencement.
Arraignment and Remand
Bodejo was first arraigned before Justice Ekwo on 9 July by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on multiple counts of money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
EFCC Counsel, Mr Wahab Shittu, SAN, had applied for the defendant’s remand pending trial, while defence counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, moved a bail application dated and filed on 30 June.
Raji argued that the offences, being financial in nature, fell within the bailable categories under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), urging the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.
The prosecution opposed the application, but the court ultimately ruled in the defendant’s favour, subject to the stringent conditions now imposed.
The case continues in October.
