Ali Bello, three others admitted to N2b bail in alleged N3b fraud trial

The Federal High Court, Abuja has admitted Ali Bello, nephew to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and three others to a N500 million bail each in their alleged N3 billion fraud trial.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, yesterday, held that the charges were bailable, adding that the bail is to enable the defendants prepare adequately for their trial.

Bello was on February 8 this year, arraigned alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyadai Sadat, on an 18-count criminal charge. Following their not guilty plea, the presiding judge adjourned till February 13 for hearing of their bail application, while ordering their remand in a correctional centre.

Delivering ruling in their request, Justice Egwuatu held that he was inclined to admit the defendants to bail and ruled that the bail is granted the defendants in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties should be resident in Abuja, with identifiable address and own landed property worth N500 million within the jurisdiction of the court.The judge added that the original title documents to the said property must be deposited with the court registrar, as well as evidence of tax payment for three years running from 2020 to 2022.

Besides Justice Egwuatu held that the defendants are to deposit their international passports with the court and can only travel after due permission. Subsequently, the matter was adjourned till April 16 for commencement of trial.

Recall that a senior lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), who had argued the bail application of the four defendants, observed that the offences brought against his clients were ordinarily bailable, and as such, should be granted.

He also stated that bail is at the discretion of the court, urging positive disposition. Raji submitted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been investigating the defendants in the past one year without any interference.

The attorney disclosed that the anti-graft agency, on its own, admitted the defendants to administrative bail prior to their arraignment, adding that throughout the period, they were of good behaviour.

Besides, Raji argued that EFCC granted one of the defendants permission to travel to Saudi Arabia and returned at the expiration of the pilgrimage. Counsel to the EFCC, M. K. Husseini, had vehemently opposed the request, claiming that if granted, the defendants would tamper with evidence interfere with witnesses.

He also argued that the defendants are likely going to jump bail.Husseini, accordingly, urged the court to deny the defendants bail. In a short ruling, Justice Egwuatu announced that ruling in the bail application would be delivered on Monday, February 20, 2023.