“Court Declines To Review Miyetti Allah leader’s ₦2bn Bail Terms” — Directs Him To Vacation Judge

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to hear an application filed by the detained National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking a review of the conditions attached to the ₦2 billion bail earlier granted to him.

Justice Inyang Ekwo did not determine the merits of the application but held that the court might be unable to conclude proceedings on it before the commencement of the Federal High Court’s annual vacation, particularly because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had filed processes opposing the request.

The judge consequently advised the parties to approach a vacation judge for the hearing and determination of the bail variation application during the court’s recess.

Bodejo is facing money-laundering charges involving alleged cash payments totalling about $2.63 million, which the EFCC claimed were linked to funds from the Bauchi State Government.

At Thursday’s proceedings, Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court that his client had filed an application seeking a variation of the bail conditions imposed earlier in the week.

EFCC counsel Fatai Erewunmi confirmed that the commission had been served with the application and had filed a counter-affidavit opposing it.

After reviewing the processes, Justice Ekwo expressed concern that the court would not have sufficient time to hear and determine the contested application before its vacation began.

He therefore directed the parties to present the application before a vacation judge, explaining that the substantive criminal case could return to his court after the recess for trial.

The judge subsequently adjourned the substantive matter until October 5, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Justice Ekwo had on Monday admitted Bodejo to bail in the sum of ₦2 billion with stringent conditions after holding that the alleged offences were bailable and that the court possessed the discretion to grant his application.

The conditions included the production of sureties, evidence of three years’ tax clearance and landed property valued at ₦2 billion within Abuja.

The court also directed Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior permission.

The conditions have apparently not been perfected, leaving him in detention while his lawyers seek their variation.

The commission alleged that some of the funds were received from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who was said to be in police custody.

The commission alleged that some of the funds were received from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who was said to be in police custody.

In one of the counts, Bodejo was accused of accepting $100,000 in cash from Abubakar in Abuja on January 11, 2022, without lawful authority.

The prosecution said the amount exceeded the statutory cash-transaction threshold of ₦5 million prescribed under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended.

Other counts accused him of receiving $200,000 on January 21, 2022; $100,000 on October 26, 2022; $980,000 on February 7, 2024; $750,000 on March 3, 2024; and $500,000 on March 20, 2024.

The EFCC alleged that the transactions were conducted in physical currency and outside financial institutions, contrary to provisions of the 2011 Money Laundering Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Bodejo pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. The allegations remain unproven, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted by the court.