Court grants Miyetti Allah president N2bn bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, ordered that one of the sureties must reside in Abuja and present a three-year tax clearance certificate before the court. The judge further ruled that the second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.

As part of the bail conditions, Bodejo was ordered to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and must not travel outside Nigeria without the permission of the court. Justice Ekwo held that the offences against the defendant were bailable and that the court had the discretion to grant him bail.

The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 5, October 6 and October 7 for the commencement of trial. Bodejo was remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9 after he was arraigned on allegations bordering on money laundering.

The EFCC, through its counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed the charge dated June 24 and submitted on June 25, naming Bodejo as the sole defendant. When the charges were read to him at his arraignment, Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all counts. Following the plea, Shittu applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant.

Counsel to Bodejo, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court of his client’s pending bail application, which was dated and filed on June 30. Arguing the application, Raji submitted that the charges against Bodejo related to alleged money laundering and were bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant by granting him bail. The EFCC, however, opposed the application, with Shittu urging the court to refuse the request. Justice Ekwo subsequently admitted Bodejo to bail subject to the conditions imposed by the court.