Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development on Friday evening.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday),” Duza said.
He also noted that the Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, ensured the process was carried out smoothly and in accordance with protocol.
On Thursday, Justice MaryAnne Anenih granted Bello bail in the amount of N500 million.
The conditions required the former governor to present three sureties, each owning property in upscale areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
As part of the bail terms, Bello was also ordered to surrender his passport and is prohibited from traveling out of Nigeria without prior court approval.
Bello, alongside Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, is facing a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property. All defendants have entered not guilty pleas.
Initially, Justice Anenih had denied Bello’s bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-accused.
However, following a renewed application, the court approved his release on Thursday, which led to his freedom.
The case has garnered widespread public interest. In related anti-corruption efforts, the EFCC recently apprehended 148 Chinese nationals and 645 other individuals in Lagos for alleged involvement in cyberfraud and romance scams, reflecting the agency’s intensified clampdown on economic crimes.
With his release, Bello now gears up for the legal battles ahead as his trial progresses.
