Former Kogi State Governor , Yahaya Bello has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson for the FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed Bello’s release on Friday evening, stating, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening.”
The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, supervised the release to ensure proper protocol was followed.
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice MaryAnne Anenih in the sum of N500 million. The bail conditions required him to provide three sureties, each owning property in prime areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro. Additionally, he was required to surrender his passport and is prohibited from traveling outside Nigeria without prior court approval.
The former governor, along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, is facing a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Justice Anenih initially denied Bello’s bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants. However, a renewed application by Bello was approved on Thursday, paving the way for his release.
