Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, has been released from Kuje Custodian Center and returned home after fulfilling his bail conditions at the Federal Capital High Court in Maitama, Abuja. Adamu Duza, spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service FCT Command, said this in a brief statement on Friday.
“Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions and the Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed,” he said.
Judge MaryAnne Anenih granted Bello bail on Thursday. The conditions included the submission of three sureties, each of whom must own real estate in selected high-value neighborhoods, including Maitama, Guzape, and Asokoro in Abuja.
The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted him from traveling outside Nigeria without prior permission.
Former Governor Bello and two others are charged with fraud in the amount of N110 billion allegedly diverted from the coffers of the Kogi State government. Bello had pleaded not guilty to 16 charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).