Court Admits Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo to N2bn Bail in Alleged $2.63m Money Laundering Case

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday admitted the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, to N2 billion bail with two sureties over alleged $2.63 million money laundering charges.

In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo said one surety must be an Abuja resident with three years of tax clearance, while the second must possess landed property valued at N2 billion in Abuja.

The judge further ordered Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and prohibited him from leaving the country without the court’s permission.

Justice Ekwo held that the offences against the defendant are bailable and exercised the court’s discretion in granting the application.

The matter was adjourned until October 5, October 6 and October 7 for trial.

Bodejo had earlier been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9 after being arraigned on alleged money laundering offences.

The anti-graft agency, through its counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed the charge on June 25, dated June 24, naming Bodejo as the sole defendant.

Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all counts after the charges were read in court.

Shittu thereafter requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant.

Defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) informed the court of a bail application filed on June 30, arguing that the charges were bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

“According to him, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), they are bailable offences.”

The prosecution opposed the bail request, but the court ultimately granted the application subject to the stated conditions.

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