Ex-Kogi Gov Bello Regains Freedom From Kuje Prison
The immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, confirmed the release on Friday evening. He stated:
“Yahaya Bello has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after fulfilling the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.”
A senior official at the Kuje facility also corroborated the release, saying, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).”
Bello was granted bail on Thursday by Justice Maryann Anenih in the sum of N500 million, following charges of money laundering. The bail conditions required Bello to:
- Provide three sureties, each in the sum of N500 million, who must own property in prime areas of the FCT, such as Guzape, Wuse 2, Apo, Asokoro, and Jabi.
- Deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court registrar.
- Submit two passport photographs and a valid National Identification Number (NIN) for each surety.
The court had previously denied Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants. This subsequent ruling allowed Bello to secure his release.
The release process was supervised by Ajibogun Olatubosun, the Controller of the NCoS for the FCT, to ensure compliance with court protocols.
Bello’s release marks a significant turn in the legal proceedings against him, as the case continues to unfold in the coming weeks.