Alleged $2.63m Money Laundering: Court Grants Miyetti Allah President N2bn Bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, who is facing trial over an alleged $2.63 million money laundering case.

Justice Inyang Ekwo admitted Bodejo to bail in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties in the same amount after ruling on his bail application on Monday.

The court directed that one of the sureties must be a resident of Abuja and provide evidence of three years of tax clearance. The second surety must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.

Justice Ekwo also ordered the Miyetti Allah leader to surrender his international passport to the court registrar. He was further barred from travelling outside Nigeria without obtaining the court’s permission.

In delivering the ruling, the judge held that the offences brought against Bodejo were bailable and ruled that the court could exercise its discretion in granting him bail.

The case was adjourned until October 5, October 6 and October 7 for the commencement of trial.

Bodejo had earlier been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after he was arraigned before the court on July 9.

The EFCC accused him of committing money laundering offences and filed the charges on June 25 after preparing them on June 24. He is the only defendant listed in the case.

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

Following his plea, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) asked the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant remain in custody pending further proceedings.

Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that he had already filed an application seeking bail for his client. The application was submitted on June 30.

Raji argued that the allegations against Bodejo related to money laundering and that such offences qualify for bail under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He therefore urged the court to release his client pending trial.

The EFCC opposed the application and asked the court to refuse bail. However, after considering the arguments from both parties, Justice Ekwo granted Bodejo bail under the conditions set by the court and fixed dates for the commencement of trial.