Nwite granted Bello bail in the sum of N500m and two sureties.
The trial judge, while delivering the ruling, held that the bail was granted at the discretion of the court.
He said, “I have listened to the application of the counsel on both divides. First off, bail is at the discretion of the Court whether the bail is opposed or supported.
“Ordinarily, going by the antecedents of this case especially, the conduct exhibited by the defendant, I would have taken a second look at the application made by the learned senior counsel for the defendant but based on the detour of triangle exhibited by the learned senior counsel of the defendant which was reciprocated by the learned senior counsel to the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro, I am minded to bend from our earlier stand over this matter.
“In view of the foregoing, I am implying to grant the application made by both counsel to the parties. I hereby grant bail to the defendant in the following terms. One – bail is granted to the defendant in the sum of N500m and two sureties in the like sum. The two sureties shall be landed property owners within the jurisdiction of this court Abuja.
“The two sureties shall swear to an affidavit of means; the documents of the property shall be verified by the chief deputy registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall deposit his international passport to the chief registrar of this honourable court.
“The defendant and the surety shall deposit their two recent passport photographs with the deputy chief registrar of this honourable court. The defendant shall be released upon the perfection of the bail. The case is adjourned to February 24, 28 and March 6 and 7 2025 for trial.”
Bello is facing 19-count charge bordering on money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2bn brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Upon resumed hearing, the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, informed the court of the intention of the prosecution to withdraw an earlier application for abridgement of the earlier date fixed for arraignment.
Pinheiro said the application had been overtaken by events.
The defendant’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, did not object and Justice Nwite struck it out after which the charges were read out to Bello.
While the former governor responded ‘not guilty’ to all 19 charges after taking his plea, his lawyer apologised to the court for the earlier antecedents and also prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge brought against him.
He promised to provide worthy sureties if the court would be magnanimous enough to grant Bello bail, assuring the court that his client would be present in every trial.
He added that being a two-term governor who travelled outside the country only twice, Bello will not pose a flight risk.
He said, “My Lord, I apologise for any impression that may have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship for his arraignment. What he did, which is not an anathema in law, was to direct his counsel to challenge the jurisdiction of the court and that challenge took them to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and back here.
“My Lord it was not a willful disrespect. He acted with the belief that he was trying to defend himself as best as possible. My lord, he holds this court in high esteem, we all hold the court in high esteem. It was an episode that could have been avoided but it has come and passed, and things are clearer now. We mean no harm to this court.
“Secondly my lord and I say this with every sense of responsibility, having regard to the humble positions I have held in this profession, the governor being a two-term governor of Kogi State who travelled only twice during the eight years I give my word that on all the trial days he will appear in court. I say it in good faith that he will not refuse to show up for trial or jump bail.”
Pinheiro, however, told the court that he would not be objecting to the bail request even though they had earlier filed a counter.
Recall that Bello is also facing another separate N110.4bn fraud charge before Justice MaryAnne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama in Abuja.
Justice Anenih ordered Bello’s remand in Kuje correctional facility pending the hearing and determination of his bail application after she rejected his bail application for procedural irregularities in the filing of the application.
