The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Monday admitted Bello Bodejo, the national president of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, to N2 billion bail with two sureties.

In ruling on Mr Bodejo’s bail application, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that one of the sureties must present three years’ tax clearance before the court and must reside in Abuja.

Mr Ekwo also ordered that the second surety must own land worth N2 billion in Abuja. The judge also ordered Mr Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and not to travel outside the country without the court’s leave.

The judge agreed that the offence with which the defendant was charged was bailable and that the court had the discretionary power to exercise it in his favour. He adjourned the matter until October 5, 6 and 7 for trial.

Earlier, Mr Ekwo had remanded the Miyetti Allah president in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s custody on July 9, following Mr Bodejo’s arraignment by the EFCC on alleged money laundering offences.

EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu named Mr Bodejo as the sole defendant in the charge dated June 24 and filed June 25. After the charge was read to Mr Bodejo, he pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Mr Shittu then applied for a trial date and urged the court to remand him.

Ahmed Raji informed the court of the bail application on behalf of Mr Bodejo. Moving the motion, Mr Raji said the application was dated and filed on June 30. The lawyer said the offences charged bordered on money laundering.

According to him, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), they are bailable. He therefore urged the court to admit the defendant to bail. 

Mr Shittu opposed Mr Raji’s bail application. 

(NAN)