Court reduces Miyetti Allah leader’s N2 billlion bail bond in money laundering trial

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reduced the N2 billion bail bond set for Bello Bodejo, the national president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who is currently facing money laundering charges.

Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the reduction to N1 billion on Wednesday, following an application by Bodejo's lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff. Bodejo had been arraigned on July 9 before Justice Inyang Ekwo on six charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He pleaded not guilty, and the trial was scheduled to begin on October 5.

The alleged offenses include receiving dollar cash, reportedly traced to the Bauchi State Government, in amounts exceeding the cash transaction threshold permitted by Nigeria's anti-money laundering law, without routing the transaction through a financial institution.

Initially, on July 20, Justice Ekwo had granted Bodejo N2 billion bail, requiring two sureties. One surety needed to be an Abuja resident with proof of three years' tax clearance, and the second had to own landed property worth N2 billion in the federal capital. The judge had also set October 5, 6, and 7 for the trial to commence.

Three days after the initial bail grant, Bodejo's legal team applied for a relaxation of the bail conditions. However, Justice Ekwo declined to hear the application, citing the impending annual court vacation and the EFCC's opposition, suggesting the parties approach a vacation judge. The court vacation began on July 27.

During Wednesday's hearing, EFCC lawyer Fatal Erewunmi opposed the defense's application to vary the bail conditions. Nevertheless, Justice Ibrahim was persuaded by the defense's arguments and reduced the bail bond to N1 billion. The judge stipulated that Bodejo must still provide two sureties, one of whom must own landed property worth N1 billion in specific Abuja districts (Guzape, Asokoro, or Maitama). Both sureties must submit photocopies of their driver's licenses, National Identification Numbers (NINs), or passports to the court. Justice Ibrahim ordered the case file to be returned to Justice Ekwo for the continuation of the trial after the court's annual vacation.