Court refuses to hear Miyetti Allah leader’s application to vary N2bn bail conditions

A bid by Bello Bodejo, the detained National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, to have his N2 billion bail conditions reviewed has been rejected by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the court might not be able to conclude the proceedings before the upcoming vacation, especially with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) contesting the review application.

Bodejo was granted bail on Monday with stringent conditions: one surety must provide proof of three-year tax clearance and reside within the court's jurisdiction, while the second surety must own land in Abuja valued at N2 billion. The EFCC has charged Bodejo with money laundering, alleging he received $2.63 million traced to the Bauchi State Government.

Bodejo's lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, formally presented the application for variation on Thursday. However, the prosecution, represented by Fatai Erewunmi, had already filed a counter-affidavit. Justice Ekwo advised the parties to approach a vacation judge to hear the application during the court's recess, after which the substantive case can return for trial. The trial is now scheduled to commence on October 5.

The EFCC's charges detail that Bodejo allegedly accepted $100,000 from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, among other cash sums. The prosecution contends that these transactions exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million without being routed through a financial institution, violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.