Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of ₦2 billion with one surety in like amount over alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.
In a ruling delivered on Monday, Justice Ekwo held that the offences were bailable and exercised the court’s discretion in Bodejo’s favour.
The court ordered that the surety must reside in Abuja, possess a valid three-year tax clearance certificate, and own landed property worth ₦2 billion within the Federal Capital Territory. The property documents are to be verified by the court registrar.
The judge also directed Bodejo to surrender his international passport to the court and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval.
The case was adjourned until October 5, 6 and 7 for the commencement of trial.
Justice Ekwo had on July 9 reserved ruling on Bodejo’s bail application after ordering his remand in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arraignment.
The EFCC, through its counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), arraigned Bodejo on a charge dated June 24 and filed on June 25, accusing him of multiple money laundering offences involving approximately $2.63 million.
Bodejo pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail, arguing that the alleged offences are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The prosecution opposed the application.
According to the charge, Bodejo allegedly received several cash payments from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody, without routing the transactions through a financial institution as required by law.
The EFCC alleged that Bodejo accepted cash payments of $100,000 on January 11, 2022; $200,000 on January 21, 2022; another $100,000 on October 26, 2022; $980,000 on February 7, 2024; $750,000 on March 3, 2024; and $500,000 on March 20, 2024.
The anti-graft agency said the transactions exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of ₦5 million under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC alleged that by receiving the funds in cash without lawful authority and outside the banking system, Bodejo committed offences punishable under the relevant provisions of both Acts.
