A Federal High Court in Abuja, Federal Caoital Territory (FCT) on Thursday, July 23, declined to deliver a ruling on an application seeking a variation of the bail conditions granted to the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo.
Bodejo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9, on a 12-count charge bordering on the alleged laundering of $2.33m (N3.192b).
Presuding Judge of the Court, Honourable Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, had on July 20 admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties in like amount. Justice Ekwo ruled that the sureties must be responsible citizens, with at least one owning landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
As part of the bail terms, the judge also ordered that one of the sureties must provide tax clearance certificates for the years 2023 to 2025. Bodejo was directed to surrender his passport to the court, while the Court Registrar was instructed to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of its custody. He was equally barred from travelling outside Nigeria or beyond the jurisdiction of the court without prior approval. The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Unable to satisfy the bail conditions, Bodejo, through his counsel, M. E. Sheriff, filed an application on July 21 asking the court to review and ease the conditions. At Thursday’s hearing, the defence urged the court to reduce the bail bond from N2 billion to N300 million with one surety in like sum.
Responding, counsel to the EFCC, Fatai Erewuimi, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit on July 22 opposing the application. He urged the court to dismiss the request and retain the existing bail conditions in the interest of justice.
In declining to rule on the application, Justice Ekwo explained that the court’s annual vacation, scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026, would not allow enough time to conclude proceedings on the matter.
“There is no way I can take this application and rule before we proceed on vacation. I am of the opinion that you approach a vacation judge to attend to the matter and take the ruling, after which the file should be returned for trial for this court to proceed. The adjourned dates for the trial of this case are maintained,” the judge said.
