Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting his bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
His release was confirmed by the spokesperson for the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, Adamu Duza.
Duza said: “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening. The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.”
On Thursday, Justice MaryAnne Anenih granted the former governor bail of N500 million.
Anenih stipulated that Bello must provide three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, including Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
The judge also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Bello along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu on a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property.
All three pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Anenih had previously rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants.
