The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of N2 billion over alleged money laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling, admitted Bodejo to bail with two sureties in like sum and imposed stringent conditions for his release.
The court directed that one of the sureties must be a resident of Abuja and provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, while the second surety must own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory valued at N2 billion.
Justice Ekwo also ordered the Miyetti Allah leader to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.
The judge held that the offences preferred against Bodejo were bailable and ruled that the court had the discretion to admit him to bail pending the determination of the case.
Following the ruling, the judge fixed October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo had been remanded in the custody of the EFCC on July 9 after he was arraigned on multiple counts bordering on alleged money laundering.
The anti-graft agency, through its lead counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed the charge on June 24 and submitted it before the court on June 25, naming Bodejo as the sole defendant.
The Miyetti Allah president pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him during his arraignment.
Following his plea, the prosecution urged the court to remand him in EFCC custody and fix a date for trial.
However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that he had already filed a motion seeking his client’s release on bail.
Raji argued that the alleged offences were bailable under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant.
He maintained that there was no legal basis to deny Bodejo bail.
The EFCC, however, opposed the application, with Shittu urging the court to refuse the request.
Despite the opposition, Justice Ekwo granted the application, paving the way for Bodejo’s release once he fulfils the bail conditions.
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