A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Ali Bello and three others bail to a sum of N500 million each in their alleged N3 billion fraud trial.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, held that the charges against the defendants are bailable, adding that bail is to enable defendants prepare adequately for their trial.
Bello was on February 8, 2023, arraigned alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyadai Sadat, on an 18 count criminal charge which they pleaded not guilty.
Delivering ruling in the applications for bail on Monday, Justice Egwuatu granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The trial judge ruled that the sureties should be resident in Abuja, with identifiable address and own landed property worth N500 million within the jurisdiction of the court.
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The judge added that the original title documents to the said property must be deposited with the Registrar of the court, as well as evidence of tax payment for three years running from 2020 to 2022.
Justice Egwuatu further ordered the defendants to deposit their international passport with the court and said they can only travel after due permission from the court.
Subsequently, the matter was adjourned till April 16 for commencement of trial.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
