*Photo: Bello Bodejo*
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday varied the bail conditions earlier granted to detained National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, Bello Bodejo, in the ongoing trial on alleged money laundering.
Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application after it was moved by Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff.
Bodejo, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Inyang Ekwo, was, on July 20, admitted to a N2 billion bail with two surety in the like sum.
The judge ordered that one of the sureties must present a three-year tax clearance evidence and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second sureties must have a land worth N2 billion in Abuja.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday after Bodejo’s lawyer moved the bail application which was opposed by counsel to the EFCC, Fatal Erewunmi, Justice Ibrahim said he was inclined to vary the bail terms.
The judge, who reduced the bail sum from N2 billion to N1 billion with two sureties, ordered that one of the sureties must own a landed property worth N1 billion in either Guzape, Asokoro or Maitama District in Abuja.
The judge added that the sureties must supply the court with photocopies of their driver’s licences, National Identification Number (NIN) or international passport.
He then further ordered that the case file be returned to Justice Ekwo’s court for the continuation of trial after vacation.
Bodejo, who was arraigned on July 9 before Justice Ekwo, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge then adjourned the matter untill Oct. 5 for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo is, in count one, alleged to have, on or about January 11, 2022 in Abuja, without lawful authority, accepted a cash payment of the sum of $100,000 in physical currency from Sa’idu Abubakar a former Accountant-General (AG) of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force.
The EFCC said the sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.
He was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act,” it read.
In count two, Bodejo is alleged to have, on or about the Jan. 21, 2022 in Abuja, without lawful authority accepted a cash payment of the sum of $200,000.00 in physical currency from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former AG of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, which exceeded the transaction threshold.
He is, in count three, accused of accepting a cash payment of another $100,000.00 on or about Oct. 26, 2022 in Abuja, without lawful authority from Abubakar.
In count four, Bodejo ia alleged to have, on or about Feb. 7, 2024 in Abuja, without lawful authority accepted a cash payment of the sum of $980,000.00 in physical currency from Abubakar.
Bodejo is, in count five, accused of accepting $750,000.00, on or about March 3, 2024 in Abuja, from Abubakar without lawful authority.
In count six, he is alleged to have, on or about March 20, 2024 in Abuja, accepted a cash payment of $500,000.00 in physical currency from Abubakar without lawful authority.
The EFCC said the amount exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 2(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.