Court Slashes Bail for Miyetti Allah Leader Bodejo to N1Bn in Money Laundering Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reduced the bail amount for Alhaji Bello Bodejo, the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, from N2 billion to N1 billion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bodejo for alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.

 Justice Inyang Ekwo initially granted Bodejo bail on July 20 in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties in like sum.

The conditions required one surety to provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance and reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second had to own landed property worth N2 billion in Abuja.

 On Wednesday, Justice Salim Ibrahim, sitting as a vacation judge, granted Bodejo’s application to vary the bail terms.

He lowered the bail sum to N1 billion with two sureties. One surety must now own landed property valued at N1 billion in Guzape, Asokoro, or Maitama, Abuja.

The sureties must also provide photocopies of their driver’s licence, National Identification Number (NIN), or international passport.

Justice Ibrahim ordered that the case file be returned to Justice Ekwo’s court for the continuation of the trial.Bodejo was arraigned on July 9 on a six-count charge and pleaded not guilty.

 This development follows an earlier court refusal to review the bail conditions before the judicial vacation. The case has been adjourned to October for the start of the substantive trial.

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