By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of ₦2 billion over his ongoing trial for alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.
Justice I.E. Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, imposed stringent conditions, including two sureties in like sum.
The court held that the sureties must be responsible persons, with one required to own landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Justice Ekwo further directed that one of the sureties must provide evidence of tax clearance certificates for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 assessment years.
The judge also ordered the Registrar of the court to verify all documents and particulars submitted by the sureties before the bail conditions could be deemed fulfilled.
In addition, Bodejo was ordered to surrender his international passport to the court. The Registrar was directed to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the passport’s seizure, while the defendant was barred from travelling outside Nigeria or beyond the jurisdiction of the court without prior approval.
Following the ruling, Justice Ekwo adjourned the case to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Bodejo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9, 2026, on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.
According to the anti-graft agency, the charges relate to alleged cash transactions conducted outside recognised financial institutions, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
In the first count, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo, on or about January 11, 2022, knowingly accepted $100,000 in cash from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commission alleged that the transaction exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of ₦5 million and was not processed through a financial institution as required by law.
According to the prosecution, the alleged act contravenes Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and is punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.
Bodejo has pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts, paving the way for a full trial.