A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, admitted Ali Bello, the nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and three others to N500 million bail each in the alleged N3 billion fraud.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling, held that the charges against the defendants are bailable.

Justice Egwuatu also said the bail was to enable the defendants charged with an offence prepared adequately for their trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on February 8, arraigned Bello alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, and Iyadai Sadat on an 18-count criminal charge.

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Delivering ruling in the application, Justice Egwuatu, who said granting of bail was at the discretion of the court, ruled that he was inclined to admit the defendants to bail.

The judge, therefore, admitted them to bail in the sum of N500 million each with two sureties in like sum.

He said the sureties should be residents in Abuja, with identifiable address and owned landed property worth N500 million within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Egwuatu 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.

The judge also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court, saying they could only travel after due permission from the court.

He, therefore, adjourned the matter until April 16, 2023, for the commencement of trial.

The Star