The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to hear an application filed by the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking a review of the N2 billion bail conditions earlier imposed on him.
Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the application could not proceed because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had opposed the request, making it unlikely that the matter would be concluded before the court begins its annual vacation.
Bodejo is facing money laundering charges filed by the EFCC over $2.63 million allegedly linked to the Bauchi State Government.
The court had on Monday granted him bail in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties. One surety must provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance and reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Bodejo’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court that an application had been filed to vary the bail conditions.
Counsel to the EFCC, Fatai Erewunmi, confirmed receiving the application and told the court that the anti-graft agency had responded by filing a counter-affidavit opposing the request.
After considering the submissions, Justice Ekwo observed that there would likely be insufficient time to determine the contested application before the court vacation begins.
The judge advised both parties to present the application before a vacation judge during the recess, noting that the substantive trial would return to his court afterward.
He subsequently adjourned the case until October 5 for the commencement of trial.
According to the EFCC, Bodejo allegedly received $100,000 from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody, along with other cash payments in foreign currency.
The commission alleged that the cash transaction exceeded the legal threshold of N5 million permitted outside the banking system under Nigeria’s money laundering laws.
The EFCC said the alleged act violated provisions of both the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, under which Bodejo is being prosecuted.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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