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Judge Declines To Rule On Miyetti Allah Leader, Bello Bodejo's Bid To Reduce ₦2billion Bail, Cites Court Vacation
Judge Declines To Rule On Miyetti Allah Leader, Bello Bodejo's Bid To Reduce ₦2billion Bail, Cites Court Vacation
POLITICS
The Nigerian Record
7/24/20262 min read
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday declined to deliver a ruling on an application by the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking a variation of his ₦2 billion bail conditions.
Bodejo is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $2.33 million money laundering case.
The EFCC had arraigned Bodejo on July 9, 2026, on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.
On July 20, the court granted Bodejo bail in the sum of ₦2 billion with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Ekwo ruled that the sureties must be responsible citizens, with one required to own landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The court also directed that one of the sureties must provide tax clearance certificates covering 2023 to 2025.
In addition, Bodejo was ordered to deposit his international passport with the court, while the Court Registrar was directed to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the seizure.
The court further barred him from travelling outside Nigeria or beyond the court's jurisdiction without prior approval and fixed October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Unable to satisfy the bail conditions, Bodejo, through his lawyer, M. E. Sheriff, filed an application on July 21 asking the court to review and relax the terms of his bail.
At Thursday's proceedings, the defence urged the court to reduce the bail bond from ₦2 billion to ₦300 million with one surety in like sum.
However, EFCC counsel, Fatai Erewuimi, opposed the request, informing the court that the commission had filed a counter-affidavit on July 22, urging the court to dismiss the application and maintain the existing bail conditions in the interest of justice.
Responding, Justice Ekwo said the impending annual court vacation, scheduled to commence on August 3, 2026, made it impossible for him to conclude arguments and deliver a ruling on the application before the recess.
"There is no way I can take this application and rule before we proceed on vacation. I am of the opinion that you approach a vacation judge to attend to the matter and take the ruling, after which the file should be returned for trial for this court to proceed. The adjourned dates for the trial of this case are maintained," the judge said