The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Bello, along with Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge involving criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to ₦110.4 billion, according to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity.
In a ruling on Bello’s bail application, the presiding judge dismissed the request, citing its premature nature. The application, filed on November 22, 2024, was deemed incompetent as it was submitted before Bello’s arrest on November 26 and his arraignment on November 27. The judge explained that a bail application can only be considered after a defendant is formally arraigned. “Having been filed when the first defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, this application is premature and hereby refused,” she said.
In contrast, Bello’s co-defendants were granted bail. Umar Shuaibu Oricha received bail set at ₦300 million, with the condition that two sureties provide guarantees of equivalent value. These sureties must be Nigerian citizens owning landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction. The court also required the submission of the properties’ title documents, Oricha’s passport, and fulfillment of all bail conditions before his release from custody at Kuje Correctional Centre.
Similarly, Abdulsalami Hudu was granted bail under the same financial terms. His sureties must own properties located in Maitama, Abuja, and submit affidavits of means along with two recent passport photographs and their travel documents. Hudu is barred from leaving Nigeria without court approval and will remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail conditions are met.
Prosecution counsel Chukwudi Enedini (SAN) requested trial dates following the bail rulings. Justice Anineh scheduled the hearings for January 29, February 25, and February 27, 2025. Bello, whose bail request was denied, was ordered to remain in custody at Kuje Correctional Centre.
