The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to hear an application by Bello Bodejo, president of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, seeking a reduction of the conditions attached to his N2 billion bail.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on Thursday, said the court may not have enough time to determine the application before the commencement of its annual vacation, especially as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is opposing the request.
The judge advised both parties to approach a vacation judge to hear the application during the court’s break. He added that the main case could return to his court for trial after the vacation.
The EFCC is prosecuting Bodejo over alleged money laundering involving $2.63 million.
Justice Ekwo had on Monday granted Bodejo bail of N2 billion, requiring two sureties of the same amount. One surety must provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance and reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must own land in Abuja valued at N2 billion.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court of his client’s application seeking changes to the bail conditions, which he described as difficult to meet.
However, EFCC counsel Fatai Erewunmi told the court that the anti-graft agency had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the request.
The EFCC alleged that Bodejo received $100,000 from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State currently in police custody, among other cash transactions.
According to the commission, the payment exceeded the N5 million cash transaction limit allowed under Nigeria’s money laundering laws and was not processed through a financial institution as required.
The EFCC said the alleged offence violates provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the case until October 5 for the commencement of trial.
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