A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday declined to rule on an application by the leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking a review of his stringent bail conditions in his ongoing money laundering trial.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo said he could not determine the application before the commencement of the Federal High Court’s annual vacation on August 3, directing Bodejo to approach a vacation judge to hear and decide the matter.
Bodejo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving $2.33 million.
The anti-graft agency arraigned him on July 9, 2026.
The court had on July 20 admitted Bodejo to 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 owning landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). He also ordered that one of the sureties must present tax clearance certificates covering 2023 to 2025.
The judge further directed Bodejo to deposit his international passport with the court, ordered the court registrar to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the seizure, and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria or the court’s jurisdiction without prior approval.
The case was adjourned until October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Unable to meet the bail conditions, Bodejo, through his lawyer, M. E. Sheriff, filed an application on July 21 asking the court to vary the terms.
At Thursday’s proceedings, the defence urged the court to reduce the bail bond from ₦2 billion to ₦300 million and allow one surety instead of two.
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.
In declining to entertain the application, Justice Ekwo cited the court’s vacation schedule.
“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.
The trial is expected to commence in October unless the bail variation application is determined earlier by a vacation judge.
(The Whistler)
