The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of ₦2 billion as he faces trial over allegations of money laundering involving approximately $2.63 million.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who delivered the ruling on Monday, held that the offences against Bodejo are bailable and that the court has the discretion to grant bail pending trial.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Bodejo to provide one surety in the same amount of ₦2 billion. The surety must reside in Abuja, possess a three-year tax clearance certificate, and own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory valued at ₦2 billion. The court also directed that the property’s title documents be verified by the court registrar.
Justice Ekwo further ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport to the court registrar and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.
The case was subsequently adjourned until October 5, 6, and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Bodejo was arraigned on July 9, 2026, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on multiple counts of alleged money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the arraignment, the prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending trial.
However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji (SAN), informed the court that he had already filed a bail application dated June 30, arguing that the charges against his client were bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant.
The prosecution opposed the application, asking the court to refuse bail.
According to one of the charges, the EFCC alleged that Bodejo, on or about January 11, 2022, in Abuja, accepted a cash payment of $100,000 from a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, outside the banking system and without lawful authority, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the transaction exceeded the statutory cash transaction limit of ₦5 million permitted by law.
The commission also accused Bodejo of receiving additional cash payments of $200,000, $100,000, $980,000, $750,000, and $500,000 from the same individual on different occasions between 2022 and 2024. According to the EFCC, the transactions were conducted outside recognised financial institutions, in alleged violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The EFCC maintains that the series of cash transactions forms the basis of the money laundering charges against the Miyetti Allah leader.
Bodejo has denied all allegations and is expected to defend himself when the trial begins in October.
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