Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has remanded Ali Bello who is the nephew to the Kogi State Governor and one Dauda Sulaimon in prison pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Kolawole Omotosho remanded them on a 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering.
The two of them are accused of fraudulently withdrawing a sum of N10, 270,556,800 from the Kogi State treasury, which they delivered to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to keep or change to foreign currencies for personal gains.
They, however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.
The prosecution counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo told the Court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the second and third defendants and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abdulwahab Mohammed informed the court of his application for the bail of the defendants.
Justice Omotosho admitted the defendants to bail in the sum One billion naira each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of two billion naira each and have a landed property valued at N500 million as the title of the property shall be registered with the chief registrar of the Court.
The Presiding Judge also ruled that the sureties and the defendants must submit their bank statements and international passports to the chief registrar of the Court.
The sureties must also produce an affidavit of means and evidence of tax clearance for at least 3 years.
The judge thereafter sent the defendants to Kuje Correctional centre, Abuja pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till February 6, 2023 for hearing.
RN
