Court Declines to Review Miyetti Allah Leader Bodejo’s N2bn Bail Conditions

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to hear an application filed by the National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, seeking a review of the N2 billion bail conditions earlier imposed on him in his ongoing money laundering case.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled on Thursday that the application could not proceed because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the request. The judge noted that there would not be enough time to determine the contested application before the court begins its annual vacation.

Bodejo is currently facing money laundering charges brought against him by the EFCC over the alleged handling of $2.63 million reportedly linked to the Bauchi State Government.

The court had on Monday granted him bail in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties. One of the sureties must provide evidence of three years of tax clearance and reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second must own landed property in Abuja valued at N2 billion.

At Thursday’s proceedings, Bodejo’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court that an application had been filed requesting a variation of the bail conditions. Counsel to the EFCC, Fatai Erewunmi, confirmed receiving the application and told the court that the anti-graft agency had formally opposed the request by filing a counter-affidavit.

After listening to both parties, Justice Ekwo advised the defence to present the application before a vacation judge during the court’s annual recess, explaining that the substantive case would return to his court after the vacation.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 5 for the commencement of trial.

According to the EFCC, Bodejo allegedly received $100,000 from Sa’idu Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State who is currently in police custody, alongside other foreign currency payments.

The commission alleged that the transactions exceeded the legal cash limit of N5 million permitted outside the banking system under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws. The EFCC maintains that the alleged offences violate provisions of both the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.