Federal High Court Grants Miyetti Allah President Bello Bodejo N2 Billion Bail in $2.63 Million Money Laundering Case, Sets Strict Conditions Ahead of October Trial.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
July 20, 2026.
ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday granted bail to the National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, Bello Bodejo, in the sum of N2 billion with two sureties in like amount, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged $2.63 million money laundering case.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the offences brought against the defendant are bailable under Nigerian law and that the court possesses the discretionary powers to admit him to bail pending the determination of the criminal charges.
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The court, however, imposed stringent conditions designed to ensure the defendant’s availability throughout the trial. Justice Ekwo ordered that one of the sureties must be a resident of Abuja and provide evidence of three years’ tax clearance, while the second surety must own landed property in the Federal Capital Territory valued at N2 billion.
In addition, the court directed Bodejo to surrender his international passport to the court registrar and prohibited him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval of the court.
Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the matter to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
The case stems from charges filed by the EFCC, which accused Bodejo of involvement in money laundering offences involving approximately $2.63 million. The anti-graft agency filed the charge on June 25, 2026, following investigations into the alleged financial transactions.
At his arraignment on July 9, the Miyetti Allah leader pleaded not guilty to all the charges after they were read in open court.
Following his plea, EFCC lead counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant pending trial, a request that resulted in Bodejo’s detention in EFCC custody.
Counsel to the defendant, Ahmed Raji (SAN), argued that the offences alleged against his client are bailable under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of the defendant, emphasizing that Bodejo had demonstrated willingness to face trial and posed no flight risk.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, maintaining that the court should exercise caution in view of the seriousness of the allegations. Despite the opposition, the court ruled in favour of granting bail while attaching strict conditions to safeguard the integrity of the judicial process.
The ruling marks another significant development in one of the country’s closely watched financial crime cases involving a prominent socio-cultural organization.
Legal analysts note that the grant of bail does not amount to an acquittal, stressing that under Nigerian law every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
The proceedings are expected to resume in October, when the prosecution will begin presenting witnesses and documentary evidence in support of the allegations, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case in accordance with the law.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 20TH 2026)
