Court Grants Miyetti Allah Leader Bello Bodejo ₦2 Billion Bail in Alleged $2.33 Million Money Laundering Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, bail in the sum of ₦2 billion as he faces trial over alleged money laundering offences. The court ruled that the charges are bailable but imposed stringent conditions to ensure the defendant's attendance throughout the trial.

Key Takeaways

The Federal High Court granted Bello Bodejo ₦2 billion bail.

The court held that the alleged offences are bailable under Nigerian law.

Bodejo must provide two responsible sureties in like sum.

One surety must own landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and provide tax clearance certificates for 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The defendant must surrender his international passport and obtain court approval before travelling outside Nigeria.

Trial resumes on October 5, 6 and 7, 2026.

Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday granted Bello Bodejo bail in the sum of ₦2 billion after ruling that the alleged offences before the court are bailable and that the court has the discretion to admit the defendant to bail. The ruling followed arguments presented by both the prosecution and defence after the court had, on July 9, 2026, reserved its decision on the bail application.

In granting bail, Justice Ekwo ordered that Bodejo produce two responsible sureties in like sum. The court directed that one of the sureties must own landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). Furthermore, one surety must present valid tax clearance certificates for 2023, 2024 and 2025. The judge further ordered the court registrar to verify all documents and particulars submitted by the sureties before the bail conditions would be deemed satisfied.

As part of the bail conditions, Bodejo was directed to deposit his international passport with the court. The Registrar was also instructed to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) of the passport's seizure, while the defendant was barred from travelling outside Nigeria or beyond the court's jurisdiction without prior approval. The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Bodejo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on July 9, 2026, on a 12-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving millions of United States dollars. He pleaded not guilty to all charges after they were read before the court. Following his arraignment, the court ordered that he remain in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of his bail application.

During the proceedings, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) urged the court to refuse the application, arguing that the Commission had filed a 28-paragraph counter-affidavit opposing bail. The prosecution argued that the defendant's affidavit showed he had previously been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over unrelated matters, adding that granting bail could expose the public to the risk of further offences. The EFCC also contended that Bodejo's claims of ill health were not sufficiently supported and maintained that he could interfere with prosecution witnesses if released. However, the prosecution requested the court to impose stringent conditions should bail be granted.

Responding, defence counsel Ahmed Raji (SAN) argued that the allegations relate to money laundering offences, which are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client.

Key Quotes

According to Ahmed Raji (SAN), the charges against his client are bailable under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and the court should exercise its discretion in granting bail.

According to Wahab Shittu (SAN), the EFCC opposed the application on the grounds that the defendant could interfere with witnesses, posed a potential risk to the public, and had not sufficiently established the health concerns raised in his application.

The ruling reinforces the constitutional principle that defendants are entitled to seek bail where offences are bailable while allowing courts to impose conditions that protect the integrity of ongoing criminal proceedings. It also highlights the judiciary's role in balancing individual rights with the interests of justice in high-profile financial crime cases.

With the bail application now determined, the focus shifts to the substantive trial, where the prosecution and defence will present evidence before the court reaches a final verdict. The proceedings are expected to attract public attention given the profile of the defendant and the nature of the allegations.

The EFCC arraigned Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 9, 2026, on a 12-count charge alleging violations of Nigeria's anti-money laundering laws involving transactions worth millions of U.S. dollars. The Commission accused him of receiving large cash payments outside the banking system, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act. Bodejo pleaded not guilty, while the court initially ordered his remand in EFCC custody pending the determination of his bail application.

Source: EFCC, Premium Times

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The court's decision to grant bail does not determine the merits of the allegations against the defendant. Under Nigerian law, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court. As the trial progresses, the prosecution bears the burden of proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt, while the defence retains the right to challenge every piece of evidence presented.