Court Stands Firm, Denies Miyetti Allah Leader’s Bail Variation Request

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has declined to rule on an application seeking a review of the bail conditions granted to Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore leader, Bello Bodejo.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bodejo is facing a 12-count charge of alleged money laundering involving about $2.33 million, filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arraigned on July 9, 2026.

On July 20, the court admitted him to bail in the sum of ₦2 billion with two sureties in like amount.

Justice Ekwo ordered that both sureties must be responsible citizens, with at least one owning landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). The court also directed that one of the sureties must provide tax clearance certificates covering the years 2023 to 2025.

In addition, Bodejo was ordered to surrender his international passport to the court, while the Registrar was directed to notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the passport’s seizure. The court further barred him from travelling outside Nigeria or the court’s jurisdiction without prior approval.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 5, 6 and 7, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

Unable to satisfy the bail conditions, Bodejo, through his lawyer, M. E. Sheriff, filed an application on July 21 seeking a variation of the terms.

At Thursday’s proceedings, the defence urged the court to reduce the bail bond from ₦2 billion to ₦300 million and allow one surety in the same amount instead of two.

Counsel to the EFCC, Fatai Erewuimi, opposed the request, informing the court that the anti-graft agency had filed a counter-affidavit on July 22 asking the court to reject the application and retain the existing bail conditions in the interest of justice.

Responding, Justice Ekwo said the court’s annual vacation, scheduled to begin on August 3, would not allow sufficient time to hear arguments and deliver a ruling on the application.

“There is no way I can hear this application and deliver a ruling before the court proceeds on vacation,” the judge said.

He advised the defence to approach the vacation judge for the application to be heard and determined, after which the case file would be returned to his court for trial.

Justice Ekwo also affirmed that the previously scheduled trial dates of October 5, 6 and 7 remain unchanged.