Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted ₦2 billion bail to Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, the outspoken National President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani socio-cultural association.
Bodejo, who pleaded not guilty to a 12-count charge of money laundering involving approximately $2.33 million, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier this month.
Prosecutors allege he received large sums in physical cash from a former Bauchi State Accountant-General, with some transactions potentially linked to broader investigations into terrorism financing.The court imposed stringent conditions reflecting the gravity of the allegations: two sureties in the same ₦2 billion sum, one of whom must own verifiable landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council and the other must produce tax clearance certificates for 2023, 2024, and 2025. All documents will undergo rigorous verification by court officials.
Additionally, Bodejo must surrender his international passport to the court registrar, with the Nigeria Immigration Service placed on alert. He is barred from leaving the country or traveling outside the court’s jurisdiction without explicit permission.The EFCC had strongly opposed bail, citing flight risk and potential interference with witnesses. Defence counsel successfully argued that the offences are bailable and that Bodejo poses no such threat under strict supervision.Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to October 5, 6, and 7, 2026, for the commencement of full trial.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Bodejo’s prominent role in advocating for Fulani herders’ interests amid long-standing farmer-herder conflicts across Nigeria. His links to certain political figures, including connections noted in EFCC documents to Bauchi State officials, have added layers of intrigue to the proceedings.
