Bello denied bail amid explosive N30bn fraud allegations in Kaduna

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Federal High Court in Kaduna has refused to grant bail to Bashir Ibrahim Bello, who is standing trial for an alleged ₦30 billion fraud and facing multiple ongoing prosecutions.

Justice R.M. Aikawa, ruling on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, denied the defendant’s bail application after observing that Bello is currently being prosecuted in three separate cases and has over 400 pending petitions before the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, Managing Director of Formal Act Legacy Limited, is being tried for alleged offences bordering on obtaining money under false pretences, money laundering, and retention of proceeds of crime.

He was first arraigned on 29 October, 2025 on a seven-count charge in suit number FHC/KD/316C/2025.

He was arraigned again on 3 November, 2025 on an eight-count charge in suit number FHC/KD/285C/2025. A third arraignment followed on 6 November, 2025, involving a five-count charge in suit number FHC/KD/246CC/2025.

During the bail hearing, prosecution counsel F.A.I. Asemebo opposed the application, arguing that Bello posed a significant flight risk due to the sheer number of criminal complaints against him.

Asemebo told the court that more than 400 petitions alleging various financial crimes are still pending before the EFCC.

Justice Aikawa agreed with the prosecution, stating that the gravity of the allegations and the defendant’s involvement in multiple prosecutions made granting bail inappropriate.

Bello was arrested on 28 April, 2025 following hundreds of petitions from complainants who accused him of obtaining money from them under false pretences.

He remains in custody as the cases proceed.