The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello ₦500m bail.

Justice Emeka Nwite ordered Bello to produce two sureties, who must swear to an affidavit of means and own properties in Abuja. The court said the properties’ title documents will be verified by its Deputy Chief Registrar.

Bello, on Friday, pleaded not guilty to the EFCC’s ₦80bn fraud allegations.

He faces a 19-count charge for alleged money laundering.

The counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, withdrew an earlier application for abridgement of the earlier date fixed for arraignment, which Justice Nwite granted.