Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the ruling on Monday during the hearing of the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The judge said Bodejo can go home pending the continuation of his trial, but only if he meets strict conditions.
According to the court, Bodejo must produce two sureties, and each of them must also stand for ₦2 billion. The judge was specific about the kind of people that can stand for him. One surety must be a person of integrity with verifiable landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC. The second surety must provide tax clearance certificates covering 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The court registrar has been directed to go through all the documents and confirm that they are genuine before Bodejo can be released. Justice Ekwo said the verification process is important to ensure that the sureties are capable of producing the defendant if needed.
Beyond the money and sureties, the court also placed travel restrictions on the Miyetti Allah leader. Bodejo is to submit all his international travel documents to the court immediately. The Nigeria Immigration Service has already been notified of the order. He will not be allowed to travel outside Nigeria or even outside the court’s jurisdiction without getting express permission from the court first.
The EFCC had arraigned Bodejo on July 9, 2026 on a 12-count charge. The anti-graft agency accused him of money laundering involving the sum of $2.33 million. When the charges were read to him in court, Bodejo entered a plea of not guilty to all the counts. His lawyers argued for bail on liberal terms, but the prosecution asked the court to be cautious.
After listening to both sides, Justice Ekwo decided to grant bail, but with the heavy conditions meant to ensure Bodejo returns for trial.
The case will now continue on October 5, 6, and 7, 2026. Those dates have been set aside for the prosecution to present its witnesses and for the defense to respond.
Bodejo’s arrest and prosecution have drawn attention because of his position as the head of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a major socio-cultural association for Fulani herders in Nigeria. The group has often been at the center of debates around security, grazing, and conflict in different parts of the country.
Legal observers say the ₦2 billion bail is one of the highest granted in recent times by the Abuja court. It shows how seriously the court is treating the money laundering allegations, even as it allows the defendant to remain out of custody while the trial goes on.
For now, Bodejo remains free but under watch. The EFCC is expected to call more evidence when the court resumes in October, while the defense team says it is ready to prove that their client has no case to answer.
The court emphasized that failure to meet any of the bail conditions will mean the order cannot take effect, and Bodejo will have to remain in custody until trial.
