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| Arraigned….Yahaya Bello |
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre by Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
This follows the denial of his bail application, deemed premature as it was filed before his detention or court appearance.
Bello faces charges of laundering over N110 billion, with the case adjourned to January 29, 30, and February 25, 27, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought these charges against him and others, who have pleaded not guilty.
The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In the earlier arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November.
“The 1st defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
In opposing, the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Anenih said the instant application for bail showed that it was filed on the 22nd of November. This shows that it was filed several days after Mister Bello was taken into custody.
Reading from the ACJa section, the judge said the provision provided that a bail application could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned, or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on 22nd November but was taken into custody on 26th November and arraigned on 27th November.
The 2nd defendant, Umar Oricha, was, however, granted N300 million bail, with two sureties, “who shall have property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court.
“He shall not travel outside without the leave of the Court and shall remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.”
The 3rd defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, was also granted N300 million bail with the same conditions as the 2nd defendant.
The judge, however, said that each surety must enter into a bond for not more than one defendant, while the defendants were directed to deposit their passports with the court registrar.
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