Yahaya Bello, the immediate former governor of Kogi State, was remanded to Kuje Correctional Center by the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday while his bail plea was being considered.
The hearing in the N110 billion money laundering case that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, or EFCC, initiated against Bello was also postponed by Justice Maryann Anenih until January 29 and 30 and February 25 and 27, 2027.
The former governor had already applied for bail, but the judge denied it, citing the application’s premature filing.
In giving the decision, Justice Anenih stated that the motion was incompetent because it was submitted when Bello, the first defendant, was neither in court nor in jail.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
The former governor and two others are on trial for suspected money laundering charges totaling N110 billion that were brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Remembering the court’s reasons regarding the bail application, the judge had stated, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November. The 1st defendant (Bello) 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.”
According to her, JB Daudu, SAN, the defendant’s attorney, informed the court that he had provided enough information to warrant granting bail.
Daudu urged the court to grant the bail by using its discretion in a prudent and judicial manner.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had opposed the motion, claiming that the application was blatantly inadequate because it was submitted prior to arraignment.
Bello’s attorney disputed, claiming there was no power, although he stated that it should be filed following arraignment. “that says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing”.
In her decision, Justice Maryann Anenih stated, “The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on 22nd of November.
“This shows that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Using the ACJA as support, the judge stated that if a defendant was arrested, detained, arraigned, or presented before the court, they could request bail.
On November 22, 2024, Bello submitted an application for bail; nonetheless, he was arrested on November 26 and charged on November 27.
However, N300 million bail was given to the second defendant, Umar Oricha, with two sureties. “who shall have property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court”.
He must stay at Kuje Correctional Center until the terms of his bail are met and cannot leave the premises without the court’s permission.
Abdulsalami Hudu, the third defendant, was likewise given N300 million bail under the identical terms as the second defendant.
However, the judge ordered the defendants to deposit their foreign passports with the Court Registrar and stipulated that each surety could only sign a bond for one defendant.
