A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday denied bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who has been in detention since November 25.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih described Bello’s bail application as “premature and incompetent,” noting that it was filed before the ex-governor surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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The judge stated, “A bail application is filed to challenge the detention of a defendant,” questioning why Bello initiated the process when he was not yet in custody.
“Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” Justice Anenih ruled.
However, the court granted bail to the second defendant, Umar Oricha, in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge is yet to decide on the fate of the third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu.
Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is standing trial alongside Oricha and Hudu over an alleged N110 billion fraud. The EFCC arraigned the trio on November 27 on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
All defendants pleaded not guilty, after which the court ordered their remand in EFCC custody pending the hearing of their bail applications.
The EFCC, represented by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed Bello’s bail request, accusing him of evading trial. “Several efforts to secure his presence before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court where he is facing another charge proved abortive,” the prosecution stated.
The anti-graft agency further argued that Bello’s bail application, filed on November 22—five days before his arraignment—was incompetent.
In his defence, Bello’s legal team, led by Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, insisted that he enjoys the presumption of innocence under the law. They argued that detaining the former governor would hinder his ability to prepare his defence effectively.
Bello is accused of using state funds to acquire multiple properties, including several in Abuja and Dubai. The EFCC also alleged the transfer of $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, as part of the unlawful transactions.
The case, marked CR/7781, continues as the court prepares to rule on the remaining applications.
