On Wednesday, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama ordered that former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 10, when the court will hear his bail application.
Justice Maryann Anenih issued the order after Bello and his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought by the EFCC. The charges include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property linked to an alleged N110 billion fraud.
Lead counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued against granting Bello bail, citing his history of evading trial. “Several attempts to secure his presence before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he faces additional charges, have been unsuccessful,” Pinheiro stated.
The prosecution further contended that the bail application was “incompetent,” noting that it was filed before the court had assumed jurisdiction. “This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants. A bail application can only be entertained after arraignment. This application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the essence of bail,” Pinheiro added.
Bello’s legal team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the former governor is entitled to bail under the presumption of innocence. “Granting him bail would allow him to adequately prepare his defense,” Daudu insisted. He also pointed out that Bello had received the charges late on November 26 but had appeared in court voluntarily in response to the summons.
The defense urged the court not to be influenced by the EFCC’s references to an unrelated case involving Bello.
Pinheiro affirmed that the EFCC was prepared to proceed with its case, claiming that some witnesses were available to testify, though this assertion was contested by the defense.
The EFCC alleges that Bello misappropriated state funds during his governorship, using them to acquire multiple high-value properties, including: No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (N950 million); No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja (N100 million); No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million); and a hotel apartment community in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (5.7 million dirhams).
Additional allegations include transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and unlawfully possessing funds totaling N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
Justice Anenih’s decision on December 10 will determine whether the former governor and his co-defendants will be granted bail as they await trial for the alleged financial crimes against them.
