Just In: Nigerian High Court Throws Out Yahaya Bello’s Bail Application

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has refused the bail application of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, who has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail of the embattled former Kogi governor.

The judge said that as of 22nd of November when the application was filed, the 1st defendant was not in custody.

“Why was the application filed when the 1st defendant was not in custody. The implication of this is the jurisdiction of the court was invoked too early,” the judge said.

Having been filed when the circumstances were not present the instant application was prematurely filed.

The court therefore agreed with the prosecution that the motion was incompetent.

“The motion for bail filed by the 1st defendant is accordingly struck out,” the court ruled.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Dr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had vehemently countered the bail application, citing the antics of the former governor who has been running from pillar to post.

Yahaya Bello had earlier pleaded “not guity” to the 16 counts charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court.

His case had been adjourned to December 10 for the reading of his bail application. He was to remain with the EFCC.

Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2023, faces charges related to the mismanagement of state funds, as well as accusations of embezzlement and abuse of office.

Earlier in November, SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC had filed fresh charges against former governor, Bello, accusing him of N110 billion fraud.

The EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.

In the fresh charges dated September 25, the total amount involved is N110,446,470,89.00.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had dismissed the oral bail applications of Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, who are co-defendants of Yahaya Bello in the N110.4billion fraud case preferred again them by the EFCC.