- Federal Capital Territory High Court has denied bail for former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello
- The court highlighted the premature filing of the bail motion
- Bello will be remanded in Kuje prison
A Federal Capital Territory High Court located in Maitama has ordered the detention of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, in Kuje prison.
The remand order was issued by Justice Maryann Anenih on Tuesday, December 10, after she adjourned the defendant’s trial to February 25, 2025.
Court rejects Yahaya Bello’s bail application
This situation unfolded after the court dismissed the former governor's plea for bail, pending the conclusion of the case against him.
The court pointed out that the bail application was filed by Bello on November 22, about three days before he surrendered to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Anenih, emphasising that a bail application is typically filed to contest a defendant's detention, questioned why the former governor submitted his motion when he was not in custody.
She ruled that this reflected an attempt to invoke the court's jurisdiction prematurely. “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” the trial judge ruled.
Yahaya Bello faces alleged N110 billion fraud
The court, however, allowed the 2nd and 3rd defendants to be released on bail in the sum of N300 million, requiring two sureties to each provide a bond of equal value. Additionally, their travel documents were seized as part of the bail conditions.
Recall that Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is currently on trial for his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud.
He is faced with a 16-count charge brought by the EFCC, alongside two Kogi state officials, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who are listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the case.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge on November 27, and trial Justice Anenih ordered their remand in EFCC custody pending the resolution of their bail applications.
Judge exits courtroom in anger over disruptions amid Yahaya Bello’s trial
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Judge Maryanne Anenih walked out due to disruptions caused by supporters of former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
Arguments intensified over the validity of bail for Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposing the motion.