The Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, has rejected the bail application of Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, ruling that it was filed prematurely.
Bello is facing trial, alongside two others, over alleged involvement in a N110 billion money laundering scheme brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih stated that the application, which was filed on November 22, was invalid because it was submitted before Bello had been formally arraigned or taken into custody. She referred to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which allows bail applications only after a defendant is arrested, detained, or brought before the court.
“The bail application was filed on November 22, several days before the first defendant was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on November 27,” the judge explained.
Bello’s legal counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued that there were sufficient grounds to grant bail, stressing that Bello, a former two-term governor, would not interfere with witnesses or flee the country.
However, the prosecution, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, objected to the application, asserting that it was filed before the defendant’s arraignment, making it legally unsound.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail under strict conditions. He was required to provide a N300 million bond and two sureties who own property in Maitama, Abuja, with original title documents. Oricha was also ordered to deposit his travel documents and remain in prison custody until the bail terms were met.
