By Adenike Lawal
On December 10, 2024, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Justice MaryAnne Anenih rejected Bello’s bail application, describing it as premature and procedurally defective.
Bello, along with co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces 16 counts of criminal breach of trust and money laundering totaling approximately N110.4 billion.
His legal troubles began with his arraignment on November 27, following his voluntary surrender to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 26, a day after being declared wanted.
Justice Anenih, in her ruling, noted that Bello’s bail application was filed on November 22, five days before his arraignment. She deemed the timing inappropriate, stating that the application lacked competence since it was not submitted during his custody or initial court appearance.
Consequently, she denied the bail request and scheduled further hearings for January 29 and 30, 2025, effectively ensuring Bello remains in custody through the festive season.
Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), has announced plans to promptly file a fresh bail application. During the proceedings, defense lawyer Jacob Daudu (SAN), argued that Bello, as a two-term governor, posed no flight risk and would comply with court conditions.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) countered that the timing of Bello’s bail application violated the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and urged the court to dismiss it.
While Bello was denied bail, his co-defendants, Oricha and Hudu, were granted conditional bail.
Each must post N300 million and provide two sureties with properties of equivalent value in Abuja’s Maitama District.
They are also required to surrender their travel documents and remain in custody until all conditions are fulfilled.
The case will resume in late January, leaving Bello’s legal team racing against time to secure his release before the next court date.
