Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello will remain in prison custody after a High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory rejected his bail application.
Presiding judge Justice Maryanne Anenih agreed with the prosecution counsel that Mr. Bello’s bail application was incompetently filed and full of irregularities and had him remanded at the Kuje Prison Abuja until perfects his bail conditions. The Court adjourned till January 29, 2025 for further hearing on the case. Bello is facing a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N110 billion money laundering case.
The EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that it was grossly incompetent and filed before Bello’s arraignment, contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
In contrast, Bello’s counsel, Jacob Daudu (SAN), urged the court to consider the application, arguing that his client would not interfere with witnesses or jump bail.
However, Justice Anenih upheld the prosecution’s objection, declaring the motion incompetent and striking it out.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties.
The court specified that the sureties must own properties in Abuja’s Maitama district valued at no less than the bail bond and must submit the original title documents to the court.
