Alleged Fraud: Court Denies Yahaya Bello’s Bail Application.
Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, applied for bail, but Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court refused it because it was submitted too early.
Justice Anenih delivered the verdict, stating that the current application was incompetent since it was made when he was neither in prison or before the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pursuing the former governor and two others on an alleged N110 billion money laundering accusation.
During the bail application hearing, the judge stated, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on November 22nd.” The first defendant requests an order from this court admitting him to bail pending a hearing and resolution of the accusation.
“That he got aware of the current charge through a public summons. He served as governor of Kogi State for two terms. If granted bail, he agrees not to interfere with the witnesses and to follow the bail terms.
She stated that the defendant’s attorney, JB Daudu (SAN), had informed the court that he had presented adequate evidence to grant the bail.
He requested the court to use its authority to issue bail in a judicial and prudent manner.
Kemi Pinheiro, the prosecution attorney, contended in opposition that the current application was severely defective because it was filed prior to arraignment.
He proposed submitting it after arraignment, but the first defendant’s attorney opposed, arguing there was no authority.
While delivering her verdict, Justice Maryann Anenih stated, “The immediate application for bail was submitted on November 22nd. This indicates that it was filed some days after the first defendant was brought into custody.”
The judge read from the ACJa section, stating that the provision allowed for a bail application after an arrest, custody, arraignment, or court appearance.
On November 22, Bello applied for bail, but on November 26, officials arrested him and arraigned him on November 27.
Umar Oricha, the second defendant, was granted bail in the amount of N300 million with two sureties.
The sureties must hold property in Maitama worth at least the bond amount and produce their authentic title documents to the court.
The sureties must give an affidavit of means and deposit copies of their passports.
The court also ordered to keep Oricha in prison until the completion of bail conditions and the deposit of travel documents.