Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 10, 2024, following a court ruling in Abuja. Justice Maryann Anenih denied the former governor’s bail application and ordered his continued detention alongside his two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The three defendants, who pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge filed by the EFCC, are facing allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully acquired property. EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued against granting bail, citing Bello’s history of evading trial and his failure to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja for another case.
Yahaya Bello’s legal team, led by former NBA President Joseph Daudu, SAN, urged the court to grant him bail, emphasizing the presumption of innocence under the law. Daudu argued that bail would enable his client to prepare an effective defense, highlighting that Bello only received the charge sheet late on November 26.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, describing it as premature since it was filed before the defendants were formally arraigned. Pinheiro argued that the court could only consider a bail application after assuming jurisdiction through arraignment.
The EFCC accused Bello of misappropriating N110 billion in state funds to acquire multiple properties, including luxurious assets in Abuja, Dubai, and the United States. Allegations include
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