The Federal Capital Territory High Court has denied bail to Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, in the ongoing N110.4 billion fraud case initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court, however, granted bail to his co-defendant, Shuabu Oricha, who was set a N300 million bond, with stringent conditions attached.
Bello, alongside Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces multiple charges of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to defraud the Nigerian government.
The trio appeared before Justice Maryann E. Anenih today, where they each pleaded not guilty to the 16-count indictment filed by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, J.B. Daudu, SAN, representing the accused, argued that Bello’s application for bail was in line with the law, stressing that the former governor’s presence in court signified his willingness to cooperate with the legal process.
Daudu further asserted that Bello, as a citizen, had the right to liberty while preparing for his defense.
However, EFCC’s lead counsel, Kemi Piniero, SAN, objected to the bail request, claiming it was premature, as the former governor had not been arraigned at the time of the application.
Piniero emphasized that bail applications could only be heard after a formal arraignment, which had not yet occurred.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih concurred with the EFCC’s submission, declaring Bello’s bail application “premature” and striking it out.
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“The application is premature because it was filed before the arraignment, which is against the established legal procedure,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Oricha was granted N300 million bail with two sureties in like sum, who must own property in the Maitama District of Abuja.
Also, Oricha must deposit his travel documents with the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without prior permission. He will remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
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