A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has denied bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud. The ruling, delivered by Justice Maryann Anenih, deemed Bello’s bail application premature and incompetent, highlighting procedural flaws in its filing, 9am News reports.
Justice Anenih noted that Bello filed the bail application before voluntarily surrendering to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Emphasizing that bail applications are designed to challenge detention, the judge ruled that Bello had invoked the court’s jurisdiction prematurely. Consequently, the application was refused.
However, the court granted bail to the second defendant, Umar Oricha, setting his bond at N300 million with two sureties in like sum. The third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, awaits the court’s decision.
Fraud Allegations Against Yahaya Bello
Bello, who served as Kogi State Governor from 2016 to 2024, is facing a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. Filed by the EFCC, the charges accuse Bello and his co-defendants of diverting state funds to acquire numerous high-value properties. These include luxury real estate in Abuja, Dubai, and financial transfers to foreign accounts.
According to EFCC’s legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kemi Pinheiro, Bello repeatedly evaded efforts to secure his presence at court proceedings. The agency argued that his refusal to cooperate undermines his claim of innocence and justified its objection to granting him bail.
Bello’s legal counsel, led by former NBA President Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that his client is presumed innocent under the law. They claimed that detention would impair Bello’s ability to prepare an adequate defense. However, the court sided with the EFCC, which pointed out inconsistencies in the timing of the bail application and Bello’s prior conduct.
As the case progresses, the court has remanded Bello and his co-defendants in EFCC custody, pending further developments. This high-profile trial underscores the growing scrutiny of public officials and the commitment of anti-graft agencies to tackling corruption in Nigeria.
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