Ex-Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello Denied Bail

The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday denied bail to Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, who has been detained since November 25, citing procedural irregularities in the filing of the application.

Justice Maryann Anenih, who stressed that a bail application is filed to challenge the detention of a defendant, wondered why the former governor filed his motion at a time he was not in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). 

She questioned why Bello filed his motion at a time when he was not in custody. “Having not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent. Consequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” she stated.

The court highlighted that Bello’s action attempted to invoke its jurisdiction too early. The bail application, dated November 22, was filed before Bello’s arraignment, which took place on November 27, days after he was taken into custody on November 26.

Charges Against Ex-Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello

Bello, among two others, is facing charges brought by the EFCC over an alleged N110 billion money laundering case. He is answering a 16-count accusation, including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of fraudulently obtained property. 

The EFCC alleged that Bello misused state funds to acquire multiple properties and transferred significant amounts of money to foreign accounts.

Bello’s counsel, Jacob Daudu (SAN), urged the court to consider the bail application, arguing that his client, a two-term governor of Kogi State, would not interfere with witnesses or jump bail. 

“The first defendant became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. He is a responsible individual and will abide by the conditions set by the court,” Daudu argued.

However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), countered that the application was grossly incompetent, as it was filed before the arraignment, contrary to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Pinheiro emphasized that the timing rendered the application invalid, urging the court to dismiss it.

The court admitted the second defendant in the matter, Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in the same sum.

Justice Anenih is yet to decide the fate of the third defendant in the matter.

Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2024, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in an N110 billion fraud. The EFCC had specifically urged the court to turn down Bello’s request for bail, citing his repeated refusal to make himself available for trial. 

The agency noted that several efforts to secure his presence before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he is facing another charge, proved abortive.

The charge against the defendants, marked CR/7781, includes allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. 

EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties in various locations, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million); No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million); and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

Likewise, the defendants were accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoke Business Solution Limited.

Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million); Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams); Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million); and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).