Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is set to spend Christmas, New Year, and up to 50 nights in detention after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja denied his bail application. The court, presided over by Judge Maryanne Anenih, ordered that Mr. Bello be transferred from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Court Ruling on Bail
Judge Anenih rejected Mr. Bello’s bail application on procedural grounds, declaring it premature and incompetent. The application, filed on 22 November, predated Mr. Bello’s 26 November arrest and 27 November arraignment, making it invalid.
While the court denied Mr. Bello’s bail, it granted bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, under strict conditions. Both men must provide sureties with property worth N300 million within the court’s jurisdiction.
The trial is scheduled to commence on 29 January 2025, with additional sessions set for 25 and 27 February 2025.
Next Steps for Yahaya Bello
Mr. Bello has the option to file a fresh bail application, though time constraints pose significant challenges. With the court entering its Christmas vacation next week, it will be difficult to secure a hearing and ruling before the break. Alternatively, he could approach the court’s vacation judge, provided he can demonstrate an urgent and extraordinary need for bail consideration.
Should these efforts fail, Mr. Bello will remain in detention throughout the festive period and until the trial resumes in late January.
The Allegations Against Bello
Mr. Bello and his co-defendants face 16 charges related to the alleged diversion of ₦110 billion from Kogi State’s treasury during his tenure as governor. The EFCC, which arrested Mr. Bello after months of evading summons, brought the case to court, where he pleaded not guilty.
In addition to the current charges, Mr. Bello is entangled in a separate case involving ₦80 billion in alleged money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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