The Federal Capital Territory High Court Maitama in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Bello alongside two others, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are standing trial on 16 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4bn.
Justice MaryAnne Anenih sent the ex-governor to prison after rejecting his bail application, which she decribed as premature and unprocedural.
The judge noted that while Bello was arraigned on November 27, he had filed an application for bail since November 22.
“Having not been filed when the first defendant (Bello) was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent,” Justice Anenih held. “Consequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”
The judge adjourned further hearings in the case till January 29 and 30, 2025, suggesting that Bello may spend Christmas and New Year in prison.
However, when asked by The PUNCH on Tuesday when Bello would be filing a new bail application, a member of his legal team, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN), said, “Tomorrow, God willing.”
After what can be described as a months-long hike-and-seek game, Bello, who was earlier declared wanted, turned himself into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on November 26 and was finally arraigned before Justice Anenih on November 27.
The judge adjourned till December 10 to rule on his bail application, while she ordered that Bello should be remanded in the EFCC custody.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Bello’s counsel, Jacob Daudu (SAN), moved his bail application, pointing out that being a two-term governor of Kogi State, Bello would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses.
“The first defendant (Yahaya Bello) 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,” the SAN said.
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 emphasised that the timing rendered the application invalid, urging the court to dismiss it.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih upheld the prosecutor’s application and rejected Bello’s bail application.
Meanwhile, the judge approved of the bail applications of the second and third defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, respectively, and granted them N300m bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
She ruled that the sureties must own properties in Abuja’s Maitama District valued at no less than the bail bond and must submit the original title documents to the court.
Justice Anenih further directed that the sureties must depose to affidavits of means and submit copies of their passports to the court.
Oricha and Hudu are to deposit his travel documents with the court and remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.
She adjourned the matter till January 29 and 30 for hearing.