Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a bail application filed by the former governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello on grounds that the application was filed prematurely.
Bello is facing trial alongside two others over an alleged N110 billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Anenih stated that the application, submitted on November 22, was incompetent because it was filed before Bello was in custody or formally arraigned. Citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), she clarified that a bail application could only be made after arrest, detention, arraignment, or appearance before the court.
“The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on the 22nd of November. This shows that it was filed several days after the first defendant was taken into custody,” she said.
Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), had argued that sufficient grounds existed to grant bail, emphasising that Bello would not interfere with witnesses or abscond. However, the prosecution led by Kemi Pinheiro opposed the application, describing it as procedurally flawed.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to the second defendant Umar Oricha on stringent conditions including a bond of N300 million, two sureties owning property in Maitama, Abuja, and the submission of original title documents and travel papers. Oricha was ordered to remain in custody until he fulfils the bail terms.
