Court Refuses Bail Application for Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has rejected a bail application filed by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, describing it as premature.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih stated that the application was filed before Bello was taken into custody or appeared before the court, rendering it legally incompetent. The former governor is facing trial alongside two others over an alleged N110 billion money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The bail application, dated November 22, sought Bello’s release pending the trial. His counsel, JB Daudu (SAN), argued that sufficient facts had been presented to justify bail, emphasizing that Bello, as a two-term governor, would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses. However, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, contended that the application was premature, as it was submitted prior to Bello’s arraignment.

Justice Anenih clarified that, under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), bail applications are permissible only after a defendant has been arrested, detained, or arraigned. Bello was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on November 27, four days after the bail application was filed.

Meanwhile, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail under stringent conditions, including a bond of N300 million and two sureties who must own property in Maitama valued at the same amount. Oricha was ordered to deposit his travel documents and remain in custody until the bail conditions were met.