.As court orders his remand, fixes Feb 25 for trial
By Blessing Omale, Abuja
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Maryann Anenih gave the ruling following the ex-governor’s arraignment on charges of alleged N110 billion money laundering filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, who is standing trial alongside two others, had sought bail through a motion filed on November 22. However, the court dismissed the application as premature, noting it was filed before his arraignment on November 27.
In her ruling, Anenih emphasized that the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) allow for a bail application only after a defendant has been arrested, detained, arraigned, or brought before the court. She stated:
“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 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
J.B. Daudu, Bello’s counsel, argued that his client was a two-term governor and would not jump bail or interfere with witnesses if granted bail. He urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously.
However, the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, countered, arguing that the application wtoas incompetent as it predated Bello’s arraignment.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail on stringent terms, including a bond of N300 million and two sureties.
” The sureties must own property in Maitama valued at no less than the bail sum and provide original title documents, passport copies, and an affidavit of means. Oricha is remain in custody until the bail conditions are met”, Anenih stated.
The case has been adjourned to January 29, February 25, and February 27, 2025, for the continuation of the hearing.
