By Abigail Philip David
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, citing procedural errors in its filing.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih declared the application incompetent, as it was submitted before Bello was arraigned or taken into custody.
“Having not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this application is premature and, therefore, refused,” Justice Anenih stated.
Bello, along with two co-defendants, is facing charges of alleged N110 billion money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court noted that the bail application, dated November 22, preceded Bello’s arraignment on November 27 and his detention on November 26, rendering it procedurally invalid.
Bello’s counsel, Jacob Daudu (SAN), argued for bail, emphasizing that his client, a two-term governor, would neither interfere with witnesses nor abscond. He described Bello as a responsible individual who would comply with any conditions imposed by the court.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) opposed the request, highlighting the procedural breach. Pinheiro insisted that filing the application before arraignment contravened the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, rendering it inadmissible.
Meanwhile, the court granted bail to the second defendant, Umar Oricha, in the sum of N300 million with stringent conditions. The conditions include two sureties who must own properties in Abuja’s Maitama district, valued at no less than the bail amount, with original title documents submitted to the court.
Additionally, the sureties must provide affidavits of means and deposit copies of their international passports. Oricha is also required to surrender his travel documents to the court and remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.
