In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has rejected former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello’s request for bail related to a N110 billion fraud case. Justice Maryann Anenih stated that the application was submitted too early, before Bello’s detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Court documents reveal that Bello’s bail petition was filed on November 22, just four days before he was taken into custody by the EFCC on November 26. He was later arraigned on November 27, alongside co-defendants Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, facing 16 counts involving criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
The EFCC, acting on behalf of the Nigerian government, claims that Bello misappropriated public funds amounting to N110,446,470,089.
Bello’s attorney, J.B. Daudu (SAN), contended that the former governor, having served two terms as Kogi State leader, would not interfere with witnesses or flee if released on bail.
However, Justice Anenih upheld the prosecution’s position, ruling the bail request inadmissible. Conversely, co-defendant Umar Oricha was granted bail with strict stipulations, which included an N300 million bond and two sureties possessing property in Maitama worth at least the bond amount.
