The immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre following his arraignment in an N110 billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Matyann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered his detention on Wednesday after refusing his bail application, which the court deemed prematurely filed. The case has been adjourned for hearing on January 29 and 30, and February 25 and 27, 2024.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih noted that the bail application, filed on November 22, was submitted before the defendant was in custody or formally arraigned. “The instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she declared.
Bello, along with two others, is facing charges of alleged involvement in laundering N110 billion. His counsel, J.B. Daudu, SAN, argued that Bello, a two-term governor, posed no flight risk and pledged not to interfere with witnesses. However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, arguing that it was incompetent as it was filed before Bello’s arraignment.
Despite Daudu’s plea for the court to exercise discretion in granting bail, Justice Anenih emphasized procedural errors in the application, ruling that it was filed several days before the proper legal framework was in place.
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