The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, remanded the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending hearing of his bail application.
Justice Maryann Anenih also adjourned hearing in the N110 billion money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to January 29 and 30 and February 25 and 27, 2027, for hearing.
The judge had earlier refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying it was filed prematurely.
Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling, said having been filed when the 1st defendant, Bello, was neither in custody nor before the court, the application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
The former governor is standing trial, along with two others over an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against them the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November. The 1st defendant (Bello) seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the defendant’s counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
Daudu urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail. Credit: dailypost.ng
