A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday denied the bail application of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, citing procedural irregularities in the filing of the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Maryanne Anenih stated that the application was premature as it had been filed before Bello was present in court or taken into custody.
“Having not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent.
Consequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” Justice Anenih ruled.
Bello, alongside two others, is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged N110 billion money laundering case.
The court noted that the bail application, dated November 22, was submitted before Bello’s arraignment on November 27, just days after his arrest on November 26.
Bello’s lawyer, Jacob Daudu (SAN), urged the court to consider the application, arguing that his client, a two-term governor, would not interfere with witnesses or flee the jurisdiction.
“The first defendant became aware of the instant charge through the public summons.
He is a responsible individual and will abide by the conditions set by the court,” Daudu argued.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) opposed the application, asserting that it was “grossly incompetent” as it was filed before the arraignment, violating the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Pinheiro emphasized that the improper timing rendered the application invalid and urged the court to dismiss it.
In contrast, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail in the sum of N300 million, with two sureties.
The court specified that the sureties must own property in the Maitama district of Abuja valued at no less than the bail bond and must submit original title documents to the court.
Justice Anenih also directed that the sureties provide affidavits of means and submit copies of their international passports to the court.
Oricha was ordered to deposit his travel documents with the court and remain in custody until all bail conditions are met.
