Updated: Yahaya Bello to remain in EFCC custody until December 10

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 10, 2024, as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court reserves its decision on his bail application.

Justice Maryann Anenih announced the adjournment after hearing arguments from Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and the EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN.

Bello and two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are facing 16 charges, including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and alleged misappropriation of ₦110 billion in state funds.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Bello pleaded not guilty as the charges were read out in court. His lawyer, Dauda, moved for bail, emphasizing Bello’s right to liberty and citing his voluntary court appearance as proof of his respect for the law.

The EFCC opposed the bail application, arguing that it was technically invalid, having expired in October. However, Dauda clarified that a new bail motion had been filed on November 22 and backed it with a written address and supporting evidence.

Prosecution counsel Pinheiro argued against granting bail, noting that Bello was also facing charges in another court and had failed to appear for his arraignment in that case. He contended that this behavior undermines Bello’s claim of respect for judicial processes.

Justice Anenih rose for a brief recess before returning to hear arguments regarding the bail applications for the other defendants. The EFCC opposed bail for Oricha, citing his ongoing role as a government official and the possibility of repeating the alleged offenses. However, Dauda dismissed this claim, arguing that the prosecution failed to provide evidence to back its objections.

After hearing both sides, Justice Anenih adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to December 10. She directed that Bello and his co-defendants remain in EFCC custody until then.

Bello’s arraignment comes after weeks of evasion, during which his whereabouts were unknown. Oricha and Hudu had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while Bello appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.