Court Declines Yahaya Bello’s Bail Application.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih, has declined a bail application submitted by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, ruling that the application was filed prematurely.
Mr Bello, alongside two others, is facing trial on allegations of laundering N110 billion, a charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In delivering the ruling, Justice Anenih noted that the application was filed on 22nd November, prior to Mr Bello being taken into custody on 26th November and his subsequent arraignment on 27th November. According to her, the application was therefore incompetent, as it was made before the conditions required by law had been met.
The judge cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which stipulate that a bail application can only be made after a defendant has been arrested, detained, arraigned, or brought before the court.
“The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on the 22nd of November, several days before the 1st defendant was taken into custody,” Justice Anenih stated.
During proceedings, Mr Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued that sufficient grounds had been provided to justify granting bail. He assured the court that Mr Bello, a two-term governor of Kogi State, would not interfere with witnesses or abscond if released on bail.
However, opposing counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, contended that the application was “grossly incompetent” as it was submitted before the defendant’s arraignment, a move he described as premature and contrary to established legal procedures.
Justice Anenih emphasised that while the court has the discretion to grant bail, such discretion must align with legal provisions. The premature filing of the application rendered it inadmissible at the time.
The case, involving allegations of significant financial mismanagement during Mr Bello’s tenure as governor, continues to attract public attention as proceedings unfold.
