Bail Denied, Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to Remain in EFCC Detention
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has rejected the bail application of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, who is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Presiding over the case on Tuesday, Justice Maryann Anenih struck out the bail motion, ruling it was prematurely filed. She noted that the application, dated November 22, was submitted before Bello was in custody.
"Why was the application filed when the 1st defendant was not in custody? The implication of this is that the jurisdiction of the court was invoked too early," Justice Anenih stated. She upheld the prosecution’s objection, declaring the motion incompetent.
"The motion for bail filed by the 1st defendant is accordingly struck out," the judge ruled.
The EFCC, represented by counsel Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the application, citing what it described as evasive tactics by the former governor.
Bello, who served as Kogi governor from 2016 to 2023, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought against him by the EFCC at the Federal High Court. The charges include alleged mismanagement of state funds, embezzlement, and abuse of office.
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