Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has denied the bail request of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, deeming it premature.
In her ruling, Justice Anenih explained that the bail application, which was filed when the defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, lacked the necessary legal standing.
Bello, alongside two co-defendants, is facing trial for an alleged N110bn money laundering scheme brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The motion, filed on November 22, requested that Bello be granted bail pending the resolution of the charges. His legal team argued that, as a two-term governor, he posed no flight risk or threat to witnesses. His counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria JB Daudu, asked the court to use its discretion in granting the bail based on the facts presented.
However, the prosecution, represented by Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application. Pinheiro argued that the application was invalid, as it was filed before the formal arraignment. The defense maintained that there was no legal precedent to support this claim.
Justice Anenih emphasized that the bail application was filed on November 22, days before the defendant was taken into custody on November 26 and formally arraigned on November 27. She referenced the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which states that bail applications should be made after a defendant has been arrested, detained, or arraigned.
Meanwhile, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail on the condition of providing N300m and two sureties. The sureties must own property in Maitama worth at least the bail sum and deposit the original title documents with the court. They are also required to provide an affidavit of means and copies of their passports. Additionally, Oricha must surrender his travel documents and remain in prison until the bail conditions are met.
