Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ¹. Bello, along with two others, Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, is facing 16 counts brought against them by the EFCC.
The defendants were accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Bello, who had been billed for arraignment since April, presented himself to the EFCC on Tuesday ¹.
Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved a bail application, which was opposed by the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro. Pinheiro argued that the application had expired in October. However, Daudu clarified that the only relevant application before the court was the motion for bail in respect of Bello, which was filed on November 22 ¹.
Justice Anenih fixed the date to rule on the defendant’s bail application for December 10, 2024, after taking arguments for and against the bail request. Bello’s appearance in court on Wednesday marked the first time he would be present to take his plea ¹.
Before Bello’s arraignment, he was previously billed to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in another pending alleged N84bn charge brought against him by the commission ¹.
The EFCC had earlier issued a public summons against Bello, following his refusal to appear in court for his arraignment. The commission had also complied with the court’s order to publish the summons in a national newspaper ².
The case has been adjourned until December 10, 2024, for the court to rule on Bello’s bail application. The former governor and his co-defendants will remain in EFCC custody until then ¹.
