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Yahaya Bello Remanded in Prison, Trial Adjourned to February 2025

Kehinde Fajobi

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Tuesday ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, in Kuje prison.

Justice Maryann Anenih gave the ruling after adjourning the trial to February 25, 2025. Bello faces a 16-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his alleged involvement in โ‚ฆ110 billion fraud during his tenure as governor from 2016 to 2024.

The court also dismissed Belloโ€™s application for bail, describing it as premature and incompetent. Justice Anenih noted that the application, filed on November 22, was submitted before Bello was in custody or appeared in court.

โ€œHaving not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent.

โ€œConsequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,โ€ the judge ruled.

Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, was arraigned on November 27, pleading not guilty.

While the co-defendants were granted bail of โ‚ฆ300 million each with two sureties, the court ordered their travel documents to be confiscated.

The EFCC, represented by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed Belloโ€™s bail request, alleging he had evaded trial in another pending case at the Abuja Federal High Court.

โ€œThe first defendant repeatedly refused to make himself available for trial despite several efforts to secure his presence,โ€ Pinheiro argued.

Bello, through his legal team led by former Nigerian Bar Association president Joseph Daudu (SAN), maintained his innocence and argued that detention would hinder his ability to prepare for his defence.

The charges against Bello and his co-defendants include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully acquired property.

The EFCC accused them of misappropriating state funds to purchase high-value properties, including:

No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (โ‚ฆ950 million)

No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja (โ‚ฆ100 million)

No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (โ‚ฆ920 million)

The defendants allegedly used stolen funds to acquire properties abroad, including a hotel apartment in Dubai valued at over 5.6 million dirhams.

They were also accused of transferring significant sums, including $570,330 and $556,265, to TD Bank in the USA.

Justice Anenih ordered Bello to remain in custody pending further hearings, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against him.