A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in Kuje prison over his alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud case.
Justice Maryann Anenih issued the remand order after adjourning Bello’s trial to February 25, 2025.
The court also dismissed a bail application filed by Bello, describing it as premature and incompetent. The former governor, who served Kogi State between 2016 and 2024, had filed the application on November 22, three days before surrendering to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Anenih stated, “A bail application is filed to challenge the detention of a defendant. The implication of filing such a motion before surrendering is an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early. Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”
Bello is standing trial alongside two former Kogi State officials, Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, who are the 2nd and 3rd defendants. The court granted the co-defendants bail in the sum of N300 million each, with two sureties in like sum. Their travel documents were seized as part of the bail conditions.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against them by the EFCC on November 27. Initially, they were remanded in EFCC custody pending the determination of their bail applications.
The EFCC, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Kemi Pinheiro, strongly opposed Bello’s bail request. The agency argued that the former governor had consistently evaded trial and ignored efforts to secure his presence at an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, where he is facing another charge.
The EFCC maintained that Bello’s bail application, filed through his counsel, former Nigerian Bar Association President Joseph Daudu, SAN, was incompetent.
Bello’s defence team, however, insisted that he enjoyed the presumption of innocence and needed bail to effectively prepare his defence.
The charge, marked CR/7781, includes conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. The EFCC accused Bello of diverting state funds to acquire numerous properties:
– No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja – N950 million
– No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja – N100 million
– No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja – N920 million
– Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N170 million
– Hotel Apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai – Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams
– Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N60 million
– No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – N310.4 million
Additionally, Bello and his co-defendants were accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and unlawfully obtaining N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.
The court directed Bello to remain in custody at Kuje prison and adjourned the case until February 25, 2025, for trial to commence. Meanwhile, the EFCC continues to investigate the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring accountability and justice in the matter.
