BREAKING: EFCC opposes bail for ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello over alleged corruption charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama to deny bail to former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The anti-graft agency, represented by senior counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), argued that Bello repeatedly failed to appear for his ongoing trial in a separate corruption case at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of alleged corruption. His legal team, led by former NBA President Joseph Daudu (SAN), filed a bail application on November 22, arguing that Bello should be presumed innocent until proven guilty and requires bail to adequately prepare his defense.

However, the EFCC maintained that the bail request was invalid as it was submitted before Bello’s formal arraignment. The prosecution also pushed for the immediate commencement of the trial, citing the availability of witnesses, a motion the defense opposed.

“This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants.

“It is only after arraignment that the bail application can arise and be heard.

“The application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the meaning of bail,” EFCC’s counsel, Pinheiro, SAN, submitted.

Ex-governor Bello and his co-defendants are facing trial over their alleged complicity in a N110billion fraud.

The charge against the defendants, marked: CR/7781, borders on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Specifically, the EFCC alleged that the former governor misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).

Other properties the defendants allegedly acquired with funds stolen from the Kogi state treasury, included Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: 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), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).

More so, the defendants were accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.

The defendants pleaded their innocence to the charge after it was read to them before trial Justice Maryann Anenih.