Court denies bail to ex-Kogi Gov Yahaya Bello over alleged N110bn fraud

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting at Maitama has denied bail to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who has been in detention since November 25, 2024.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday by Justice Maryann Anenih, the court described Bello’s bail application as premature and incompetent, as it was filed before he had surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Anenih emphasized that a bail application is typically filed to challenge a defendant’s detention, and Bello’s motion was filed prematurely, as he was not in custody at the time.

Bello is facing a 16-count charge brought by the EFCC, which accuses him of complicity in a N110 billion fraud. He is charged alongside two officials from the Kogi State government—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu. The EFCC claims that Bello and the others misused state funds to acquire multiple properties in Abuja, Dubai, and other locations, including a luxury hotel and several multi-million-dollar properties.

Despite the denial of bail for Bello, the court granted bail to the second defendant, Umar Oricha, in the sum of N300 million with two sureties. The fate of the third defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, is yet to be determined.

The EFCC had strongly opposed Bello’s bail request, citing his failure to appear for trial in previous cases. The agency also contested the competence of the bail application, which was filed five days before the arraignment.

Bello has pleaded not guilty to the charges, asserting his innocence and requesting bail to prepare his defense, though the court has refused his request for release.