The Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a bail request filed by Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, ruling that the application was submitted prematurely. The decision was handed down by Justice Maryann Anenih, who stated that the application was incompetent as it was filed before Bello was taken into custody or formally brought before the court.
Bello, along with two others, is facing allegations of laundering N110 billion, charges leveled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih clarified that the bail application, dated November 22, was filed days before the former governor’s detention on November 26 and subsequent arraignment on November 27. She emphasized that under the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), bail applications are valid only after a defendant has been detained, arraigned, or brought before the court.
During court proceedings, Bello’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued that his client was a two-term governor who would neither abscond nor interfere with witnesses if granted bail. Daudu urged the court to exercise its discretion favorably, asserting that sufficient grounds had been presented to justify bail.
However, opposing counsel Kemi Pinheiro, representing the EFCC, countered that the application was procedurally flawed as it was filed before Bello’s arraignment. Pinheiro maintained that the timing rendered the application legally invalid.
Justice Anenih concurred with the prosecution’s position, underscoring that the premature filing of the bail application rendered it inadmissible. She referenced the relevant section of the ACJA to support her ruling, noting that the law requires bail requests to be made after a defendant’s formal detention or court appearance.
This ruling adds another layer of complexity to Bello’s legal battle as he continues to face trial for alleged financial crimes.
