A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
This decision came after the court heard charges against Bello and two co-defendants, Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, who are facing 16 counts related to conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The court, presided over by Justice Maryanne Anenih, adjourned the matter until December 10, 2024, to rule on Bello’s bail application.
This follows arguments presented by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, and the prosecution’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, regarding the motion for bail.
The EFCC opposed the bail request, citing past legal issues, including a related N84 billion charge against Bello at the Federal High Court.
During the proceedings, Bello and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case is centered on allegations of misusing state funds to acquire multiple high-value properties in Abuja and abroad, including a property in Maitama worth N950 million, as well as transferring over $1m to TD Bank in the United States.
Justice Anenih’s decision to remand the defendants in EFCC custody follows the prosecution’s objections to bail, particularly concerning the ongoing charges and the risk of further offenses. Meanwhile, Oricha and Hudu have been granted administrative bail by the EFCC.
