A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Bello will remain in custody pending the determination of his bail application.
The court adjourned the case to January 29, 2025, for further proceedings, which means Bello could spend the Christmas season in prison unless his lawyers successfully file a fresh bail application and secure an earlier hearing date.
Bello is facing trial alongside two co-defendants on charges of allegedly laundering ₦110 billion, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih rejected Bello’s initial bail application, deeming it procedurally flawed as it was filed prematurely.
“Having been filed when the first defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the application is incompetent and is hereby refused,” Justice Anenih ruled.
Bello’s bail request, submitted on November 22, came before his arrest on November 26 and subsequent arraignment on November 27.
While Bello was remanded, the court granted bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, under stringent conditions. Each was granted bail at ₦300 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge specified that the sureties must own properties worth the bail amount within the court’s jurisdiction and submit the original title documents to the court.
Bello’s legal team is expected to file a fresh bail application and may request an expedited hearing. If successful, Bello could avoid spending the festive season in custody.
The trial will resume on January 29, 2025, as the court continues deliberations on the high-profile fraud case.
