Yahaya Bello to remain in EFCC Detention Untill December 10

On Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, headed by Justice Maryanne Anenih ordered that Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State, be placed under remand in the commission’s custody.

Additionally, the judge postponed making a decision on his bail request until December 10, 2024.

EFCC has filed 16 charges against Bello and two other people, Abdulsalam Hudu and Shuaibu Oricha.

The defendants were charged  with allegations of Cr!m!nal breach of trust, conspiracy, and possession of property

After hearing arguments for and against the bail request from Bello’s attorney, Joseph Daudu, and the prosecution’s attorney, Kemi Pinheiro, Justice Anenih set a date to rule on the defendant’s bail motion.

In another outstanding alleged N84 billion allegation brought against him by the commission, Bello was previously billed to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja before being billed to answer to the N110.4 billion charge preferred against him before Justice Anenih.

Bello appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday in order to enter his plea. Following the defendants’ plea on Wednesday, Bello’s attorney, Daudu, filed an application for bail. EFCC attorney, Kemi Pinheiro, objected, claiming that the bail had expired in October

However, the defse council clarified saying,

“The only relevant application before the court is the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant (Bello) which was filed on November 22.”

He added that the bail application was also supported by a written address.

“My Lord, the bail application is also supported with a written address.

“Exhibit A, which is the public summons is very vital and the appearance of the defendant in court today, shows he has respect for the law,” Bello’s counsel argued.

He went on to say that a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty under the nation’s legal system.

Daudu claimed that the prosecution brought up topics related to a case before the Federal High Court, highlighting specific passages in the counter-affidavit.

He stated, “It is within his rights to enjoy his liberty while preparing for trial. The prosecution’s objection is based on the fact that he is facing charges at the Federal High Court and has refused to appear to take his plea.”

“The court should not use issues from another court to determine issues before the FCT High Court.”

Daudu added, “When the jurisdiction of the court is challenged, the defendant needs not to appear until the issues arising from the jurisdiction are resolved.”

The preliminary objection was based on three grounds, according to the EFCC counsel, who also objected to the defense’s submissions: the application’s competence, its factual content, and the application of judicial norms and guidance.

The prosecution also argued against the second defendant’s bail request, claiming that there was a chance he would commit the same cr#me because he was still employed by the government as the Director-General of Kogi State Government House.

However, the defendant’s attorney disputed that the prosecution’s counter-affidavit’s use of the word “may” did not indicate that the second defendant had allegedly committed another crime after being released on bail.

Since the EFCC’s counter-affidavit failed to demonstrate that the defendant was a repeat offender, he said that it was without merit.

He pleaded with the judge to approve the bail request.

Justice Anenih then ordered that the three defendants be in EFCC custody and postponed the decision on the bail application until December 10.