***Pleads not guilty to corruption charges involving N110 billion
The Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered that the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until December 10, 2024, when it will rule on his bail application.
The ruling follows a plea hearing on November 27, 2024, where Bello and two other defendants faced 16-count charges, including conspiracy and criminal breach of trust. Bello denied all the charges, which stem from allegations of diverting over N110 billion in state funds during his tenure as governor.
Counsel for Bello, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Bodunde Dauda, filed a motion for bail, which was contested by the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN. Pinheiro argued that the bail request was invalid due to an expired application filed earlier in October. Dauda, however, clarified that a fresh bail application had been submitted on November 22, stressing that the defendant had shown respect for the law by attending court.
The court heard arguments about the jurisdiction of the case, with the EFCC requesting that the trial begin immediately. However, Bello’s defense team noted that they had only been served with the charges the evening prior and requested additional time to prepare.
Bello faces serious allegations of embezzling state funds to acquire personal properties, including multiple luxury homes and assets worth millions of dollars abroad.
His legal troubles intensified after he had previously evaded arrest in April and September 2024, culminating in a dramatic surrender to the EFCC in November.
The court has also ordered the two other defendants, Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to remain under administrative bail, while the court will continue deliberations on Bello’s case at the next session.
The ruling on the bail request is set to be delivered on December 10, 2024.