Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has denied a bail application submitted by former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.
During her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Anenih described the application as premature, explaining that it was improper since Bello was neither in custody nor present before the court at the time the application was made.
Bello, along with two co-defendants, faces charges of alleged money laundering amounting to N110 billion, brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her comments, Justice Anenih noted: “Before this court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November, in which the 1st defendant seeks to be granted bail pending the hearing and determination of the charges against him. He claims to have learned about these charges through public summons. As a two-term governor of Kogi State, he asserts that if released, he would not interfere with witnesses or abscond.”
She went on to highlight that the defense counsel, JB Daudu (SAN), had presented sufficient evidence to support the bail request.
However, she pointed out that the timing of the application, filed several days after the defendant was taken into custody, rendered it inadmissible.
