The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday rejected a bail application filed by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, citing that it was submitted prematurely.
Justice Maryann Anenih, in her ruling, stated that the application was incompetent as it was filed when the defendant was neither in custody nor had appeared before the court. “The instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” the judge declared.
Bello is facing trial alongside two others over allegations of N110 billion money laundering brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the arguments presented, Justice Anenih recounted that the motion on notice, filed on November 22, sought bail for Bello, who claimed he became aware of the charges through public summons. His counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), argued that Bello, a two-term governor of Kogi State, would not interfere with witnesses or abscond if granted bail.
However, the prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, describing it as incompetent since it was filed before Bello’s arraignment.
The judge emphasized that the application was filed on November 22, while Bello was taken into custody on November 26 and arraigned on November 27. Citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), she explained that bail applications can only be made after arrest, detention, arraignment, or court appearance, and thus, the timing rendered the application invalid.