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Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to Stay in EFCC Custody Till December 10
ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, will stay within the custody of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) till a minimum of December 10, following a courtroom ruling in Abuja on Wednesday.
Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory Excessive Courtroom denied a bail utility for Bello, citing objections raised by the EFCC. The anti-graft company argued that Bello had beforehand failed to seem for trial on a number of events, undermining the judicial course of.
Bello, together with co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, pleaded not responsible to a 16-count indictment introduced by the EFCC. The fees embrace conspiracy, felony breach of belief, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
Bail Software Sparks Authorized Debate
Bello’s authorized group, led by Joseph Daudu, SAN, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation, urged the courtroom to grant bail, asserting that Bello enjoys a presumption of innocence till confirmed responsible.
“This courtroom should acknowledge my consumer’s elementary rights,” Daudu argued, emphasizing that bail would permit Bello to adequately put together his protection. The protection additionally highlighted that the previous governor was solely served with the fees late on November 26 and voluntarily appeared in courtroom in compliance with a summons.
Nonetheless, the EFCC, represented by senior prosecutor Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, opposed the applying, contending it was procedurally untimely because it was filed earlier than the defendants’ formal arraignment.
“This courtroom solely assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants,” Pinheiro stated. “It is just after arraignment that the difficulty of bail can correctly come up.”
Allegations of In depth Monetary Misconduct
Bello, who ruled Kogi State from 2016 to 2023, stands accused of embezzling over ₦110 billion throughout his tenure. Based on the EFCC, he and his co-defendants misappropriated state funds to accumulate a number of high-value properties in Abuja and overseas, together with:
No. 35 Danube Avenue, Maitama District, Abuja (₦950 million)
No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (₦100 million)
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Avenue, Asokoro, Abuja (₦920 million)
A lodge residence in Dubai valued at over 5.6 million dirhams.
The EFCC additional alleged that the defendants funneled funds to overseas accounts, transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Financial institution, USA, and acquired ₦677.8 million in unexplained funds from Bespoque Enterprise Answer Restricted.
Subsequent Steps
The EFCC has expressed readiness to begin its case towards the defendants, with a number of witnesses reportedly accessible to testify. Nonetheless, the protection objected to a direct trial, arguing for extra time to arrange.
Justice Anenih scheduled a listening to on December 10 to ship a ruling on the bail utility. Till then, Bello and his co-defendants will stay in EFCC custody.
The case has drawn vital public consideration, with critics highlighting the excessive stakes concerned in combating corruption in Nigeria’s political panorama.
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