By our reporter
Embattled immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others are to cool their heels further in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till December 10, 2024, following their arraignment on Wednesday on charges of fraud to the tune of billions of Naira.
Justice Maryann Anenih of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court fixed the date for ruling in the bail applications by Bello and the other two.
After taking arguments for and against the bail request by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, Justice Anenih decided on the date.
Bello’s lawyer had pleaded with the court to admit the former governor to bail on various grounds among others, the senior lawyer contended, was that the law presumes him innocent until contrary is established by the anti-graft agency.
Daudu further submitted that Bello was not a flight risk as, according to him, the former two-term governor had not travelled out of the country in the past seven years.
He submitted that Bello would not interfere with witnesses and exhibits given that EFCC had already completed its investigation and filed charges against the defendants.
Opposing the position, Pinheiro argued that Bello may likely interfere with the witnesses and exhibits.
After these exchanges, Justice Anenih announced that she would make her decision known on December 10 and ordered that the three defendants remain in EFCC custody until the rulings are delivered.
The two other defendants, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, had earlier been admitted to administrative bail by EFCC while Bello appeared before the court for the first time today.
