Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama Abuja has remanded former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) till December 10, 2024.
Bello is standing trial on 16-count charge of fraud totally N110 billion alongside two others, Messrs. Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The three accused have pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them in court on Wednesday.
The lawyers to the former governor led by former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN had called the attention of the court to a bail application already filed before the court.
However, in a swift reaction, the counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, vehemently opposed the bail application while informing the court that the former governor has the penchant for not obeying rules.
The EFCC lawyer further argued that Bello’s bail application was incompetent as was even filed before the defendants were arraigned before the court.
“This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants.
“It is only after arraignment that the bail application can arise and be heard.
“The application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the meaning of bail,” the EFCC lawyer argued.
The charge against Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants, marked CR/7781, include, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
Some of the allegations listed by the EFCC include, that the former governor used KogI State funds to acquire numerous choice properties in Abuja and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Some of the properties are listed to include, No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million), No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million), and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million).
Other are, Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
Bello was also accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited.