THE immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, who is the 1st defendant, is being charged along with two others before Maryann Anenih. of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.
Bello and others denied the allegations as they were read out to them.
Following the defendants’ pleas, their lawyer, Joseph Daudu, requested bail, but the EFCC’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, objected, arguing that the bail application had lapsed in October.
The defendant’s counsel, Daudu, clarified that the only pending application before the court was the bail motion for the first defendant, filed on November 22.
He supported this with an affidavit and a written address, emphasising the importance of Exhibit A, the public summons, and the defendant’s voluntary appearance in court, demonstrating respect for the law.
This was in response to the EFCC’s request to commence trial immediately, with their first witness ready to testify.
Bello’s counsel countered that they received the charges at 11 pm on November 26, requiring additional time to adequately prepare his client’s defence.
Regarding the bail application, Daudu said that under Nigerian law, a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, supporting the granting of bail.
He stated that the defendant had the right to enjoy his liberty while preparing for trial.
He explained that the prosecution’s objection was based on the defendant’s pending charges at the Federal High Court and his failure to appear to take his plea.
However, he argued that the court should not consider issues from another court when making decisions regarding the case before the FCT High Court.
The EFCC counsel opposed Bello’s submissions and premised his objection on three grounds: the application’s competence, its factual content, and the application of judicial principles and guidance.
This development came after Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, Bello’s co-defendants, were granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while Bello himself made his first court appearance.
Bello, Oricha, and Hudu are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.
The charge against the defendants, marked CR/7781, borders on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The ICIR reported on Tuesday that Bello presented himself to the EFCC over alleged misappropriation of funds levelled against him.
According to reports, Bello visited the EFCC office on Tuesday, November 26, accompanied by his lawyers.
This development followed the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a suit by some states challenging the EFCC’s powers. Kogi State played a lead role in the case in what many believed was a ploy to stop his trial by the EFCC.
Bello reportedly drove himself to the EFCC office in a black Hilux Tuesday morning.
Last week, the EFCC requested a hearing adjournment of his case to November 27.
Attempts to confirm Bello’s presence at the EFCC office on Tuesday were unsuccessful as the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, did not respond to calls and messages sent to his line. However, the commission later clarified that Bello was arrested and did not submit himself to the EFCC as reported.
Bello has been facing allegations of financial impropriety, as the EFCC accused him of laundering N80.2 billion and other infractions while he served as governor.
He was charged with three others, including his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The EFCC declared Bello wanted in April 2024, after he allegedly declined invitations for interrogation.
The photograph of the former governor was displayed with the inscription ‘WANTED’.
The court had yet to rule on Bello’s bail when filing this report.
A reporter with the ICIR
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