Court To Rule On Yahaya Bello’s Bail Application December 10 In N110bn Fraud Case

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until December 10 to deliver a ruling on the bail application of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, and two others.

Bello, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, faces a 16-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging the misappropriation of N110 billion. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges when read before Justice Maryanne Anenih.

Joseph Daudu, counsel to the defendants, submitted a bail application on behalf of the 1st defendant, Yahaya Bello. The EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the motion, arguing that the earlier application had lapsed in October. However, Daudu clarified that the current application, filed on November 22, was the only valid one before the court. He emphasized that it was supported by a written address and all necessary affidavits.

Following the plea and arguments, Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants remain in EFCC custody until the next hearing. The EFCC, in its suit, accuses the former governor and his co-defendants of involvement in a significant fraud scheme during Bello’s tenure.