Court sends Yahaya Bello to Kuje prison over alleged N110b fraud

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in Kuje correctional centre pending hearing on his bail application.

Maryann Anenih, the trial judge, adjourned the N110 billion alleged money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) to January 29 and 30; and February 25 and 27.

In an earlier ruling on Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih faulted the competence of Bello’s bail application and held that it was filed prematurely. 

Justice Anenih held that the application, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, his  application was incompetent.

She said: “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely is hereby refused.”

Bello’s bail application was filed  on November 22 before he was arrested on November 26 and arraigned on  November 27.

In two other rulings, Justice Anenih granted bail to each of the two Bello’s co-defendants – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – at N300m with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said the sureties must have property worth the said amount within the court’s jurisdiction.

She then adjourned further proceedings till January 29 next year.

It was learnt that Bello’s lawyers could file a fresh bail application and apply to the court for an early hearing date. 

If the request for an early date is granted by the court and the fresh bail application granted, Bello could escape spending the yuletide period in Kuje correctional centre.

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