The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, rejected the bail application of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, citing procedural irregularities in the filing of the application. Justice Maryanne Anenih, while delivering the ruling, stated that the application was premature as it was filed before Bello was present in court or custody.
The judge said, “Having not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent.
“Consequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”
Bello, alongside two others, is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N110 billion money laundering case.
The court noted that the bail application, dated November 22, was filed before Bello’s arraignment, which took place on November 27, days after he was taken into custody on November 26.
Bello’s counsel, Jacob Daudu (SAN), urged the court to consider the application, arguing that his client, a two-term governor of Kogi State, would not interfere with witnesses or jump bail.
