The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, ruling that it was submitted prematurely.
Maryann Anenih, the presiding judge, explained that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2025, bail applications can only be filed after a defendant has been arrested, detained, arraigned, or presented in court.
“The application for bail was filed on November 22, several days before the first defendant [Bello] was taken into custody,” Judge Anenih said during Tuesday’s proceedings.
Bello was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 26 and arraigned the following day, alongside co-defendants Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering. The former governor pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Joseph Daudu, Bello’s counsel, argued for bail on November 27, citing his client’s status as a former governor and promising that Bello would not flee. However, Kemi Pinheiro, counsel for the EFCC, opposed the motion, calling it “grossly incompetent” due to its premature filing.
The court’s decision now leaves Bello and his co-defendants in custody as the case proceeds.