Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Pleads Not Guilty to 16-Count Charges by EFCC
Bello's Lawyers Seek Bail, EFCC Opposes on Grounds of Prior Court Summons
The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others have pleaded not guilty to 16 charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bello, the primary defendant, firmly denied the allegations before Justice Maryann Anenih as they were read out in court. His lawyer, JB Daudu, SAN, then filed a bail application, which the EFCC opposed on grounds that it had expired in October.
Daudu clarified that the relevant bail application was filed on November 22 and was supported by an affidavit. He argued that the law presumes the defendant innocent until proven guilty, and Bello has a right to liberty while preparing for trial.
However, the EFCC lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, objected to the bail application on three grounds: competence, factual content, and application of judicial principles.
The court also heard that two other defendants, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while this was Bello’s first appearance.
Bello faces these 16 charges as well as a separate case involving an alleged N80 billion money laundering scheme. Both cases stem from accusations of financial impropriety during his eight-year tenure as Kogi State governor.
The court will now determine the fate of the bail application and whether the trial will commence immediately or if Bello’s lawyers need more time to prepare.
