The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, along with two others, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count fraud charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Appearing before Justice Maryann Anenih at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, Bello, the first defendant, denied all the allegations as they were read out in court.
Following the plea, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, made an application for bail. However, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, objected, arguing that the bail request had expired in October. In response, Daudu clarified that the bail application being discussed was a new motion filed on November 22 for the first defendant.
Daudu further emphasized that the application was supported by an affidavit and a written address, citing Exhibit A — the public summons — as evidence of Bello’s respect for the law, demonstrated by his appearance in court.
While the EFCC sought to begin the trial immediately, intending to call its first witness, Bello’s defense team requested more time, citing that the charges had only been served to them at 11 p.m. on November 26. Daudu argued that the law presumes the defendant’s innocence until proven guilty and that Bello had the right to liberty while preparing for trial.
Daudu also challenged the prosecution’s objection, stating that issues related to another court case should not influence the proceedings in the FCT High Court. He pointed out that if the jurisdiction of the court is questioned, the defendant need not appear until those matters are resolved.
In contrast, EFCC counsel raised a preliminary objection based on three grounds: the competence of the application, the factual content of the bail request, and judicial principles.
The two other defendants, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while Bello made his first court appearance.
The court adjourned the bail ruling until December 10, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody in the meantime.
