FCT High Court Grants Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello N500M Bail

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday, December 19, 2024, granted the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with two sureties in like sum.

The Court presided over by Justice Maryann Anenih had, on December 10, rejected the bail application of Yahaya Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.

In her earlier ruling, Justice Anenih held that having been filed when the Yahaya Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.

There was however, room for the lawyers Yahaya Bello, who is facing an alleged money laundering case to the tune of N110 billion along with two others to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.

Yahaya Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the case was called for hearing, on Thursday, Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, told the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.

Daudu applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious”.

There was no however objection by the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN which made the court to grant the application for withdrawal and striking out the further affidavit.

Daudu, SAN also told the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial and therefore urged the court to grant the bail application.

The learned silk also pleaded that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, it should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.

Daudu also prayed the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.

The prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team, adding that in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.

Enitan said; “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.

“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application. We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion”.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st Defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.

The trial judge directed that the sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.

Yahaya Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court while he is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre pending when he would perfect his bail conditions.