Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has fixed 10 December, 2024 for ruling in the bail applications by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and two others.
The Judge fixed the date after taking arguments for and against the bail request by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Daudu had pleaded with the court to admit the former governor to bail on various grounds.
Among others, the senior lawyer said that the law presumes him innocent until contrary is established by the anti-graft agency.
Daudu also submitted that Bello was not a flight risk as he had not travelled out of the country for the past seven years.
He also said that the former governor would not interfere with witnesses and exhibits since EFCC had already completed the investigation and filed charges against the defendants.
However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued otherwise, adding that Bello may likely interfere with the witnesses and exhibits.
Justice Maryann Anenih thereafter announced that she would make her decision known on December 10.
The Judge ordered that the three defendants should remain in EFCC custody until the rulings are delivered.
Recall that Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had earlier been admitted to administrative bail by the EFCC while the former governor appeared before the court for the first time.
