The Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided by Justice Maryann Anenih, on Tuesday, 10 December, 2024 refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling, said that having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
The former Governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November. The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
