A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court is set to hear a fresh bail application filed by Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, on Thursday.
Bello is facing trial alongside his co-defendants, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, over allegations of money laundering amounting to ₦110 billion.
The trio was arraigned on November 27 on a 16-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On December 10, Justice Maryann Anenih, the presiding judge, refused to grant Bello bail, ruling that his application had been filed prematurely.
The judge cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2025, which stipulate that a bail application can only be filed after a defendant has been arrested, detained, or brought before the court.
The court noted that Bello’s lawyers had filed the initial bail application on November 22 — four days before his arrest by EFCC operatives on November 26.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the case to January 29 and 30, as well as February 25 and 27, 2025, for trial.
In response to the court’s decision, Bello’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu, has filed a fresh bail application. The application is set to be heard on December 19.
The EFCC has accused Bello and his co-defendants of laundering funds during his tenure as Kogi State governor.