The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, yesterday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama. Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2024, is facing trial for his alleged involvement in a fraud amounting to N110 billion.
The anti-graft agency brought him to court alongside two officials from the Kogi State government—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—listed as the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the case. Trial Justice Maryann Anenih remanded all three in EFCC custody after they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
The court has scheduled December 10 to rule on separate bail applications filed by the defendants, who sought to be released pending the determination of the case. Although Bello’s co-defendants were previously on administrative bail, the EFCC requested that they remain in detention following their arraignment.
The agency, represented by a legal team led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that Bello, the 1st defendant, repeatedly refused to make himself available for trial.
The EFCC also noted that several attempts to secure his presence in another ongoing case at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court were unsuccessful. In light of this, the Commission opposed a bail application filed by Bello’s legal team, which was headed by Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. After the former governor and his co-defendants entered their pleas, Daudu drew the court’s attention to a bail application submitted on November 22. In this application, the former governor argued for his presumption of innocence under the law, stating that he should be considered innocent of all allegations until proven guilty.
He asserted that granting him bail would allow him to prepare effectively for his defence. Daudu informed the court that his client was only served a copy of the charge against him around 11 PM on Tuesday, November 26. He insisted that Bello’s appearance in court was in response to a summons issued to him.
Furthermore, Bello’s lawyer challenged the EFCC’s claim that his client refused to appear for trial. The prosecution counsel stated that some witnesses who were set to testify were available and requested permission for the EFCC to commence its case immediately, an application opposed by the defence counsel. The EFCC contended that Bello’s bail application was not valid since it was filed before the defendants were properly arraigned.
Pinheiro, SAN, argued, “This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants. It is only after arraignment that a bail application can arise and be heard. The application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the meaning of bail.” The charges against the defendants, marked CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The EFCC alleges that the former governor misappropriated state funds to acquire various properties, including: – No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja – No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja – No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja – Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, Dubai (Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Eight Dirhams) – Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja – No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Furthermore, the defendants are accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the USA and possessing unlawfully obtained property, including N677.8 million from Bespoke Business Solution Limited.
Meanwhile, Murtala Ajaka, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last Kogi State governorship election, has expressed his willingness to provide the EFCC with evidence related to the case. Ajaka, who lost the gubernatorial election to Governor Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), praised the EFCC for the arrest and prosecution of the defendants.
He insisted on a thorough investigation into the expenditure of state funds from January 2016 to January 2024, asserting that the EFCC’s decisive action against the former governor is a significant step toward ensuring accountability and justice for the people of Kogi State.
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