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The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC till December 10, 2024.
Yahaya Bello, and two others, earlier pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Former Kogi state Governor, who is the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryann Anenih as they were read out to them.
After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail. But the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, saying it had expired in October.
Making clarifications, the Defendant’s Counsel clarified this, saying that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.
The EFCC had earlier moved for trial to commence immediately and was ready to call its first witness.l
But Daudu argued that they were served with the charge at 11 pm on Nov. 26 and that he would need time to prepare his client.
On the bail application, the senior lawyer submitted that a defendant, in line with the law, is innocent until proven guilty.
Pointing out some paragraphs in the counter affidavit, he said the prosecution raised issues that had to do with a matter at the Federal High Court.
Pinheiro, however, disagreed with Daudu.
He argued that his preliminary objection was anchored on three grounds – competence of the application; factual content of the application; and application of judicial principles and guidance.
Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had earlier been admitted to administrative bail by the EFCC.
Source: Swifteradio.com
