Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has scheduled December 10 for a ruling on the bail applications submitted by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, along with two other individuals.
The Judge established the date following the presentation of arguments both in support of and in opposition to the bail application made by Bello’s counsel, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Dauda advocated for the court to grant bail to the former governor on several grounds.
Among other points, the senior counsel asserted that the legal principle maintains his presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by the anti-corruption agency
Dauda also contended that yahaya Bello does not pose a flight risk, as he has not departed the country in the last seven years.
Furthermore, he indicated that the former governor would not obstruct witnesses or tamper with exhibits, given that the EFCC has concluded its investigation and filed charges against the defendants.
Conversely, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, countered this argument, emphasizing that there exists a significant possibility that Yahaya Bello may attempt to interfere with witnesses and exhibits.
Justice Maryann Anenih subsequently declared that her ruling would be communicated on December 10.
The Judge mandated that all three defendants remain in the custody of the EFCC until the rulings are issued.
It is noteworthy that Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while the former governor appeared before the court for the first occasion.
