Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor, Mr Yahaya Bello, at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. This follows the court’s decision to decline Bello’s bail application, which it deemed premature.

The judge issued the order shortly after refusing the bail application on Tuesday, ruling that it had been filed before the defendant was taken into custody or brought before the court.

Bello had been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since 26 November, after surrendering himself to the commission. He was arraigned on 27 November alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge of alleged ₦110 billion money laundering.

Justice Anenih cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, stating that a bail application could only be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned, or brought before the court.

“The instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused,” she ruled.

Bello’s legal team, led by Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), had argued that the former governor, being a two-term governor, was unlikely to abscond or interfere with witnesses if granted bail.

However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) objected, describing the application as incompetent as it was filed on 22 November, before Bello’s detention or arraignment.

Meanwhile, the second and third defendants were granted bail in the sum of ₦300 million each. They were required to provide two sureties with property in Maitama District of the FCT.

The court also stipulated that the defendants must deposit their international passports with the court registrar and remain in custody until their bail conditions are fulfilled.

The trial has been scheduled to commence on 29 January 2025.