Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has scheduled December 10 for ruling on the bail applications of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and two others.
This decision follows arguments presented by Bello’s lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Dauda urged the court to grant bail to the former governor, emphasizing that the law presumes him innocent until proven guilty by the anti-graft agency. He also argued that Bello is not a flight risk, having not traveled out of the country for the past seven years, and would not interfere with witnesses and exhibits since the EFCC had completed its investigation and filed charges.
However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, countered that Bello might interfere with witnesses and exhibits.
Justice Anenih announced that she would deliver her ruling on December 10 and ordered that the three defendants remain in EFCC custody until then.
Previously, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while this marks the former governor’s first court appearance.
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