Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adosa Bello, broke down in tears on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, after the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, denied his bail application and ordered his remand in Kuje Prison. Despite attempting to shield his face from cameras, Bello was eventually captured crying uncontrollably, a moment that quickly garnered attention.
Before the court’s decision, Bello had reportedly received assurances from his successor, Ahmed Ododo, that he would be granted bail on that day. However, the court ruled otherwise, dealing a blow to his hopes.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, presided over by Justice Maryann Anineh, denied Bello’s bail over allegations of criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving a sum of N110.4 billion.
The judge rejected the application on the grounds of prematurity, explaining that it was filed before Bello’s arrest and formal arraignment.
The bail application, submitted on November 22, 2024, was deemed incompetent since Bello had not been arrested at the time. Justice Anineh clarified that bail applications are only valid after a defendant’s arraignment, which in Bello’s case occurred on November 27, 2024.
Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge. Unlike Bello, his co-defendants were granted bail under stringent conditions. Oricha received bail set at N300 million, requiring two sureties who must own landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction. Additionally, his title documents and travel documents were to be deposited with the court registrar.
Similarly, Hudu was granted bail under identical financial conditions but with an extra stipulation that his sureties own properties in Maitama, Abuja.
Both Oricha and Hudu are to remain in Kuje Correctional Centre until they fulfill the bail conditions.
Meanwhile, the court ordered Bello to stay in custody at the same facility. Trial dates have been scheduled for January 29, February 25, and February 27, 2025, as requested by EFCC prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enedini, SAN.
This case has attracted significant public interest as the EFCC intensifies its crackdown on financial crimes. The upcoming proceedings are expected to shed more light on the alleged mismanagement of public funds by Bello and his co-defendants.
