110bn fraud: Court denies Yahaya Bello bail
Yahaya Bello
Published By: Paul Dada
By Paul Dada
Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed the bail application filed by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who is being tried for an alleged N110 billion fraud.
In her ruling, the judge held that Bello’s bail application was premature and incompetent as he filed it when he had not yet surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The however, admitted Bello’s alleged co-accomplice Umar Oricha, to bail in the sum of N300million with two sureties in the like sum.
In her ruling on Bello’s application, the judge said the former Kogi governor was only making an attempt to invoke the jurisdiction of the court too early.
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She said, “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.”
The 16-count charge preferred against Bello has to do with conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
He is alleged have used state funds to illegally acquire properties, at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja , No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, among many others.
