Breaking: Court remands former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello in Kuje correctional centre

December 10, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

A court has ordered the remand of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in the Kuje correctional centre until February 29, 2025.

This development comes after Bello faced charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), including conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Bello, alongside his co-defendants Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, pleaded not guilty to the 16 charges leveled against them.

The former Governor’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, moved for bail, arguing that his client voluntarily appeared in court and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

However, the EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the bail request, citing Bello’s pending charges in another case before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Pinheiro argued that granting bail could lead to the defendant committing similar offenses.

Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, deferred ruling on the bail application, directing that all three defendants remain in EFCC custody until the next hearing.

Bello is accused of misappropriating state funds to acquire properties worth billions of naira, including luxury real estate in Abuja. Other allegations include transferring funds to foreign accounts and misusing public funds for personal enrichment