The EFCC has urged the court to deny bail to Yahaya Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented a strong case against granting bail to Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, during a recent court hearing at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama. Bello, currently embroiled in serious corruption charges, is accused of involvement in a monumental N110 billion fraud.

Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, the EFCC argued that Bello has demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance with court proceedings, having repeatedly failed to appear for his trial in connection with separate allegations before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. This absence raises legitimate concerns regarding his likelihood to honor future court obligations should bail be granted.

Bello’s legal counsel, prominent lawyer Joseph Daudu, SAN, contends that the former governor is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a fundamental legal principle safeguarding defendants until proven guilty. Daudu’s bail application, submitted shortly after Bello and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, posits that bail is necessary for the former governor to adequately prepare his defense. However, the prosecution rebutted this claim by asserting that the application was premature, as it was filed before the defendants had been formally arraigned before the court.

The charges against Bello include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and the possession of unlawfully acquired property, involving notable assets both domestically and internationally. Specific allegations detail the misuse of state funds to acquire multiple properties in Abuja and Dubai, alongside the transfer of substantial sums to foreign banks.

As the court deliberates on the bail request, the EFCC emphasizes the significance of ensuring the integrity of the judicial process and the necessity for defendants to remain accountable throughout the trial. The proceedings continue to unfold, underlining the gravity of the accusations facing Bello and the broader implications for governance and accountability in Nigeria.