A bail application filed by former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has been denied by Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. The judge ruled that the application was premature and incompetent as it was filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court.
Bello, alongside two others, faces charges of an alleged N110 billion money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Anenih explained that the application was filed several days after Bello had been taken into custody.
The court further noted that Bello’s legal counsel had argued that the defendant would not interfere with witnesses or jump bail if released. However, the judge found that the application did not meet the necessary legal requirements for bail.