The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Tuesday remanded the embattled former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, in custody of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja pending the filing and hearing of his bail application.
Justice Maryanne Anenih faulted the competence of a previous bail application filed by Bello, noting that it was filed when the self-proclaimed “White Lion” was neither in custody nor before the court.
She said: “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely is hereby refused.”
Bello’s bail application was filed on November 22 before he was arrested on November 26 and arraigned on November 27.
The court adjourned further trial in the case till January 29 and 30, and February 25 and 27 respectively, meaning Bello will probably spend the Yuletide and New Year in prison custody.
Bello is standing trial alongside two others – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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In two other rulings, Justice Anenih granted bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in the like sum, to Oricha and Hudu.
The sureties must be holders of property in the Maitama area of Abuja, valued at not less than the bond sum. Furthermore, the sureties are to deposit the original title document of the property in court, copies of their international passport and other travel documents and depose to an affidavit of means
Justice Anenih remanded the two co-defendants in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
