FCT HIGH COURT GRANTS YAHAYA BELLO N500M BAIL WITH THREE SURETIES IN LIKE SUM
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Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, was granted N500 million bail by Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, along with three sureties of the same amount.
The ex-governor’s bail application was denied by Justice Anenih on December 10th, citing its premature filing.
She stated in her initial finding that the instant application was incompetent because it was filed before the court and when the first defendant was neither in custody nor present.
However, there was still time for the governor’s attorneys to submit a new bail application and request a hearing date.
The former governor and two other people are being tried for suspected N110 billion money laundering.
He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At the day’s proceedings, Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.
He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”
There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.
Daudu also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
In light of this understanding, he urged the court to grant the bail application.
He further requested that if the court would grant Bello bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of properties to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
The prosecution counsel, Enitan acknowledged that Daudu had been in talks with the prosecution team.
In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.
He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.
“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
In her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
Bello was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court. He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
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