…Remanded in custody till December 10
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, alongside two co-defendants, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, have pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges, read before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama district, bordered on allegations of criminal breach of trust, dishonest use of public funds, and diversion of over N110 billion from the Kogi State treasury.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, all three defendants denied the charges which in EFCC accused Mr. Bello of using state funds to acquire properties in Abuja and Dubai, including a property at 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja, that was purchased for N100 million in 2021, and another at Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, worth N950 million in 2023.
Following their plea, Mr. Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), moved an application for bail, stressing that the former governor’s voluntary appearance in court demonstrated respect for the law. Daudu cited the constitutional presumption of innocence, asserting that the defendant should enjoy liberty while preparing for trial.
However, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), opposed the application, arguing that it was procedurally defective and premature. Pinheiro stated that the bail application, filed on November 22, preceded Mr. Bello’s arraignment and thus lacked legal basis.
He also argued that Mr. Bello’s prior disregard for a public summons issued by the court demonstrated contempt, which should weigh against granting bail.
Pinheiro further contended that the co-defendants, still holding positions of authority, posed risks of interfering with investigations or committing similar offenses if granted bail.
In response, Daudu argued that the EFCC’s objections were unfounded, maintaining that a bail application could be filed preemptively.
He added that Mr. Bello’s appearance in court negated allegations of bad conduct or disregard for legal processes.
Daudu also emphasized that issues from other cases pending at the Federal High Court should not influence the decision of the FCT High Court.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Anenih adjourned the matter to December 10 for ruling on the bail application.
In the meantime, the defendants were ordered to remain in EFCC custody.
The charges include allegations of acquiring properties with diverted funds during his tenure as governor, such as at Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, in 2020 among others
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the funds in question were misappropriated as early as 2016, during Mr. Bello’s first year in office.
Count one of the charge reads: that you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometimes in 2016 in Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourble Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110, 446, 470, 089.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Four Hundred and Forty six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty Nine Naira) entrusted to you”.
In count two they were alleged to have sometime in 2023, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
In count 11, the defendants were alleged to have used over Five million Dirhams to acquire a property in Khalifa, Municipality, Dubai.
Count 14 reads: That you Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.
Count 15 claimed that the defendants sometime in 2021, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Five United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.