By Ken Chiwendu
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State in prison following the refusal of his bail application.
Ruling on the bail application argued on the 27th November 2024, Justice Maryanne Anenih held that the application for bail was premature having been filed on the 22nd of November before his arraignment on the 27th.
She said the action was against section 158 of the administration of criminal justice Act 2015 which states that application for bail can be filed after arrest, arraignment or during hearing of a suit.
But in this case the application was filed even before the defendant surrendered himself to the Anti-graft agency and his arraignment.
She therefore dismissed the application in its entirety and ordered the remand of Bello to Kuje Correctional centre until January 29,2025
The court granted two of Bello’s co – defendants in money laundering suit a N300million bail. However,both are to be remanded at Kuje Correctional centre pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
·Yahaya Bello was the immediate past governor of Kogi State. He served from 2016- 2023.
The former governor is facing trial for alleged N110billion fraud bordering on money laundering charges.
