By Hussein J-Isah
The federal capital territory, FCT, high court sitting in Abuja has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,EFCC, his alleged arrest and appearance in court on Wednesday.
Before now, the former governor’s whereabouts had been unknown even to his prosecutors after making futile attempts to arrest him.
But on Wednesday, consequent on his alleged arrest by the anti-graft body,Bello and his co-defendants, namely Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu were arraigned on a 16-count charge involving on alleged money laundering.
Yahaya Bello pleaded not guilty to all the charges before the court.
And, after taking their pleas, Joseph Daudu, counsel to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, moved the bail application on his behalf.
But the bail application was opposed by the counsel to the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, arguing that the application had been invalid since October.
Meanwhile, the co-defendants had earlier been granted administrative bail by the anti-graft agency.
Dauda countered Pinheiro’s opposition, stating that the only relevant application before the court is the bail application of Bello, which was filed on November 22.
He stated that the bail application was also supported with a written address.
The former governor’s lawyer said, “It is within his rights to enjoy his liberty while preparing for trial,” adding that client remains innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecution’s objection was premised on the fact that Bello is facing charges at the federal high court and had refused to appear to take his plea.
“The court should not use issues from another court to determine issue.s before the FCT high court,” he stated.
Following the arguments from both parties, ,the trial judge, Maryann Anenih took a short recess and after the recess, Pinheiro opposed the bail application of Oricha, the second defendant, claiming that he is still serving as the director-general of the Kogi State government house.
The matter because more interesting when the EFCC counsel argued that there is a likelihood that he will commit the same offence if not in custody.
Responding, Dauda said Pinheiro did not state where the second defendant allegedly committed another offence after being granted bail.
The counsel responded by saying that the EFCC did not indicate that the second defendant is a habitual offender.
Dauda urged the court to grant the bail application of the second defendant.
The trial judge therefore adjourned ruling on the bail application to December 10 and ordered that the three defendants be kept in EFCC custody.
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