The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has postponed the alleged fraud case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and two co-defendants until November 14, 2024.
Justice Maryann E. Anenih announced the adjournment on Thursday following legal arguments surrounding the public summons for Bello and the bail status of his co-defendants, Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
This case stems from allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that Bello, Oricha, and Hudu conspired to commit a criminal breach of trust involving N110.4 billion. The trio faces 16 counts of charges related to these accusations. Bello was notably absent from a fresh arraignment, prompting Daily Query to report on his non-appearance.
At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo requested the court to defer the case until November when the public summons issued against Bello would expire, allowing for his arraignment alongside the other defendants.
In response, J.B. Daudu, SAN, and A.M. Aliyu, SAN, representing the co-defendants, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment of their clients and requested bail for them. However, Oyedepo objected to the oral bail application, arguing that since the three defendants were being prosecuted together, the court should not entertain separate bail requests while a fundamental rights enforcement application was pending.
“His argument is persuasive, but it does not align with legal provisions,” Daudu countered, asserting that the two co-defendants had been on administrative bail and should not be denied bail in this instance. He argued that keeping them detained without a formal trial undermines their right to a fair hearing.
Justice Anenih, in her ruling, rejected the oral bail application and directed the co-defendants to file a formal request for bail. “The oral application made on their behalf is hereby refused,” she ruled, setting the next hearing for November 14 and 20, when Yahaya Bello is expected to respond to the public summons or face arraignment.
This case at the FCT High Court is separate from another EFCC case pending against Bello at the Federal High Court in Abuja, both involving similar fraud allegations. Bello has yet to appear in court, as his legal team continues to seek higher court rulings on the EFCC’s attempts to arraign him.
