It is no longer news that after a futile hide-and-seek game with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N110.4 billion fraud that he reportedly committed while in office, the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Tuesday, dramatically drove to the anti-graft commission and surrendered to the authorities.
But the news is that the controversial politician and two others were promptly charged to court over the alleged malfeasance, on Wednesday, and they pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges slammed on them by the EFCC.
They were charged before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Bello, the first defendant, vigorously denied the allegations after they were read out to him.
Immediately after taking the suspects’ plea, Yahaya Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail. But the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed it, claiming that it had expired since October.
However, Daudu clarified the issue, saying that the only relevant application before the court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22. The bail application, he added, was supported with a written address.
“Exhibit A, which is the public summons is very vital and the appearance of the defendant in Court today, shows he has respect for the law,” he said.
During Wednesday’s arraignment, the EFCC indicated its readiness for the trial to commence immediately and was ready to call its first witness.
But counsel to Yahaya Bello disagreed, arguing that his team was with the charges at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. He, therefore, pleaded for time to prepare his client.
On the bail application, Daudu maintained that the law presumes an accused person innocent until proven guilty.
“It is within his rights to enjoy his liberty while preparing for trial,” he said.
“The prosecution’s objection is based on the fact that he is facing charges at the Federal High Court and has refused to appear to take his plea.
“The court should not use issues from another court to determine issues before the FCT High Court.”
Daudu referenced some paragraphs in the counter affidavit and posited that the prosecution raised issues that had to do with a matter at the Federal High Court.
“When the jurisdiction of the Court is challenged,” he said, “the defendant needs not to appear until the issues arising from the jurisdiction are resolved.”
Counsel to the EFCC objected to the submission of Yahaya Bello’s lawyers, maintaining that his preliminary objection was anchored on three grounds: competence of the application; factual content of the application; and application of judicial principles and guidance.
Recall that Messrs Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had earlier been admitted to administrative bail by the EFCC while the former governor appeared before the court for the first time.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned sitting to December 10, 2024, for a ruling on the bail application. She ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
