Former Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello remanded in Kuje Prison

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has remanded the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Kuje Correctional Centre pending ruling on his bail application in a case of alleged money laundering.

The trial judge, Maryann Anenih, adjourned till January 29 for continuation of the proceedings after earlier refusing to grant the application for bail filed by the former governor, saying it was done prematurely.

Anenih said the application for bail was filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, thus making application incompetent.

Citing relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, the judge said an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.

Bello had filed an application for bail on 22nd November but was taken into custody on 26th November and arraigned a day later.

The 2nd Defendant, Umar Oricha, was, however, granted N300 million bail, with two sureties, who must possess property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court. Also, he shall not travel outside the FCT without the permission of the Court and shall remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The 3rd Defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, was also granted N300 million bail with the same conditions as the 2nd Defendant.

The judge, however, said that each surety must enter into a bond for not more than one defendant, while the defendants were directed to deposit their passports with the Court Registrar.