By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has declined a bail request for Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, citing procedural grounds.
Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled against the bail application, noting that it was filed before Bello was officially taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside two co-defendants, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, over allegations of mismanaging N110.4 billion in public funds.
The trio is facing a 16-count charge under case number FCT/HC/CR/778/24, which includes criminal breach of trust and financial misconduct. Bello was arrested on November 27 and remains in EFCC custody, arriving at the Maitama court under heightened security measures.
His legal team’s efforts to secure bail during the hearing were unsuccessful, as the court emphasized procedural lapses in the application. The former governor will remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
The case has drawn significant public interest, given the scale of the alleged financial irregularities and Bello’s prominent political profile.
Further updates are expected as the trial progresses.
