BREAKING: Former Governor Bello Commences Fresh Bail Battle At FCT High Court

Former Governor Bello has commenced a fresh bail battle at the FCT High Court.

 

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello will ignite a fresh bail legal battle at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Abuja this morning.

 

Bello, who was arraigned before the court on alleged breach of public trust by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside two others, had earlier been denied bail by the court on the ground that his bail application was filed before he surrendered himself to the anti-graft agency.

 

Justice Maryann Anenih who refused him bail held that the bail application was premature having been filed before arraignment.

 

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However, undaunted by the decision, the former governor, through his lead counsel, Joseph Bodunde Daudu, SAN, filed a fresh one that would be argued this morning.

 

A hearing notice sighted by NewsOnline Nigeria indicated that Justice Anenih who had earlier shifted the matter to January 29 next year had bent backwards to accommodate the bail request.

 

Among the grounds adduced in the fresh bail application are that the alleged offences by the former governor are bailable ones while the law presumes him innocent until contrary is proven.

 

In a persuasive means, Bello promised to abide by the bail conditions that may be handed down to him and as well promised to make himself available in court throughout the trial.

 

He also promised in the bail application not to interfere with EFCC investigations and the witnesses that would testify in the matter.

 

Going by the last proceedings at the Federal High Court where he was admitted to N500M bail, the EFCC may not object to the bail application following the way the former governor surrendered himself for trial and conduct being exhibited in court.

 

While Daudu SAN is slated to lead the legal team of the former governor, legal giant, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, is to represent the anti-graft agency at the proceedings.

 

Justice Anenih had at the last proceedings, ordered the remand of Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre pending his bail application.

 

The Judge also adjourned hearing in the N110bn money laundering case brought against him by EFCC to January 29 and 30 and February 25 and 27 for hearing.

 

The judge had earlier refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying it was filed prematurely.

 

Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling said having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the then application was incompetent.

 

The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.