The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has pleaded not guilty to 16-count charges of alleged corruption brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr. Bello, who appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih as the first defendant, denied the allegations alongside two others charged in the case.
After their plea, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, applied for bail, stating that the relevant application had been filed on November 22. However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro opposed the motion, arguing that an earlier bail application had expired in October. Daudu countered, emphasising the defendant’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The EFCC urged the court to proceed with the trial immediately, stating it was ready to call its first witness. However, Bello’s defence team requested more time, citing late service of the charges on November 26, which they argued left insufficient time to prepare.
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Meanwhile, the two co-defendants, Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC, while Bello made his first court appearance in the case. The court is expected to rule on the bail application and set a date for trial proceedings.
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