The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, saying it was filed prematurely.
Justice Maryann Anenih, while delivering the ruling said, having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, this instant application was incompetent.
She maintained that Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely and refused
The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
While delivering her ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih said the instant application for bail showed that it was filed on 22nd of November, which showed that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.
Reading from the ACJa section, the judge said the provision provided that 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 his bail on 22nd November but was taken into custody on 26th November and arraigned on 27th November.
Meanwhile, the Second defendant in the case Shuabu Oricha was granted bail in the sum of #300 million with two sureties, who must be holder of property in Maitama, values at not less than the bond sum.
The court further ruled that original title document must be deposited in the court while the sureties must depose to affidavit of means.
The Court further held that copies of international passports of the defendant and the sureties should also be deposited at the court.
The Judge also maintained that that the second defendant be remanded in prison custody pending fulfilment of bail conditions
The court is however set to rule on the bail application of the third defendant.
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