By Seyi Babalola
Justice Maryann Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has set December 10 for ruling on the bail applications by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and two others.
The Judge set the date after hearing arguments for and against Bello’s bail plea from his counsel, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN, and Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Daudu advocated with the court to accept the former governor to bail on several grounds.
Among other things, the top lawyer stated that the law presumes him innocent until proven otherwise by the anti-graft agency.
Daudu further claimed that Bello was not a flight risk because he had not travelled outside of the nation in seven years.
He added that the former governor would not meddle with witnesses or exhibits because the EFCC had already conducted the investigation and filed charges against the defendants.
However, EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued otherwise, adding that Bello may likely interfere with the witnesses and exhibits.
Justice Maryann Anenih thereafter announced that she would make her decision known on December 10.
The Judge ordered that the three defendants should remain in EFCC custody until the rulings are delivered.
It should be noted that Umar Shoaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had already been admitted to administrative bail by the EFCC, while the former governor appeared in court for the first time.
