The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has appealed to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama to deny bail to the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
EFCC, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the former governor, who is facing another corruption charge before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, repeatedly refused to make himself available for his trial.
The Commission opposed a bail application that Bello filed through his legal team that was led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN.
Daudu, SAN, had after the former governor and his two co-defendants – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu- pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge the anti-graft agency preferred against them, drew the attention of the court to a bail application his client filed on November 22.
In the application he predicated on six grounds, the former governor argued that he enjoys the presumption of innocence under the law.
Insisting that he ought to be seen to be innocent of all the allegations the EFCC levelled against him until his guilt is established, Bello, contended that granting him bail would enable him to effectively prepare his defence to the charge.
His lawyer told the court that his client was only served with a copy of the charge against him, around 11pm on Tuesday, November 26.
He said the former governor’s presence in court was in obedience to the summons that was issued on him.
More so, Bello’s lawyer urged the court not to be swayed by EFCC’s claims with regards to a matter not related to the instant charge before it.
The prosecution counsel had informed the court that some of the witnesses billed to testify in the matter, were available
