Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants Shuabu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the 16 counts preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged fraud and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion.
The trio were arraigned before Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, in a charge marked CR/7781.
The defendants were also accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
Bello, who had been billed for arraignment since April 2024, finally presented himself on Tuesday to the EFCC.
After the charge was read out to him on Wednesday, Bello — the first defendant in the suit, denied all the allegations.
After the defendants took their plea, Bello’s counsel, Joseph Daudu moved a bail application which the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed, saying it had expired in October.
The defence counsel, however, clarified saying: “The only relevant application before the court is the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant (Bello) which was filed on November 22.”
Stating that he would be relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application is also supported by a written address.
“My Lord, the bail application is also supported with a written address.
“Exhibit A, which is the public summons is very vital and the appearance of the defendant in court today, shows he has respect for the law,” Bello’s counsel argued.
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He noted that the law in the country states that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty.
Highlighting some paragraphs in the counter affidavit, Daudu argued that the prosecution raised issues that had to do with a matter at the Federal High Court.
“It is within his rights to enjoy his liberty while preparing for trial. The prosecution’s objection is based on the fact that he is facing charges at the Federal High Court and has refused to appear to take his plea.
“The court should not use issues from another court to determine issues before the FCT High Court,” Daudu said, adding that “when the jurisdiction of the court is challenged, the defendant needs not to appear until the issues arising from the jurisdiction are resolved.”
The EFCC counsel further objecting to the submissions of the defence, stated that the preliminary objection was anchored on three grounds — competence of the application, factual content of the application, and the application of judicial principles and guidance.
Meanwhile, Bello’s co-defendants Oricha and Hudu, had earlier been admitted to administrative bail by the anti-graft agency.
The EFCC afterwards moved for trial to commence immediately stating that they were prepared to call their first witness to testify.
Bello’s counsel, however, responded that they were only served with the charge on Tuesday, November 26, at 11 pm, and as such, he would need time to prepare for his client’s trial.
Before Bello was billed to answer to the N110.4bn charge preferred against him before Justice Anenih, he was previously billed to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in another pending alleged N84bn charge brought against him by the commission.
Bello’s appearance in court on Wednesday makes it the first time he will be present to take his plea.
The charge states that Bello misused state funds to acquire properties, including No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja (N950 million); No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja (N100 million); and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million), among other properties.
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