Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state, has pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The ex-governor was also granted bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties in like sum, by the federal high court in Abuja.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.
The defendant is accused of diverting public funds to acquire property at home and abroad.
When the charge was read to Bello by an official of the court, he said he understood all the counts and pleaded not guilty to them all.
Addressing the court, Joseph Daudu, Bello’s lawyer, said his client’s failure to show up for trial previously was not because he intended to disrespect the court.
Daudu said the decision of his client to challenge the jurisdiction of the court — up to the supreme court — was not out of contempt.
“I would like to place on record that for any impression that might have been created that the defendant did not wish to appear before your lordship, coincidentally, the ruling on my lord’s sitting this morning dealt with the issue of jurisdiction,” he said.
“What the defendant did was to ask his counsel to challenge the jurisdiction of the court, which got to the court of appeal and the supreme court.
“So it was not a wishful disrespect but he was only trying to defend himself. So we all hold your lordship in high esteem.
“If that impression must have been, he should not have presented himself for arraignment. That episode is gone and things are clearer now.”
BAIL APPLICATION
Moving the bail application, Daudu assured that the former governor would always be present in court for trial.
“I am saying this with the highest sense of responsibility that the defendant, a two-term governor of Kogi state, who travelled only two times out of his eight years in service, will always be present in court at all times,” he said.
“There should be no apprehension that he will jump bail. So we urge your lordship to grant us very reasonable conditions of bail such that he will be able to bear.”
Kemi Pinheiro, prosecution counsel, did not object to the bail application.
“We accept the assurances of the very eminent SAN that the defendant will make himself available subject to your lordship’s discretionary terms that may be imposed,” Pinheiro said.
“By so doing, we will ease the burden on the court. Therefore, we will not be opposing the eminent SAN’s submission.”
Ruling on the bail application, Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, said: “I have listened to the submissions of both counsels. It is not in dispute that both counsels have filed applications in respect of this.
“Based on the account exhibited by learned counsel for the defendant, which was exhibited and supported by prosecution counsel, I am minded to change my earlier stance on this matter.”
He granted the defendant N500 million bail with two sureties.
“Sureties must be landed property owners within the jurisdiction of this court. They must swear to affidavit of means. The title deeds of priority to be verified by the court registrar,” Nwite added.
The defendant was also asked to submit his international passport. Bello would remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
