On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja dismissed oral bail applications for Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, co-defendants in a N110.4 billion fraud case involving former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against the trio.
Defense counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, and A.M. Aliyu, SAN, representing Hudu and Oricho, respectively, argued for their clients’ release from EFCC custody. However, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the bail, citing the informal nature of the requests.
Justice Anenih upheld the prosecution’s objection, insisting that formal written applications were required for bail considerations. “You must come formally,” she stated, emphasizing adherence to legal procedure.
The court also addressed the EFCC’s compliance with an earlier order to issue a public summons for Yahaya Bello after his repeated absence from court. Oyedepo confirmed that the EFCC had published the summons, as instructed, and filed an affidavit of compliance.
Bello’s arraignment, linked to 16 new charges of fraud totaling N110.4 billion, is now set for November 14 and 20, 2024.
