A court in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) has granted Yahaya Bello bail of 500 million naira over fraud allegation of 80.2 billion naira.
I would like to remind us that last time, a Justice, Justice Maryanne Anenih denied Bello bail’s application on the ground that the application was premature. The bail was applied days before Mr Bello was arrested. So it was declined for being incompetent.
Justice Emeka Nwite a week later gave him bail application. Yesterday, Bello bail’s were reapplied for by a team of lawyers led by Chief Joseph Daudu.
When It was the time for hearing told the court of the affidavit filed by the defense counsel and the counter affidavit.
Daudu also applied for withdrawal of further affidavit with the following words, ” We do not want to make the matter contentious.”
J.B Daudu, said, “My Lord, the matter is for hearing of bail application for the first defendant.”
Daudu told the court of his conversation with the prosecution counsel and how they have agreed for a quick trial. He also admonish the court to give room for other conditions and not limit it to Abuja only. He claimed ie is difficult for residents of Maitama, Abuja to give up their C of O.
He said, “We urge your lordship to grant the application. Now if my lordship is minded to grant bail we ask for the terms granted to be what the defendant can meet.
“I’m asking if the net can be spread out to other high-brow areas like Apo, Wuse 2, Asokoro, Garki and other areas within the FCT area.
Olukuyode Enitan, the defence counsel also said this, ” “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the defence, J.B. Daudu (SAN), that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application. We are, therefore, leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
The judge acknowledged that the offence was bailable and granted Bello bail of 500 million naira with three surieties I sum.
The surieties would be properties at Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki and Asokoro.
Mr Bello is also to leave his documents like international documents and all other travel documents with the court.
