The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, remanded the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre pending his bail application. 

Justice Maryann Anenih also adjourned hearing in the N110bn money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to January 29 and February 25 and 27 for hearing. 

GALAXYTV reports that the judge had earlier refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying it was filed prematurely. 

Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling said, having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, this instant application was incompetent.

The former governor is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. 

While delivering her ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih said, "The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on 22nd of November. This shows that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody."

Reading from the ACJa section, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.

Bello had filed an application for his bail on 22nd November but was taken into custody on 26th November and arraigned on 27th November.

The 2nd Defendant, Umar Oricha, was, however, granted N300 million bail, with two sureties, "who shall have property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court. 

The Judge added that he shall not travel outside without the leave of the Court and shall remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

The 3rd Defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, was also granted N300 million bail with the same conditions as the 2nd Defendant. 

The judge, however, said that each surety must enter into a bond for not more than one defendant, while the defendants were directed to deposit their international passports with the Court Registrar.

.