Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Vivian Michael

EFCC Accuses Yahaya Bello, others of acquiring property in Abuja, Dubai

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charges against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello and two others at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the suit marked: CR/7781/2024, Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are accused of spending over N110 billion of public funds to acquire several properties in Abuja and in Dubai.

The suit dated September 24 but filed on September 25, by the anti-graft lawyer, Mr kemi Pinheiro, SAN, accused the defendants of criminal breach of trust, an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

Count one of the charge reads: that you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometimes in 2016 in Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourble Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110, 446, 470, 089.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Four Hundred and Forty six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty Nine Naira) entrusted to you”.

In count two they were alleged to have sometime in 2023, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.

In count 11, the defendants were alleged to have used over Five million Dirhams to acquire a property in Khalifa, Municipality, Dubai.

Count 14 reads: That you Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

Count 15 claimed that the defendants sometime in 2021, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Five United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.

Meanwhile, the former governor in count 16 was alleged to have sometime between 2017 and 2018, in Abuja, had under his control the total sum of N677, 848,000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Naira) unlawfully obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.

In the last five months, the Commission have attempted to arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court, Abuja, on an alleged money laundering charge to the tune of over N80 billion, but has not been successful.

The anti-graft agency reacting to Bello’s absence in court on Wednesday, pointed out that the former governor “should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists.

The Commission however stated that it is not deterred by this, and other shenanigans by the ex-governor.

” The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in Court.

“EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshalled for justice to be served to all parties involved in this saga.

” The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja by the EFCC, is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite. His presence in court is the only step that will convince Nigerians that his touted submission to the EFCC which was widely reported in the media on September 18, was not a stunt”, Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale had said in the statement.

09/26/2024
CJN inaugurates 87 new SANs as s/court marks new legal year

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, will September, 30th swear-in 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SAN) as part of the programmes lined up to formally herald the 2024/2025 legal year of the Court.

A statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Akande Festus, said the CJN will deliver a state-of-the Judiciary address, with a view to highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular, and the Nigerian Judiciary in general, in the 2023/2024 legal year.

The statement also revealed that other leading stakeholders in the Justice Sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country.

These include: Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), amongst others.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court commenced its annual vacation on Monday, 22nd July, 2024. Though the Court had started sitting since Monday, 23rd September, 2024, the new legal year ceremony is now being formally held in accordance with our tradition.

All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will.

09/26/2024
Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s case to Oct 30 as he heads to Supreme Court

On Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja adjourned the alleged money laundering case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to October. 30.

This follows Bello’s appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to set aside the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17.

At the proceedings, Wednesday, Counsel to Bello, A.M. Adoyi, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject matter of an appeal already entered by him at the Supreme Court.

He said he would like to draw the court’s attention to the appeal by virtue of the affidavit of record filed on September 23.

“The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” the Defendant’s lawyer said.

Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, however, told the court that the Defendant’s Counsel were turning the court into a place for entertainment.

He said, “Secondly, an appeal the defendant filed at the court of appeal disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence on their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on the 28th of August this year.

“The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step.”

It will be recalled that the former governor submitted himself to the EFCC last Wednesday, accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, but the EFCC reportedly refused to interrogate or detain him.

It was later reported that EFCC operatives allegedly laid siege on the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja to arrest the Governor at night.

Responding, Pinheiro said, “They have three applications on this – two before your lordship and one before the Supreme Court. I will now urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him.”

Adoyi, Bello’s lawyer, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which is the arraignment, “is subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.

“In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue.”

Reacting, Justice Nwite said, with the submission made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other.

Therefore, he adjourned the matter to 30th of October for ruling and arraignment

09/25/2024
Fifth year in DSS detention won’t kill me – Nnamdi Kanu

The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu says an additional year in detention by the Nigerian Government will not kill him.

The pro-Biafra agitator disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking to journalists upon the resumption of his trial in the Federal High Court in Abuja.

He expressed dismay that the Court has refused to abide by the determination of the Supreme Court on his request for bail.

He accused the court of cherry picking what was contained in the Supreme Court Judgement.

The IPOB leader insisted that there cannot be any trial when key sections of the Nigerian Constitution have been allegedly violated by the Court.

“I am surprised that a high court refused to abide by the determination of the Supreme judgment. The cherrying picking of what was contained in the judgment is what I am against. It should be implemented holistically. I am not against any trial after all I am innocent. They have nothing against me, but there can not be any trial when the key section of the Constitution and a key section of the Supreme Court judgment have been violated by a court of law.

“This is my Fourth year in solemn confinement in detention. The fifth year won’t kill me” he said.

Recall that since June 2021, Kanu has been arrested by the Nigerian Government and has been under the custody of the Department of State Security Service despite the wide range of calls for his release.

09/24/2024
Northern APC: Court dismisses suit seeking Ganduje’s removal as APC chairman

The Federal High Court, Abuja, Monday, dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the the Plaintiff, APC North Central Group is not a juristic person having not been registered in law and therefore has no legal power and capacity to file the suit.

Dismissing the suit, the court maintained that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to Institute any case in any Nigerian court.

The Judge also held the the plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism for peaceful resolution of issues before rushing to the court.

Besides, Justice Ekwo held that appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affairs of the party which no court can dabble into.

The Northern Central APC Group had dragged Ganduje, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court praying for nullification of appointment of Ganduje by APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution.

Specifically, the North Central APC group claimed that the appointment of Ganduje breached Article 13 of APC Constitution because it was not done through democratic process enshrined in the party’s law.

The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit to query the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the National Chairman of the APC when he is not from the North Central geo-political zone, whose turn was to fill the position.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the plaintiff listed Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 1st to the 3rd defendants respectively.

The plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, asked the court to, among others, restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the chairman of the APC.

It also prayed the court to issue an order directing INEC not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023.

The plaintiff contended among others, that Ganduje is occupying the office of the APC chairman illegally, not being from a state in the North Central geo-political zone.

It argued that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geo- political zone to replace Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geo-political zone.

It also argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 13.5(1) f of the APC constitution and ultra-vires the powers of the NEC of the party, among other prayers.

09/23/2024
Gov Umo Eno Speaks On Dumping PDP

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has stated categorically that he is not attempting to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Eno clarified this while addressing the circulating rumours due to his bond with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Rumours were flying about that Eno was planning to withdraw his PDP membership to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, during a media interaction in Uyo, which coincided with the 37th-anniversary celebrations of Akwa Ibom State over the weekend, Governor Eno urged the public to distinguish between political party matters and governance issues.

The PDP chieftain maintained his respect for Akpabio as Senate President and their joint efforts to foster development in the state.

Governor Eno highlighted the advantage of having the Senate President as a prominent national figure, affirming his commitment to leveraging this position for the benefit of Akwa Ibom State.

He said: “The first thing we get from building this relationship is the peace we are all enjoying. Maybe that’s why some people feel that I am neither here nor there.

“I am a PDP person, I am working for PDP, and as a state, we will continue to support the party. But we must differentiate between party issues and governance issues.

“We are going for election now, and I am working for my party, the PDP and we are campaigning, and we will win. Some people have accused me of my body language.

“I don’t have body language, you misread me. There is no body language. I am working for the PDP, and we have shown the people that we can be trusted.

“There is no local government that we are not doing something in this state, and there is no comparison.

“I want voters to be the ones to decide; compare what is done to what you are seeing and look at what is left.”

09/23/2024
Nigeria suspends import duties on selected food items

The Nigeria Customs Service Board has reiterated that the temporary implementation of a zero-duty levy on selected food imports is designed to alleviate the current food shortage and reduce soaring food prices across the country.

This was disclosed in a post is the Federal Ministry of Finance official X handle on Wednesday, September 11.

The post reads: “The Nigeria Customs Service Board addressed the press on a key decision concerning the temporary implementation of a zero-duty levy on selected food imports.

“The measure is designed to alleviate the current food shortage and reduce soaring food prices, which have been a major contributor to inflation across the country.

“‘We discussed how to collaborate effectively to make food more affordable and accessible in the short term’, the Minister explained. He emphasised that while this initiative offers immediate relief, President Tinubu remains focused on long-term solutions, particularly boosting domestic food production. HM Edun highlighted ongoing efforts to increase the availability of essential farming inputs, such as fertilizer and seeds, particularly for small-scale farmers, which is expected to enhance local food production and ensure food security in the long run.

“In addition to the zero-duty measure, the Minister commended the Nigeria Customs Service Board for its regular meetings to review the Service’s financial performance and operational activities. He praised the Comptroller General and the leadership of the Service for upholding the core values of Transparency, Integrity, and Merit, noting these values are essential for effective governance and the efficient operation of the Service.

“The Minister concluded by reaffirming the President Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to tackling both short-term and long-term food security challenges, while continuing to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service and other stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation of key policies.”

09/11/2024
#EndBadGovernance: Court grants N10m bail on each 10 Protesters
1. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, Wednesday, granted N 10 million bail each on the ten #endbadgovernance# protesters who were charged with attempt to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4, 2024.
Pending the perfection of their respective bail conditions, the Judge ordered that they be remmanded in prison custody.

According to the court, the defendants are produce one surety each in the same amount while the sureties must be resident in Abuja.

The sureties must have property in Abuja and must deposit documents of the properties to the court in addition to swearing to affidavit of means.

Also both the defendants and the sureties must deposit their international passports and three recent passport photographs with the court.

Justice Nwite while rejecting the objections of the Inspector General of Police against the bail request however ordered the defendants not to participate in any public rally throughout their trial.

Meanwhile, September 27 has been fixed for commencement of their trial.

The accused persons were said to have committed the treason offence during their one week nationwide protests when they allegedly levied war against Nigeria.

The offences were said to be contrary to sections 96, 410 and 413 of the Penal Code.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) who brought the charges against them alleged that the accused persons broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.

He also alleged that they attempted to force their way into into the seat of power during which they allegedly burned down police station and injured police officers.

They were also said to have incited the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public properties comprising Police station, High Court complex and National Communication Commission (NCC) facilities.

The accused persons are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
09/11/2024
NBA condemns recent increase in pump price of fuel

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Afam Osigwe, SAN, has condemned the recent increase in the pump price of fuel by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The Association said that significant and abrupt hike from 617 Naira to about 900 Naira has imposed an unbearable burden on the already overstretched finances of ordinary Nigerians and further aggravate the economic challenges faced by

In a press statement issued by the president of the association, Afam Osigwe, the NBA acknowledges the necessity of economic reforms and recognizes the government’s responsibility to make difficult decisions, these decisions must be made with the utmost consideration for their impact on the welfare of the citizens.

The Association which says the sudden price hike as not only harsh but also unjustified at this time calls on the Federal Government to immediately halt the implementation of this policy and engage in meaningful dialogue with all relevant keyholders, including civil society organizations, labor unions, and economic experts, to explore more sustainable and less punitive alternatives.

He also urge the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, and to pursue policies that alleviate rather than exacerbate the hardships faced by the Nigerian people.

The president however assured Nigerians that the NBA will engage constructively with the government to find a more equitable solution that ensures economic stability while safeguarding the interests of all Nigerians.

09/06/2024
Rivers LG Election: Court reserves judgment in APC’s suit against INEC, others

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, Thursday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, (APC) against the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) against the conduct of local government election in Rivers State.

After listening to the counsel to both parties adopted thier various arguments, the court reserved judgement on the matter to a date that will be communicated to them.

The judge on Thursday reserved judgment date after counsel to all parties adopted their various legal positions for and against the suit.

The court listened to all pending preliminary applications including those seeking joinder brought by the Social Democratic Party, SDP and the Boot Party, BP, as well as the substantive suit.

The court equally heard motions filed by Chief Goddy Uche, SAN, for change of counsel and another seeking the discontinuance of the suit on behalf of the Rivers State chapter of the APC.

Uche filed and argued an application for change of counsel dated August 28 as well as a motion for the discontinuance of the suit signed by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman APC Rivers State, and Sam Sam Etetegwung, Secretary APC Rivers State, respectively.

While Joseph Daudu, SAN, leading six Senior Advocates of Nigeria including Dr James Ogwu Onoja, moved the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, Taiwo Taiwo, SAN, for the Attorney General of Rivers State, and Femi Falana, SAN, representing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, all challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

The respondents counsel equally challenged the competence of the suit on the ground that it was statute barred.

In addition, on the issue of jurisdiction, the respondents’ counsel argued that the proper court with jurisdiction to entertain the case is the Rivers State division of the Federal High Court.

It was equally their argument that the court sitting as a vacation court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case without obtaining the consent of both parties.

Substantially, the plaintiff counsel argued that the condition precedent for conduct of local government election in Rivers State have not been met by RSIEC.

The plaintiff had approached the court with an application for change of counsel dated August 28, as well as a notice of discontinuance signed by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman APC Rivers State, and Sam Sam Etetegwung, Secretary, APC Rivers State respectively.

The party, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 is seeking a declaration that INEC is bound to manage the updating and revising of the register in such a manner as to ensure that the process stops not later than 90 days before the council poll.

09/06/2024