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Tag: Nigerian politics

  • Alleged N89.2b money laundering: Court to rule on service of charge on Yahaya Bello through lawyer

    Alleged N89.2b money laundering: Court to rule on service of charge on Yahaya Bello through lawyer

    Justice Emeka Nwite will Tuesday, rule on the application whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can serve court processes on former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello, through his counsel.

    At the last adjourned date, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN, urged the court to compel the ex-governor’s lawyer to accept service of the processes, explaining that it has been impossible to serve the charge sheet on him personally.

    Counsel to Yahaya, Abdul Wahab Mohammed, said he doesn’t have the authority of the defendant to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.

    He insisted that the Abuja division of the court or the EFCC cannot arraign his client adding that his preliminary objection application has to be taken first, but the EFCC came behind him through a motion-exparte to obtain a warrant of arrest.

    Therefore, the court adjourned to reconvene Tuesday for ruling.

    The EFCC , Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite about its intension to invite the Nigerian Army to effect the arrest of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello for arraignment before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

    The anti-graft agency, through its legal team, issued the threat before the court after explaining how a person of immunity protected Bello from arrest following the court’s bench warrant.

    The court had fixed today(Thursday) for arraignment of Bello alongside the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88.

    When it was called up, Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN, said in open court that the Commission was aware that Bello has been harboured in the home of a person that has immunity.

    He submitted that immunity is only attached to a person, not his house or car, adding that the law allows Nigerian security agencies to break into a house to arrest a defendant.
    He said,

    Some of the counts read:

    “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

    “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

    Bello’s arraignment followed a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by Justice Emeka Nwite, Wednesday, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 and filed by the EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.

    The EFCC counsel argued that the ex-governor needs to be apprehended by security agencies so as to fast track his arraignment in court and immediate trial.
    The anti-graft agency maintained that the judge should either order Bello’s arrest or issue a public summons commanding the defendant to appear before the court.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Tribunal reserves judgment in petition against Diri

    Bayelsa Guber: Tribunal reserves judgment in petition against Diri

    The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in a petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylvia against the declaration of Douye Diri as the governor of the state in the November 2023 election.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, on Monday in Abuja, announced that the judgment would be delivered within the 180 days statutorily allowed by law.

    The chairman said that all the parties in the petition would be communicated as soon as the judgment delivery date is fixed.

    At Monday’s proceedings, the petitioners, Sylvia and APC, adopted their final written address, praying the tribunal to annul the declaration of Diri as the winner of the election.

    Their lead counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, told the tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, embarked on wrongful exclusion of results before arriving at the declaration of Diri as winner.

    The petitioners’ lawyer stated that the electoral body did not debunk the allegation of wrongful exclusion of results by not calling the state election result collation officer to testify.

    He therefore urged the tribunal to objectively decide the petition on the strength of the evidence adduced by the petitioners, especially because INEC did not call a single witness to challenge all the allegations.

    However, Diri’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, informed the tribunal that the petition by Sylvia died on arrival because it is grossly deficient in quantity and quality of evidence.

    He said that the petition was baseless, frivolous and vexatious, and grossly lacking in merit because the two petitioners did not discharge the burden placed on them by law

    Among others, Uche said that Sylva predicated his petition on alleged refusal of INEC to collate results in three local governments areas- Southern Ijaw, Nembe and Ogbia but failed to call a single collation officer to back up its claim

    Besides, Uche said that Sylvia did not tender voter register, BVAS machines, and form EC8A used for the purported election in the three local governments to establish his allegations.

    The senior lawyer also said that the petitioner himself, despite having a witness statement on oath, refused to give evidence before the tribunal to substantiate his allegations.

    The senior lawyer also said that the petitioner himself, despite having a witness statement on oath, refused to give evidence before the tribunal to substantiate his allegations.

    Uche pleaded with the tribunal to discountenance the evidence of a former Police Commissioner in the state on the ground that the police officer admitted before the tribunal that he had issues with Diri when the Prado Jeep earlier given to him was withdrawn.

    Uche also urged the tribunal not to invoke the spirit of the judgment that brought Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, into office, adding that INEC has established beyond doubt that election did not hold in the three local governments due to resistance by some hoodlums to the use of BVAS machines.

    Similarly, INEC, represented by Charles Edosomwan, SAN, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, represented by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, canvassed for dismissal of the petition on the ground that the two petitioners failed and neglected to discharge the burden of establishing their allegations against the election beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

    They asserted that they did not call witnesses because the witnesses of petitioners killed and buried the petition while being cross examined during the proceedings.

    It will be recalled that INEC had declared Diri winner of the gubernatorial election on the ground that he scored the majority of lawful votes cast in the poll.

  • Tinubu declares Counter-Terrorism meeting open

    Tinubu declares Counter-Terrorism meeting open

    President Bola Tinubu has declared the high level African Counter-Terrorism meeting open.

    The meeting, which is holding at the Offoce of the National Security Adviser on Monday, April 22, has in attendance special guests including the Under-Secretary General, United Nations office of Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, Deputy Secretary-General , United Nations, Amina Mohammed, President Republic of Benin, Patrice Talon, President Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, President Republic of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, amongst others.

    The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) declares open, the High Level African Counter-Terrorism meeting at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    “Special guests at this high level security summit include: 

    “Mr Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary General, United Nations office of Counter-Terrorism 

    “Ms Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General , United Nations

    “H.E Patrice Talon , President Republic of Benin 

    “H.E Nana Akufo-Addo, President 
    Republic of Ghana 

    “H.E Faure Gnassingbe, President 
    Republic of Togo 

    “HM #YusufTuggar, Foreign Affairs Minister of Nigeria 

    “General Hanana Hanana , Minister of National Defence, Mauritius 

    “Mr Moussa Faki Mahmat, Chairperson, African Union Commission.”

  • Nigeria not ripe for state police, says IGP Egbetokun

    Nigeria not ripe for state police, says IGP Egbetokun

    The Nigeria Police Force has opposed the establishment of state police, saying the country was not ripe for such. 

    Speaking at a one day dialogue on state policing, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun said the establishment of state police will execerbate ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states. 

    Represented by AIG Ben Okolo, the Inspector General of Police said the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures in the states. 

    He also said that state governors are likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, leading to possible abuse of power and abuse of huma rights. 

    He argued that the state government lack thereof required funding that will give birth to the type of policing that the nation requires. 

    Rather than estabalisibg state police, he recommend the merging of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form a department in the Nigeria Police Force. 

    He also said there is the need for a yearly recruitment of about 30,000 police personnel into the force annually to meet the UN requirements for morden policing, while also increasing annual budgetary allocation to the force. 

  • Naira Abuse: I’m only artiste who stops people from spraying me – Seun Kuti

    Naira Abuse: I’m only artiste who stops people from spraying me – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has claimed he is the only musician in Nigeria who stops people from spraying him currency bills when performing.

    He also claimed that a lot of artistes, especially fuji musicians praise people in melodies during their performances just so that they can be sprayed.

    Kuti made the claims against the backdrop of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s crackdown on Naira abusers.

    Speaking in a video message shared via his Instagram account, he said: “I don’t even like to be sprayed. I’m the only artist that stops people from spraying me. Even my dad, the legendary Fela didn’t prevent people from spraying him but he demanded the denominations he wanted to be sprayed.

    “Nobody wey Sunny Ade never sing for so he can be sprayed. Everybody name. KWAM 1 … eh eh. It is the politicians that made spraying a standard behaviour.”

  • INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election

    INEC releases final list of candidates for Edo Governorship election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially unveiled the final list of candidates for the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election.

    Following the conclusion of initial primaries, the Commission had earlier disclosed the personal details of gubernatorial candidates and their running mates at its offices across the state.

    In compliance with the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, certain political parties opted to conduct fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates before the 15th April, 2024 deadline.

    Notably, the Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) made substitutions for their Governorship candidates and running mates.

    Additionally, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced only the running mates of their candidates.

    A total of seventeen (17) political parties will be fielding candidates in the election, with sixteen (16) being male and one (1) female.

    The final list, inclusive of detailed candidate information such as age, academic qualifications, and disability status, has been made accessible at INEC’s offices in Edo State, as well as on its website and social media platforms.

    Part of the statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, read:

    ”With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is the electioneering campaign.

    ”As provided by Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, campaigns by Political Parties in public shall commence not earlier than 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

    ”Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday, 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday, 19th September 2024, as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

    ”As parties commence this critical phase of the election, the Commission reminds candidates, agents and their supporters of the provision of the law and the Commission’s guidelines governing such activity. For emphasis, parties shall conduct their campaigns with civility and decorum devoid of inciting language, violence, voter inducement and other infractions mentioned in Sections 92 – 97 of the Electoral Act 2022.”

    The Edo State Governorship Election is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 21st September 2024.

  • Gov Ododo didn’t help Yahaya Bello evade EFCC arrest — Commissioner, Fanwo

    Gov Ododo didn’t help Yahaya Bello evade EFCC arrest — Commissioner, Fanwo

    Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has claimed that Governor Usman Ododo did not shield ex-Governor Yahaya Bello from arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    Fanwo stated this while speaking on Channels Television on Friday.

    “Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives.

    “Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said.

    Fanwo also insisted that a state high court injunction protects Bello from harassment by the EFCC.

    He noted that Governor Ododo remains a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of Nigeria.

     EFCC operatives had laid a siege at Bello’s house in Abuja.

    But Ododo arrived at the residence and hours after he drove out, there were reports that Bello snuck out with him.

    The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted.

    He has also been placed on a security watchlist by the federal government.

  • Police Detain Yahaya Bello’s ADC, Security Details

    Police Detain Yahaya Bello’s ADC, Security Details

    The Nigeria Police Force has detained the female aide-de-camp (ADC) and several other police officers attached to the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, following suspicions of their involvement in aiding his escape from law enforcement.

    The detentions occurred at the State Criminal Investigation Department in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as confirmed by senior police sources to Punch.

    This action was taken after the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, issued a directive on Thursday night for the immediate withdrawal of these officers from Bello, who is currently embroiled in legal challenges.

    The former governor was supposed to be arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday but managed to evade capture.

    The police sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, indicated that the ADC and the detained officers are under investigation for potentially abetting Bello’s escape, which has led to a significant uproar within security circles.

    This incident marks a critical development in the ongoing case against Bello, who faces allegations of corruption during his tenure as governor.

    One of the sources said, “The ADC and the other police details attached to Yahaya Bello have been arrested and detained.

    “They were arrested on the order of the IG, on the suspicion that they aided and abetted the former governor’s escape from the EFCC on Wednesday.”

    Another source said, “Yahaya Bello’s female ADC and other police officers attached to him were brought to the command this morning, and they’ve been detained for aiding and abetting (the governor’s escape).”

    Egbetokun had, on Thursday night, ordered the withdrawal of all police officers attached to Bello.

    The order reads, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM NIGPOL.

    “DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/462 DTO:180955/04/2024 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X REF MYLET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/36 DATED 15/04/2024 X AND MY EARLIER LET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/30 DATED 24/01/2024 X Nigeria police have ordered the withdrawal of all men.

    “Police attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, should acknowledge compliance and treat with utmost importance. Please above for your information and strict compliance.”

  • Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Uzor Kalu’s Case Exposes Serious Deficiencies In Criminal Justice System

    Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has expressed dissatisfaction over recent developments surrounding the N6.7 billion fraud case involving former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Jones Udeogu.

    The right group held that the situation has exposed serious deficiencies in the criminal justice system of the nation.

    The Director General of the group, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, on a press statement released on April 19, informed that the utilization of technicalities and procedural loopholes to evade justice in the matter is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of accountability and fairness.

    The convener recall that the Supreme Court, had on the 8th of May, 2020, nullified the conviction by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, holding that the Constitution does not permit a judge elevated to a higher court to return to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case.

    Justice Ejembi Eko, who delivered the lead judgment of the panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (retd.), also declared as unconstitutional the provision of Section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (retd), relied on to authorized Justice Idris to return from the Court of Appeal to the High Court to conclude the trial.

    The decision by the Court of Appeal to dismiss the EFCC’s appeal based on insufficient records highlights how technicalities are being exploited to thwart the judicial process.

    Instead of addressing the substantive issues of fraud and corruption, the focus has shifted to procedural irregularities, allowing the accused to evade accountability and delay justice for the people of Abia State.

    The group insisted that Sen. Orji Uzor has been tried, found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and convicted accordingly, consistent with the extant laws as provided by the Constitution of Nigeria.

    According to Nwambu, the interpretation of legal provisions, such as the constitutional limitations on judges returning to a lower court to conclude a part-heard case, has been used to create confusion and delay in the adjudication of this case.

    He said that the insistence on strict compliance with procedural requirements, to the detriment of addressing the actual allegations of financial misconduct and massive fraud, is a disservice to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.

    “It is unacceptable that technicalities are being prioritized over the merits of the matter, especially in a case as serious as an alleged N7.6 billion fraud. The manipulation of legal loopholes to avoid facing the substantive allegations undermines the integrity of our criminal justice system and erodes public confidence in the ability of our institutions to hold the powerful accountable.”

    Consequently, our coalition here by call on all stakeholders in the legal system to prioritize the fair and expeditious adjudication of cases involving financial crimes and corruption. The focus should be on addressing the substantive issues at hand and ensuring that justice is served without being derailed by technicalities and procedural obstacles.

    The coalition thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his willingness and determination to combat the hydra- headed monster of corruption, which has held the Nigerian nation on her knees for several decades.

    The group informed that the pronouncement of the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice on the current case of the former Governor of Kogi State has shown Mr president’s determination to ensure that every alleged corrupt Nigerian citizen irrespective of creed, religion or office held is made to face the law is a clear testament to this fact

    The group therefore informed that it is time to reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those accused of financial misconduct are held accountable, regardless of the legal maneuvers they may employ to evade justice.