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Category: North Central

  • Yahaya Bello to be arraigned, June 13

    Yahaya Bello to be arraigned, June 13

    The former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Friday finally agreed to submit himself to the Federal High Court Abuja for arraignment on June 13.

    At the Friday sitting, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the former governor’s request for suspension of trial.

    Following the rejection of the application, the lead Counsel to the defendant, Abdulwahab Mohammed, gave the undertaking that his client will appear before the court in the next adjourned date.

    He stated that Bello was not afraid of arraignment but the safety of his life in the hand of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.

    According to Mohammed, the life of his client has been under consistent threats in Abuja, hence, his decision to go underground for safety.

    In his remarks, Justice Nwite reiterated that EFCC as a law-abiding body would not do anything against the provisions of the law.

    The court added that Bello was not the first former governor to be merely invited by the anti-graft agency and would not be the last.

    The judge also said that the charges are based on allegations that have not been proved, adding that the law even presumes any accused person innocent until proven otherwise.

    Consequently, Justice Nwite advised Bello’s lawyer to prevail on his client to respect the law and order of court as a law-abiding citizen.

    Responding, Mohammed expressed gratitude to the court, adding that with the assurance that EFCC would not do anything untoward, the former governor would be brought to court.

    “All my client needs is just an assurance for the safety of his life which has been under threat for sometimes in Abuja.”

    He, therefore, requested for four weeks to bring his client before the court.

    However, he added that the former governor, now at large, will come to the court instead of the EFCC to take his plea in the charges.

    In his reaction, counsel to the Anti-graft agency, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, didn’t oppose the application.

    Justice Nwite fixed June 13 for Bello to appear in court to take his, please.

  • Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    Commercial Bus Conveying Women, Children Abducted in Otukpo, Benue State

    The growing incidence of violent attacks and kidnap of villagers in a manner akin to guerilla warfare continues unabated in Apa, Agatu and parts of Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas of Benue state as armed men suspected to be cattle herders have waged a relentless war, killing them in their numbers and abducting women, children and unsuspecting victims on a daily basis.
    The armed criminals also lay siege on the highway to kidnap wayfarers for ransom in order to sustain their crime economy. A source disclosed to Nigerian Anchor this Wednesday, May 8th, that in furtherance of their criminal enterprise, armed men suspected to be Kidnappers, yesterday, at a lonely section between two villages named Omutele and Ankpechi in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state, intercepted a commercial transport mini-bus belonging to Benue Links Transport Service and conveying passengers from Abuja to Otukpo.
    As at press time, the exact number of passengers affected cannot be verified, but first responders claim that victims were mostly women, while the minor were abandoned. Sources say that the abandoned children had been handed over to men of the Nigerian Police Force.
    It was also disclosed that one of the young men from the two villages who were mobilized and currently on a hot chase for the adaptors was short while another retreated for his dear life. Meanwhile, a few others are reported to continue with the quest, combing bushes and forests in frantic search for the victims and their abductors.
    A concerned villager who commented on the incident expressed the opinion that, “There are police posts in the area. The locales must be part of this, and that’s the great challenge.”

  • 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.”

  • Alleged N89.2b money laundering: EFCC threatens inviting army to arrest Yahaya Bello

    Alleged N89.2b money laundering: EFCC threatens inviting army to arrest Yahaya Bello

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite 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 the called up, Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN said in open court that the Commission was aware that Bello is 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,

    “If he is unwilling to produce his client in court, we will invite other security agencies including the Nigerian army to produce him.

    “We can come next week. We will produce him,” Piniero assured.

    Piniero also 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 that the Abuja division of the court or the EFCC cannot arraign his client.

    He contended 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.

    He said,
    “The governor has a lawyer in court and if there is a justifiable issue for him to come to court, he would.

    “Our contention is that the defendant on record is not a fugitive. We are talking of rule of law, not rule of force.

    “We are contending that the warrant of arrest was given outside jurisdiction because there is a judgement.

    “I don’t have the authority of the defendant to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.”
    What the judge said

    The judge said he was yet to read the Kogi state high court judgement of yesterday.

    But the judge held all parties including the ex-governor has to be formally before the court and the EFCC, without a warrant of arrest, can arrest a suspect or defendant.

    He adjourned to April 23 for ruling and arraignment.

    In the charge sheet, the anti-graft agency claims the defendants diverted public funds.

    Some of the counts reads:

    “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 an 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.

  • Gunmen attack Ortom’s ex-aide, abduct wife, housemaid

    Gunmen attack Ortom’s ex-aide, abduct wife, housemaid

    Gunmen have abducted the wife, Mrs Abigail Orbunde and housemaid, Patience Ogute, of Terwase Orbunde, a former Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

    Orbunde, alongside his wife and the housemaid, was said to have gone to inspect his farm located close to the Genocide Cemetery along Mobile Barracks-Welfare Quarters Road in Makurdi, the state capital on Friday, when they were attacked.

    The incident, according to a source who witnessed the attack, happened at about 6 pm on Friday.

    The eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised by the family to speak on the issue, said, “After the inspection of the work, five gunmen suddenly attacked the former Chief of Staff to the immediate past governor, his wife and housemaid who were on the farm along Mobile Barracks/Welfare Quarters in Makurdi.

    “This happened around 6 pm on Friday and the gunmen opened fire and the bullet hit Orbunde, while they ordered him and the women to follow them to an unknown destination.”

    The shooting was said to have caused villagers and passersby to scamper for safety in different directions.

    Another eyewitness who watched from a far distance said the gunmen marched the victims on a footpath but later abandoned Orbunde who was said to be bleeding profusely and unable to walk fast.

    “As they abandoned the man, the gunmen then whisked the women to an unknown destination while good Samaritans conveyed Orbunde to hospital,” the eyewitness said.

    Orbunde’s close ally and media consultant, Tahav Argezua, confirmed the attack on his Facebook page.

    The Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

  • Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums Burn Down Residence Of Former Nigerian Governor

    Hoodlums wreaked havoc in the Gboko area of Benue State by setting ablaze the residence of Late Aper Aku, the former Governor of the state. 

    The incident, which occurred on Monday, saw the occupants safely evacuated before the assailants touched the building. 

    Deborah Aku, daughter of the late governor, revealed that the police rescued them from the premises before the attack escalated. 

    The ordeal traces back to March when a man wielding a cutlass threatened the household, alleging his goat died after drinking water from their premises. 

    Despite reporting the issue to the police and pursuing legal recourse, the family faced another assault on Monday morning. 

    Armed with weapons, over 30 individuals besieged the house, vandalizing property, and killing their dog before setting the house ablaze. 

    The police, while able to rescue the occupants, were outnumbered by the assailants. Investigations are underway, with authorities urged to address the escalating security concerns in the area. 

    The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, emphasizing the need for further investigation. 

    Mkeenem Moses, Senior Special Assistant to the Benue Governor, condemned the attack, calling for swift action to prevent future assaults in the region.

  • Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has taken decisive action by ordering the closure of the International Conference Centre in Abuja. 

    The move comes after a thorough inspection revealed the urgent need for rehabilitation of the facility, which Wike deemed unworthy of its international status.

     Julius Berger has been tasked with carrying out the renovation, following the termination of the contract with the previous management company. 

    Wike emphasized the importance of transforming the centre into a world-class venue, appointing experienced diplomat Maureen Tamuno to oversee its management. 

    With an eight-month timeline for completion, the aim is to restore pride in Nigeria’s international conference facilities.

  • Fire Ravages Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State

    Fire Ravages Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State

    In the early hours of Tuesday, a devastating fire tore through Owode Market in Offa, Kwara State, leaving several shops engulfed in flames.

    Heart-wrenching footage obtained by SaharaReporters captured the anguish of shop owners as they witnessed their livelihoods being consumed by the inferno.

    Amidst the chaos, one trader speculated on the cause, suggesting it might have originated from cooking activities rather than an electrical fault.

    Responding swiftly, personnel from the Federal Fire Service and Kwara State Fire Service managed to extinguish the blaze, but not before it had ravaged at least five shops.

    While the authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage, initial reports indicate significant losses in goods and property.

    Details surrounding the cause of the fire remain unclear, prompting calls for an official statement from the fire service to shed light on the incident.

  • Governor Sule Reacts As Nasarawa Students Die During Stampede

    Governor Sule Reacts As Nasarawa Students Die During Stampede

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has mandated a thorough investigation into the tragic stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), which led to the deaths of two female students.

    The incident occurred on Friday during the state government’s distribution of palliatives to students across the state, an initiative aimed at alleviating the economic challenges faced by students.

    Reports from the scene indicated that the tragedy unfolded at the NSUK convocation square, the designated venue for the palliative distribution.

    The overcrowding and ensuing chaos resulted in suffocation and the unfortunate demise of two students, with several others sustaining injuries of varying severity.

    Governor Sule, in a statement conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives.

    “I pray their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends at this moment of grief,” he said.

    Describing the deaths as painful, Governor Sule emphasized the importance of uncovering the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and ensuring such a tragedy does not recur.

    The governor’s directive has prompted NSUK authorities and security agencies to initiate an immediate inquiry into the incident to identify the factors and individuals responsible for the stampede.

    In solidarity and concern, the state deputy governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, visited the injured students to offer support and ascertain their recovery progress.

    The palliative distribution initiative, praised for its intention to support students financially and nutritionally, had been successfully executed without incident in other educational institutions within the state, including the Federal University, Lafia, and the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, among others.