Dons EzeHOW EFCC OUTSMARTED EX-GOV YAHAYA BELLO, TRACKED HIM TO ABUJA HIDEOUT
HOW EFCC OUTSMARTED EX-GOV YAHAYA BELLO, TRACKED HIM TO ABUJA HIDEOUT The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was able to track former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello to Abuja by outsmarting him. It was learnt that Bello deliberately left his mobile phone at the Government House in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital to avoid being tracked to Abuja not knowing that EFCC operatives were already tracking the mobile phone of his aide he used. Through his aide’s mobile phone, the former governor was tracked to where he was hiding in Abuja. “Yahaya Bello left his phone at the Government House in Kogi to avoid being tracked to Abuja. “But the mobile phone of his aide which he used was already being tracked to where he’s now trapped in Abuja,” a top security source told SaharaReporters. EFCC operatives had on Wednesday barricaded Bello’s house in Wuse, Abuja. The EFCC siege came days after the former governor met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House. There was no movement in and around the house located at Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4 in the nation’s capital. On Wednesday, a top source shared a photograph showing how EFCC operatives had barricaded the access road to Bello’s house. The source said: “EFCC barricades Bello’s house in Abuja. No movement in the area as EFCC barricaded the house. They are yet to gain access.” Although there was no immediate information available as to the reason why the anti-graft agency stormed the former governor’s residence, the anti-graft agency had filed fraud charges against him. The EFCC had charged the former governor with financial fraud to the tune of N84 billion. The EFCC in an amended charge accused Bello of diverting N80 billion of state funds in September 2015, four months before he assumed office. Bello assumed office as governor in January 2016. The EFCC had arraigned Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for alleged money laundering to the tune of N10 billion belonging to the state government. The state government faulted the charge describing it as “ridiculous” and “laughable”. It argued that it was impossible, as the former governor was not yet in a position to access or misappropriate state funds at the said time. The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, on February 7, 2024, accused the EFCC of being “infested with persons whose intents disagree with the noble intention of ‘Mr. President’ to defeat corruption in Nigeria.” The EFCC had sued Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84 billion money laundering. EFCC, which joined Bello’s nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu as co-accused, said it was prosecuting them on an amended 17 counts of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84, 062,406,089.88. The anti-graft agency claimed in the amended charge that former governor Bello was still at large. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-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(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.” Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants respectively, who were present in court “pleaded not…
POLICE OFFICERS WHO PREVENTED HAHAYA BELLO’S ARREST COMMITTED CRIME – FALANA
POLICE OFFICERS WHO PREVENTED YAHAYA BELLO’S ARREST COMMITTED CRIME – FALANA Human rights lawyer, and Femi Falana, SAN, has said that no legal impediment could prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from prosecuting former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over allegations of embezzling N84 billion from state funds. Responding to claims by Bello that the EFCC had violated a court order by attempting to arrest him regarding the alleged theft, Falana criticized the actions of police officers who interfered with the EFCC’s efforts to arrest Bello, labeling it a “grave criminal offence.” He urged the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, to act decisively. According to Falana, these officers should be immediately withdrawn from Bello’s residence and charged with obstruction of justice to maintain the integrity of the law enforcement process. “Because of the foregoing, the police officers who prevented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting the suspect have committed a grave criminal offence. “The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun should withdraw the said police officers from the private residence of Mr. Bello without any delay and have them charged for obstruction of justice,” he said. Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello has urged President Bola Tinubu to caution the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and its Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukayode, for allegedly disobeying court orders, after the Commission tried to arrest him in his Abuja residence on Wednesday. The former governor maintained that Nigeria is not a lawless country, stating that a situation whereby law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a recipe for anarchy. In a statement by his media aide Onogwu Muhammed in Abuja, the former Governor said: “Nigeria is not a lawless country. The EFCC’s alleged disobedience to court orders is a serious concern. “We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC, might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score-settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria.” He described the action of the the EFCC as an unfortunate one, and described the attempt of the EFCC to arrest him as a big dent on the fight against corruption. It would be recalled that the EFCC on Wednesday tried to arrest Yahaya Bello. The EFCC operatives reportedly arrived at the Wuse Zone 4 residence of Bello at about 9: 30 am to arrest him but was obstructed by some operatives of the Nigerian Police Force.
HOW KOGI GOVERNOR, ODODO, SMUGGLED YAHAYA BELLO OUT OF ABUJA RESIDENCE TO PREVENT ARREST BY EFCC
HOW KOGI GOVERNOR, ODODO, SNUGGLED YAHAYA BELLO OUT OF ABUJA RESIDENCE TO PREVENT ARREST BY EFCC There were gunshots at the Abuja residence of former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello as current state governor, Usman Ododo reportedly smuggled the former out of the premises which were laid siege to by the personnel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A security source revealed on Wednesday evening that “Ododo, aka Married Woman, escaped with Yahaya Bello,” adding that there was a “serious gun battle in Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja”. EFCC operatives had on Wednesday barricaded Bello’s house in Wuse, Abuja. Ododo visited the embattled former Kogi governor on Wednesday afternoon with a retinue of security operatives amid the siege at the latter’s Abuja residence. EFCC sources said policemen attached to Governor Ododo had prevented the EFCC personnel from arresting the former governor. According to the sources, there would have been a bloody clash if they had gone head-to-head with the policemen. “The Inspector General of Police reportedly gave Yahaya Bello more reinforcement through Governor Ododo to thwart his arrest. “But we’re trying to avoid a bloody clash,” one of the sources said. It was learnt that Bello deliberately left his mobile phone at the Government House in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital to avoid being tracked to Abuja not knowing that EFCC operatives were already tracking the mobile phone of his aide which he used. Through his aide’s mobile phone, the former governor was tracked to where he was holed up in Abuja. “Yahaya Bello left his phone at the Government House in Kogi to avoid being tracked to Abuja. “But the mobile phone of his aide which he used was already being tracked to where he’s now trapped in Abuja,” a top security source told SaharaReporters. The EFCC siege came days after the former governor met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House. On Wednesday, a top source shared a photograph showing how EFCC operatives had barricaded the access road to Bello’s house. The source said: “EFCC barricades Bello’s house in Abuja. No movement in the area as EFCC barricaded the house. They are yet to gain access.” Although there was no immediate information available as to the reason why the anti-graft agency stormed the former governor’s residence, the anti-graft agency had filed fraud charges against him. The EFCC had charged the former governor with financial fraud to the tune of N84 billion. The EFCC had arraigned Bello’s nephew, Ali Bello, before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, for alleged money laundering to the tune of N10 billion belonging to the state government. EFCC, which joined Bello’s nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu as co-accused, said it was prosecuting them on an amended 17 counts of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84, 062,406,089.88. The anti-graft agency claimed in the amended charge that former governor Bello was still at large. In December 2021, SaharaReporters reported that the EFCC had seized $760,910.84 that Bello paid to American International School, Abuja, as prepaid school fees for four children until graduation, over alleged money laundering.l
OYO DEMOLISHES YORUBA NATION AGITATORS’ BUILDING IN IBADAN
OYO DEMOLISHES YORUBA NATION AGITATORS’ BUILDING IN IBADAN The Oyo State Government has demolished the building used by Yoruba Nation agitators in Ibadan. Reports indicate that the building on Toye Oyesola Street in the Ibadan South West Local Government Area was razed to the ground on Wednesday. The action follows the recent arrest of masked individuals who had invaded the state secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, over the weekend. The joint security personnel deployed to counter the invasion reportedly arrested the intruders, heightening security concerns in the area. When contacted for clarification, CP Fatai Owoseni (retd.), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, confirmed the demolition to Punch but refrained from providing further details. In another development, 29 suspected members of the Yoruba Nation were on Wednesday arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrate Court for their involvement and roles in the aborted invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat on Saturday, April 13. They were arraigned on a seven-count charge bothering on treasonable felony, unlawful society, illegal possession of firearm, going armed and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. According to the Investigative Police Officer, Bakare Rasaq, an Inspector with the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the offenses are contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.The case with charge number Mi/520c/2024 is between the Commissioner of Police and the 29 suspects.
COURT AFFIRMS GANDUJE’S SUSPENSION, APC SAYS IT’S A NULLITY
COURT AFFIRMS GANDUJE’S SUSPENSION, APC SAYS IT’S A NULLITY A Kano State High Court has affirmed the suspension of the former governor and current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The order is sequel to an exparte motion filed by Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani through their counsel Ibrahim Sa’ad. Justice Usman Mallam Na’Abba granted the exparte order on Wednesday, April 17. The court also restrained Ganduje from further parading himself as a member of the party. The plaintiffs, who identified as executive members of APC Ganduje ward, said they brought the motion on behalf of the executive members of the ward. Recall that Gwanjo, who identified as the party’s ward Legal Adviser, had announced the suspension of Ganduje on Monday. Subsequently, the court ordered, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC. Meanwhile, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described the court order that affirmed the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, as unlawful. Addressing a press conference at the APC Abuja National Secretariat on Wednesday, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Professor Abdulkarim Kana insisted that the court order was a nullity. The press conference followed a courtesy visit to the national chairman by the Ganduje Ward and Local Government exco. “We’re also hearing this afternoon that they used the same document to go to court to obtain an order of the court. We haven’t seen the order, but we have heard about it. “Whatever order that will emanate from such a document, and all of us know – even a 100 level law student will tell you that an order obtained by fraud is an unlawful order – it will not be enforceable, and it will not be recognised and it will not be respected.”Kana insisted that those behind Ganduje’s suspension are not APC members.
34 STATES SHUN ENUGU INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
34 STATES SHUN ENUGU INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR No Fewer than 34 states in the country failed to honour invitation to attend the just-concluded 35th Enugu International Trade Fair. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja; Ebonyi State and the host state, Enugu State, graced the 11-day international goods, services and idea showcasing fiesta. The fair, which began on April 5 and ended on Monday, April 15, was themed: “Promoting made-in-Nigeria products for global competitiveness.” Reacting, the Director-General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mr Uche Mbah, said that the chamber followed due diligence in the invitation of all states to the fair. Mbah noted that official letters were sent and official follow-up on the letters were made to ensure their presence and availability. According to him, “we did everything to get them to add colour and increase the showcasing of products from different parts of the country and their investment viability. “We did put in spirited efforts to see that all states participated, as most of them do previously. “But it is unfortunate that many did not respond after receiving official letters, phone calls and interpersonal follow-ups were made. “We got clear assurances from Kano State but they did not show up. “We pushed harder to get Abia State but in the end, we were told that the governor did not approve,” he said.Over 100 organisations were at the fair, which included: over 50 private companies as well as over 45 Federal and State government ministries, agencies and departments.
RANGERS TRASH ABIA WARRIORS 3-2, EXTEND LEAD AT TOP OF NPFL TABLE
RANGERS THRASH ABIA WARRIORS 3-2, EXTEND LEAD AT TOP OF NPFL TABLE Rangers International of Enugu have extended their lead at the top of the NPFL table to three points after a hard-fought win over Abia Warriors. At the same time, Enyimba also secured an expected victory against Heartland. The Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) delivered a thrilling matchday 30 as Rangers International of Enugu and champions Enyimba recorded victories in the Oriental derbies. Rangers extended their lead at the top of the table with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over local rivals Abia Warriors while holders Enyimba continued their pursuit of the leaders with a comfortable win against Heartland. The Flying Antelopes were pushed to their limits by a determined Abia Warriors side in the highly anticipated Oriental derby, but Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men ultimately prevailed in a five-goal thriller. Isaac Saviour opened the scoring for Rangers in the 7th minute, but Adejoh Ojonugwa equalized for the visitors just before the break to make it 1-1 at halftime. The second half saw Rangers regain the lead through Kazeem Ogunleye in the 48th minute, and Chiedozie extended their advantage just after the hour mark to make it 3-1. Abia Warriors refused to go down without a fight, however, and Nwabueze Uzochukwu pulled a goal back in added time to make the final score 3-2. The result sees Rangers move three points clear at the summit of the NPFL table, further cementing their position as title favourites. The Naze Millionaires, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the result, as the defeat leaves them languishing in the relegation zone of the NPFL standings. Elsewhere, defending champions Enyimba continued their pursuit of the leaders with a comfortable 1-0 victory over Heartland in Aba. Ekene Awazie’s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, as the Peoples Elephant dominated proceedings and created numerous chances to have added to the scoreline. Despite the narrow margin of victory, Enyimba’s performance will have pleased their fans, as the club maintains the pressure on Rangers at the top of the table. The results on matchday 30 have further highlighted the intensity and competitiveness of the Nigerian top flight, with the race for the title and continental places heating up as the season enters its final stages.Enyimba’s teenage sensation Chibueze Izuogu has shared a video of himself expertly executing free-kick routines, demonstrating his set-piece prowess as the NPFL champions prepare to resume with a crucial derby against Heartland.
GANDUJE, APC CHAIRMAN’S BILLBOARDS PULLED DOWN IN ABUJA
GANDUJE, APC CHAIRMAN’S BILLBOARDS PULLED DOWN IN ABUJA The billboards displaying images of embattled national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Ganduje has been pulled down in Abuja. A video seen by our correspondent showed the moment some individuals were removing the boards at the APC national secretariat. According to the commentator, Ganduje, seated in his vehicle, appeared helpless as the billboards were taken down, unable to intervene. On Monday, Ganduje was suspended by the Legal Adviser of his party ward in the Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano, Halliru Gwanzo. Gwanzo said the APC ward leadership took the decision given the bribery allegations hanging on Ganduje’s neck. In a swift reaction, the National Working Committee of the ruling party and the Kano State chapter of the party faulted and voided the suspension, saying Gwanzo and the indicted party leaders involved don’t have the locus standi to impeach the national chairman. The ruling party also fingered the NNPP-led government in Kano State as being behind the move. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a decisive step in response to the purported suspension of its National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, by submitting a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). In the petition, the APC expressed grave concern over the suspension ”orchestrated by individuals affiliated with senior officials and representatives of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP),” labelling it as a devious act aimed at causing confusion within the party. A statement signed by Felix Morka, APC national publicity secretary, read: ”The purported suspension is downright criminal and of no effect whatsoever. ”The legitimate Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward has since denounced the action and reaffirmed Dr. Ganduje as a bonafide member of the party in the Ward, and in good standing. ”The party has filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police requesting an expedited investigation of this matter and for the perpetrators and their sponsors to be brought to justice.”We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard reports of the suspension of the National Chairman, who is, and remains, the National Chairman of our great party.”
KADUNA ASSEMBLY SET TO PROBE EL-RUFAI’S ADMINISTRATION
KADUNA ASSEMBLY SET TO PROBE EL-RUFAI’S ADMINISTRATION The Kaduna State House of Assembly has set up a committee on fact-finding and investigating the financial dealings, loans and grants and other projects implementation from 2015-2023. This comes after Governor Uba Sani accused his predecessor Alhaji Nasir El-Rufai of leaving lots of debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities. He made it clear that he was unable to pay workers salaries in the State. He lamented that due to the rise in the exchange rate, the State is now paying back almost triple what was borrowed by the previous administration. He explained that he is left with N3 billion as N7 billion out of the N10 billion Federal Allocation due to the State in March was used to service the debt. “Despite the huge debt burden of 587 million Dollars, 85 billion Naira, and 115 Contractual Liabilities sadly inherited from the previous administration, we remain resolute in steering Kaduna State towards progress and sustainable development. We have conducted a thorough assessment of our situation and are sharpening our focus accordingly. “It gladdened my heart to inform you that, despite the huge inherited debt on the state, till date, we have not borrowed a single kobo.” He was, however, urged by Shehu Sani, a human rights activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central to employ the services of independent auditors to check the proxy contracts handled by the appointees of the previous Governor.“The looting of Kaduna State cannot be remedied by revelations alone; but by courageously constituting a probe panel headed by an independent professional Accountant or Auditor who will invite and investigate ex- government officials and their proxy Contractors to account for the millions in Dollars and Billions in Naira that were misused or outrightly stolen, including the $350million loan. Kaduna State is at its hour of reckoning with the truth I foretold and the truth for which I was vilified.”
LABOUR ASKS FG TO UNVEIL NEW MINIMUM WAGE MAY 1
LABOUR ASKS FG TO UNVEIL NEW MINIMUM WAGE MAY 1 The organised labour, on Sunday, listed its expectations ahead of the 2024 Workers’Day, calling on the Federal Government to announce a new minimum wage on May 1. The National Vice President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, who spoke with our correspondent, described Workers’ Day as Christmas Day for workers. He noted that there were lots of expectations particularly since some of the newly initiated policies of government had continued to push more Nigerians into poverty.Etim said workers in the country were expectant of the new minimum wage.