
News
N80.2b fraud: I will produce Yahaya Bello in court on June 13, says lawyer
…court accused lawyer of goading ex-Kogi Governor to ignore order for his appearance
Lawyer to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Abdulwahab Mohammed (SAN) promised on Friday, May 10, that his client would appear in court on June 13 in respect of the 19-count charge money laundering charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In the charge, the EFCC accused Bello of laundering about N80.2 billion belonging to Kogi state.
Mohammed gave the assurance to produce Bello on Friday after a Federal High Court rejected his application for a stay of proceedings in the case pending the determination of an appeal by the EFCC in relation to a contempt proceeding initiated before a Kogi High Court against the Chairman of the EFCC.
Mohammed said his client was not afraid to attend court to attend to the charge against him but was afraid and scared of being killed because of the information that he got.
“Our client is not afraid to attend court in respect of the charge. But, he fears for his life, by the information he has. He is afraid and fears for his life. Will the complainant not arrest him when he comes to court? This is one of the issues,” Mohammed said.

Justice Emeka Nwite expressed discomfort about the position of Mohammed, wondering if Bello was the first ex-governor to be invited after office by the EFCC on allegations of corruption.
“Is he the first ex-governor to be invited by the complainant? Is the EFCC q killing machine? An accused person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. We are in a democracy. We all have to respect the rule of law and be law-abiding,” the judge said.
He accused Bello’s lawyers of encouraging him to ignore the court and disregard its order, by fueling him with false claims
Justice Nwite expressed disappointment about the conduct of Bello’s team of lawyers, noting that they have continued to wrongly advise their client.
The judge also agreed with the lawyer to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) that Bello and his client were trying to take the court for a ride.
Upon realising that the court was unwilling to indulge the defendant, Bello’s lawyer, who earlier claimed not to know his client’s whereabouts, promised to locate him and ensure he attended the court on the next date.
“He will come to court. We assure the court that he will come. We only need time to reach him. We don’t know where he is at the moment,” Mohammad said.
Following the assurance by the defendant’s lead lawyer, Justice Nwite adjourned till June 13 for arraignment.
In an earlier ruling, Justice Nwite insisted that his court’s order made on April 17 for Bello’s arrest and production in respect of the money laundering case still subsist.
Justice Nwite, in a ruling, held that Bello’s continued refusal to attend court and his frustration with the efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to execute the arrest warrant was disrespectful of the court.
The judge held that the court would not entertain the applications filed by Bello unless he appeared in court and pleaded to a 19-count of money laundering charge brought against him by the EFCC.
The judge also rejected the request by Bello’s lawyer, Abdulwahab Muhammed (SAN) that further proceedings in the case be stayed pending the determination of the appeal by the EFCC in relation to a contempt case before a High Court of Kogi State, sitting in Lokoja.
Justice Nwite said: “I must state that the deliberate refusal of the defendant (Bello) to make himself available is solely to frustrate the arraignment and prevent the court from proceeding further in this matter as it is only after the arraignment that the court’s jurisdiction over the matter shall be properly invoked.
“What I am trying to say is that the refusal of the defendant to make himself available in this criminal trial under the guise of having a pending application is an attempt to frustrate this honourable court and make it practically impossible for the court to assume jurisdiction over this criminal trial.
“The accused person is required to be present for the commencement of proceedings, which included an arraignment even if the defendant has an objection or any application before the court.
“In deference to court, he ought to make himself present in person. He cannot sit in the comfort of his house, and elect not to come before the court, when he is very much aware, through his counsel, that the matter is coming up for arraignment.
“This goes to show that the defendant has no respect for this court and he is taking the court for granted, Justice Nwite said. (NATION)
News
Pastor Jimmy Odukoya Remarries, Introduces New Wife Mo Jasyme to Church Congregation
Pastor Jimmy Odukoya, Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, has officially introduced his new wife, Pastor Mo Jasyme, to members of his congregation during a Sunday service on November 1, 2026.
The introduction took place at the church’s headquarters in Ilupeju, Lagos, days after Odukoya sparked speculation about his marital status by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”
During the service, Odukoya said he had been navigating life alone since becoming the church’s senior pastor before finding a suitable partner.

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He described Mo as the woman he had been searching for and presented her to the congregation as the church’s new first lady.

Mo also addressed the congregation, expressing her delight at standing alongside her husband.
Pastor Tunde Bakare, General Overseer of The Citadel Global Community Church, who reportedly blessed the couple’s marriage in the United States, prayed for them and their union.
Bakare also disclosed that Mo is the daughter of Reverend Theophilus and Bolaji Daniel.
The marriage marks a new chapter in Odukoya’s personal life. His previous marriage to Oluwakemi Banjoko took place in London in March 2013, and the union produced two children before the couple separated.
Odukoya became Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church in 2023 following the death of his father, the church’s founder, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya.
News
Tinubu concludes five-day Saudi Arabia visit
President Bola Tinubu has concluded his five-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he performed Umrah, the lesser Hajj, and prayed for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity.
The President disclosed this on his verified X handle, @OfficialPBAT, on Monday, saying he used the opportunity to pray for the nation and its citizens.
Tinubu stated in a four-paragraph post: “I have concluded my visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, together with members of my delegation, I had the rare honour of entering the Holy Kaaba to pray, and of performing Umrah.
“I am deeply grateful to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud @KingSalman, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for extending this privilege to us, and for their gracious hospitality and brotherly care.
“It reflects the enduring bonds of faith and friendship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

“In those sacred moments, I prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for our dear nation and for all Nigerians.”
The President arrived in Saudi Arabia last Thursday night through the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and Saudi Arabia’s Head of Royal Protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.
Tinubu’s visit to Makkah focused on performing the religious rites associated with Umrah and offering prayers for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.
The President is expected to return to Nigeria this week following the completion of the spiritual exercise. (AriseNews TV)
News
Power Belongs To Allah, He Can Take It From Me And Give Another Person, Tinubu Says During Mecca Visit
President Bola Tinubu has said that political power belongs to Allah, who has the authority to give it to anyone and take it away, declaring that those entrusted with leadership must exercise it in accordance with God’s dictates.
Tinubu made the remarks while reflecting on his recent Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, where he was granted access to enter and pray inside the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah.
The President said his emergence as Nigeria’s leader was an extraordinary blessing from Allah, adding that he recognised that his position as President and Commander-in-Chief was not something he could claim to have attained solely through human effort.
Speaking about his understanding of divine authority, Tinubu said Allah was the ultimate giver and taker of power and that anyone who received such a privilege must use it responsibly.
“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well. If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,” Tinubu said.

He described his emergence as President as a special favour from God, given the large number of people in the country.
“Out of many millions of people, to be the President and Commander-in-Chief is a favour that only Almighty God can do to a human being,” he said.
The President also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation access to the Ka’abah, describing the experience as historic.
He said the green-white-green colours on the fencing around the Ka’abah reminded him of Nigeria’s national identity.
“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity,” he said.
“I thank the Crown Prince and all the administrators of the holy land. I thank them for the hospitality and recognition given to me as the leader of the delegation and the country.
“We are all facing challenges and hostility around us. We will overcome them with faith in God Almighty. I’m grateful forever. I thank the King and the royal Crown Prince.”
Tinubu was accompanied on the pilgrimage by several members of his cabinet, governors and business leaders.
Those in the delegation included Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate; and governors from Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states.
Business leaders accompanying him included BUA Group Chairman, Abdulsamad Isiaka Rabiu, and Oando Chief Executive Officer, Wale Tinubu.
The President’s remarks come amid his administration’s continued efforts to defend its policies and record in office.
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