News
Alleged N110bn fraud: Yahaya Bello to appear in court today
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is currently being detained at the holding facilities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
Bello, who was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency in April over an alleged N110bn fraud, was finally grilled after all efforts to have him arrested and stand trial proved abortive.
Since filing the charges against the former Kogi governor, the commission has not been able to bring him to court for arraignment.
The commission had initially filed 19 charges against Bello, along with his nephews Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman and Abdulsalam Hudu for money laundering offences amounting to over N80bn.
But the charges were reduced to 16 on September 25, with the total sum allegedly laundered rising to over N110bn.
He, alongside other defendants, was alleged to have bought a total of 12 houses in various locations in Abuja with the money.
The offences, the EFCC said, were contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963 and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.
To stop his arraignment, Bello had filed an application before Justice Emeka Nwite, which the judge rejected on July 17.
Displeased with the ruling, Bello approached the Court of Appeal but was overruled.
A three-member panel led by Hamma Barka on August 20 dismissed the appeals filed by Bello and ordered him to surrender himself for trial.
He was also unsuccessful with his move for the transfer of his trial from the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to the Lokoja division.
Also, efforts by the commission to arrest Bello were allegedly prevented by his successor, Usman Ododo.
In April, Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during a raid on his residence in Abuja.
In April, the EFCC had declared Bello wanted after he reportedly shunned a series of invitations and resisted arrest.
EFCC officials had stormed Bello’s residence in Abuja to arrest him, but there was a stalemate.
After hours of being unable to secure their mission, the security operatives reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services.
They were planning to forcefully arrest Bello when Governor Ododo, Bello’s successor, arrived at the scene.
Ododo, who drove into Bello’s compound, departed after a while.
However, as he was leaving, reports filtered in that Bello was in his vehicle, forcing security operatives, who had been on standby for hours, to allegedly open fire.
Also, in September, Bello reportedly evaded arrest by the anti-graft agency with the assistance of his successor, Ododo.
The September incident was after Bello and Ododo went to the EFCC headquarters.
While the media team of the former Kogi State governor insisted that he was at the facility of the EFCC, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, insisted that Bello remained wanted.
But Bello’s team, led by its Director, Ohiare Michael, said Bello was at the EFCC office alongside his successor, Usman Ododo, but was not interrogated by the commission and was told he could leave.
“Earlier today (September 18), we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process,” the statement partly read.
At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought for adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying that the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had issued a public summons on October 3, requiring the former governor to appear before the court to face a fresh 16-count charge brought against him and two others by the EFCC.
In the case marked FCT/HC/CR/778/24, the former governor was accused of criminal breach of trust involving the sum of N110,446,470,089, among other charges, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
Bello was ordered to appear before the court on October 24, but he failed to. The court subsequently extended the summons to November 14.
At the last adjourned date in the matter before Justice Anenih, Bello was given till November 27 or would be arraigned in absentia.
The court issued a public summon for Bello to appear before it to answer the 16 new charges pending against him.
Justice Anenih issued the summons after the EFCC filed an application claiming inability to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24.
EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro informed the court that the 30-day duration of the public summons issued against the former governor would lapse on November 17. He clarified that the summons was still valid.
Agoro argued that it would be inappropriate to take the plea of the defendants while the summons remained in effect. He added that the former governor was expected to appear at the next adjourned date, failing which the prosecution would take appropriate action.
Agoro also requested the court to extend the time within which Bello must appear and to issue an order for the hearing notice to be pasted at his last known address, Number 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the case to November 27 (today).
On Tuesday, multiple EFCC sources told The PUNCH that Bello had been arrested by the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
One of the sources, a top EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the issue, said the Chief Security Officer of the commission arrested Bello.
“He was arrested by our CSO. He was taken in around 12:59 pm. He later brought three of his lawyers,” the source said.
The source added that Bello was interrogated by investigators on the allegations against him for hours.
“He is being held at our detention facility after he was interrogated over the allegations against him for hours. The interrogation will still continue.”
Meanwhile, it was learnt that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the EFCC would arraign the former Kogi governor on Wednesday (today).
Another top source in the commission told our correspondent, “Definitely he will be at the FCT High Court tomorrow (today). Having evaded proceedings since the commencement of his trial, his arrest has presented us an opportunity to finally arraign him. I can assure you that he will have his day in court on Wednesday (today).”
EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
Also, the Director of Yahaya Bello’s media office, Michael Ohaire, did not pick up several calls to his number and was yet to respond to the message sent to his line as of the time of filing this report. (PUNCH)
Gunmen have abducted 23 pupils and the wife of a school proprietor following an attack on an orphanage and school facility in the Zariagi area of Lokoja, Kogi State.
It was gathered that the incident, which occurred late Sunday, targeted a facility identified as Dahallukitab Group of Schools.
Confirming the development in a statement on Monday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said security operatives responded swiftly, leading to the rescue of 15 of the abducted pupils.
The commissioner disclosed that the school was operating outside regulatory oversight.
“The facility was operating illegally in a remote, bushy environment without registration with the State Government and without the knowledge of relevant authorities and security agencies,” Fanwo said.
According to him, efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining eight victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
“The Kogi State Government commends the gallantry, professionalism, and swift response of the Police and other security agencies for rising decisively to the occasion,” he added.
Fanwo warned against operating schools and orphanages in isolated areas without proper authorisation, describing such practices as dangerous.
“While the Government remains fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims, it is important to stress that the operation of orphanages, schools, and similar institutions in isolated and vulnerable locations, without proper registration and notification to relevant authorities, poses serious security risks, especially in the current security climate,” he said.
The commissioner further urged operators to comply with safety regulations.
“The Government strongly discourages such practices and reiterates the need for strict compliance with regulatory and safety protocols,” Fanwo said.
“All operators of such facilities are advised to engage with appropriate government agencies to ensure proper oversight, security assessment, and protection.”
The commissioner added that security agencies are working to bring the situation under control, noting that updates will be provided as operations continue.
Gunmen have attacked Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State killing a pastor and three members of his family in what residents described as a renewed wave of violence in the area.
The victims were identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance.
Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 11 p.m., shooting sporadically and forcing people to flee into surrounding bushes for safety.
A community member, Martha Dalyop, described the incident as part of a recurring wave of violence that has left residents in constant fear, preventing many from sleeping in their homes or working on their farms.
Confirming the attack, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the assailants appeared to operate in coordinated groups during such raids.
Gunmen abduct 23 schoolchildren from orphanage home in Kogi
According to him, while one group attacks residents, others destroy farmlands or block escape routes to prevent intervention.
He also disclosed that large portions of farmland, including maize, cabbage and hot pepper crops, were destroyed in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, within the past 48 hours, worsening food insecurity in the region.
The latest killings have further escalated fears across Riyom and neighbouring communities, with residents calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to halt the ongoing attacks and protect rural populations.
Tragedy struck Sati-Ikov Council Ward in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State after armed men reportedly ambushed mourners returning from a burial ceremony, killing three persons and abducting two others.
Residents who spoke on Sunday said the attack occurred on Saturday night when the victims were returning home from a burial event in the community, plunging the area into fear and tension.
One resident, who spoke anonymously for safety reasons, said the attackers laid an ambush close to the community and opened fire on the unsuspecting mourners.
“Some mourners who were returning from a burial were attacked close to our community, Sati-Ikov, on Saturday night by local militias. Three of them were killed, and two others, a male and a female, were kidnapped,” the source said.
The attack has since been confirmed by the lawmaker representing Ushongo Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Simon Gabo, who condemned the recurring violence in the area.
Gabo described the situation as disturbing, noting that the constituency has been experiencing repeated attacks in recent weeks.
“I received a call from my people at about 4 am that they went for a burial and on their way back, they ran into armed men,” he said.
“The armed men shot and killed three of them and collected their bags. They also robbed some residents and kidnapped two people. The victims were all young men.”
He identified the deceased as Bem Msughter of Mbakyombo, Daav-Ikov; Aondo Chia of Mbamegh, Daa-Ikov; and Sunday Terwase of Mbakyor, Daav-Ikov.
The abducted victims were named as Aondongu Amos, a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, and Mrs Arinze, an Igbo patent medicine dealer in the community.
Gabo, who also serves as Deputy Majority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lamented that his constituency had become a recurring hotspot for violent attacks.
He added that similar incidents had occurred just weeks earlier, leaving several residents dead.
“Apart from that, we have had one or two such incidents every other week,” he said.
The lawmaker alleged that the attackers often cross from neighbouring areas before striking and retreating into forested and mountainous terrain believed to provide cover for criminal activities.
“So they cross from there to our side, attack and return to their side. It is a mountainous area with large forests,” he explained, adding that the suspects were believed to operate from Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
He further said he had reported the incident to security agencies, noting that police personnel had already been deployed to the area.
However, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
The latest attack adds to growing concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue State, where rural communities continue to suffer repeated assaults and abductions.
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