News
Yahaya Bello sent to Kuje Prison pending hearing of bail application
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, remanded the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending hearing of his bail application.
Justice Maryann Anenih also adjourned hearing in the N110 billion money laundering case brought against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to January 29 and 30 and February 25 and 27, 2027, for hearing.
The judge had earlier refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying it was filed prematurely.
Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling, said having been filed when the 1st defendant, Bello, was neither in custody nor before the court, the application was incompetent.
“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.
The former governor is standing trial, along with two others over an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against them the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November. The 1st defendant (Bello) seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.
“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State. That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”
She said the defendant’s counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail.
Daudu urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.
In opposing the motion, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had argued that the application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.
He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but Bello’s counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority “that says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing”.
While delivering her ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih, said, “The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on 22nd of November.
“This shows that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”
Citing provisions of the ACJA, the judge said the law provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court.
Bello had filed an application for his bail on 22nd November, 2024, but was taken into custody on 26th November, 2024, and arraigned on 27th November, 2024.
The 2nd defendant, Umar Oricha, was, however, granted N300 million bail, with two sureties, “who shall have property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court”.
He shall not travel outside without the leave of the court and shall remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The 3rd defendant, Abdulsalami Hudu, was also granted N300 million bail with the same conditions as the 2nd defendant.
The judge, however, said that each surety must enter into a bond for not more than one defendant, while the defendants were directed to deposit their international passports with the Court Registrar
News
Former Miss Nigeria dies in London
Ex-Miss Nigeria and former First Lady of Delta State, Mrs Edna Ibru (nee Park) is dead.
Edna Ibru, wife of Olorogun Felix Ibru, the first civilian Governor of Delta State between 1991 and 1992, died in her 80s on Wednesday, in a London hospital after a brief illness.
The deceased, who was Miss Nigeria 1964, and the first Nigerian/African to represent Nigeria at Miss Universe, had two children for Ibru.
The Ibru family of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom in Delta State confirmed the death of the former first lady in a statement issued by her son, Dr Paul Ibru, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.
“Our amazing mother passed onto glory on Wednesday 15, January 2025 after a brief illness”, the statement partly read.
It continued, “Until her death, she was full of life and we never expected her to leave us so soon but we cannot question the will of God in her precious life.
“She was a lover of people, a mediator, a mother to many, outrageously humorous, deeply caring, down to earth, full of stories all of the time, and we will miss her very dearly.”
Paul added that arrangements for her burial would be announced by the family later.
News
Tinubu administration has no plan, no vision – Bauchi Governor
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed disappointment with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating that while he initially celebrated Tinubu’s victory, he has since observed a lack of clear vision and effective policies that are hindering national progress.
Mohammed, who was an opposition governor during the 2023 elections, admitted to having high hopes for the new administration due to Tinubu’s successful tenure as Lagos State Governor.
However, he now believes that freedom and development remain elusive under the current leadership.
Speaking at a courtesy visit by Apostle Johnson Suleiman, the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, in Bauchi, Mohammed emphasized that President Tinubu appears to have entered office without a concrete plan or manifesto.
He also criticized the president for surrounding himself with individuals who he described as “misfits,” and warned that the administration’s direction is likely to lead Nigeria down a path of destruction.
The Governor clarified that he holds no personal animosity toward Tinubu, but expressed concern over the impact of the current policies, particularly those that he believes could negatively affect Nigerians.
He urged the president to be more inclusive and develop a comprehensive, well-thought-out vision for the country.
Mohammed called for reforms that would be beneficial to all citizens, stressing the need for unity and respect for Nigeria’s diversity.
He cautioned against divisive policies and practices of impunity, urging for governance that prioritizes the welfare of the people and ensures their aspirations are not stifled.
News
Yahoo Boys shoot EFCC officer dead, injure another in Anambra
Armed internet fraudsters fatally shot an officer after opening fire on a team of anti-graft operatives in Anambra on Friday.
The officers were on a mission to corner a cluster of suspected cybercriminals, widely known as Yahoo Boys, when they were met with lethal violence on Friday morning.
One officer was shot dead on the spot and another sustained serious injuries and remained hospitalised in critical condition as of Friday night.
The officers had travelled to Anambra on the assignment from their zonal headquarters in Enugu.
A male suspect has been taken into custody for the murder, an official said. His identity was not immediately disclosed just as the motive of the attack is yet to be ascertained.
A spokesman for the EFCC said he would find out about the incident when contacted.
A police spokesman in Anambra did not immediately comment on the development.
The attack came as chairman Ola Olukoyede was recalibrating the agency’s protocol on raiding white-collar criminals. Yahoo Boys were hitherto largely known to be unarmed and, therefore, easily to take into custody.
The deceased officer was identified as an assistant superintendent who had recently completed a promotional examination.
It was learnt that the identity of the officer was kept secret to allow time for his family to be officially notified.
Anti-graft agents expressed apprehension over the development saying the agency’s personnel insurance had been moribund for years.
“We no longer have life insurance,” an officer said under anonymity to discuss internal administrative policies.
“The last time family members of an officer who died on duty were compensated was under Farida Waziri.”
“So the families of the officer that died today won’t be getting anything,” another officer added. “So can we say he died for nothing?”
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