News
Ex-Kogi Governor, Bello’s bail application rejected, to remain in EFCC detention [Details of properties acquired fraudulently
]
After the former Governor of Kogi State has evaded Court summon severally, he however submitted himself on Tuesday to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
At a glance here are some properties, he allegedly acquired fraudulently that he is being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, in Abuja.
Allegations of N110 billion fraud involving state funds.
The EFCC accused Bello of diverting funds to acquire several properties, including:
No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja (N950 million);
No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja (N100 million);
No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja (N920 million);
Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million);
A hotel apartment in Burj Khalifa, Dubai (AED 5.6 million);
Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million); and
No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
Additionally, the defendants were accused of transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank, USA, and possessing funds unlawfully obtained from Bespoque Business Solution Limited totaling N677.8 million.
As the legal fireworks began on Wednesday, Yahaya Bello’s legal team has quickly filed a bail application, but was strongly opposed by the legal team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, citing Bello evasive tendencies.
Legal team of the EFCC led by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that Bello has deliberately refused to appear before the Court to answer to corruption allegations against him consistently, stating that bailing him would affect the prosecution negatively.
Bello’s lead Counsel and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Joseph Daudu, SAN contended that his client should be bailed to enable him prepare for the case, saying that Bello was innocent until pleaded guilty.
The bail application which was filed on November 22, 2024 covered Yahaya Bello and his co-accused namely, , Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu who all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Bello, alongside his co-defendants, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
According to Bello’s counsel, granting bail would enable the former governor to prepare an adequate defense. The defense also claimed Bello’s court appearance was in compliance with a summons issued against him and that he only received the charges late on November 26.
However, the EFCC contended that the bail application was premature since it was filed before the defendants’ formal arraignment.
“This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants. Bail applications can only be heard after arraignment,” Pinheiro stated.
The EFCC urged the court to commence its case immediately, as some witnesses were already available. This motion was opposed by the defense counsel.
Presiding Justice Maryann Anenih is set to determine the next steps in the case as both parties prepare for trial.
Meanwhile, the trial Judge ruled that Bello be detained in the EFCC facility until December 10, when he will be brought to Court for consideration of his bail application.
Another explosion has rocked the Soku oil
facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sunday’s fire is the second in a week after an explosion hit the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, thus raising concerns of sabotage.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a prominent grassroots NGO active across the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday, March 23.
In a statement signed by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, its executive director, YEAC disclosed that its youth volunteers reported an early morning explosion accompanied by fireballs at the facility, which is operated by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited.
“An explosion accompanied by fireballs was heard and seen in the sky from the facility area, which is difficult to reach. The fire is still ongoing as of the time of this report,” Fyneface stated.
The cause of fire at the gas station in Toru LGA was not yet clear at the time of the press, but speculations about equipment failure to sabotage or even deliberate attack was rife.
It marks the third explosion at oil facilities in Rivers State within a week, intensifying concerns over the state’s oil infrastructure.
The first explosion occurred in Ogoni, while the second took place in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. The latter incident was referenced by President Bola Tinubu in his nationwide broadcast on March 18, during which he declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers State.
In response to the escalating security challenges, President Tinubu took decisive action by suspending the Rivers State House of Assembly, Deputy Governor, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The move followed allegations that the governor failed to protect the state’s critical oil infrastructure.
Tensions have further heightened following a viral video in which some youths issued warnings against the governor’s impeachment.
The recent string of explosions has raised alarm among stakeholders in the Niger Delta, a region already grappling with environmental degradation and security issues tied to oil production. With fires still raging at the Soku facility, calls for an urgent investigation and enhanced security measures around oil infrastructure have grown louder.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
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