CODIFIER

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million. Justice Maryann Anenih delivered the ruling on Thursday, requiring Bello to provide three sureties in the same amount. The bail decision comes after Justice Anenih initially rejected Bello’s application on December 10, deeming it premature since it was filed before the defendant appeared in court or was taken into custody. Following that, his legal team submitted a fresh application for bail. Bello is facing a trial on 16 counts of alleged money laundering involving N110 billion, alongside two other defendants. He pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). During Thursday’s hearing, Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defense had filed a further affidavit in response to the prosecution’s objections. However, Daudu requested to withdraw t...

Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin has been accused of allegedly advocating for military take over in Nigeria. He was alleged to have made this calls in most of the recent political meetings he had with stakeholders in Ondo State. Political stakeholders in the Sunshine State have therefore expressed deep concern on why a major politician and Chairman of the ruling party in Ondo State would repeatedly advocated for military take over in Nigeria. The stakeholders wondered whether Adetimehin was tired of the present constitutional democracy in the country. A source who pleaded anonymity said the call for military takeover came as rude shock the first time that Adetimehin mentioned it. The source however added that it was lately becoming a regular rhetorical statement by the Ondo APC Chairman to demand for military takeover in most of his private political meetings. “The call for military takeover by our chairman came to us as rud...

Ex-Gov to remain in custody The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, adjourned sitting on the alleged N80bn fraud charge against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to December 13, 2024  for the Motion for abridgment and possible arraignment.  Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the sitting in the interest of fair hearing, noting that the matter had been originally adjourned to January 21, 2025. When the matter was called on Friday, the former Governor was asked why his lawyers were not in court. He said he was only informed of the sitting late Thursday night and so could not contact his lawyers to be at the court. The EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, insisted that the Defendant's plea be taken. "What the law requires is the presence of the Defendant, not the presence of his lawyers," he argued. But the judge declined. While delivering a short ruling, Justice Nwite said, "The matter came up on the 30th of October 2024. It was adjourned to...

Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has fixed December 10, 2024 for rulings on the bail applications by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.  The Judge fixed the date after taking arguments for and against the bail request by Bello's lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, SAN and the Prosecution's Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN. Ex-Gov Bello and two others had, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.  Bello, who is the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryann Anenih as they were reeled out by the Court Registrar.  After taking their plea, the Defendant's Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, moved an application for bail. But the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, saying it had expired in October. Making clarifications, the Defendant's Counsel clarified this, saying that the only rel...

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others, on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.  Ex-Gov Bello, who is the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryann Anenih as they were reeled out by the Court Registrar.  After taking their plea, the Defendant's Counsel, JB Daudu, SAN, moved an application for bail. But the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, saying it had expired in October. Making clarifications, the Defendant's Counsel clarified this, saying that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22. Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.  "Exhibit A, which is the public summons is very vital and the appearance of the defendan...

There are strong indications that former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has honoured the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission again over alleged misappropriation of funds. Our reporter reliably gathered from sources close to the EFCC that he went to the office with his lawyers on Tuesday morning and not with the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo.  This follows the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed states' case on the constitutionality of the anti-graft agency.  It was also reliably gathered that the former Governor drove himself in a black hilux to the EFCC office with his lawyers.  There were insinuations last week that he was going to visit the EFCC but the former governor's media aides did not respond to enquiries on the information.  At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought for adjournment to tomorrow (November 27) in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying the 30 days window was st...

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin.) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), and esteemed professor of Counselling Psychology, Adebisi Clement Daramola, is set to deliver the University’s 30th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. The lecture, titled “Crossing the Crossroads of Life: The Counselling Pathways,” is scheduled for 2:00 PM at the University Multipurpose Hall. Attendees are expected to be seated by 1:30 PM, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, will preside over the event. Prof. Daramola’s distinguished academic career began at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, where he earned a National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Physics and Chemistry in 1977. He further pursued a Bachelor’s (B.Ed.) and Master’s (M.Ed.) in Guidance and Counselling at the University of Ibadan in 1981 and 1984, respectively. He completed his Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology in 1993 from the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti. His teaching career commenced ...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, sought for adjournment in the fresh case it instituted against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, saying the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued. The EFCC, however, admitted his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, to administrative bail and prayed the court for extension of time for the 1st Defendant to appear.  At the resumed hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Counsel for EFCC, Jamiu Agoro, said the order of the court, given on 3rd October had not elapsed. "In that wise, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to take proceedings while that 30 days is still running. So we have discussed and agreed to come back on the 27th day of November, 2024, my lord," he told the court. He also noted that the 20th of November date earlier given was not convenient for the Prosecution counsel. Counsel to the 2nd d...

.Urge EFCC to halt politically motivated witch-hunt  Youth Leaders of the All Progressives Congress have accused unnamed stalwarts of the party of being behind the persecution of former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged politically motivated reasons.  The youth leaders from across the 36 states of the country and the FCT, under the aegis of APC Youth Leaders Forum (AYLF), wondered why those who had contributed immensely towards the development of the party as well as helped in securing the presidency which President Bola Tinubu enjoys today, have been singled out for persecution and undue harassment.  In a statement on Monday jointly signed by the Forum's National President, Alh Abdullahi Danbaba and the National Secretary, Dr Chike Ihedioha, AYLF insisted that some individuals were bent on destroying the party over permutations ahead of the 2027 elections and their desire for political of...

. Says 'it's witch-hunt taken too far' . 'Nigeria, as a Federation, has guiding principles' A former Nigerian Ambassador to Botwana, Isaac Onuh, has faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over its handling of the alleged money laundering case against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. In a news conference on Friday in Lokoja, Onuh described Bello’s trial as an “unfortunate witch-hunt”. Onuh, an All Progressives Congress stalwart, urged the EFCC to immediately halt the alleged “macabre dance” being employed against the former governor under the pretense of fighting corruption. He said that the EFCC had yet to provide ample evidence to substantiate its allegations of financial impropriety against the former governor. "His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, deserves a measure of respect and decorum from government agencies, including the EFCC, having served the state diligently and meritoriously for eight years," the fo...

Jesutega Onokpasa, a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ardent supporter of President Bola Tinubu, has taken issue with recent comments by Bayo Onanuga, one of the President’s spokespersons. Onokpasa accused Onanuga of creating a misleading impression regarding President Tinubu’s alleged involvement in the EFCC’s legal proceedings against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. In a statement released on Thursday, Onokpasa, who also chairs the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), criticized Onanuga for seeming overly focused on the legal challenges facing Bello, rather than allowing the judiciary to address the matter. He argued that Onanuga’s statements could lead the public to believe that President Tinubu was behind the EFCC’s actions against Bello. “Contrary to Onanuga’s implications, Yahaya Bello is not hiding under anyone’s ‘agbada,’ but is instead standing firm in court, seeking to protect his legal rights,” Onokpasa clarified. Onokpasa’s reacti...

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in the money laundering case brought against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to January 21, 2025. At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told Justuce Emeka Nwite that he had two witnesses already in court. He said his first application was to formally apply that the court should enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant, even in his absence. "My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty to the defendant, even in his absence. The second point is, not withstanding his physical absence, it is in full compliance with Section 276 of ACJA. "Flowing from that entry my lord, it is a humble request that we call the first witness," he stated. Pinheiro, SAN, in defending his application to enter a plea of not guilty for the defendant, said ...

A historic lawsuit filed by 19 state governors challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has gained the support of no less than 5,000 lawyers. The Judiciary Watchdogs, a group of lawyers from the 36 states of the federation, commended the governors for their courageous stand. According to the lawyers, who have been vocal against corruption in Nigeria, the EFCC's enabling act was enacted without input from state assemblies, violating the principles of federalism and state autonomy. In a statement signed by Co-National Convener, Barr Real S. Dennis, the lawyers said the governors were on track for demanding constitutional compliance, state sovereignty, and accountability from the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies. For the lawyers, getting the foundation right would help the war against corruption as the agencies now, particularly the EFCC, have only allegedly been fighting proxy wars for successive Presidents.  Dennis argued...

In order to ensure persons and families displaced by flood are not exposed to water-borne diseases, the Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has begun the drilling of boreholes at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps.  According to the state government, this will also help to ameliorate the hardship the displaced persons go through while in search of water.  The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, who briefed newsmen on Thursday, said Governor Ododo directed the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) to immediately begin the borehole drilling in the  (IDP) camps to ensure sufficient supply of clean water. The Governor gave the directive while on a visit to some of the IDP Camps on Thursday just as he directed the provision of more relief materials to the IDP camps in the state. To ensure effectiveness, a  service provider, Komforte Koncept has been engaged by the State Government to supply the relief ma...

.Case adjourned to Nov 14, 20 for response to summons or arraignment  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Thursday, sought for adjournment of hearing in its fresh charge against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and two others, to November 14, 2024. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who appeared for the EFCC at the FCT High Court, said at the hearing that at the last adjourned date, the court issued a Public Summons against the 1st defendant directing that same be published and that the charge be pasted. Justice Maryann E. Anenih, however, interjected, stating that she did not ask that the charge be pasted, only the summons. Oyedepo said he expected the 1st defendant to be in court on November 14, making reference to the 30-day duration of the summons, and therefore sought for adjournment till November 14 for arraignment of the three defendants.  JB Daudu, SAN, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, objected to this.  He said the matter was ...

A professor of Political Science at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, Adebulola Osunyikanmi, has opined the need for inclusion of more women within the democratic frameworks to positively impact governance and development. Prof. Osunyikanmi, who said this on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, while delivering the 29th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled, "Democracy and Gender Inclusion: Synthesising Political Phenomena for Good Governance", also pointed that the nation’s democracy is threatened by electoral fraud. Professor Osunyikanmi highlighted the core principles of democracy, emphasizing that it is "a system of government that guarantees the rights of citizens" and "ensures the equality of all citizens under the law", but pointed out that Nigeria is yet to achieve full democracy, as the country remains classified as a "hybrid regime" by the 2024 Democracy Index, largely due to issues such as electora...

Imo, Bauchi, Osun, Taraba join as Anambra, Adamawa, Ebonyi withdraw  The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the EFCC and two others to a date to be communicated to the parties. The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: SC/CV/178/2023 had argued that the Supreme Court, in Dr. Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed.  The argument was that, in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with.  According to them, the provision of the Constitution necessitated the majority of the states' Houses of Assembly agreeing to bringing the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was all...

. Raise alarm over pressure on Supreme Court to go against principles of federalism  Hundreds of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria have kicked against what they described as a deliberate attempt by the Federal Government to disrespect the Nigerian Constitution  and destroy the principles of federalism, using illegally constituted anti-graft agencies.  The CSOs, numbering about 200, said the attempt by the Federal Government to frustrate the hearing of the case instituted by 19 state governments, challenging the constitutionality of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others, was an indication that Government was aware of the illegality of the anti-graft agencies and was trying to put pressure on the Supreme Court.  In a statement on Sunday, signed by Comrade Ifeanyi Odili, President, Campaign for Democracy; and Dr. Dapo Oluwole of the Transparency and Accountability Network, TAN, the activists faulted the Federal Government's alleged...

...Says EFCC violated his fundamental human rights  Chief Executive Officer of Global Signature Hotel and Total Grace Group Limited, Dr. Henry Akinduro, is challenging the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which declared him wanted, claiming the anti-graft agency has violated his fundamental human rights. The allegation against the agency by Akinduro surfaced after the EFCC declared him 'Wanted' via its official X Account,  formerly Twitter,  on October 11, 2024, in connection with fraud accusations laid by one Mr. Femi Olushakin.  He has therefore filed a N5billion lawsuit against the EFCC for allegedly declaring him wanted unlawfully. In the suit filed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, Akinduro told the court that the anti-corruption agency declared him wanted without any form of judicial intervention, recourse to constitutional safeguards or order of court. Akinduro’s legal team, led by renowned lawyer, Olakek...