CODIFIER

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Media Empowerment by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during its 70th anniversary celebration held in Abuja. The award was presented at a ceremony and book launch on Saturday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, recognizing Bello’s contributions to the growth of journalism and the welfare of media practitioners, particularly during his time in office. Senator Smart Adeyemi, a former NUJ President and ex-lawmaker who represented Kogi West in the 9th National Assembly, received the award on behalf of the former governor. According to NUJ President and his deputy, Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde, who jointly signed Bello’s nomination letter, the honour acknowledged his consistent support for journalists in Kogi State and his initiatives to enhance the profession nationally. One such initiative is the GYB Annual Workshop for Correspondents and Editors, an event organized during ...

By ROTIMI DUROJAIYE  Very early on Wednesday, 18th June, 2025, I woke up to a message on some WhatsApp groups, saying that there would be no formal celebration of the 50th birthday anniversary of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. He would rather prefer to mark it privately, at his Abuja residence, as the day coincided with the birthday of one of his daughters, the message said.  At first, I wondered why he wouldn't want to celebrate such a milestone, but then some comments on the groups mentioned the mood of the nation, particularly the sad Benue crisis, among others. I was in Abuja for an advanced training programme and had an engagement around Asokoro, not far from the former Governor's residence.  Whenever people talked about his residence, I always thought of Wuse Zone 4.  So when I saw the crowd and the very long queue of vehicles, I asked my bolt driver what was going on and he said they were all going to Yahaya Bello's house....

Court Dismisses EFCC’s Objection Against Admissibility of FCT High Court Judgment At the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the third witness for the prosecution in the ongoing money laundering case against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello testified that neither the state government nor its local councils made any bank transfers to the American International School, Abuja (AISA). During cross-examination by Yahaya Bello’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness, Nicholas Ojehomon, who serves as an internal auditor at AISA, also acknowledged that none of the documents showed any transaction directly linked to Yahaya Bello’s name. Earlier in the proceedings, Justice Emeka Nwite overruled the EFCC’s objection to the inclusion of a judgment from the FCT High Court—specifically from suit number FCT/HC/CV/2574/2023, filed between Ali Bello and the Incorporated Trustees of AISA. The ruling had previously resolved issues related to the payment or refund of school...

The ongoing appeal of the Benue State local government elections which began sitting yesterday may have been compromised as confirmed reports exposed a recent meeting between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and the immediate past President of the Appeal Court, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa in Abuja on a possible manipulation of the appeal.  Recall that Justice Bulkachuwa was seriously indicted for helping political associates of her husband, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa to win their election cases at the Appeal Court illegally during the time she was Appeal Court President. Also recall that the same Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa was reportedly bribed by Senator George Akume in 2019 to upturn the victories of Senators Gabriel Suswam, Oker Jev, Abba Moro and some PDP members at the House of Representatives. She didn't succeed as a result of multiple public outcries. Meanwhile, Nigerian Judicial Platform in a statement by its president, Barriste...

Dr. Sandra Duru, a U.S.-based activist and journalist, has alleged that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her the sum of N200 million to falsely accuse Senate President Godswill Akpabio of organ harvesting. Speaking during a Facebook live broadcast on Thursday, Duru, popularly known as Prof. Mgbeke, disclosed that she had submitted evidence of phone conversations and call logs to authorities in the U.S. and other countries for forensic review.  These materials, she claimed, disprove the allegations of sexual harassment made by Natasha against Akpabio. Duru displayed some of the messages and call logs during the session, countering Natasha’s assertion that the two had never spoken.  She accused the embattled Senator of trying to link Akpabio to the death of a young woman when her earlier claims of sexual misconduct failed to gain traction. She urged international security agencies, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Nigeria Police to invest...

Dr. Sandra Duru, a Nigerian activist based in the United States, revealed alarming details on Thursday evening regarding the alleged actions of suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.  According to Duru, Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her N200 million to accuse Senate President Godswill Akpabio of organ harvesting after her earlier sexual harassment accusations failed to gain traction. During a live Facebook session, Duru presented evidence, including phone interactions, to challenge Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claims that she had never communicated with her.  Duru described Akpoti-Uduaghan as a “pathological liar,” stating that the senator lied recklessly. Duru explained that Akpoti-Uduaghan had confided in her, revealing that the best way for someone to become popular in Nigeria was to attack the government, as many Nigerians are “gullible and hungry.”  Duru further stated that the senator had confessed her motivation was the promise of becoming Kogi’s governor or even th...

Renowned lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has written a second letter to the suspended senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, demanding a retraction of what he described as her "clearly false and unsubstantiated" sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.  He said the latest letter became necessary, owing to the fact that the embattled Senator had failed to clarify the significant contradictions in her allegations against Akpabio, as demanded in his first letter, dated April 14, 2025. Agbakoba, who is also the Senate President's lawyer, made this known at an elaborate press conference in Lagos on Tuesday. He said, instead of clarifying the contradictions in her allegation that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023, and her exaltation of her alleged harasser on her social media accounts on December 9, 2023; Natasha...

The leadership tussle between the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume has taken a different dimension as factional House of Assembly has been directed to begin an impeachment process against the governor and his deputy, Barrister Sam Ode. Recall that the thirteen suspended members of the Benue State House of Assembly on February, 20, 2025 held a Plenary Session where they unanimously elected the member representing Tarka State Constituency, Hon. Manger Manger as a factional speaker.  Before then, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dajoh Aondoana had on the 19th day of February, 2025 slammed a six-month suspension on the thirteen lawmakers, accusing them of going behind to do contrary to the unanimous agreement of all the Assembly members to suspend the embattled Chief Judge of the State, Justice Maurice Ikpwambese who was accused of multiple corruption, partisans...

Former Governor of Kogi State,  Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.  In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. ABUBAKAR Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force under his (IGP's) leadership to invite Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan to substantiate her allegation against him with credible evidence. "Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance and spreading false information injurious to public peace," the lawyer wrote. He said that the utterances made against the former governor were not only false, reckless and inciting, but "they constitute serious criminal defamation, false accusatio...

The Campaign for Democracy (CD) has criticized the actions of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, alleging that her recent engagements have put Nigeria’s image at risk before the international community.  The organization expressed concern that instead of addressing the issues surrounding her suspension through the appropriate democratic channels, she has chosen to wage a campaign against the Senate. In a statement released on Thursday, CD asserted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct both within and outside Nigeria has negatively impacted the nation’s reputation.  The group described her actions as misconduct and insisted that she must publicly apologize. It further urged political leaders to separate partisan interests from matters that affect the country’s stability and image. The organization particularly condemned her claims that linked her suspension to allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President. CD criticized her participati...

A large number of Kogi Central constituents have expressed strong support for the ongoing recall process of their suspended senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, asserting that no amount of misinformation or propaganda will halt their efforts. According to the constituents, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s tenure in the Senate was a mistake that they are determined to rectify. Represented by over 10,000 individuals from the five local government areas of Kogi Central, the Kogi Central Grassroots Movement issued a statement on Wednesday, signed by its Coordinator, AbdulHameed Jimoh, and Secretary, Mohammed Abdullahi. They accused the senator’s camp of spreading misleading information and fabricating videos to counter the recall effort but maintained that her time in the Senate was effectively over. Urging Nigerians to disregard social media narratives, the group claimed that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has lost significant political influence, even among her former allies. “She falsely acc...

Residents of Kogi Central have dismissed the recent court injunction obtained by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, which restrains the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from receiving a petition for her recall. According to them, the move is a clear indication that she has acknowledged her imminent removal. Speaking on behalf of the constituents from the five local government areas of the senatorial district, the Kogi Central Renaissance Assembly (KCRA) criticized the senator’s approach. They argued that individuals with questionable motives often make irreversible mistakes, citing what they described as errors in the legal action she pursued. In a statement issued on Friday, KCRA stated that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that the recall signatures were fictitious was an act of desperation. They maintained that verifying the authenticity of the signatures was INEC’s responsibility, and her attempt to stop the process only exposed her fear of the outcome. "I...

. 'We want to bring her back to learn purposeful representation' Ebira indigenes have condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was not endorsed by the majority of the electorate in the area. The indigenes, from across the five local governments of Kogi Central, said they had resolved to bring the embattled Senator back home, adding that the embarassment she had caused the senatorial district had, unfortunately, taken an "international dimension." This stand was taken in a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by the President and Secretary of the Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), Alh. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim and Prince Akerejola Johnson of Ogori/Magongo LGA, respectively.  The constituents told Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief by the camp of the Kogi Central Senator suggesting that people were deceived to come o...

The Protestant University of Rwanda has invited Kelechi Mbagwu, Managing Director of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Limited, to serve as the keynote speaker at its 12th convocation ceremony in Kigali. Mbagwu will deliver an address on “Developing and Furthering Collaboration in Africa: The Role of Private Universities.” In an official letter dated February 13, 2025, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olu Ojedokun, extended the invitation on behalf of the university’s council and management. The institution commended Mbagwu for his impact on Africa’s construction industry, describing him as a leading figure in innovation. “Here in Rwanda, we acknowledge your contributions to advancing the construction sector. We also wish to celebrate your support for sports, particularly rugby,” the letter stated. The university expressed confidence that his visit to its Huye Campus would create opportunities for collaboration between Mbagwu, the Protestant University of Rwanda, and ot...

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, received the parents of his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, at his residence in Okene.  The visit of the Governor's parents, Alhaji Ahmed Sani and Hajia Habibat Ahmed Sani, further demonstrated the enduring bond between the two families and their continued commitment to the progress of Kogi State. In his remarks while hosting the couple, former governor Bello expressed his gratitude for their steadfast prayers and unwavering support.  He commended their immense contribution to the upbringing and moral foundation of their children, which he noted had shaped Governor Ododo into a disciplined and compassionate leader. Bello extolled Mr. and Mrs.  Ahmed Sani for their exemplary parenting, emphasizing that their teachings and values were evident in the character and leadership of their son.  He noted that identifying Ododo as his successor was not by chance but a deliberate decision, adding that ...

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...