CODIFIER

A High Court in Lokoja has awarded N1billion in damages against Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a defamation suit filed by former Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello. The order is contained in the Certified True Copy of the judgement, dated April 23 on Friday in Lokoja. The court held that based on the preponderance of evidence or balance of probabilities, judgment was entered in favour of the claimant. Justice Justice A. S. Ibrahim, while delivering his judgement in the suit marked, “HCL/16/2023”, held that upon the conclusion of the suit, the two issues formulated for determination were resolved in favour of the claimant. “The interview granted by the defendant on 4/11/2022 on Arise TV programme of ‘The Morning Show’ is defamatory to the claimant’s character and reputation. “The said interview of 4/11/2022 in which the defendant described the claimant as a murderer, killer, perpetrator of evil acts, and a terror to the people of Kogi State was without justification.” The court a...

The 10th Prosecution Witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has maintained that the cash withdrawals by the individuals mentioned in his testimony were in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria.  The witness, Olomotane Egoro,  a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, said he had been working with the bank since May 2023. He confirmed that one Aminu Jimoh Olanrewaju, who was earlier said to have made withdrawals from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account, was one of the signatories of the account.  He added, on cross-examination, that, from the details in the account opening package, Olanrewaju was a civil servant and Director Accounts in the Kogi State Government Administration.  The witness said, being an Access Bank official, he was not privy to the workings of the Kogi Government House Account an...

... as EFCC witness confirms former governor's name not linked to transactions.  A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu and Counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, said at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, that Bello was facing political trial and not money laundering charges.  He said this on Wednesday at the ongoing money laundering case instituted against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.  Daudu's clarification followed the remarks in the open court by EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, that what happened in the mode of payments by Local Government Areas in Kogi state was stealing by disguise.  He said this just as the Seventh Prosecution Witness, Olomotane Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank, admitted in court that the former governor did not serve as local government chairman in any of the local governments in Kogi State. The banker said this against the background t...

Senior executives of Grimaldi Agency Nigeria Limited and Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) now risk possible arrest and imprisonment after three importers initiated contempt proceedings against the two firms for allegedly disobeying a subsisting order of the Federal High Court in Lagos. The action, filed by Quantic Axelle Trading Company, Rexel Merchants Enterprises and Nouvell Merchants Company follows the alleged refusal of the firms to comply with a November 17, 2025 order issued by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/2149/2025. Two Notices of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court filed before the High Court were obtained. The action, dated December 1, 2025, were initiated against Ascanio Russo in both of his capacities as head of PTML Terminal and Grimaldi Agency Nigeria Limited. “Unless you obey the directions contained in this order you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison,” both notices rea...

By Our Reporter The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as impressive achievements in road infrastructure across the country. The opposition coalition said its independent assessment of ongoing projects showed remarkable progress under the current administration, particularly in the Ministry of Works, led by Senator David Umahi. CUPP made the commendation in a statement signed by its National Spokesperson, Comrade Mark Adebayo, on Saturday in Abuja, following an inspection of the Abuja–Lokoja–Benin Road and other major projects. According to the group, the evaluation formed part of a broader review of government performance across sectors as the Tinubu administration marks its second year in office. Members of the CUPP steering committee, including Barrister Emeka Benjamin Igwe, Mrs. Grace Ishaku, Dr. Abayọmi Runsewe, Ambassador Abbah Lewis, and Adebayo, participated in the independent tour aimed at se...

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has adjourned the money laundering case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to November 12, 2025. Justice Maryann Anenih fixed the new date after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its sixth witness during Thursday’s session. A Polaris Bank compliance officer, Victoria Oluwafemi, who appeared as the fifth prosecution witness, told the court that several payments were made into the disputed accounts, mostly in sums of ₦10 million. She said the total inflow into the account for November 2021 stood at ₦450 million. Under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, she admitted she was neither the account officer nor the relationship manager, and could not explain how the transactions were processed. Counsel to the second defendant, A.M. Aliyu, also questioned her on an exhibit that did not contain the name “Abdulsalam Hudu,” which she confirmed. The anti-graft agency l...

Civil society organisations, opposition figures, and economic experts have hailed the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, praising the quality of work delivered so far and the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to legacy infrastructure. The commendations came on the sidelines of a project inspection tour in Lagos, led by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. Umahi disclosed that the first section of the 750km coastal highway, stretching from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, to Eleko, Lagos, would be completed by May 2026.  According to him, 35km has already been delivered, with 12km remaining to finish Section 1 of the project. A policy expert and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Showunmi, said: “You cannot develop a nation without a long-term plan. You cannot sustain a long-term plan in a multi-party democracy unless you’re able to build consensus around development. “To build consensus aroun...

Former presidential candidate and Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God Church, Rev Chris Okotie, in a  terse statement circulated in the media on Wednesday, reacted to the ongoing political realignment  ahead of the 2027 polls: “The political pendulum now swings within the axis of permutation and punditry. The set alarm will trigger an unprecedented frenzy that culminates in stupefying bedlam!”

*By Pius Ade Babaleye Pab* Akungba-Akoko stood still as the *Adefarati Lives On (ALO) Initiative* stormed the ancient town in what can best be described as a carnival-like celebration of the enduring legacy of the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, a former Governor of Ondo State. Led by Elder Olasoji Adeuti Ologunowa, who also sponsored the entire event, and anchored by Pastor Samuel Olufemi Orunkoyi, the ALO Initiative team commenced the day’s activities with a solemn visit to the family house of the late sage. There, they paid homage and offered prayers at his tomb, reflecting on his impactful life and service. Unfortunately, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati, the current member representing Akoko South West/East Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, was unavoidably absent and could not receive the ALO Executive. The event took a colourful turn when members of the ALO Initiative, joined by hundreds of other residents and admirers, marched in unison through the stree...

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ruled against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s bid to re-examine its third witness in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged money laundering. Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, declined the request, stating that the EFCC could not re-question its own witness unless that individual had been declared hostile.  He emphasized that any further questioning must remain within specific limits of earlier testimony. “The prosecution is only permitted to re-examine based on specific parts of Exhibit 19 — pages 1, 14, and 15. Any attempt beyond that would be outside the bounds of the law,” the judge said. During the session, EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, described the trial as political, arguing that Bello is not just any defendant but a former presidential aspirant. This prompted a sharp response from the judge who remarked, “If this is a political case, perhaps those...

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...