EFCC failure to detain Yahaya Bello shameful, smacks of compromise
Save Nigeria Coalition, an anti-corruption group, has described the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to detain Yahaya Bello after he turned himself in as a shameful act that smacks of compromise. The group also berates the manner in which the EFCC has so far handled the prosecution of the former Kogi State governor. The group alleged that the EFCC’s actions are a “shameful outing” and a “media trial” that suggests a predetermined outcome. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Dr. Felicia Eneh Daniel, its Country Director, said the EFCC’s failure to detain Bello after he voluntarily presented himself for questioning raises questions about the agency’s intentions. The Save Nigeria Coalition also slammed the EFCC for allegedly writing “barefaced lies” and making “irreconcilable blunders” in its attempt to prosecute Bello. Furthermore, the group questions the EFCC’s selective prosecution, citing cases against Senator Danjuma Goje, former governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Samuel Ortom as well as Senator Godswill Akpabio that have not been pursued. Daniel said: “There is nowhere in the civilized world where a law enforcement agency will allow a wanted man who voluntarily presented himself to its operational headquarters and spent Four gruelling hours with operatives of the agency to go without immediately detaining the person and asking critical questions that will enable swift and thorough prosecution of such suspects. “The actions of the EFCC last week when Yahaya Bello, whom the agency had previously declared wanted and invited even the Interpol to assist in bringing to justice, voluntarily presented himself for questioning and prosecution, in line with the extant laws, suggests that what the agency wants is beyond legal prosecution of Yahaya Bello and that there is a hidden agenda that the EFCC and its handlers are yet to lead Nigerians into. “It is appalling that the anti graft agency will now resort to writing barefaced lies and making up irreconcilable blunders in its desperate attempt to nail Yahaya Bello on the media and destroy a man who has not been convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction despite having legal representation, as allowed by the law, in all the hearings. “It is also intriguing that the EFCC will attempt to play on the sensibilities of Nigerians that the agency has no sacred cows and will spare no one in it’s efforts to rid the country and its institutions of financial improprieties.” Daniel demands answers to several critical questions, including why the N5 billion case against Senator Danjuma Goje was withdrawn, why the EFCC hasn’t prosecuted former governor Samuel Ortom despite corruption allegations, and why the EFCC hasn’t investigated and prosecuted Ganduje. “Why did the anti graft agency accede to the withdrawal of the N5billion case against former governor of Gombe state, Senator Danjuma Goje? We were all in this country when FG suddenly withdrew its case against Senator Danjuma Goje from the court. “Why has the EFCC not prosecuted former governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state despite the monumental corruption allegations against him and the willingness of the present Benue state government to assist the anti-graft agency to unearth the endemic corruption that took place in the state during the Ortom government? “Why has the EFCC refused to investigate and prosecute Former Governor of Kano state and now national Chairman of the ruling party , Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, despite his indictment by the anti graft agency in Kano state and monumental corruption cases filed against him by the Kano state government? What happened to the viral Gandollar video? Or has the agency started keeping sacred cows? “Why has the EFCC not prosecuted the current senate president, Senator Godswill Akpabio despite the allegations of billions of naira and his refusal to appear before the agency when he was invited for questioning? Do we now have two laws in Nigeria; one for the Akpabios and the other for the Yahaya Bellos? “We can go on and on as a group that has dedicated years of its existence into tracking corruption cases under the radar of the EFCC.” The Save Nigeria Coalition, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the EFCC follows due process, warning that selective prosecution will undermine the country’s democratic credentials. They urged Nigerians to stand up for the rule of law and demand accountability from the EFCC. Daniel added: “We call on Mr. President to intervene and call the EFCC to order as this unacceptable act of singling out a perceived political enemy for persecution, if allowed, will become a big dent to his tall democratic credentials. “While we do not hold briefs for anybody, our group takes seriously, cases of corruption and believes in imbibing international best practices in making leaders accountable for their actions. The current kill-him-at-all-cost strategy by the EFCC in this current case involving Yahaya Bello is crude and unknown to our laws. “Lastly, the fact that some illiterate cashivists like the so called Human and Environmental Agenda (HEDA Resource Center), and other fake groups are being hurriedly assembled to buy into this agenda of blackmailing and browbeating Yahaya Bello to submission, further confirms the fears of many Nigerians that this so-called corruption prosecution of Yahaya Adoza Bello is a grand conspiracy by powerful political enemies to silence the former governor and ease him out of circulation. “
EFCC Accuses Yahaya Bello, others of acquiring property in Abuja, Dubai
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charges against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello and two others at a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. In the suit marked: CR/7781/2024, Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are accused of spending over N110 billion of public funds to acquire several properties in Abuja and in Dubai. The suit dated September 24 but filed on September 25, by the anti-graft lawyer, Mr kemi Pinheiro, SAN, accused the defendants of criminal breach of trust, an offence punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963. Count one of the charge reads: that you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometimes in 2016 in Abuja, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourble Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110, 446, 470, 089.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Four Hundred and Forty six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty Nine Naira) entrusted to you”. In count two they were alleged to have sometime in 2023, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja. In count 11, the defendants were alleged to have used over Five million Dirhams to acquire a property in Khalifa, Municipality, Dubai. Count 14 reads: That you Yahaya Adoza Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu sometime in 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America. Count 15 claimed that the defendants sometime in 2021, in Abuja, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Five United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America. Meanwhile, the former governor in count 16 was alleged to have sometime between 2017 and 2018, in Abuja, had under his control the total sum of N677, 848,000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Naira) unlawfully obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED. In the last five months, the Commission have attempted to arraign the former governor before a Federal High Court, Abuja, on an alleged money laundering charge to the tune of over N80 billion, but has not been successful. The anti-graft agency reacting to Bello’s absence in court on Wednesday, pointed out that the former governor “should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists. The Commission however stated that it is not deterred by this, and other shenanigans by the ex-governor. ” The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in Court. “EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshalled for justice to be served to all parties involved in this saga. ” The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja by the EFCC, is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite. His presence in court is the only step that will convince Nigerians that his touted submission to the EFCC which was widely reported in the media on September 18, was not a stunt”, Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale had said in the statement.
Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s case to Oct 30 as he heads to Supreme Court
Justice Emeka Nwite adjourns the alleged money laundering case filed by the EFCC against former Gov Yahaya Bello, to Oct 30.
Invincible Bello, his juju man and a pitiful EFCC
“Bello, a fugitive, according to the EFCC, visited the offices of the anti-graft agency in the company of Governor Ododo in broad daylight. They loitered around in the open. They exchanged pleasantries with the operatives and the staff of the EFCC. It was even alleged that they sent a message to the chairman of the EFCC announcing their presence and the desire of the former governor to be interrogated.” LAST week was draining for many citizens. This opening statement sounds stupid. The question that should naturally strike anyone who has lived fairly consistently in this country for 25 years since the inception, or rather, return of rule by civilians in 1999, is how many weeks these past two decades and a half have we been spared the debilitating and wearisome drama of the absurd? How many times? And the absurdities are carefully crafted and orchestrated by a section of the ruling elite to keep Nigerians chewing their thumbnails in disgust and disbelief. But the joke has always been on us, though we do not get it. It would appear that our mumu (local lingo for collective foolishness) is factory made, or as we say in this clime follow come. If the truth be told, it has not always been like this. Citizens’ activisms against repressive governments from the colonial era to successive military dictatorships have been the fact of our national life. Protests by university students in the 1960s helped to abort an obnoxious Anglo – Nigerian Defence Pact early in the life of an independent Nigeria. There was also the bloody May riots of 1989 or so that moderated the Ibrahim Babangida plot for a wholesale adoption of the International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) prescriptions for economic recovery. We have lost the verve as a people and the younger elements whose futures are more in jeopardy do not seem interested in looking for where the ball was dropped. Many decades ago, flamboyant journalist the now late Dele Giwa wrote two articles which were published about the same period. In one, he titled it: ‘Adewusi’s men can’t shoot straight’. Sunday Adewusi, also late, was the inspector – general of the Nigerian Police Force. Almost 40 years after the provocative headline, police operatives under Adewusi’s successors still can not shoot straight unless they are targeting innocent and unarmed protesters. Two recent examples will illustrate the state of the police – the murderous put down of the August 1-10 #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, and the show that was put up at the Kogi state government lodge in Abuja last week. In the August protests police killed scores of Nigerians in cold blood while those who survived are currently in captivity facing charges ranging on terrorism, treason, treasonable felony, subversion and attempt to overthrow the federal government. The charges may sound phony, and they certainly do, but they are in sync with the ways of repressive regimes worldwide. However, last week the police/security details of Kogi state governor Musa Ododo and his predecessor Yahaya Adoza Bello, the White Lion, and the police of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), both federal police, shot at themselves in a firefight, shattering the peace of the Asokoro-Abuja night for a considerable length of time. When the dust settled in the morning of the day after, a Thursday, there were no deaths; no reports of injuries; and, there were no arrests. It would not matter that there could have been some residents of that neighborhood with heart and/or other pre-existing health conditions whose situations could have been exacerbated by that night of madness by government security agents. In a sane place, the expectation is that there may at times be collateral damage in the course of an official task by security agencies. But that was not the case in this Abuja ‘shootout’. The EFCC police and those of Ododo/Bello were merely entertaining themselves at the expense of Nigeria. READ ALSO: http://Ganduje Celebrates, Opens Up: How We’ll Use Edo Template To Win Polls in Anambra, Ondo, Others The sorom chia (Igbo for comic display) by the EFCC and their ‘prey’ Bello, will be a box office hit any day, and a classic in later years. Creative Nollywood must have taken note. What’s the genesis? Bello was governor of Kogi state for eight years until last January. Corruption allegations swirled around him even as a governor. He had absolute immunity, so nothing could be done to him. We have conveniently forgotten that there’s an existing court decision that a sitting governor can be investigated but not prosecuted while in office, thanks to the efforts and doggedness of the late Gain Fawehinmi, a renowned and unblemished anti-corruption crusader. Well, Bello installed his relative Ododo as governor. Then the EFCC slapped a charge of N80blllion misappropriation/money laundering on Bello. The former melted away but tied up the case in court through proxies. He did not for once appear in court. At one point he even insisted that only the courts in his Kogi state and the judges he appointed while he was governor had jurisdiction over his matter. He fought his cases up to the Supreme Court. And he lost all of them. Yet he would not answer to the summons of the EFCC for interview nor present himself in court for arraignment and to prove his innocence. In what has now been exposed as a contrived frustration, the anti-graft agency declared Bello wanted and caused his name to be published in the Red List of the International Police Organisation (Interpol) as a global fugitive. Interpol may have taken the notice seriously. But not Nigerians. And now with the events of last week not even the EFCC took their wanted notice on Bello seriously. Nigerians and the EFCC knew that Bello was in this country and enjoying immunity by other means. In April, the EFCC had besieged the Abuja residence of Bello but failed to apprehend him, just as it failed again last week. But this time
Northern APC: Court dismisses suit seeking Ganduje’s removal as APC chairman
The Federal High Court, Abuja, Monday, dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the the Plaintiff, APC North Central Group is not a juristic person having not been registered in law and therefore has no legal power and capacity to file the suit. Dismissing the suit, the court maintained that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to Institute any case in any Nigerian court. The Judge also held the the plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism for peaceful resolution of issues before rushing to the court. Besides, Justice Ekwo held that appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affairs of the party which no court can dabble into. The Northern Central APC Group had dragged Ganduje, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court praying for nullification of appointment of Ganduje by APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution. Specifically, the North Central APC group claimed that the appointment of Ganduje breached Article 13 of APC Constitution because it was not done through democratic process enshrined in the party’s law. The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit to query the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the National Chairman of the APC when he is not from the North Central geo-political zone, whose turn was to fill the position. In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the plaintiff listed Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 1st to the 3rd defendants respectively. The plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, asked the court to, among others, restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the chairman of the APC. It also prayed the court to issue an order directing INEC not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023. The plaintiff contended among others, that Ganduje is occupying the office of the APC chairman illegally, not being from a state in the North Central geo-political zone. It argued that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geo- political zone to replace Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geo-political zone. It also argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 13.5(1) f of the APC constitution and ultra-vires the powers of the NEC of the party, among other prayers.
Kogi Women Protest Alleged EFCC Harassment o Yahaya Bello, Call for Presidential Intervention
In what some observers have termed as a drama sketch being acted at the pleasure of the powers that be, a large crowd of women took to the streets on Saturday to protest what they called the harassment of former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The protesters appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene, urging him to rein in the EFCC. They maintained that Bello had accomplished more for the state than any other governor since its inception. Led by various community leaders and political supporters, the women gathered in Lokoja, the state capital, denouncing what they called a politically motivated “witch-hunt” by the EFCC. The group urged the President to act swiftly by ensuring the EFCC allows the judiciary to handle the matter. They claimed that the agency’s actions earlier in the week were part of a targeted attempt to damage Bello’s reputation, warning that they would not stand idly by and watch his safety be jeopardized. “We stand with our leader, Yahaya Bello in this trying time. We believe he has been targeted unfairly and we demand justice. We won’t watch him lose his life,” one of the protesters, identified as Hajiya Halima Abass, said. “The EFCC should focus on genuine cases of corruption, not political vendetta,” another protester, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Boluwaji, added. The various women group leaders, who spoke in their local dialects – Igala, Ebira, Yoruba and others – urged the EFCC to be professional in its “handling of the case against the state leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.” They chanted songs, saying that Kogi people were fearless people and reiterated that they would not stand by and continue watching what they called a show of shame, especially after the former governor had made himself available to EFCC. They wondered why the EFCC refused to interrogate or detain him while he was in their office but rather went shooting at night at the Kogi Government Lodge to arrest a man who had voluntarily walked up to them earlier in the day. “We Kogi people of Ebira descent cherish what our son, Yahaya Bello, did for us as governor. That is why we’re out on the streets to ask EFCC to leave him alone. “We are not giving him out to anyone to crucify. He will come back to us hale and hearty,” one of the women leaders from Ebiraland, who simply identified herself as Hajiya Fatima, said. “We, the Igala people from Kogi East, we are here because of our leader, Alhaji Yahaya Bello. He has never done anything bad to us. To those people that are looking to take him, please leave him alone. We have never seen the kind of his government before. He did well for the state,” another women leader who identified herself as Deborah said.
El-Rufa Probe: Governor Sani Breaks Silence
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has broken his silence on the ongoing investigation into his predecessor’s administration, Nasir El-Rufai.
Yayah Bello finally succumbs to the long arm of the law
Immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has finally succumbed to the long arm of the law by submitting himself to the Economic and Financial.Crimes Commission (EFCC). Yahaya Bello has been on run after a failed attempt to take him in to answer to charges regarding how over N80billion disappeared from the treasury of Kogi State during his eight year reign. It was reported that Yahaya Bello was eloped from his residence by his select successor, Usman Ododo when law enforcement agents came for his arrest. A statement by his media handlers disclosed that Yahaya Bello finally surrendered himself this morning following advise from his family and counsel.
ICPC Arrests Ex-Kaduna Governor El-Rufai’s Finance Commissioner At Lagos Airport
Sustaining its onslaught, Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have apprehended former Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai’s Commissioner of Finance and Accountant General, Shizzer Joy Nasara Bada. Bada was reportedly arrested on Sunday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos while attempting to travel abroad. The arrest comes amid growing suspicions that Bada might be fleeing the country due to ongoing corruption investigations linked to both herself and former Governor el-Rufai. ICPC officials had reportedly been tracking her movements after receiving intelligence that she might attempt to evade questioning. This move is part of a broader investigation targeting several high-ranking officials from el-Rufai’s administration. According to Saharareporters, sources suggest the scrutiny is centered on alleged financial mismanagement during their time in office, with multiple individuals under investigation for their roles. The Kaduna State House of Assembly recently indicted el-Rufai for allegedly embezzling ₦423 billion from the state treasury. Though the exact charges against Bada have not yet been disclosed, insiders believe they involve significant financial irregularities and misappropriation of public funds. Bada’s arrest has sparked widespread speculation, with many questioning whether this marks the start of a larger investigation into the former governor’s administration. The ICPC is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses, potentially revealing the extent of corruption within the previous leadership. Former Governor el-Rufai, meanwhile, has launched a legal challenge against the Kaduna State House of Assembly after it accused his administration of mismanaging ₦432 billion during his eight-year tenure. His attorney, Abdulhakeem Mustapha, filed a fundamental rights lawsuit in June, seeking to contest the claims made against him.
Money Laundering: EFCC to investigate Bank Executives
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said bank executives are complicit in aiding money laundering in the country, adding that it would commence prosecution soon. Speaking at the 17th annual conference of the Chartered Institute Bankers of Nigeria, the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede said the commission will soon start prosecution of bank executives involved in corruption. According to him, findings revealed complicity in money laundering, illegal forex sales and trading among bank officials. While calling on the CIBN to step up its regulatory functions to guard against fraud, the EFCC boss said major financial fraud were conducted through the nation’s banking system. The commission recently urged the National Assembly (NASS) to enact a law which supports the whistle-blower policy of the government. Olukayode who made the call at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Lagos, noted that once the law is enacted, it will make it mandatory for law enforcement agencies to protect the whistle-blowers. The EFCC chairman also called on lawyers across the country to always observe due diligence in their practices. This, according to him, is necessary for them to know the background of their clients so as not to run foul of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regulations. He said, “As lawyers, we are supposed to hold a position of trust in our professional conduct. While we try to comply with international laws and regulations, we should also do what is right for ourselves to protect the sanctity of our profession, which is very key. “Don’t try to protect suspected criminals, people who must have committed financial crimes. So, if you know who we are looking for, you must bring that person to the open and we will do our part. “Doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily come from the way of international conventions. If you do the right things, they will automatically take you out of the grey list. “It is expedient on you to, at least, know who your client is. You are expected to be paid from a legitimate source. “If you are a victim of crimes, you will understand what I am saying. As lawyers, you must not, in any way, derogate or demean your professional commitment to your clients. “Even a part of the money laundering Act that we have evaluated doesn’t stop me from enforcing the regulations of the EFCC Act and other financial laws in Nigeria.”