Alleged N84bn Fraud: Why Yahaya Bello refuses to appear in court, Lawyer

A governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has said he is ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Bello, however, claims he is afraid of getting arrested. Although the former governor was not present for his arraignment on Tuesday, he briefed his team of lawyers who addressed the court. One of the lawyers in his legal team, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that Bello would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested. “The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe said. Consequently, he prayed the court to set aside the ex parte order of arrest it earlier issued against Bello. Adedipe noted that it was only at the resumed proceedings on Tuesday that the court okayed substituted service of the charge on the defendant, through his lawyer. “As at the time the warrant was issued, the order for substituted service had not been made. That order was just made this morning. “A warrant of arrest should not be hanging on his neck when we leave this court,” he added.

Lawyer seeks IGP’s help on Spring Hall British School’s property issue

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has been called upon to intervene in the refusal of the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School, Mr Stanley Jegede to vacate a property located in the Maitama District of Abuja, after it was sold to new owner.  The new owner of the property, Moxie Communications Limited, through its lawyer, Barrister Victor Giwa, in a letter dated August 25, 2023, called for the intervention of the IGP to avert a breach of public peace.  He said after the property was purchased, the school was notified but Mr Jegede has allegedly frustrated and intimidated his staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices.  Barrister Giwa said, “Our Client by a DEED of Assignment and Contract of sales dated 13th of June 2023 respectively purchased the property described above from Mabon Estate Limited. “The said property is used as school by one Stanley Jegede, the proprietor and Chairman of Spring Hall British School hereafter referred to as suspect.  “Our client on the purchase of premises and take over had notified the suspects through several letters of the desire of our client to renovate it premises on the bases of fit for purpose. “Surprisingly, after several letters and discussion, the suspect has deliberately and with the intention of causing breach of public frustrated and intimidated our staff on the premises through threats, bullying and other devices.   These acts of the suspects have stunted the renovation work of our client on his premises. “The suspects have refused and failed to remove items and belongings from our property to enable our client continuous work. “This action of the Jegede Stanley is provocative, and capable of instigating serious resistance from our client’s staff and workers, which may eventually lead to break down of law and Order in the premises.  “It is on this note that we are writing to you for your intervention and arrest of the suspects for his action which is capable of breaching public peace and criminal intimidation.”

Certificate Scandal: Court orders probe of lawyer prosecuting Stella Oduah

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the arrest and investigation of a lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, for filing a criminal charge against Sen. Stella Oduah in the name of the EFCC while serving in the Nigerian Police Force. Justice James Omotosho gave the order shortly after Mohammed announced appearance for the Nigerian Police in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/275/2023 filed against Oduah. When the matter was called, Oduah, who was the sole defendant in the case, and her lawyer, were not in court. The drama, however, occurred when Justice Omotosho asked Mohammed if the defendant had been served. The prosecuting lawyer told the court that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the case informed him that Oduah, who represented Anambra North Senatorial Distinct in the 9th National Assembly, could not be served because when she was called on phone, and she said she was indisposed. The judge then asked who signed the charge which the lawyer was holding and which office was he representing. Mohammed responded that he was seconded to the EFCC but redeployed back to the police in November last year. He added that he resumed at the legal department, Police Headquarters in January. Justice Omotosho, who inquired further, asked why he signed the charge on June 22 when he was no longer in the anti-graft agency since November 2022. The lawyer said he mistakenly put the EFCC in Benin as his office while preparing the charge. The charge has the Legal and Prosecuting Department, EFCC, No 1, Court Road, GRA, Benin City as the prosecuting lawyer’s address. Responding, Justice Omotosho said: “Will a reasonable man believe you? You will go to EFCC and explain this. I will call for an investigation of the counsel. The judge, in a short ruling, however, ordered Mohammed to be handed over to the anti-corruption agency for a thorough investigation. “In view of the fact that Ibrahim Mohammed signed this charge on June 22, and has admitted that he left the EFCC in November 2022, this court makes an order that the EFCC investigates and reports back to the court. Counsel shall report to EFCC immediately,” he declared. The head of the police in FHC, Titus Okuba, led Mohammed out of the courtroom. The EFCC was expected to arraign Stella Oduah before Justice Omotosho today (Tuesday) on allegations bordering on perjury and document falsification. The ex-lawmaker is being accused of misrepresenting facts about whether or not she participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and was issued a certificate to that effect. She was alleged to have falsified documents with which she got into public offices, including being a minister and a senator in the fresh charge.

Court orders DSS to allow Emefiele access to family, lawyers

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately grant suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to his lawyers and family members. Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order following an oral application by counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in a suit marked No: FCT/HC/CV/6450/23. Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); the Director General of State Security Service and the State Security Service. The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”  In his submission, Daudu informed the court that he has written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application.  Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so.  Awo assured that he is certain the Security Service would abide the order of Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.  Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS, as well as the AGF requested for an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday June 20, 2023 for substantive hearing of the suit. Godwin Emefiele, has been taken into custody by DSS hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office. The spokesperson to DSS, Peter Afunanya in statement confirmed that “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.”