Police Invite Edo Labour Party’s Guber Candidate, Akpata Over UNIBEN Assault Incident

The Edo State Police Command has summoned the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, to discuss alleged security breaches, particularly the incidents of gunfire reported at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) last Friday. The Public Relations Officer for the Command, Chidi Nwabuzor, disclosed this development to the media in Benin City. Nwabuzor stated that the LP gubernatorial candidate was served the invitation by investigators during the Political Desk Session at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Recall that during an investiture ceremony hosted by the UNIBEN Staff Club, the candidate of the Labour Party for the forthcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State was allegedly assaulted by suspected political thugs. Olumide Akpata, on the other hand, has claimed that the attack was orchestrated by both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the State Government to assassinate him. The Command’s spokesperson elaborated that the invitation extended to Olumide Akpata was a component of the investigation launched by the police Command into the crisis. In response to inquiries, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, verified the reception of the police invitation, mentioning his absence in Benin during the letter’s arrival, but he affirmed his intention to honour the invitation. “The police ought to have done their background investigations, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party secretariat. So, I don’t know why I am being asked to come along with him to the Police Command Headquarters in Benin, however, I will honour the invitation,” he said.

Alleged N89.2b money laundering: EFCC threatens inviting army to arrest Yahaya Bello

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Thursday, informed Justice Emeka Nwite its intension to invite the Nigerian Army to effect the arrest of former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello for arraignment before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The anti-graft agency, through its legal team issued the threat before the court after explaining how a person of immunity protected Bello from arrest following the court’s bench warrant. The court had fixed today(Thursday) for arraignment of Bello alongside the ex-governor’s nephew, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88. When the called up, Thursday, EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Piniero SAN said in open court that the Commission was aware that Bello is been harboured in the home of a person that has immunity. He submitted that immunity is only attached to a person, not his house or car, adding that the law allows Nigerian security agencies to break into a house to arrest a defendant. He said, “If he is unwilling to produce his client in court, we will invite other security agencies including the Nigerian army to produce him. “We can come next week. We will produce him,” Piniero assured. Piniero also urged the court to compel the ex-governor’s lawyer to accept service of the processes, explaining that it has been impossible to serve the charge sheet on him personally. Counsel to Yahaya, Abdul Wahab Mohammed, said that the Abuja division of the court or the EFCC cannot arraign his client. He contended that his preliminary objection application has to be taken first, but the EFCC came behind him through a motion-exparte to obtain a warrant of arrest. He said, “The governor has a lawyer in court and if there is a justifiable issue for him to come to court, he would. “Our contention is that the defendant on record is not a fugitive. We are talking of rule of law, not rule of force. “We are contending that the warrant of arrest was given outside jurisdiction because there is a judgement. “I don’t have the authority of the defendant to accept service of the charges and proof of evidence.” What the judge said The judge said he was yet to read the Kogi state high court judgement of yesterday. But the judge held all parties including the ex-governor has to be formally before the court and the EFCC, without a warrant of arrest, can arrest a suspect or defendant. He adjourned to April 23 for ruling and arraignment. In the charge sheet, the anti-graft agency claims the defendants diverted public funds. Some of the counts reads: “That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”. “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act. “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”. Bello’s arraignment followed an warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by Justice Emeka Nwite, Wednesday, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 and filed by the EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo. The EFCC counsel argued that the ex-governor needs to be apprehended by security agencies so as to fast track his arraignment in court and immediate trial. The anti-graft agency maintained that the judge should either order Bello’s arrest or issue a public summons commanding the defendant to appear before the court.

AGF faults Gov Ododo, asks Yahaya Bello to submit self for probe

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe. Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State. In the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment this Thursday. Reacting to the development, the AGF, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, said EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation. He also described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’,. According to the Minister, embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go. He reiterated his stands for the rule of law and will ensure no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon. The AGF said in the terse statement: “The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern. “It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation. “A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it. “I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection. “I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”

Reps Shifts Resumption Date To April 30

The House of Representatives has announced a further postponement of its resumption from the ongoing recess, setting the new date for Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. This decision was disclosed through a statement released to the press in Abuja on Wednesday night by Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr., the House Spokesman and Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs. According to the statement, “this adjustment, as communicated by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria, in an internal correspondence to Honourable Members on Wednesday, is aimed at giving Honourable Members more time for constituency outreach to secure adequate input in the constitution review process. “The extension follows the earlier decision by the House Committee on Constitution Review to extend the deadline for submission of memoranda to April 30, 2024. “Additionally, the extended timeline will allow for more concerted preparation for the legislative summits on State Police, as well as the one on Tax Reforms, Revenue Enhancement, and Digital Transformation coming up in the next 2 weeks. “All inconveniences arising from this rescheduling are regretted. In line with the Legislative Agenda of the 10th Assembly, the House remains committed to being accountable and providing timely communications to all stakeholders.”

BREAKING: PDP Caucus Extends Damagum’s Tenure As Acting Chair

The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the tenure of the acting National Chairman of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, but still in acting capacity. However, this is subject to the decision taken at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which will kick off hours from now. Addressing journalists after the Caucus meeting at Bauchi Governors lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said the decision was aimed at ensuring reconciliation and unity in the party. He said, “Umar Damagum will continue to be the acting National Chairman of the party until the next meeting of NEC. The party considers that it is important to have more consultation on that issue.” “NEC meeting will not discuss any change in leaders. Rather, attention is focused on unity and reconciliation. Caucus agreed that all congresses in the states and local government should be concluded between June and August this year. Caucus agreed on the extension of the constitution review committee of the party to accept new recommendations.” Before the caucus meeting, the National Working Committee of the party had passed a vote of confidence on Damagum. But the North Central zone had insisted that one of their own should be allowed to complete the tenure of the suspended National Chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu. At a meeting at the Grand Ibro Hotel in Abuja on Wednesday, the North Central asked Damagum to revert to the position of Deputy National Chairman North, the position he was holding before his elevation as Acting National Chairman. The region is insisting on Section 47(6) of the PDP Constitution which provides that “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the office of the Party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from to serve out the tenure”. Before the Caucus meeting, Governors elected on the platform of the PDP had declared that only the NEC could decide the fate of Damagum. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, both attended the caucus meeting. It was the first time that the duo were publicly seen together since the 2023 elections which worsened the PDP crisis as Wike worked for President Bola Tinubu, Atiku’s main rival in the election.

Bobrisky Transferred To Another Prison 

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) has reportedly transferred embattled cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, from the Ikoyi Correctional Center to the Kirikiri Prison. Recall that Bobrisky, a controversial figure, was sentenced last week to a six-month jail term for abusing the Naira. A reliable source, an official of the NCS, told LEADERSHIP that the popular cross-dresser is presently held at the Kirikiri Prison and was discreetly transferred last weekend to Kirikiri. He stated, “It is procedural that he is moved to Kirikiri since it is an expansive prison compared to what we have here,” adding that due to security reasons, Okuneye was quietly moved to the facility where he will serve his term. The source confirmed that the convict had been taken to the male cell with other inmates “and so he will be treated as a normal inmate,” he said. While sentencing Bobrisky on Friday, April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos State said the verdict would serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of abusing and mutilating the naira. Bobrisky is being identified as a male based on his admission at the court last week, and according to reports, there is no realignment of gender or genital organs.

Call EFCC to order —Yahaya Bello urges Tinubu 

The media office of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order.  The media office made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday.  The statement read, “About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.  “This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.  “The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division. The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.  “Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja. “Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!  “It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.  “We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law. “A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy. “Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office. We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one. “It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders. This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.

PDP Meetings: Court to rule on Uche Seconds motion seeking stay of execution

Justice Inyang Ekwo, Wednesday, adjourned till Thursday to rule on a motion filed by a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus seeking the stay of execution of the order of the court restraining him and two others from participating in PDP meetings. The federal high court Abuja will be ruling in an ex-parte motion filed by a PDP member from Rivers State, Titus Jones, seeking an order restraining Secondus from attending party meetings. Uche Secondus; the PDP; Acting Party National Chairman, Umar Damagun; PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu; PDP National Executive Committee; PDP National Working Committee; PDP Board of Trustees and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC are first to eight defendants respectively. Justice Ekwo, who made the order following a motion ex-parte, brought his court by Titus Jones granted the seven prayers, which, among other things, sought to stop Secondus from participating in the meetings slated to hold next week. When the matter came up on Wednesday, the court was informed of an appeal filed by the former PDP national chairman against that order of the court issued on April 5th, 2024. Titus Jones, a member of the PDP had filed a suit seeking an order restraining the NEC, NWC, party’s chairman, secretary, and BoT from allowing Secondus to attend any of the meetings pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, having been suspended from the party. According to Justice Ekwo, in his ruling on the exparte motion filed by Jones held that, “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from demanding for any notice of National Caucus meetings or meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meetings of the 2nd Defendant from the 4th Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 1st Defendant from attending any meeting of the 2nd Defendant, be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting howsoever described participating in the proceedings, deliberations of any such meeting pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 4th Defendant, his Agents, Servants, Subordinates, Officers howsoever described from giving any notice of meeting of the 2nd Defendant be it caucus meetings, meetings of the National Executive Committee (5th Defendant) or Board of Trustees (7th Defendant) or any other meeting however called to the 1st Defendant who has been suspended from the 2nd Defendant pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents, Privies, Organs howsoever described from granting access or allowing the 1st Defendant to attend and/or participate in the meetings of the National Caucus, the National Executive Committee or the Board of Trustees or any other meeting of the 2nd Defendant while his suspension subsists pending the hearing and determination ofthe Motion on Notice. “Order is hereby made restraining the 8th Defendant, its Officers, Servants, Agents howsoever described from according recognition to the report, proceedings, conclusions or resolutions reached at any meeting of the 2nd Defendant held in violation of the judgment in the case of Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex & 4 Ors, V. Prince Uche Secondus Suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 and Articles 30 (1) (S), 31(1) (u) and 32 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”, among others.

Kano Court Affirms Ganduje’s Suspension

A Kano State High Court has affirmed the suspension of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. The court, while granting an ex parte order, also restrained Ganduje from further parading himself as a member of the party. The order was granted by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, on Tuesday, a copy of which was sighted by Daily Trust. The order followed an ex parte motion filed Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani by their counsel Ibrahim Sa’ad. The plaintiffs, who identified as executive members of APC Ganduje ward, said they brought the motion on behalf of the executive members of the ward. Gwanjo, who identified as the party’s ward Legal Adviser, was the one that announced the suspension of Ganduje two days ago. Subsequently, the court ordered, that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC. The State Working Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kano had announced the suspension of ward party leaders who earlier announced the suspension of Ganduje. Daily Trust had reported how the leadership of the party at Ganduje ward in Dawkin Tofa Local Government area announced the suspension of the party’s national chairman, citing corruption charges filed against him by the government. But APC Chairman in Dawakin Tofa Local Government , Inusa Suleiman Dawanau, told newsmen that those behind the act were caught in anti-party activities, with records of their meetings with the ruling opposition exposed. In addition to the suspension, the State Working Committee (SWC) also sanctioned them for six months and set up a panel to verify several allegations against them. The ruling party had subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, asking the force to probe those behind the purported suspension of Ganduje. The APC in a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said the perpetrators of the “criminal act” were not card-carrying members or legitimate officials of the APC in Ganduje’s ward. “The purported suspension was the devious act of a group of impersonators of ward officials out to cause mischief and create confusion in the otherwise peaceful Ganduje Ward chapter of our party. The perpetrators of this criminal act are not card carrying members of APC in the ward but are individuals affiliated with senior officials and representatives of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). “This act procured by officials of the ruling NNPP in Kano is part of the despicable programme of political persecution launched by the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against Dr. Ganduje, a former governor of Kano State. “The purported suspension is downright criminal, and of no effect whatsoever. The legitimate Executive Committee of the Ganduje Ward has since denounced the action and reaffirmed Dr. Ganduje as a bona fide member of the party in the ward, and in good standing.” The NNPP has since distanced itself from the crisis rocking Kano APC.

Tinubu told me I am still APC chairman – Ganduje

The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, says President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his position amid the suspension saga. Ganduje disclosed this while addressing some APC stakeholders from Kano State. In a viral video, the APC National Chairman claimed that the Kano State Government was behind the attempt to remove him. “I met with the President, and he told me that my position as APC Chairman, which the Kano State Government was trying to remove me from, will remain unchanged. ”He reaffirmed my position as APC National Chairman”, Ganduje said. On Monday, the APC Legal Adviser in Dawakin ward, Tofa LGA of Kano, Haliru Gwanzo, had suspended Ganduje for alleged corruption. But, Ganduje’s suspension was nullified and those responsible were suspended for six months.