Contempt: A/Court grants EFCC’s stay of proceedings against Yahaya Bello …fixes May 20 for hearing

The Court of Appeal, Friday, granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) against the contempt proceeding instituted by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede. Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, consequently granted the EFCC’s application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former governor. Consequently, the matter was adjourned for hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024. The EFCC boss who was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, had appealed the Ruling of the trial Court and sought a stay of the proceeding of the Court. The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out “some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained” by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion. Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that “the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt. EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion. Justice Jamil’s order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

Gov Ododo didn’t help Yahaya Bello evade EFCC arrest — Commissioner, Fanwo

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has claimed that Governor Usman Ododo did not shield ex-Governor Yahaya Bello from arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Fanwo stated this while speaking on Channels Television on Friday. “Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives. “Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights,” he said. Fanwo also insisted that a state high court injunction protects Bello from harassment by the EFCC. He noted that Governor Ododo remains a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of Nigeria.  EFCC operatives had laid a siege at Bello’s house in Abuja. But Ododo arrived at the residence and hours after he drove out, there were reports that Bello snuck out with him. The EFCC has since declared Bello wanted. He has also been placed on a security watchlist by the federal government.

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.

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.

No Vacancy  – APC Reacts As Yahaya Bello Moves To Unseat Ganduje As National Chairman

APC has told the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, that there is no vacancy within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated this Tuesday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the resolutions reached at the 141st meeting of the NWC. Bello had commenced the move to unseat Abdulahi Ganduje as the national chairman of the party after posters promoting him for the position of the chairman were seen at strategic places in the nation’s capital on Monday. Morka’s words: “There is no vacancy in the office of the national chairman. Our national chairman remains the chairman. This is democracy, people do what they want. We have total confidence in the leadership of the party. Those who are posting these papers around should desist from doing so.” Morka revealed that the ruling party would flag off the update of the party’s membership register in Niger State. According to him, “To flag off the update of membership registration nationally in Niger State, then flag off in one state in each of the other geo-political zones.” He also denounced the failure or refusal of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly to swear in 16 APC House members adjudged by the Court of Appeal as the duly elected members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.  He said the stubbornness of the Speaker and the governor of the state in this matter was wrong, undemocratic and violently contemptuous of the authority of the Court of Appeal, the highest court for the determination of election petition matters as it concerns the House of Assembly.

INEC Alerted Of Malpractice As Pre-Filled Results Sheets Surface In Kogi Polling Units

Yiaga Africa, a popular election observer group, has sounded the alarm over disturbing reports of pre-filled election results emerging from various polling units in the ongoing governorship election in Kogi state. In a statement released on its verified X platform on Saturday, Yiaga Africa urgently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate and address the reported cases of election malpractice promptly.  The group expressed concern about the potential impact on the integrity of the election process. “Dear @inecnigeria, we received reports of pre-filled results sheets discovered in PU 004, Eni Ward of Ogori/magongo in Kogi state before the commencement of voting. Kindly investigate and address this issue promptly to safeguard the integrity of the process,” the statement read. The election observer group highlighted another case of pre-filled results sheets, this time in PU 020, Eika/Ohizenyi, Okehi LGA of Kogi state.  These alarming revelations surfaced barely an hour into the voting process, which commenced around 8:30 am. Meanwhile, as the residents head to the voting centres to elect their new governor, the Nigerian Army has initiated a lockdown of key highways in the capital city and other regions notorious for electoral violence in the State. Roadblocks were mounted on the highway and vehicular movement was restricted with exception of those rendering essential services.

Yahaya Bello Pays N497m WAEC Fees For 15,033 Students

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has released N497 million for the payment of 2023 West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examinations fees for 15,033 students enrolled in the state’s public schools. According to the governor, it is part of his administration’s commitment to free education and tackling the menace of out-of-school students in the state. “This is part of my administration’s commitment to free education and `Zero Out-of-School Policy’ for our young citizens to fulfil their God-given destinies. “It is also part of efforts at further improving the state’s educational system,’’ the governor’s media aide, Mr Onogwu Mohammed, quoted the governor as saying in a statement issued in Lokoja on Saturday. The governor said also that the disbursement of the money was also in realisation of his administration’s recent pledge to provide free education from primary to secondary school level within the state’s public schools. “This resolute step reflects my administration’s dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to access quality education, regardless of his or her socioeconomic status. “The gesture is aimed to empower students to undertake crucial examinations without imposing any financial burden on their parents or guardians. “Furthermore, my administration won’t hesitate to penalise parents who fail to enrol their children in school. “This comprehensive approach to education underscores the state’s commitment to not only increase access to education, but also ensure active participation,’’ Gov. Bello added in the statement. Three of the 21 local government areas of Kogi led the list of benefitting students. Out of the 15,033 students, Dekina Local Government Area has the highest number of 1,867 beneficiaries, followed by Lokoja Local Government Area, with 1,569 beneficiaries, while Okene Local Government Area has 1,345 beneficiaries. 

Yahaya Bello Sacks Special Adviser, Anthony Ogah

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Monday announced the sack of his Special Adviser (SA) on Stakeholders Relations, Mr Anthony Ogah. The sack is contained in a statement issued in Lokoja by Mrs Folashade Arike-Ayoade, Secretary to the Government of Kogi. The government said that the sack takes effect from Sunday. ”Gov. Bello has issued a directive for the immediate dismissal of Ogah, who served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Stakeholders Relations. “The termination of Ogah as the special adviser to the governor is effective from September 24. “Governor Bello extends his best wishes to Ogah in his future endeavours,” the state government said. No reason was given for Ogah’s dismissal. He was instructed to “promptly hand over his identity card and any other government property or documents in his possession to the Permanent Secretary, Administration, in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the state.” 

Condemning the extrajudicial killing of Kabir Okwo Bala and Atima Abdullahi

The Murtala Yakubu Ajaka Gubernatorial Campaign Organization is alarmed by the official confirmation of the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Akeem Yusuf that the extra-judicial execution of an All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain, Mallam Kabir Okwo Bala, and a housewife, Mrs. Atima Abdullahi by gunmen unleashed on the Ejule Community of Ofu Local Government Area in the early hours of Friday morning was masterminded by the State Government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. We are indeed shocked that a Governor and the Chief Security officer of a state could plot the cold-blooded murder of citizens he had sworn to protect and defend on the altar of desperate politics. We are aware that the late Okwo was accused of several felonies by the state commissioner of police after his execution but we totally reject the use of these allegations rightly or wrongly as an excuse to kill a citizen who could easily have been arrested and prosecuted over the years if indeed the state government ever considered him a criminal. But it is worth pointing out that as admitted by Police Commissioner, Okwo was freed from prison in 2018 by Governor Yahaya Bello on the grounds that he was not a criminal but a political prisoner jailed by the PDP. It is therefore curious that after the invasion of Ejule last night during which his family house and several other properties were burnt down by state agents, Okwo was suddenly declared a criminal. But the dead man now declared a criminal was a regular guest at Bello’s Lokoja Government House where he was known to have been treated as royalty. Perhaps the Kogi State Government will be gracious enough to account to the people and the world how a man previously declared innocent and granted state pardon by the same Governor Bello degenerated into such heinous crimes to the point of engaging in gun battles with the Nigerian Navy more than one year ago, yet there was never any attempt to arrest and prosecute him. Rather according to the commissioner he had to be appealed to and pampered to release AK47 rifles he allegedly seized from the Navy in a firefight. The truth is that the plot for this extra-judicial Killing was hatched after the late Okwo openly renounced his support for Mr. Yahaya Bello in a now-viral video and declared he will not be supporting his candidacy in the impending November  11th Governorship Elections. It was only after this declaration by the late Okwo that thugs believed to be acting at the pleasure of the Governor invaded Ejule about two weeks ago and burnt down his hotel and valuable properties. We are also aware that the relationship between the Governor and Okwo first broke down during the Presidential Elections when he was led by Ajaka to support the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against the interest of Yahaya Bello who was reluctant as evidenced by the massive votes recorded in the Kogi East Senatorial District in Contrast to the Governor’s Central Senatorial District where the APC lost four of the five Local Governments. A few months ago, another friend of the government Shafiu who renounced support for Mr. Bello and declared allegiance to the PDP Senatorial Candidate in the last election Mrs Natasha Uduaghan was declared a terrorist and equally hunted down in Treadmore Housing Estate Lugbe Abuja and only escaped death because the PDP cried out. In late March supporters of Alhaji Ajaka including a retired Army Colonel and a lawyer were abducted by thugs of Bello enjoying the cover of compromised security personnel while traveling to Abuja and declared kidnappers and armed robbers. Bello’s track record for framing persons who are either opposed to or renounced his politics of violence is indeed legendary. The list is inexhaustible. We totally condemned this desperation and bloodletting which has become the hallmark of Mr. Bello’s politics in Kogi State and we appeal to the Federal Government to rein in this person to save the lives of citizens whose only crime is that they dare to exercise their democratic rights to reject him. *By Faruk Adejoh-Audu; Director, Communications, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka Gubernatorial Campaign Organization