Tag: Yahaya Bello

By Flowerbudnews

Former Kogi State Governor , Yahaya Bello on Tuesday voluntarily surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation of allegation of corruption levelled against him by the anti – graft agency.

Bello was accompanied to the Abuja headquarters of the EFCC by a team of lawyers.

Bello arrived at the EFCC office in a black Hilux

This development comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of the EFCC’s operations, allowing the agency to proceed with its investigations.

Despite previous speculation regarding his visit, Bello’s media representatives did not provide comments on the matter.

The EFCC had previously requested an adjournment during a court hearing on November 14, seeking additional time for the case against Bello, with a new court date set for November 27.

Meanwhile, his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, were granted administrative bail.

By Thompson Yamput

The All Progressives Congress(APC) Youths leaders Forum (AYLF), on Tuesday said that Nigeria’s ruling party would require former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello’s political sagacity while planning for the 2027 elections.

The forum, in a statement by its President, Alhaji Abdullahi Danbaba, and Secretary, Dr Chike Ihedioha, said that Bello was an asset being targeted by enemies of the APC.

The forum alleged that Bello was being singled our for persecution.

It also claimed that the former Kogi governor’s current ordeals were “politically motivated”.

“Those who contributed towards the development of the party and ensured victory for President Bola Tinubu are being persecuted.

“Fortunately, from records gathered so far, it is clear that the former governor has been on the side of the law. Since the beginning of his ordeals, he has been protected by the law.

“His achievements in Kogi are there for all to see; there have been many testimonies to this fact.

“We have also found out that people afraid of one thing or the other, ahead of the 2027 elections, are also sponsoring articles hiding under ‘dubious APC groups’, to discredit the former governor.

“The beauty of it all is that Nigerians are not fools. They can identify genuine claims,” it said.

The group called on anti-corruption agencies to be wary of politically-motivated petitions.

It claimed that a recent statement credited to a youth group, which attacked Bello, revealed the identity of persons behind his ordeals.

“The achievements recorded in Kogi earned victory for the APC both at the presidential and governorship elections.

“The President should intervene so that individuals or groups seeking to sink the party do not succeed,” the group said. NAN

Flowerbudnews

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, adjourned the arraignment of former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi until Oct. 30
The adjournment by Justice Emeka Nwite came as ex-Gov. Bello moved to the Supreme Court to file an appeal seeking to set aside the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17 against him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello.
Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, Bello’s Counsel, A.M. Adoyi, drew the attention of the court to the fact that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject matter of an appeal already entered by him at the Supreme Court.
He said he would like to draw the court’s attention to the appeal by virtue of the affidavit of record filed on Sept. 23.
“The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024.
“That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” he said.
But EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the defendant’s lawyers were turning the court into a place for entertainment.
“Secondly, an appeal the defendant filed at the Court of Appeal disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence on their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on the 28th of August this year.
“The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The court ruled that the appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step,” he said.
NAN reports that the former governor had, on Sept. 18, submitted himself to the EFCC accompanied by Gov. Usman Ododo, his successor, but the EFCC reportedly refused to interrogate or detain him.
It was later reported that EFCC operatives allegedly laid siege on the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja to arrest Bello at night.
Arguing against the defendant’s applications seeking an order vacating the arrest warrant, Pinheiro said, “They have three applications on this – two before your lordship and one before the Supreme Court.
“I will now urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him (Adoyi) for filing same application.”
Adoyi, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which was the arraignment, “is subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.”
“In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue,” he urged the court.
Justice Emeka Nwite said, with the submissions made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other.
He said he would have to adjourn to rule on the matter.
Justice Nwite therefore adjourned the matter until Oct. 30 for ruling and arraignment.

By Danladi Ahmec

The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has dissociated itself from a social media post in which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was maligned over its efforts to prosecute former Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello on alleged N80bn money laundering charges.

In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, the group was emphatic that the author of the post, Jesutega Onokpasa is not in a position to use TMSG to fight a political, self-serving battle. The group, therefore, disclaimed the post and totally distanced itself from it.

“Our attention has been drawn to a social media post authored by Jesutega Onokpasa titled ‘What the hell is the EFCC up to with Yahaya Bello’ in which unsavoury words were used to malign the anti-graft agency and its leadership in its ongoing efforts to arrest the former governor.

“We have no problem with Mr Onokpasa expressing support for the former Kogi state governor in an individual capacity, but we are not comfortable with him dragging TMSG into his personal business.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Tinubu Media Support Group is a gathering of media practitioners who have taken upon themselves to positively highlight activities and achievements of the President Bola Tinubu administration, solely. It is not a group for hire, and neither is it one to be used for proxy fights against government officials or agencies. It also is not beholden to any other individual besides President Bola Tinubu.

“So it is out of place for TMSG to be seen to be expressing support for former Gov. Bello, especially in his effort to escape justice or impugning the reputation of the EFCC and its Chairman,Ola Olukoyede, for doing their job. We see it as a fraudulent act, apart from the fact that Yahaya Bello’s antics rubbishes the country.

“Like many Nigerians, we read in the newspapers that the commission insisted that the former governor remained wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest still hanging on his neck, inspite of what his media handlers had earlier said about him honouring EFCC’s invitation on Wednesday.

“We know that the matter is in court even though former governor Bello serially failed to turn up, so we are dissociating ourselves as group from him and by extension Mr Onokpasa.”

TMSG urged Nigerians to be wary of any attempt to use its name as a franchise for political shenanigans.

Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has finally honoured invitation of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Flowerbudnews reports that his media office announced the development through a statement released on Wednesday.

The media office said that the decision was made after consultations with his family, legal team, and political allies.

Recall that EFCC had on April 18, 2024, declared Bello wanted over allegations of money laundering, after he reportedly shunned a series of invitations..

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the ruling of a Federal High Court, Abuja which restrained former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from moving any preliminary objection until he is arraigned.
A three-member justices of the court,in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, held that the trial court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite was right when it ruled that it would no longer entertain any application, including the appellant’s preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction.
Justice Kenneth Amadi, who read the judgment on an appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/536 filed by the ex-governor against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, held that there “is no dichotomy between pre and post arraignment objection.”
It said that the appellant’s preliminary objection could not be taken in the absence of the arraignment of the appellant.
The appellate court, therefore, dismissed the appellant’s appeal.
The Court of Appeal held that the appellant having been aware of his charge on the media space and same published by the respondent but refused to appear to take his plea; the trial court was right in issuing his warrant of arrest.
Also while ruling on the appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/535/2024 BETWEEN YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO V. FRN, the appellate court dismissed the appellant’s appeal and held that the service of the charge on the appellant’s counsel was valid and proper.
It held that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, does not provide the manner in which an application for substituted service of the charge should be made.
The court, therefore, upheld the order of substituted service of the charge on the appellant’s counsel.
On the appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/412/2024 BETWEEN EFCC V. YAHAYA BELLO, the Appeal Court upheld the appeal of the appellant and held that no court has the power in the guise of enforcement of fundamental rights to make an order shielding and restraining the EFCC from arresting and or prosecuting anybody.
The panel held that the order made by the trial High Court in Kogi prejudiced the criminal charge pending at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The appellate court subsequently ordered the appellant to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja to take his plea in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 before taking any step in the matter.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Flowerbudnews

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, fixed Sept. 25 for arraignment of former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, inspite of a case be filed in the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after delivering a ruling on the application moved by Bello’s counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, praying the court to stay proceedings following an appeal filed at the appellate court.

The senior lawyer had told the court that the.defence had filed an appealed against the arrest warrant and other rulings earlier granted by Justice Nwite.

Mohammed argued that the court could not proceed on the matter until the pending appeal was determined, citing authorities.

He also decried the treatment meted out to his colleague, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, at the last hearing, saying the prosecution misled the court.

“Your lordship is functus officio to continue with this case. Heavens will not fall if my lord awaits the Court of Appeal’s decision.

“My lord, the contention of Section 396 of ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act) is a live issue in that appeal.

“We are relying on the provision of the constitution which overrides the EFCC’s Act which the prosecution is relying on,” he said.

However, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Pinhero, SAN, opposed vehemently opposed the submission.
He said that the defendant had not shown any Court of Appeal’s document showing that the court wants the lower court to stay proceeding.
At that point, Justic Nwite asked whether, having received the application and affidavit of record of appeal, and being aware of the pending appeal, it would not amount to judicial rascality for his court to continue proceedings on the matter.
“Won’t it amount to judicial rascality to continue this case when there’s an issue of jurisdiction?” the judge asked.
But Pinheiro said “it is not really an issue of jurisdiction,” adding that in the face of Section 40 of the EFCC Act, the mere filing of an affidavit could not suffice as the case was not a civil case.
He urged the court to stick to the matter of the day, which was the ruling on the arguments presented on June 27.
Abdulwahab, however, told the court that the judge was misled on June 27 and that part of their request was for the proceedings of that day to be expunged.
“They are asking your lordship to undo the work of the Court of Appeal.
“To avoid controversy and in order not to render the appeal nugatory, this should not continue.
“Even if Yahaya Bello were to be here, you cannot arraign him since the appeal has been entered,” he argued.
The senior lawyer said the 13-paragraph affidavit of records of the appeal was filed on July 16 with 10 exhibits.
“It is basically praying your lordship”s attention to the notices of appeal we have filed against your lordship rulings of the 23rd of April, 2024, and 10th of May, 2024.
“The file and records were transmitted through the Court of Appeal on the 24th of May, 2024.
“And that the appellant’s brief of argument was filed on 31st of May, 2024,” he said.
According to Mohammed, an appeal had been properly entered with motion for stay of further proceedings of the lower court filed in respect of both appeals.
He argued that the two appeals challenged the jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain the charge ab initio.
“We urge your lordship to expunge the record of the proceedings on 27th of June because at that time, an appeal had been entered and the proceedings should not have happened. The court was functus officio,” he insisted.
He said going ahead with the matter would bring the court in conflict with the Court of Appeal.
Pinheiro observed that one of the appeals sought to have the court stay further proceedings until the determination of the appeal.
He, however, noted that the judge was bound by his own rulings and, therefore, had the discretion to determine whether to proceed or not.
He argued that the first authority that Abdulwahab cited was a 1999 case that predated the EFCC Act, 2004.
“This same position was canvassed on behalf of Mustapha SAN in 2016 case, Mustapha v FRN, and the court held that proceedings can only be stayed where there is a Court of Appeal order to that effect and they relied on 306. In Chukwuma v IGP, a 2018 case, the court held something similar,” he said.
Responding on point of law, Abdulwahab said, “We have two notices of appeal – one is on mixed law and fact and the other is on jurisdiction.
“The authorities he has cited are different from jurisdiction. Chukwuma v IGP is on admissibility of document and not jurisdiction.
“In Chief Cletus ibeto v Frn, which is an ongoing criminal appeal, all the facts are on all fours with the recent case.
“The lower court stayed proceedings because of the issue of Jurisdiction and now the argument at the Court of Appeal is on 306. That is how it is supposed to be.”
In his ruling, Justice Nwite said, “The grant of stay of proceedings is at the court’s discretion. And since it is an issue of discretion no one can give an authority for the judge to rely on. The judge only needs to exercise this power judicially.”
The judge, in a twist, held that the defendant wanted to use the appeal to delay proceedings.
According to him, there have been previous Court of Appeal judgments on such matters.
In another ruling, Justice Nwite granted the application for withdrawal of the defendant’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, from the case.
The judge referred the matter of alleged misconduct by the defence counsel over alleged failure to produce the ex-governor in court to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for investigation on possible infractions.
Justice Nwite said, having stated the law, “the question is whether there was an undertaking by Abdulwahab, SAN and Adedipe, SAN, which was breached to amount to contempt of court.”

Pinheiro, however, commended Adedipe for taking the step to withdraw from the case, praying the court to vary the ruling on alleged misconduct levelled against the duo.

But Justice Nwite directed Pinheiro to file a formal application to the effect.
Consequently, he adjourned the case until Sept. 25 for arraignment.

By Danladi Ahmed