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₦80.2B Fraud: Court Dismisses CTCs Without Receipts In Yahaya Bello Case.
The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud resumed on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge of money laundering totaling ₦80,246,470,088.88. Proceedings were overseen by Justice Emeka Nwite, with the cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness.
Prosecution counsel, Prof. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), informed the court that the day’s hearing would focus on cross-examining Prosecution Witness Seven (PW7), noting that three witnesses were available.
PW7, Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, took the stand and affirmed that he remained under oath. During cross-examination by Bello’s defence counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN), Egoro confirmed he was testifying pursuant to a subpoena and had tendered Exhibits 32, 33(1–11), and 34.
The witness also stated that he had previously testified in another Federal High Court regarding the same documents but could not recall the specific defendants or whether he had appeared as PW2. The defence subsequently sought to tender Certified True Copies (CTCs) from the other court.
While the prosecution did not object to the content of the documents, Pinheiro raised a procedural issue, noting that the defence had not produced receipts for the CTCs. Justice Nwite upheld the objection, ruling that the documents could only be admitted once receipts were presented. The defence said efforts were underway to retrieve the receipts.
The cross-examination then focused on transactions involving Keyless Nature Limited, Fazab Oil, and Abba Adaudu. PW7 confirmed a counter cheque payment at Access Bank’s Otukpo Branch and transfers of ₦200,000 and ₦8 million to Abba Adaudu.
Regarding local government inflows, the witness testified:
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₦7,500,144.61 from Okehi Local Government for medical supplies;
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₦10,863,247.50 from Omala Local Government on June 3, 2022, for sporting materials;
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₦12,228,400.10 from Yagba East Local Government on June 6, 2022, for medical consumables.
He added that entries in Exhibit 33(11) reflected normal banking transactions. The account opening package for Fazab Oil was not immediately available but could be retrieved if needed.
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to Thursday, February 5, 2026, for the continuation of PW7’s cross-examination.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar met with former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Friday at his Maitama residence in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The meeting, which took place shortly after Jumu’ah prayers, was confirmed by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who disclosed that both leaders held closed-door talks after initial greetings.
While details of their discussion were not revealed, the meeting comes amid ongoing political consultations among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections. Both Atiku and Kwankwaso are prominent figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, which continues to attract interest from opposition stakeholders.
The visit also follows recent remarks by Atiku, where he dismissed suggestions that Kwankwaso could surpass him politically in the North. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, he maintained that he remains more influential in the region, citing his extensive political network and support base.
Atiku further argued that no current or emerging northern politician matches his reach, adding that Kwankwaso’s influence is largely centered in Kano State, where he said political loyalty is now split between him and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), a pro-re-election group backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027, has unveiled 16 directors to oversee key departments within the organization.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The announcement was made by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who serves as the group’s Director General and National Coordinator, in a statement issued in Abuja by Tunde Rahman, Director of Media and Publicity. The appointments are aimed at strengthening the group’s operations nationwide.
Among those named is former PDP spokesman Olisa Metuh, who will head Organization and Mobilization. Others include Mele Kolo Geidam (Finance), Muiz Banire (SAN) (Monitoring, Compliance & Legal), Bisoye Coker-Odusote (Technology & Data), and Abubakar Rabiu Abubakar (Support Groups).
Additional appointments feature Ibrahim Garba (Intelligence), Senator Sani Musa (Special Duties), Hon. Simon Karu (Planning), and Dr. Halima Suleiman Zakari (Welfare).
Rounding out the list are Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri (Administration), Bilikisu Muhammed Kaika (Women Affairs), Abike Dabiri-Erewa (Diaspora), and Hadiza Bala Usman (Research & Innovation).
The RHA is tasked with promoting the achievements of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda across the country ahead of the 2027 elections. Its leadership also includes Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani as Deputy Director General, Gombe State Governor Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya as Secretary, and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as Deputy Secretary.
Uzodimma added that the structure extends to six zonal coordinators, 37 state coordinators, and 774 local government coordinators to boost grassroots outreach.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, during a meeting with RHA leaders and coordinators on April 16, reaffirmed his readiness to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has formally introduced Senator Aliyu Wadada to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 Nasarawa governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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