latest
EFCC Witness Tells Court: No Proof Linking Yahaya Bello to Local Government Funds.
A witness presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that funds withdrawn from several local government accounts in Kogi State were used to pay for goods and services supplied to the councils.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Olomotane Egoro, a compliance officer with Access Bank Plc, appeared as the tenth prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
Egoro informed the court that over ₦109 million traced to various local government accounts was used to purchase agrochemicals, medical supplies, sports equipment, and relief materials intended for the councils.
At the start of his testimony, the witness submitted 13 documents, including account opening forms and bank statements linked to the Kogi State Government House Administration and contractors involved in the transactions.
Lawyers for the second and third defendants challenged the documents, arguing that the certificates attached did not comply with the requirements of the Evidence Act. They said they would address the matter in detail in their final written submissions.
Prosecution counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, countered that the objection was premature and based on assumptions, noting that he would respond fully during the final address. The court admitted the documents for now, reserving judgment on their weight until after arguments from both sides.
Egoro also detailed the inflow and outflow of funds in the Kogi State Government House Administration account and spoke about a document marked Exhibit AP, containing bank records of Fazab Business Enterprise from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2024.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Paul Daudu, SAN, the witness confirmed that Fazab Business Enterprise held contracts with several local government councils and that payments were tied to the supply of educational materials, medical items, farm inputs, and relief materials, including for councils affected by the 2022 floods.
Egoro clarified that he was not the relationship manager for the local government accounts or the contractor accounts. He also confirmed that Yahaya Bello did not serve as chairman of any local government during the period covered by the bank statements.
When shown specific transactions, Egoro identified a ₦14,453,900.84 payment made on May 6, 2022, for reading materials supplied to Okene Local Government Area and confirmed other payments and their intended recipients.
Throughout his testimony, the witness did not link any of the transactions to Bello as a beneficiary or signatory approving the payments.
The court adjourned the matter to March 10, 11, and 12 for further hearing.
latest
Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.
An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.
Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.
Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.
According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.
He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.
“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.
The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.
Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.
He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.
latest
‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.
Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.
The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.
Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.
He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.
Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.
Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.
In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.
The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.
latest
El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.
However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.
Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.
During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.
When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.
-
latest1 year ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest3 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment3 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest3 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics3 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest3 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics3 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest3 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp
