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Court Remands Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Till December 10

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to December 10 while remanding him in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

 

EFCC had also opposed his bail application in court on Wednesday.

 

 

 

Yahaya Bello had earlier pleaded “not guity” to the 16 counts charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court.

 

 

His case was adjourned to December 10 for the reading of his bail application. He is to remain with the EFCC, SaharaReporters learnt.

 

 

 

The fraud trial involving Yahaya Bello, had become chaotic on Wednesday morning when a crowd of his supporters stormed the court room.

 

 

 

Bello, who was arraigned at the FCT High Court on Wednesday, had asked his rascally followers and aides to leave the courtroom to ensure sanity.

 

 

Thereafter, Justice Maryann Anenih took the plea of the former governor and two others.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Kemi Pinheiro SAN led the federal government’s legal team for the arraignment, while Joseph Bodunde Dauda SAN led the legal team for the former governor in the 16-count charges.

 

 

 

We had reported earlier that Yahaya Bello was brought to court around 8:50am on Wednesday.

 

 

Bello, who served as governor from 2016 to 2023, faces charges related to the mismanagement of state funds, as well as accusations of embezzlement and abuse of office.

 

 

 

Earlier in November, we reported that the EFCC had filed fresh charges against former governor, Bello, accusing him of N110 billion fraud.

 

 

The EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against the former Kogi governor, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.

 

 

 

In the fresh charges dated September 25, the total amount involved is N110,446,470,89.00.

 

 

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had dismissed the oral bail applications of Abdulsalam Hudu and Umar Oricho, who are co-defendants of Yahaya Bello in the N110.4billion fraud case preferred again them by the EFCC.

 

 

 

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Aviation Minister Celebrates Festive Season Through Generous Palliative Distribution In Delta

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In the spirit of the festive season, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, has undertaken a remarkable act of goodwill, distributing a substantial array of food items to the people of Delta State. This benevolent initiative is aimed at fostering camaraderie and ensuring that the joy of the season is shared with all.

The extensive distribution exercise includes over 10,000 bags of rice, hundreds of cows, and rams, benefitting a wide spectrum of recipients including traditional rulers, party leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, opinion leaders, ethnic groups, and other key stakeholders. The gesture has been widely applauded as a demonstration of the Minister’s enduring connection with his roots and his commitment to the welfare of his people.

Speaking before the distribution commenced, Keyamo expressed his heartfelt motivation for this philanthropic effort, emphasizing the importance of giving back to a community that has shown him unwavering support throughout his journey. “This initiative is my humble way of reciprocating the kindness and generosity I have received from the people of Delta State. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with my kith and kin,” he said.

Keyamo also used the occasion to call on Nigerians to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the importance of collective effort in addressing the nation’s challenges. He underscored the need for unity, collaboration, and shared responsibility as critical factors for national development.

A proud son of Delta State, Keyamo has long been a champion of the Nigerian people’s welfare. His distinguished career as a lawyer, human rights activist, and public servant has been marked by an unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and fairness, earning him widespread admiration both at home and abroad.

The festive season distribution is yet another testament to his enduring dedication to the betterment of society and his determination to make a meaningful impact in the lives of his people.

Tunde Moshood
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

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Late Samuel Ogbemudia’s daughter Eghe impeached as Egor council chairman

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The legislative arms of Egor Local Government Area of Edo State have impeached the council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, and the vice chairman, Frank Osawe.

The legislators also suspended the leader of the legislative arms, Bosede Omokaro, Majority Leader, Iwinosa Enabulele, and Elliot Inneh Enni, the Chief Whip.

The council’s chairman and vice chairman were impeached for alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial misappropriation, unlawful withholding of statutory allowances of a principal member and three other council members as well as budget padding.

The principal officers of the council were allegedly suspended for inability to collaborate effectively with the local government chairmen, particularly in ensuring timely payment of salaries,

the two-month delay in councillors’ salaries, failure to provide effective oversight and neglect of responsibilities.

The motion for their impeachment was moved by Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, seconded by Stella Ogida Osagioduwa and signed by four legislators.

The suspension of the former principal officers of the legislative arms was passed by five members, with one member absent.

The House immediately swore in Kelvin Eguakun, the leader of the legislative arm, as the acting chairman of the council.

Moving the motion for the impeachment, Nosakhare Isiegbuwa, at plenary on Friday, December 27, 2024, said the report submitted by the seven-man panel appointed to probe the allegations of gross misconduct against the chairman and vice chairman found the duo guilty of all the allegations.

In a unanimous voice vote, the councillors impeached the chairman and vice chairman.

Society Reporters learnt that the impeachment proceedings were formally documented in the Edo State Government Gazette.

The gazetted document notified the affected officials of the initiation of impeachment proceedings in line with the Edo Local Government Bye-law on Pro-Action Notices, Legislative Privileges, and Impeachment Procedures For Elected Council Officials, 2024.

Society Reporters reports that the impeached council chairman, Eghe Ogbemudia, is the daughter of the late General Samuel Ogbemudia, the former military governor of the old Midwest and Bendel states.

He was also a civilian governor of old Bendel State in 1983. He ruled for three months before the government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari was overthrown by the former military government of General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983.

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Kwara Governor, Abdulrazaq mourns late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe

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Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has described his late Chief of Staff, Abdulquadri Mahe, as a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant and a statesman.

In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye in Ilorin on Saturday, governor Abdulrazaq said: ‘In total submission to the will of Allah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe.

“He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allah.

“The late CoS will be buried today, Saturday, at his residence on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

“His Excellency deeply mourns the death of Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman.”

The governor commiserated with the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of Prince AbdulKadir, government establishments and cabinet members.

“We ask for the understanding of everyone at this mournful period as the government and family mourn the quintessential public servant.

“We pray that Allah accept his return, ease his accounts, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family upon goodness,” the statement added.

 

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