Crime
Alleged money laundering: Yahaya Bello’s name not on property documents, EFCC witness tells court
Case adjourned to March 6, 7 for continuation of trial
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, adjourned the money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to March 6 and 7, 2025, for continuation of trial.
The court adjourned after the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, called his two witnesses, one on subpoena.
When Pinheiro, SAN, called the first witness, Segun Joseph Adeleke, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected, saying that the witness’ name was not included in the initial list of witnesses provided by the prosecution.
This, he said, could affect his cross-examination.
The trial, however, proceeded and the witness, who identified himself as the General Manager of Efab Properties Limited, was asked to tell the court what he knows about a property on 1, Ikogosi Road, Maitama and another one in Gwarinpa.
Adeleke told the court that the name of the former governor did not reflect on any of the two properties being examined on Monday and that he did not sight him throughout the transactions.
Giving an account of what transpired, he said sometime in 2020, his chairman, Chief Fabian Nwora, introduced him to a young man called Shehu Bello and that they had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property.
“We had a discussion concerning the purchase of the property in question. And he told me that the young man would be coming back to make payment for the property at an agreed price of N550 million,” he said.
When asked if he had seen Shehu Bello since that day, he said, “I saw him three times. The first time was for introduction, the second time for payment and the third time was when he brought a legal document for the execution of the EFAB property.”
The EFCC lawyer then mentioned another property at 5th Avenue in Gwarinpa and told the witness to tell the court what he knows about it.
Responding, the witness said the property was purchased by one Nuhu Mohammed for N70 million and was paid for through a bank transfer.
He was asked if he remembered which bank the money came from, but he said no.
On cross-examination, the defendant’s counsel, Daudu, SAN, asked if the witness’ actions were purely based on the instructions of his chairman. He responded, “Yes.”
The counsel further asked whether it was correct to say that he did not initiate any discussion with Shehu Bello on his own, to which he also answered, “Yes.”
On the documents signed for the transactions, the Defendant’s Counsel asked the witness if he could confirm that Shehu Bello signed his own part in his presence.
“He did not my Lord,” he answered.
Daudu, SAN, also asked: “Throughout this transaction, did you set eye on the defendant?”
“Not at anytime in the course of this transaction,” the witness responded.
He was also asked if the name of the defendant appeared anywhere on the documents he said were with the EFCC.
He, again, answered, “no!”
The Prosecution then told the court that they had another witness to call, on subpoena.
The Defendant’s Counsel objected that they were being taken by surprise but added that he had no intention of stalling the trial.
The second witness identified herself as Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).
She had the subpoena with her, which the lawyer sought to tender as evidence.
The Defendant’s counsel had no objection and it was marked “Exhibit 1”.
The witness read out the documents the subpoena asked for to include the statement of account of Kogi State Government House, from January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2024.
The statements of account of Maselina Njoku, from January 1 to December 31, 2022, were also admitted in evidence, including the account opening packages of American International School and statements of accounts, from September 1 to September 30, 2020.
Justice Emeka Nwite then adjourned to March 6 and 7, 2025 for continuation of trial.
Crime
UK court jails Congolese for murder of Nigerian
After the killing, Katabana activated the building’s fire alarm and walked to Bethel Street Police Station, where he surrendered to officers.
• The killer (Left) Benjamin Katabana; The victim (right), Uchenna Okirie. Photo Credit: Norfolk ConstabularyCCTV footage.
A 28-year-old Congolese national has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of his Nigerian roommate in Norwich, United Kingdom.
BBC reported on Tuesday that Benjamin Katabana was convicted of the murder of 33-year-old Uchenna Okirie, a former University of East Anglia economics student, after luring him into the communal corridor of their shared accommodation with WhatsApp messages.
The attack happened at Somerleyton House on Somerleyton Street, Norwich, on November 22.
According to Norfolk Constabulary, Okirie, popularly known as Uche, was using his phone when Katabana attacked him with a knife.
Katabana initially stabbed Okirie once before repeatedly attacking him and kicking him in the head while he lay on the floor.Okirie was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 6am.
A post-mortem examination found that he died from a stab wound to the chest.
After the killing, Katabana activated the building’s fire alarm and walked to Bethel Street Police Station, where he surrendered to officers.
He reportedly told police: “I have killed someone, I think.”
Crime
Governor Mbah Commends Security Forces Over Arrest Of Affa Church Kidnappers
A joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard, and others, led to a gun battle with the suspected kidnappers.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has commended intelligence and security agencies in the state for having arrested three members of a notorious kidnap gang responsible for the August 2, 2026 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi LGA of the state.
A joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard, and others, led to a gun battle with the suspected kidnappers.
One suspected member of the kidnapping gang was neutralized, while the security team recovered four AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition.
The governor made the commendation on Monday night after visiting the state DSS headquarters to see the arrested suspected kidnappers.
The governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed that two of the three kidnapped victims of the August 2 attack, Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Mr. Emmanuel Onwudi, had regained their freedom.
The victims, stated the SSG, had fully identified the apprehended men as their abductors.
On behalf of the governor, the SSG assured the people of Enugu State that the Mbah administration would continue to prioritise and invest in the security of their lives and properties.
“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them.
Usually, criminal elements will not want to be apprehended easily without a fight, but our people were ready, and we have one fatality, while the others are here now as you can see; and they will face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.
“We made it very clear that if criminality becomes your venture, Enugu State is not the location to do that business; that we will pursue you, we will make sure we bring you to justice, and that was why we put the robust security architecture across the state, working in collaboration with the security forces to ensure that Enugu is uncomfortable for anybody that plans criminality, and you’re seeing that very clearly.
“We are intentional in investing in and organising our security architecture to prevent crime. But if there is a breach, you can run, but cannot hide for long. We must get you. You can’t commit these crimes in Enugu State and get away with it. No way,” he said.
He warned citizens against colluding with criminal elements or serve as their informants, vowing to come after them.
“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate.
“Wherever you are, know that investigation is ongoing and that this government will track you down, and you will pay for your crimes in planning havoc on our citizens. So wherever you are, we are still coming for you,” he stressed.He showered encomium on the security forces for their cooperation and gallantry.
“We also want to very highly commend all the security agencies: the DSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Enugu State Forest Guard, the military services, others for being very instrumental in some of the work that was done, and continue to do in Enugu State,” the SSG declared.
The Kogi State Police Command, working in collaboration with other security agencies, has rescued 16 victims who were abducted along the Itobe–Anyigba highway in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The victims — 12 adults and four children — were kidnapped while travelling along the highway. Two of those abducted were officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the victims were freed during a fierce gun battle between security operatives and the armed attackers.
Watch Video Below:
Obasanjo faults court determining election winner , at GJF Democracy Dialogue
Naira Exchange Rates Wednesday, August 12
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoTinubu Flags Off Eko, Marine Bridge Repairs
-
Crime1 day agoGovernor Mbah Commends Security Forces Over Arrest Of Affa Church Kidnappers
-
Crime2 days agoTroops Rescue 33 Hostages in Zamfara (Photos)
-
News2 days ago147 Lagos Structures to Face Impact From Coastal Highway
-
Crime2 days agoPolice Rescue 16 Kidnapped Victims in Kogi, Neutralise Armed Bandits (Video)
-
International1 day agoTrump cancels 175,000 visas for violations of public safety
-
Business1 day agoNaira Exchange Rates Tuesday, August 11
-
Crime1 day agoUK court jails Congolese for murder of Nigerian