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Drama as EFCC’s lawyer tags Yahaya Bello’s trial political

After the examination by the prosecution, the judge adjourned to tomorrow, June 27, for cross-examination by the Defendant’s Counsel.

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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, rejected a move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ‘cross-examine’ its third witness in the ongoing alleged money laundering case against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

While delivering his ruling, Justice Nwite noted that there was no provision in the law that permits the court to allow the prosecution to re-examine its witness in the manner proposed.

This was just as the EFCC lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, during the proceedings, described the case instituted against the former governor as a political case.

He emphasised that he was not prosecuting a bank official, but a political figure, “one who had even aspired to contest for presidency”.

He said this while arguments were being raised on whether the defence counsel would cross-examine the 4th witness when the prosecution concluded its examination at 2.30pm or wait till the next day.

The judge responded, “Political? If that is the case, then those handling political cases should prepare to take over the matter.”

On the ruling against the cross-examination of PW3 by the EFCC, the judge said, “I must agree with the learned counsel to the defendant that the prosecution can only cross-examine after it has declared the witness a hostile witness.

“The argument of the learned counsel to the prosecution is misconceived…This honourable court is not shutting the prosecution from re-examining the witness, but must restrict itself to pages 1, 14 and 15 of Exhibit 19.

“The prosecution is not allowed to re-examine the witness outside the pages prescribed.”

Nicholas Ojehomon, an internal auditor at the American International School, Abuja, had, at the last hearing, said there was no wired transfer of fees from the Kogi State Government or any of the local Governments in the state to the account of the American school.

On cross-examination, he also read out a part of a previous Federal Capital Territory High Court judgment that said there was no court order for AISA to return fees to EFCC or any judgment declaring the money as proceeds of money laundering.

After a brief re-examination, and the withdrawal of an earlier question posed to the witness, the EFCC lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the Commission had three other witnesses for the day.

During examination, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, confirmed that the certificates of identification were attached to the statements of account provided by the bank in the seven sets of documents presented, as requested.

The court, thereafter, admitted the statements of account of Kogi State Government House Administration, and six others, as exhibits.

The witness, on subpoena, educated the court on the withdrawal limits allowed for individuals, corporate organisations and government, saying that before the cashless policy, it was pegged at N10 million for government.

The prosecution then took him to the 23rd of May, 2016 on the printed documents, and pointed at a transaction under the name, Abdulsalami Hudu.

When the witness was asked to explain the transaction, he said, “It is a cash withdrawal of N10 million in accordance with the then maximum threshold allowed for cheque withdrawal per transaction.”

He, however, said that he had nine cash transactions on the same date.

The witness was then told to go to the credit transactions of 30th January, 2018, and he confirmed that there were 10 separate credits of various sums, totalling about N1.092 billion.

When asked to mention the total amount of withdrawals, the Defendant’s counsel cut in: “He (Pinheiro, SAN), knows that they are for security votes.

“The witness aggregated the total amount of withdrawals to N1.968 billion, saying they were on different dates.”

He also read out the inflow and outflow between 2nd of May 2018 and 19th May, 2018.

After the examination by the prosecution, the judge adjourned to tomorrow, June 27, for cross-examination by the Defendant’s Counsel.

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JUST IN: INEC Urges Lagos Residents: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Participate in CVR

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Lagos State has urged eligible residents to avoid last minute rush in the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise which commences nationwide on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, made this appeal at a news conference on Tuesday, to announce the Commission’s readiness for the process in Lagos.

Salami said: “Don’t wait until the last hours. We must reduce the rush towards the end of the exercise.

“We appeal to all eligible residents to come and use this opportunity now before the rush begins. The exercise for now, will take place at the state secretariat, 6 Birrel Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos as well as all the 20 Local Government offices of INEC.”

According to him, the CVR exercise is a crucial component of the electoral process, aimed at ensuring that all eligible citizens are registered to vote.

He said that the exercise would start August 18, 2025, and that online registration could be done anywhere before the physical biometric capturing, beginning August 25, 2025. The exercise is expected to end on August 30, 2026.

The REC said that those eligible to partake in the process include adult Nigerians without prior registration, those that had attained 18 years of age within the time frame of the exercise.

According to him, others are those willing to replace their damaged or lost Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and those willing to transfer their voting rights to other Polling Units, Registration Areas (Wards), Local Governments or States.

Salami said that residents with claims of lost cards, requesting new cards must present a police report or court affidavit for such claims to be accepted.

Salami said that INEC was counting on the media for a successful CVR in the area of public awareness, education, sensitivities, monitoring and reporting as well as promotion of transparency.

According to him, the CVR exercise is open to all eligible citizens and the registration remains a crucial step in ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard.

The REC also called for collaboration of other stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise.

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Politics

ADC Names Jackie Wayas Deputy National Publicity Secretary

As part of the Obidient movement, Wayas leveraged grassroots activism and digital advocacy to mobilize millions of young Nigerians, showcasing the power of fresh ideas in shaping national discourse.

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• ADC deputy national publicity secretary , Jackie Wayas

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has appointed Jackie Wayas as its new deputy national publicity secretary.

Previously, Wayas served as a political strategist with the Labour Party, where she played a pivotal role in the 2023 presidential campaign.

As deputy national publicity secretary, Wayas will be responsible for crafting and executing the party’s media strategies, articulating its reform agenda, and connecting with millions of Nigerians eager for a new political direction.

Wayas, a seasoned strategic communicator and advocate for inclusive democracy, will lead the ADC’s conventional media engagement efforts—an influential role in shaping public perception and promoting the party’s vision for good governance.

Her appointment has been regarded as both a symbolic and practical move toward ensuring that women and young people play central roles in Nigeria’s political future.

Her journey into this position underscores the shifting dynamics of political leadership in the country.

As part of the Obidient movement, Wayas leveraged grassroots activism and digital advocacy to mobilize millions of young Nigerians, showcasing the power of fresh ideas in shaping national discourse.

Through her work in the Labour Party’s national organizing office, Wayas developed expertise in political mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and public advocacy.

For Wayas, the appointment is not just a personal achievement but a rallying call for youth and women to take up leadership roles

. “We can no longer be spectators,” she has often remarked in public forums. “Our voices, our ideas, and our leadership are essential to building the Nigeria we all want.”

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ADC Rivers Membership hits 800,000

“As for Rivers State, we have the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, who is a former governor, and Celestine Omehia, who is also a former governor. The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is also a member of the ADC.

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Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Luckyman Egila, declared that the party’s membership is growing by leaps and bounds in the state.

In a statement, Egila revealed that the party has current membership strength of over 800,000 and counting.

He described the party as a beautiful bride, adding that prominent politicians, including two former governors and two senators, had officially joined and received their party membership cards.

He added:

“The ADC, as of today, is a beautiful bride that is receiving key politicians into its fold. “We are a moving train because, politically, we don’t see anyone capable of stopping the ADC from clinching whatever ticket or office we want in Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

“As for Rivers State, we have the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, who is a former governor, and Celestine Omehia, who is also a former governor. The former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, is also a member of the ADC.

“We also have Senator Lee Maeba and Senator Andrew Uchendu as members of our party. Of course, you should know that Senator Andrew Uchendu is the Vice Chairman, South-South of the ADC as of today.”

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