Crime

JUST IN: Yahaya Bello Vs EFCC: Court adjourns to January 21 for ruling or arraignment

Published

2 years ago

October 30, 2024

425 Views

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned hearing in the money laundering case brought against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to January 21, 2025.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told Justuce Emeka Nwite that he had two witnesses already in court.

He said his first application was to formally apply that the court should enter a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendant, even in his absence.

“My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty to the defendant, even in his absence. The second point is, not withstanding his physical absence, it is in full compliance with Section 276 of ACJA.

“Flowing from that entry my lord, it is a humble request that we call the first witness,” he stated.

Pinheiro, SAN, in defending his application to enter a plea of not guilty for the defendant, said “the right to plead guilty or not guilty is a right that can be waved by the defendant.

“My lord should hold that the defendant has waved that right.

“What prejudice will the defendant suffer if my lord enters a plea of guilty or not guilty in his absence? Even if he was in court and pleaded not guilty, the situation will still be the same.

The entry of plea of not guilty by your lordship is an invitation to the prosecution to come and prove the veracity of the allegations,” he added.

Michael Adoyi, who appeared for the defendant, however kicked against this, saying that the Prosecution’s application was made contrary to a subsisting order of the judge.

“Our first point of response to the application made by the learned senior counsel to the complainant is that the application is made contrary to the subsisting order of this honourable court, even made this morning – that no application can be entertained by this court in the absence of the arraignment of the defendant.

“The prosecution has stated severally that the court cannot demonstrate helplessness.

The court cannot demonstrate any helplessness in any proceeding and if at all helplessness exists in this proceeding, that helplessness is demonstrated by the prosecution,” he said.Adoyi argued that the court, in a criminal trial, is immune and distinct from the prosecution.

Citing Supreme Court verdicts on similar matters, he said, “The application made by learned senior counsel for the complainant this morning is a dangerous invitation to this honourable court to aide the prosecution in the performance of its duty of presenting the defendant before the court for arraignment and subsequent trial.

“He argued that civil proceeding was different from criminal proceeding.

The Defendant’s Counsel noted that the prosecution’s application could not be anchored on any of the provisions of the ACJA, 2015 that he had cited, as “those provisions do not excuse the need for physical presence of the defendant.”

“In view of this, we urge my lord to refuse the application made by the senior counsel to the complainant,” he said.

The Prosecution Counsel, however, told the court to dismiss Adoyi’s arguments and go ahead with his ruling on entering a plea of not guilty for the Defendant.

Justice Nwite, however, said it might not be possible to deliver the ruling this year.

“It may not be possible to deliver this ruling this year.

You know I am just coming as vacation judge. So what are we agreeing on now learner silk?” he asked. Pinheiro said the matter would be for ruling and/or arraignment of the defendant.

The Judge thereafter adjourned to 21st January, 2025 for ruling on the application by the EFCC and/or arraignment.

Recall that, at the last hearing on September 25, the Counsel to the defendant, A.M. Adoyi, had told the court that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject matter of an appeal entered by the defendant at the Supreme Court with the Appeal Number: “SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024”.

He said the most appropriate thing to do was to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to pull the rug off the feet of the Supreme Court.

Crime

BREAKING: DSS, Zamfara Forces Rescue 4 Kidnapped Students

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Charles Flames

49 Views

In a significant breakthrough, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Zamfara State security forces have successfully rescued the four remaining students of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, who were abducted by suspected bandits.

The joint operation marks the latest success in efforts to secure the release of victims from the June abduction incident, where gunmen stormed off-campus student accommodations in the early hours, taking several students hostage.

Security sources confirmed that the students were recovered unharmed during intelligence-led raids. Details of the exact location and circumstances of the rescue are still emerging, but authorities described the operation as swift and coordinated.

This rescue comes amid ongoing security challenges in Zamfara State, where banditry has plagued communities and educational institutions. Earlier reports indicated that seven students were initially kidnapped, with some previously rescued or having escaped.

The Zamfara State Police Command and DSS have been praised for their collaborative efforts in tackling insecurity in the region. Families of the rescued students expressed relief and gratitude to the security agencies.

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to restoring peace in the northwest and urged residents to provide timely intelligence to security forces. Further updates on the investigation and possible arrests are expected.

This is a developing story.

Crime

DSS Set to Arraign Three Suspects Over Oriire School Abductions

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2026

Charles Flames

44 Views

The Department of State Services (DSS) is set to arraign three suspects before the Federal High Court on Wednesday, 23 July 2026, over their alleged involvement in the Oriire school abductions and related terrorism activities.

The suspects — Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (also known as Yunusa Bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (also known as Abu Itisar) — all hail from Niger State. They face a 10-count charge bordering on kidnapping, concealment of information, and terrorism-related offences.

According to the charges, the defendants are accused of knowingly withholding vital information about individuals linked to terrorist activities, actively participating in kidnapping operations, and using a messaging platform to facilitate terrorist training.

The planned arraignment marks the formal commencement of their criminal trial. The court is expected to take the defendants’ pleas and issue further directions on the matter.

The development comes as security agencies continue efforts to hold accountable those involved in the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire and similar incidents across the region.

Crime

Money Laundering: Court Grants ₦500M Bail to Ex-Warri Refinery MD

Published

5 days ago

July 20, 2026

Charles Flames

92 Views

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of ₦500 million to Jimoh Yisawu, the former Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited, who is facing an eight-count money laundering charge.

Yisawu pleaded not guilty to all counts when the charges were read to him before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday.

The Federal Government, through the prosecution, filed the charges on June 22, 2026, accusing Yisawu of violating the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In the first count, prosecutors alleged that Yisawu indirectly converted over $789,950, said to be proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Act.

The second count accused him of making cash payments exceeding $789,950 to one Samaila Bala without routing the transaction through a financial institution. The fourth count alleged similar cash payments totalling $122,600 made through Rasheed Olaitan Yusuf outside the banking system.

Prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) urged the court to fix a trial date, while defence counsel Wale Balogun (SAN) moved a bail application. Iheanacho opposed the bail, informing the court that a counter-affidavit had been filed.

Balogun told the court that his client had earlier been granted administrative bail by the prosecution and his international passport seized, pleading that the same terms be maintained.

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Ekwo granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million with one surety in like sum.

Relying on Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the judge ordered that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian with landed property in Abuja and must submit proof of ownership to the court registrar.

Justice Ekwo further directed Yisawu to deposit his international passport with the court and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.

Pending the perfection of his bail conditions, the former refinery boss was ordered to remain in the custody of the prosecution.

The case has been adjourned to October 26, 27, and 28, 2026, for the commencement of trial.