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
One Killed, Houses Burnt as Suspected Herders Storm Taraba

Violence erupted in some farming communities in Karim Lamido Local Government Area in Taraba State, leaving one person dead and 100 houses burnt to the ground following an attack by suspected herders.
The incident has sparked fear and unrest in the local community.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack began in the early hours of the morning, with armed individuals believed to be herders descending upon the village.
Residents reported that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, leading to the death of one person while several other villagers sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
While confirming the latest attacks, the youth leader of the community, Ishaya Peter, described the attacks as unprovoked and also condemned it.
He said residents were discussing when the attackers stormed the community and opened fire, killing at least one person and razing several buildings in the process.
In addition to the loss of life, the attackers set fire to multiple houses, leaving families displaced and without shelter. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but early reports indicate significant property loss.
The motive for the attack is currently under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to ongoing tensions between herder and farming communities in the region over land and resources.
Security forces have been deployed to the area to restore order and investigate the incident. However, residents are expressing concern about the lack of adequate security and the slow response time of authorities.
The incident underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the herder-farmer conflict and highlights the importance of proactive measures to prevent further violence and protect vulnerable communities.
Crime
Pregnancy Dispute Turns Deadly: UNIPORT Student Burns Lover

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 300-level undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, who allegedly set her lover on fire in a private residence in Choba in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
Recall that the incident occurred on Sunday during a heated argument between the two lovebirds before the girl resorted to such action.
It was later gathered that the scuffle revolves around the pregnancy of the girl, even as her lover, a 32-year+old Sunny Amadi, died from injuries he sustained from the fire.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and sent to the media.
Iringe-Koko also said the girl, who also suffered some burns from the inferno, is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital under the watch of the police, saying the command has launched an investigation into the incident.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.
“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate student of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from the Elibrada Community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries during the inferno.
“He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.
Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, Police detectives from the Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim at the hospital, who was in critical condition.
Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.
”She added, “The Police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.
She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child.“
Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident, but will do so when her condition is stable.“
The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The State Police image maker said the State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, urges the public to remain calm, peaceful, assuring that justice would be served in this tragic incident.
Crime
Police Nab 8, Rescue Kidnap Victims, Uncover Arms Cache

……As IGP Reaffirms Commitment To Intelligence-Led Policing.
The Nigeria Police has again recorded significant successes in the fight against cultism, violent crimes, gunrunning, and kidnapping across Delta, Katsina, Adamawa and Edo states.
This comes in a series of coordinated intelligence-led operations in Edo State, on 26th June 2025.
Two individuals; Godday Irieude and Wisdom Emeka were abducted from their farm in Ewatto area at about 1:00 AM.
Police operatives in synergy with local vigilante groups, trailed the abductors to their hideout and launched a coordinated rescue operation.
The kidnappers upon sighting police operatives, engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
However, the superior fire power of the operative caused the kidnappers to flee with various degree of gun shot injuries, leading to the rescue of the kidnapped victims unhurt.
Similarly, Police operatives attached to the Delta State Command, acting on credible intelligence and a search warrant, stormed a residence in Mosogar area occupied by two suspected cultists; Koko Josh (29) and Asomugha Clinton (27).

A thorough search of their premises lead to the recovery of 1 fabricated Baretta pistol loaded with two rounds of live ammunition, two locally made guns, eight live cartridges, multiple mobile phones, a laptop and fetish items.

Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects; Anthony Kelvin (26) and Gift Amotsuka (25) all confirmed to be members of Aiye Confraternity.
In a separate operation executed in Okpanam area of Delta State, police operatives arrested two suspects; Ekene Chroma (36) and Okafor Jonathan (18) in possession of two English-made single-barrel guns and 110 live cartridges.

Preliminary investigations revealed their involvement in illegal arms dealing, acting as suppliers and couriers for wanted criminals.
In a separate operation in Funtua, Katsina State, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) apprehended one Yunusa Ishaku (40) in possession of two stolen vehicles (a Toyota Hiace bus and a Toyota Camry).
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his role in a nationwide vehicle theft ring targeting Abuja, Jos, and other cities, with stolen vehicles being conveyed to Niger Republic for resale.
He further revealed the locations of three additional stolen vehicles( Honda accord, Toyota carina II, Toyota camry 98) in Zamfara and Bauchi States. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices and recover more stolen exhibits.
In another related development, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the FID-IRT arrested one Alhaji Iya Bima, a 52-year-old man from Kem Shithem LGA, Adamawa State in possession of One AK-47 rifle, Two magazines and Fifty rounds of live 7.62×39 mm ammunition.

Further interrogation led to the recovery of additional Ak-47 rifle, 3 magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition.

All suspects would be arraigned before the court of law upon completion of investigation
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, once again reaffirms the resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence-driven policing, disrupt criminal syndicates causing unrest across the country.
The Force urges members of the public to remain vigilant, support police operations, and report suspicious activities via dedicated emergency lines or to the nearest police station.
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