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Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment as parties await decision on transfer of case

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In a recent development at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the arraignment of Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, on charges of alleged money laundering has been adjourned to July 17, 2024. This adjournment follows discussions regarding the potential transfer of the case to the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, based on Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.

Here are the key points from the proceedings:

  1. Application for Transfer: Yahaya Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court about an application before the Chief Judge for the transfer of the case (FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024) to the Federal High Court in Lokoja. This application was made due to the territorial jurisdiction where the alleged offences were said to have occurred during Bello’s tenure as Governor of Kogi State.
  2. Court’s Response: The court considered the application for transfer but also noted the objection from the prosecution, represented by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. The EFCC argued that the matter should proceed with the arraignment as scheduled, emphasizing that the application for transfer did not discharge the defendant’s undertaking to appear in court.
  3. Legal Arguments: Adeola Adedipe explained that his accidental appearance at the last hearing was due to miscommunication regarding representation. He highlighted the administrative process initiated by the Chief Judge to consider the transfer request and argued that the matter now rested with the judicial decision-making process.
  4. Contempt Concerns: The EFCC counsel expressed dissatisfaction with the delay caused by the application for transfer, hinting at potential contempt proceedings against Bello’s legal team for failing to produce the defendant despite earlier assurances.
  5. Outcome and Adjournment: After deliberations, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to July 17, 2024, for ruling on the application for transfer and for the arraignment of Yahaya Bello, depending on the court’s decision regarding jurisdiction.

The case underscores ongoing legal maneuvers and procedural challenges typical in high-profile criminal proceedings, highlighting the intersection of legal technicalities and the pursuit of justice.

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IBADAN: Early Morning Fire Destroys Shops, Millions Lost in Property

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An early morning fire on Friday, September 12, 2025, gutted four shops at Saki Garage, opposite Trans Amusement Park in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The fire, which started around 2:07 a.m., affected four out of eleven shops in the complex. No casualties were reported, but properties worth millions of naira were lost.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident and said firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

The fire was traced to embers left unattended after business hours, which ignited nearby flammable materials.

Akinwande advised the public to be vigilant, keep fire extinguishers at home and in shops, and store emergency fire service numbers. He also commended Amotekun officers from the Bodija Division for providing security during the firefighting operation.

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Air Peace Differs with NSIB reports on crews involvement in drugs, alcohol

Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

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Air Peace has responded to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding the incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

The airline said to date, no official communication was received on crew toxicology results by NSI, B, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had cleared the co-pilot on duty.

In a statement by Air Peace, it stated that it is yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident!

“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.

“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

The NSIB had on Thursday released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, operated by Air Peace, saying initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.

The report said that a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.

“These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”, a statement on the report signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, said.

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Hilda Baci Cooking World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Today at Eko Hotel

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

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Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is cooking what she describes as the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites today (Friday) in Lagos.

A video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday showed the moment the massive pot arrived at the venue of the record-breaking attempt in Lagos.

Another clip shared on her Snapchat story captured Hilda and her mother praying at the venue ahead of the event.

Baci announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 people had registered to attend the event dubbed “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”

She emphasised that the event which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 12, is free to attend, and that guests will “certainly not be paying for the amazing meal that I’m going to make for you.”

According to Baci, the historic attempt will feature a giant pot measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice

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