Connect with us

News

Yahaya Bello in custody of Kuje CC Pending Bail, January 29 Hearing

Published

on

171 Views

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, held the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in custody of Kuje Correctional Centre pending his bail application.

Justice Maryann Anenih also adjourned hearing in the N110 billion money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to January 29 and 30 and February 25 and 27 for hearing.

The judge had earlier refused to grant a bail application filed by the former governor, saying it was filed prematurely.

Justice Anenih, while delivering the ruling said, having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, this instant application was incompetent.

“Consequently, the instant application having been filed prematurely is hereby refused,” she said.

The former governor is standing trial along with two others, in an alleged N110 billion money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Recalling the arguments before the court on the bail application, the judge had said, “Before the court is a motion on notice, dated and filed on 22nd November.

The 1st Defendant seeks an order of this honourable court admitting him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge.

“That he became aware of the instant charge through the public summons. That he is a two-term governor of Kogi State.

That if released on bail, he would not interfere with the witnesses and not jump bail.”

She said the Defendant’s Counsel, JB Daudu, had told the court that he had submitted sufficient facts to grant the bail. He urged the court to exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously to grant the bail.

In opposing, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, had argued that the instant application was grossly incompetent, having been filed before arraignment.

He said it ought to be filed after arraignment but the 1st Defendant’s Counsel disagreed, saying there was no authority “that says that an application can only be filed when it is ripe for hearing.”

While delivering her ruling, Justice Maryann Anenih said, “The instant application for bail showed that it was filed on 22nd of November. This shows that it was filed several days after the 1st defendant was taken into custody.”

Reading from the ACJa section, the judge said the provision provided that an application for bail could be made when a defendant had been arrested, detained, arraigned or brought before the court. Mr Bello had filed an application for his bail on 22nd November but was taken into custody on 26th November and arraigned on 27th November.

The 2nd Defendant, Umar Oricha, was, however, granted N300 million bail, with two sureties, “who shall have property in the Maitama District of the FCT, within the jurisdiction of the court.

He shall not travel outside without the leave of the Court and shall remain in Kuje Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

US military strikes in Nigeria killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists -Report

Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.

Published

on

By

5 Views

Military strikes conducted by the US in December 2025 killed 155 Lakurawa terrorists in Sokoro, a report by The New Humanitarian has claimed.

The US focus was Lakurawa though the strikes didn’t touch other jihadist groups including Boko Haram, as well as the al-Qaeda-linked Ansaru.

The publication also claimed that the attacks left 200 additional Lakurawa fighters missing in the week following the operation.

The strikes, carried out in collaboration with Nigerian authorities, were believed to have involved Tomahawk missiles launched from a US destroyer positioned in the Gulf of Guinea.

The missiles targeted three districts in Sokoto State: Isa, Tangaza, and Tambuwal, though only Tangaza is widely recognised as a core area of Lakurawa.

It is believed that Tambuwal is not generally associated with organised armed violence; while Isa is a bandit stronghold largely controlled by Bello Turji.

Although details of the strike on Isa remain unclear, Turji is widely believed to have survived the attack.

A Lakurawa camp in Tangaza, however, reportedly suffered significant losses.

The New Humanitarian reports that there were two missile hits.

The first reportedly killed around 30 fighters. As surviving members converged to assess the damage and assist the wounded, a second missile struck, killing those who had gathered.

In total, an estimated 155 Lakurawa were killed, including 19 who were initially injured but later succumbed to their wounds.

Dando Sibu, a key Lakurawa commander, is reported to have survived the attack because he left the location less than five minutes before the second missile was fired.

However, in the week following the strikes, about 200 Lakurawa fighters were reported missing. The group was also said to have lost nearly half of its cattle, which is a major source of its revenue.

(The Sun)

Continue Reading

News

Curfew, restriction for Akran of Badagry’s burial rites

Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.

Published

on

By

9 Views

Following the death of the 89-year-old monarch, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, the Akran of Badagry., restrictions have been imposed on vehicular movements around the palace vicinity with some sections of the road leading to the place barricaded.

Commuters were said to be directed to take alternative routes.

Sources said the traditional worshippers have started observing rites necessitated by the demise of the monarch.

Security and palace officials were seen restricting movement in the immediate vicinity.

Residents said the rites would affect social and commercial activities around the palace and may force many residents especially those working outside Badagry to return home early.

Continue Reading

News

Akran of Badagry is dead, aged 89

The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.

Published

on

By

10 Views

Photo: Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi

The traditional ruler of the Badagry local government area in Lagos State, the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi, is dead, aged 89.

The demise of the monarch marks the end of his 48-year reign on the throne, making him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Lagos State.

According to the palace, the Akran was pronounced dead by medical experts, after a brief illness, and the traditional rites for his burial have gradually commenced.

Residents of Badagry, who are currently mourning the loss of their revered monarch, described his death as a heavy blow, noting that the town has lost not just a king but a father figure whose wisdom, counsel and presence brought reassurance in moments of uncertainty.

Continue Reading

Trending