Connect with us

Crime

EFCC Vs Yahaya Bello: Court adjourns trial to April 3 as first witness testifies

Published

on

11 Views

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the alleged money laundering case trial against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to 3rd, 24th April, and 6th May, 2024.

Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.

When the matter was called for hearing, the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.

But Justice Maryann Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other things lined up.

The court also announced that it would not be sitting tomorrow (Thursday) as previously scheduled.

Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd Defendant available to the defence team.

He said he was aware that the 1st Defendant had not made any statement yet. Daudu, SAN, also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.

Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.”

The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.

“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.”

I understand the first defendant has not made a statement.

Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.

Corroborating this, Counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “Mine is not a comment but an observation my lord.

My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.

“When the judge asked if he had previously requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.

He stated, “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.

“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Comm of Police.”

The Prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the Defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.

He insisted that the proof of evidence had been served on the defendants on November 27.”

The constitutional provision, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on. “

The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.

He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.”

As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.

The judge asked the Defendant’s Counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.

Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.

“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” Counsel for the 3rd Defendant said.

The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.

The Prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited.

Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on February 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.

However, throughout his submission in court on Wednesday, he didn’t mention the name of former Governor Yahaya Bello.

He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr. Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.

He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.

He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.

Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.

The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account.

EFAB Property complied in two batches.

Since then, Nwora said he had not had any contact with Shehu Bello or Dr. Bello Ohiani until December 2024, when the EFCC summoned them to court to testify as witnesses in the case related to their transaction with Shehu Bello.

The court, after listening to the witness, adjourned the case to 3rd and 24th April and 6th of May, 2025, for continuation of hearing.

Crime

Suspected Herdsmen Attack Taraba Communities, Destroy 62 Houses

Published

on

28 Views

One person has been injured, and sixty-two houses destroyed after suspected herders attacked farming communities in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to reports, some residents say the attack followed a dispute about a source of water located between Tor Bali and Atongo villages.

The chairman of Bali Local Government Area, Aboki Dauda, who confirmed the incident said trouble started when a woman went to the pond to fetch water, where she was allegedly beaten by the herders.

The State Government has however said it will not tolerate any breach of peace in the form of communal clashes or any farmers vs herders conflicts to scuttle its peace efforts.

Continue Reading

Crime

BREAKING: Police arrest most vicious hired killer in Lagos History, Olori Esho (Photos)

Published

on

32 Views

The Lagos State Police Command has announced a significant breakthrough in its relentless fight against crime of violence and other criminalities in Lagos State.

According to a statement from the command;

“On Friday, June 20, 2025, Tactical Squad operatives of the Command successfully in a well-coordinated special operation code-named Silence, Speed and Surprise trailed and arrested Wasiu Akinwande aka Olori Eso, a 44-year-old notorious hired killer and head of killers gang and cultist kingpin who along with his multiple gangs and hoodlums have been terrorizing Mushin area of Lagos State and its environs.

This serial killer suspect is the most wanted suspect in Lagos history in recent time. His arrest marks a huge success in the ongoing fight against violent crimes that are threats to security and safety of residents in Mushin and some other parts of Lagos State.

Wasiu Akinwande was arrested in his hideout in the Agbado area of Ogun State after several attempts by the Police Tactical Squad.

For over a decade now from 2009 until 2024, Wasiu Akinwande and his gangs have terrorized the people and communities, particularly in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

He was responsible for organizing and executing series of armed robberies, cold blooded murders, kidnappings and cult-related killings. His reign of terror instilled fear and apprehension in residents and posed a dangerous threat to law and order.

Akinwande’s criminal activities have left trauma, horror, agony and pains in the families of victims of his numerous high-profile crimes under investigation by the Lagos State Police Command. Despite his escapes from one state of the country to another over the years, the Lagos State Police Command remained resolute in its pursuit of Justice.

The operatives of the Command raided his house in Mushin, and recovered cache of weapons and incriminating items.

Continue Reading

Crime

Kaduna Police Command reveals identity of man in Tinubu’s recent near attack (Video)

Published

on

30 Views

The Kaduna State Police Command has revealed the identity of the man who caused panic after charging towards President Bola Tinubu during his visit to the state.

According to the police, the suspect has been identified as Umar Mohammed, a resident of Anguwan Muazu in Kaduna.

The incident happened during the commissioning of a 300-bed specialist hospital in Millennium City.

As President Tinubu was addressing the audience, Mohammed suddenly broke through the crowd and rushed toward him, triggering a swift response from security operatives.

The moment left Tinubu visibly shocked, as seen in a widely shared video showing his startled reaction and the confusion among his security team.

Police later disclosed that the man has a mental health condition he has lived with since birth.

They described his actions as unplanned and driven by excitement, adding that he was unarmed and posed no real threat after being restrained.

Despite the scare, the event continued as planned.

Governor Uba Sani led the inauguration of the hospital, which is expected to boost healthcare access in Kaduna.

https://twitter.com/drizzle_new/status/1935781337690182018?s=19

Video credit: TVC (Twitter)

Continue Reading

Trending