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

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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

Tragic: Husband’s Body Found Days After Wife’s Killing

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The body of Ayoola Ayanwale, the prime suspect in the brutal killing of his wife, has been discovered in Ogun State, bringing a shocking and grim conclusion to a case that has gripped public attention.

According to residents of River Valley Estate, Ayanwale’s lifeless body was found on Friday evening in the Sotubo area, just days after the violent death of his wife, Mrs. Ayobami Ganiyatu Ayanwale.

Personal items believed to belong to the deceased suspect were recovered at the scene, raising immediate questions about his movements in the days following the alleged murder of his wife and the circumstances surrounding his own death.

The grim discovery comes barely 48 hours after security agencies launched a statewide manhunt for Ayanwale, following the Thursday night killing that left Mrs. Ayobami Ganiyatu Ayanwale dead and sparked widespread outrage across the state.

The incident has once again thrust the issue of domestic violence into the national spotlight, with many residents and activists calling for stronger measures to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent such tragedies.

Police authorities have yet to release an official statement on the cause of Ayanwale’s death or confirm whether foul play is suspected. An investigation into both deaths is ongoing.

The double tragedy has left the local community in mourning and disbelief, with many asking how a domestic dispute escalated into such fatal consequences for both parties involved.

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Crime

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie blames Euracare Hospital for son’s death

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Chimamanda Ngozi AAdichie has revealed how her son was killed at Euracare Hospital by an anesthesiologist, in her statement, she said: “My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th.We were in Lagos for Christmas.

Nkanu had what we first thought was just a cold, but soon turned into a very serious infection and he was admitted to Atlantis hospital. He was to travel to the US the next day, January 7th, accompanied by Travelling Doctors. A team at Johns Hopkins was waiting to receive him in Baltimore.

The Hopkins team had asked for a lumbar puncture test and an MRI. The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer iv medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight. Atlantis hospital referred us to Euracare Hospital, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done.

The morning of the 6th, we left Atlantis hospital for Euracare, Nkanu carried in his father’s arms. We were told he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the ‘central line’ procedure.

I was waiting just outside the theater. I saw people, including Dr M, rushing into the theater and immediately knew something had happened.

A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive and was quickly resuscitated.

But suddenly Nkanu was on a ventilator, he was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures. Cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was goneIt turns out that Nkanu was NEVER monitored after being given too much propofol.

The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theater, so nobody knows when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive. How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to

monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU!

The anesthesiologist was CRIMINALLY negligent. He was fatally casual and careless with the precious life of a child. No proper protocol was followed. We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures.

And suddenly, our beautiful little boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.

We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child.

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Crime

BREAKING: Court Grants Bail to Ex-AGF Malami and Family in Money Laundering Case

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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.

‎The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.

‎In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.

‎He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.

‎On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.

‎The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.

‎Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.


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