Politics
Yahaya Bello: Court fixes further hearing February 5,6
Crucially, the witness reiterated that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the local government transactions under investigation – neither as sender nor recipient of funds.
During the hearing today, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, told the court that the ongoing trial of his client is politically motivated rather than a genuine money laundering case.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the money laundering trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to February 5 and 6, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
EFCC Witness Confirms Ex-Governor’s Name Not Linked to Transactions
During the hearing today, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, told the court that the ongoing trial of his client is politically motivated rather than a genuine money laundering case.
Daudu made the assertion during proceedings in the N80.2 billion money laundering case filed against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The statement came in response to remarks by EFCC lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who described the mode of payments from Kogi State local government areas as “stealing by disguise.”
During cross-examination of the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), Olomotane Egoro – a Compliance Officer with Access Bank Plc – Daudu SAN elicited key admissions that bolstered the defense position.
Egoro, subpoenaed from Access Bank, confirmed under oath that Yahaya Bello never served as chairman of any local government in Kogi State.
He further stated that the contracts in question were awarded by local government chairmen to various contractors, as reflected in the bank statements of companies tendered and admitted as exhibits.
Crucially, the witness reiterated that Yahaya Bello’s name did not appear in any of the local government transactions under investigation – neither as sender nor recipient of funds.
Addressing Exhibit 33(11) – the statement of account for Keyless Nature Limited – Egoro agreed that the entries were consistent with normal banking transactions.
Daudu SAN then asked: “You drew my lord’s attention to a litany of payments from the 21 local government areas, for example, on 11th October 2022, into Keyless account.
Do you know the purpose of those entries or transactions?”
The witness replied: “No, my lord.”
Egoro also admitted he had no knowledge of the records of any business or contractual relationship between the local governments and Keyless Nature Limited.
He further confirmed that a customer has the right to spend money as they wish unless fraud is involved, and that Access Bank had no court order or fraud report concerning the transactions in Exhibit 33(11).
On inflows into Fayzade Business Enterprise (or similar entities), the witness identified a May 6, 2022 transaction from Okene Local Government Area, noted as “supply of reading materials.”
Other payments from local governments such as Ogorimagongo, Okehi, Omala, and Yagba included purposes like education materials (N4.4 million), medical items (N7.5 million), sporting equipment (N10.8 million), and medical consumables (N12.2 million), among others ranging from agrochemicals to farm inputs.
Daudu SAN pressed: “Do you know if this defendant (Yahaya Bello) is a local government chairman and which local government in Kogi State?”
The witness responded: “No, the defendant wasn’t a local government chairman.”
Politics
2027: Atiku Vows To Support Whoever Emerges ADC Presidential Candidate
“We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flag bearer. How many are we, three or four? In the PDP, more than ten of us contested.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to support whoever emerges as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku gave the assurance in an interview with DW Hausa radio shared on Saturday.
Atiku said that all the aspirants would rally behind the eventual ADC flag-bearer.
“We will support and endorse whoever emerges as the flag bearer. How many are we, three or four? In the PDP, more than ten of us contested,” he said.
He also highlighted what he described as the ADC’s growing appeal among young people, noting that the party has created opportunities for youth and women to participate actively in politics.“The youths have taken over the party.
Most of those seeking elective positions, from councillor to state assembly, national assembly and House of Representatives, are young people.
We have always said our party belongs to the youth and women. Our role is to create the opportunity and hand it over to them,” he stated.
The former vice president dismissed concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could weaken the party following the de-recognition of David Mark-led faction of ADC, insisting that the party continued to gain momentum nationwide.
Politics
ADC will resist imposing a one-party system on Nigerians – Mark
Mark, a former Senate president, described reports purporting that he has resigned as national chairman as “an insidious fabrication” orchestrated by “puerile, weak and inconsiderate propagandists.”
The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said that the party is determined to resist any plot aimed at imposing a one-party system on the country.
Mark, in a statement by his media office, yesterday, dismissed reports that he has stepped down as national chairman of the ADC, noting that he is not contemplating resignation.
The ADC has been in crisis since last week when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) withdrew recognition from the Mark led National Working Committee (NWC) of the opposition party, citing a Court of Appeal verdict.
Former National Vice Chairman of the ADC, Nafiu Gombe, has been laying claims to the leadership of the ADC.
Recently, the Court of Appeal directed parties to the dispute to maintain status quo ante bellum.
Mark, a former Senate president, described reports purporting that he has resigned as national chairman as “an insidious fabrication” orchestrated by “puerile, weak and inconsiderate propagandists.”
Politics
INEC suspends voter revalidation amid rising concerns by Opposition parties
The notice said the meeting of the commission with RECs, scheduled for April 9 at 11am will now hold via zoom.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to step down all publicity and arrangements for the planned voter revalidation exercise.
The electoral body gave the directive in letter addressed to RECs, dated April 4, 2026, signed by its Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, asking RECs to await further directives from the commission.
The notice said the meeting of the commission with RECs, scheduled for April 9 at 11am will now hold via zoom.
The INEC had announced a nationwide revalidation exercise aimed at sanitising the voter register by removing ineligible entries and strengthening the credibility of future elections.
Earlier, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that the voter revalidation exercise would be a “recipe for chaos” as it could disenfranchise millions of Nigerians ahead of the elections.
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