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
ADC unveils 28 governorship candidates for 2027 election
Among the candidates are Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for Lagos State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru for Kaduna, Great Ogboru in Delta, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and Abubakar Malami in Kebbi.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled its governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections across 28 states.
The party announced the candidates in a statement on Friday, highlighting its commitment to presenting what it described as credible leadership and a viable alternative for Nigerians.
Among the candidates are Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour for Lagos State, Isa Mohammed Ashiru for Kaduna, Great Ogboru in Delta, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita in Katsina and Abubakar Malami in Kebbi.
The party also fielded candidates in several other states, including Adamawa, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ogun, Plateau and Zamfara.
The party said the candidates would carry its banner and its commitment to offering Nigerians credible leadership and a “real alternative” in the elections.
Politics
Nduka Obaigbena Challenges Tinubu, Atiku, Obi on 2027 election campaigns
” How do we deal with insecurity? Is state police an answer? What does Abubakar Atiku think? What does Peter Obi think? Let us debate our future on policies.”
PUBLISHER and Broadcaster,Prince Nduka Obaigbena, has urged 2027 presidential candidates to shun smear campaigns and focus on policy issues.
Obaigbena made the call, yesterday, during a panel discussion at the centenary celebration of the Daily Times of Nigeria held at the THISDAY DOME in Abuja.
The event, themed: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future,” also featured the unveiling of the Nigerian Grand Book and the recognition of Nigerians, who have contributed significantly to the development of the country.
The media mogul participated in the session with a former Managing Director of the Daily Times, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, and business executive, Mustafa Chike-Obi.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Obaigbena enjoined the presidential candidates and other political leaders to engage Nigerians in substantive debates on policies, rather than spend time on frivolities.
He said: “I believe I should implore our leaders to fight the election on policies. Should we have subsidy or should we not? Let us debate it.
“Should we go back to the command-and-control exchange rates, or should we allow the markets? Should we have tax reforms such that we can equaliser the gaps between the rich and the poor?
“How do we deal with insecurity? Is state police an answer? What does Abubakar Atiku think? What does Peter Obi think? Let us debate our future on policies.”
Politics
Timipre Sylva resigns from APC membership
“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”
Former governor of Bayelsa State Timipre Sylva on Monday resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.
Sylva announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC chairman in Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was saddened by the direction the party had taken.
“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted,” he said.
His resignation comes amid legal and political controversies surrounding him.
In November 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Sylva wanted over an alleged case involving conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
He was also named among suspects in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is listed as one of the defendants in a 13-count charge filed by the federal government over the alleged coup plot.
Sylva, however, said his decision to leave the APC was driven by his opposition to what he described as a political mentality that considers “all is fair in politics”.
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