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, NDC upload presidential tickets to INEC portal for 2027 polls
In a post on his X handle, Abdullahi described the submission as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have successfully uploaded the names and particulars of their presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi., Peter Obi/ Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The two parties confirmed the development respectively on the X and Facebook.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, announced on Wednesday that the party had successfully uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi.
In a post on his X handle, Abdullahi described the submission as another milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Similarly, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, disclosed that he had completed his INEC nomination form, using the occasion to call for greater transparency in the electoral process and a renewed focus on governance.
In a post on his Facebook page, Obi said one of the questions on the nomination form, asking whether an aspirant had ever been labelled a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind, prompted him to reflect on the state of leadership in Nigeria.
Politics
2027: Obi asks INEC to publish candidates’ certificates
Obi made the call while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly those relating to mental fitness and certificate authenticity.
Peter Gregory Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by candidates seeking elective office.
Obi made the call while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly those relating to mental fitness and certificate authenticity.
He said that for openness in the electoral system, INEC should publish the certificates and credentials submitted by all aspirants.
According to Obi, making such documents publicly available would help ensure that those seeking public office are held to higher standards of accountability and integrity.
He said, “Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?” Again, the answer is either Yes or No. This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”
Politics
JUST IN: Adeboye says he Admires Trump, declaring “He is the best politician I’ve met’
To be a good politician, you must be able to say two things from the same mouth. A little to the right and left – that’s what makes you a professional politician.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has described United States President Donald Trump as the “best politician” he has ever known, saying the American leader keeps his promises and acts decisively on them.
Adeboye made the remarks when he spoke at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C.
The cleric said that he admired Trump not because he agreed with all his policies, but because he believed the US president was a leader who followed through on his commitments.
His words, “I’ve never met Trump, but I’ve followed him, and I like him. It doesn’t mean I agree with all his ways, but what I like about him is if you want the truth, he’s the best politician I’ve ever met.
During the first time, an ambassador in Nigeria then visited me in my home, and he said, ‘What do you think about our new president?’ ‘I said, ‘I like him because he’s doing what he promised he will do.
Adeboye emphasised that unlike many politicians who make conflicting statements, Trump says what he intends to do and carries it out.
“To be a good politician, you must be able to say two things from the same mouth. A little to the right and left – that’s what makes you a professional politician, and then I like him because when he says he wants to do this, you better get ready because many times he would have done what he’s going to do before he tells you.”
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