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
Again, Desmond Elliot begs political mentor,Gbajabiamila , “I’m sorry, Daddy”
The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.
“I’m sorry. I have no excuse; I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry. I’m deeply sorry, sir. And in our culture, we prostrate. Don’t be angry, Daddy.”
The above statement was made by
The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly also reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC leadership and appealed for an end to any disagreement between him and Gbajabiamila.
The latest apology is not the first time Elliot has publicly sought forgiveness from Gbajabiamila over the political disagreement.
During an earlier appearance on TVC’s Your View, Elliot acknowledged that he may have offended his political mentor through his political engagements, while maintaining that any misunderstanding between them was not deliberate.
“I’m not saying, oh, yes, media will come out, oh yes, Desmond begs again. Yes, because he’s my egbon. And I grew up learning everything I knew in politics through him,” he said.
He added, “To err is human, to forgive is divine. So I’m sorry, my daddy, if I’ve offended you in any way.”
The dispute occurred amid the political tensions surrounding the Lagos State House of Assembly leadership crisis, during which Gbajabiamila said he faced difficulties at the Presidency over allegations concerning Elliot’s political activities.
Politics
I will concede defeat if 2027 election is credible — Obi
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has declared that he will concede defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is free, fair and credible.
Obi stated this in an interview aired on Arise TV on Thursday, saying he would respect the will of Nigerians if they chose another candidate.
“If the election is free, fair and credible, I will because it’s an election. It’s the people that would say who they want to serve, and I will respect the will of the people; that’s democracy,” he said.
However, Obi maintained that he won the 2023 presidential election, saying those who conducted the poll knew what happened.
“I did, and I will maintain that as long as I live that I won the 2023 election. Those who conducted it know the records; they know why there was a glitch and what happened,” he said.
Fielding question on what about “turn-by-turn” presidency, Obi said elections should not be determined by tribe or religion.
“Election should not be driven by tribe or religion. Today, in terms of qualification, I’m qualified to be president of Nigeria. I have the competence; I have been all over the world studying what it takes to be president of a country, and I know what I can do to turn around this country in the right direction.”
Politics
Trump promises $5,000 ‘dividend’ to U.S. citizens if Republicans win midterms
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
U.S. President Donald Trump has promised every adult American citizen a $5,000 “dividend” if the Republicans are victorious at the upcoming midterm elections.
Americans will vote in the midterms in early November, with the Democrats currently projected to win control of the House of Representatives.
Such a result would likely create barriers to Trump’s legislative agenda and send a signal about public opinion on the president’s policy mix throughout his second presidential term.
“Here is my promise: if the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them… because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” he told a crowd at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” he added.
It is estimated that the total proposed “Trump dividend” payout would cost more than $1 trillion — raising questions about how such an expense would be funded and its impact on fiscal strain facing the Federal budget.
The potential payout compares to the $1.27 trillion the U.S.
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