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Bello Must Have His Day In Court – EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has categorically stated that, “a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello had made several unsuccessful attempts to throw spanners in his ongoing trial through some irresponsible and utterly rascally efforts.”

This  was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Thursday, where it declared that “The appropriate place of surrender would be before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja,  before whom his legal team had undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18-count charges of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.”

ALSO READ: Bobrisky: I Won’t Honour EFCC’s Invitation, – VeryDarkMan

According to the EFCC, Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists.

To even insinuate that he was the target of a phantom assassination attempt because the EFCC made efforts to effect his arrest at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge where he had been hiding, is preposterous. It is the first time in the Commission’s more than two decades existence that such a jejune claim would be made. This is no more than scaremongering, intended to scandalise the Commission.

But the EFCC is not deterred by this, and other shenanigans by the ex-governor. The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in Court.

The EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshalled for justice to be served to all parties involved in this saga.

“The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja by the EFCC is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite. His presence in court is the only step that will convince Nigerians that his touted submission to the EFCC which was widely reported in the media on September 18, was not a stunt”, the statement added.

It noted that Bello was yet to take his plea in the alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges preferred against him before Justice Nwite. His invasion of the corporate headquarters of the Commission with a retinue of security details, hand-to-hand cahoots and carriage with a sitting governor having immunity, unwarranted media blitz, scripted sleight of hands unknown to the public and other backend intelligence available to the Commission, compelled a tactical rebuff of his touted surrender offer.

The incident of Wednesday, September 18, 2024, regarding the orchestrated antics of the former governor to surrender himself to the EFCC, having denied being invited by the Commission and operating underground as a fugitive for several months,  expectedly raised concerns and curiosity of many Nigerians who had been waiting frantically for his arrest and trial.

As a responsible anti-graft agency, the EFCC is sensitive to public opinions, especially if they are in tandem with its operational codes and Standard Operating Procedures.  However, no hysteria, blackmail, sentiment or coordinated attacks in some section of the media would make the Commission compromise its integrity.

“Yahaya Bello’s matter cannot define the success or failure of the works of the EFCC, as the scorecard of the Commission is remarkable and undeniably impressive.

“The EFCC is not unaware of the fact that corruption fights back. Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy or acts of brigandage.

“Within the year, the Commission had arraigned three former ministers, two ex-governors, several top government officials, captains of industries, internet fraudsters and many more would be arraigned in due course. Every former governor, minister, head of ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs being investigated by the Commission would soon be charged to court”, it added.

The EFCC is not running a circus show.  Corruption issues should not be turned into a theatre of the absurd. Those who harbor a criminal suspect should know that the act is also a criminal offence which is also punishable in law.

While the EFCC is assuring the public of its unfaltering focus and commitment to continue to tackle every issue of economic and financial crime without fear or favour, there is need to remind Nigerians that corruption does fight back and caution and restraint should always be exercised in responding to the operational mechanics and dynamics of the Commission. The EFCC would continue with its no sacred cow policy, no matter whose ox is gored.

Crime

Navy Recovers 98,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude in Rivers

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The Nigerian Navy (NN) has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites containing about 98,000 litres of petroleum products in Okarki community, Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the discovery was made on October 10, 2026, during an operation conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, gave the details in a statement, exposing that the sites contained approximately 65,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

The products were stored in about 12 dugout pits and containers across the three locations.

The Navy said no arrests were made because the suspected operators had fled before the arrival of the naval team, adding that the sites and products were subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures.

READ ALSO: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

According to the statement, the discovery highlights the scale of suspected illicit petroleum storage in the area and the risk of the products entering unlawful distribution channels.

The Navy said the operation disrupted storage activities at the three locations and denied suspected operators access to a substantial quantity of petroleum products for further illegal handling and sale.

It added that it would sustain intelligence-led patrols and operations to identify illegal refining facilities, disrupt the storage and movement of suspected stolen petroleum products, and support efforts to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law.

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Crime

Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Cultist Who Allegedly Travelled to Avenge Brother’s Death

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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Kingsley Odo, who allegedly travelled to the state to avenge the death of his brother.

The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the Safer Highway patrol team during a routine stop-and-search operation on a commercial bus along Ife Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olushola Olayinka, said the operatives recovered a locally made, cut-to-size pistol and a cartridge during a search of the vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Begin Probe Into Abduction of Pastor’s Daughter In Ibadan

Olayinka said further questioning revealed that the suspect had travelled to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.

“Further questioning revealed that he had travelled all the way from Anambra to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing,” he said.

He added that the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing investigation to establish his connections and determine the extent of his alleged activities.

“All thanks to God and the good effort of the men of the Safer Highway, he was intercepted, arrested, and is currently undergoing investigation to know his connections and how wide it is,” Olayinka said.

Suspect Recounts Brother’s Death

During an interview following his arrest, Odo said the incident stemmed from the death of his brother in 2021, when he was working in Benue State.

He explained that his brother was schooling in Nsukka, Enugu State, when he received information that someone had killed him.

“It was in 2021. I was working in Benue State, so I had information that my brother, who was in school in Nsukka, had just died in the school, that somebody killed him in the school,” he said.

Odo added that his mother died a few weeks after his brother’s death.

He said he subsequently received information that the person allegedly responsible for his brother’s death was living in a southwestern state.

“So, last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, a Yoruba state. So, I said okay, I will find out that place where he is living,” the suspect said.

He explained that he was travelling from Nsukka towards Oyo State when police operatives intercepted and arrested him.

When questioned about whether he knew the exact location of the person he intended to confront, Odo initially said he did not know the particular state but confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State.

“The information is with me,” he said, suggesting that he had information that could help him locate the individual.

Suspect Says He Bought Pistol for ₦20,000
When questioned about the firearm recovered from him, Odo said he purchased the pistol from a friend for ₦20,000.

“I bought it from my friend,” he said.
Asked what his friend did with firearms, the suspect said the individual might be a hunter.

“I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter. A hunter who kills with pistol? Yes, he has this one and long, so he was the one that sell this one for me, 20,000,” he said.

Suspect Confirms Membership of Vikings Confraternity

During the interview, Odo was also questioned about reports that his deceased brother belonged to a cult group.

He said he could not confirm whether his brother was a member.

“Maybe he belongs, maybe he did not belong, because I was not there with him,” he said.

However, when asked whether he belonged to a cult group himself, the suspect answered in the affirmative and identified the group as Vikings.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s connections and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged planned revenge killing.

 

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Crime

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure

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Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.

The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.

The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.

ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence

According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”

The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.

The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.

The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.

The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.

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