Crime
Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Case Until April
The trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello in an alleged money laundering case has been adjourned until April 3 and April 24, 2025, by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Justice Maryann Anenih granted the adjournment on Wednesday after hearing the testimony of the first prosecution witness, property developer Fabian Nworah.
The prosecution, led by Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, had planned to call five witnesses on Wednesday, but Justice Anenih could only accommodate one witness due to a tight schedule.
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The court also announced it would not sit on Thursday as previously scheduled.
Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing the 1st and 2nd defendants, raised a key issue during the proceedings, stating that the prosecution had not provided the second defendant’s statements on oath to the defense team.
“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not. So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants,” Daudu said.
He also objected to the prosecution’s witness, Fabian Nworah, emphasizing that the defense had no prior knowledge of the witness. “Legal proceedings should not be a ‘hide and seek’ game,” Daudu asserted.
“The prosecution is required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defense can adequately prepare for cross-examination.”
Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, counsel for the 3rd defendant, also supported this argument, requesting the court to order the prosecution to provide statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants, along with relevant documents, including a forensic expert’s report.
Aliyu noted that the statements were not included in the proof of evidence served to the defense. “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of the recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom,” he said.
In response, prosecution counsel Pinheiro dismissed the defense’s objections, accusing them of attempting to delay the trial.
“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, do not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents that it relies on,” Pinheiro argued. He further emphasized that the prosecution had served the proof of evidence on November 27, 2024, and that the defense should formally request any additional documents they needed.
Despite these objections, Justice Anenih directed the prosecution to proceed with the case and declined the defense’s request for an adjournment.
The prosecution then called Fabian Nworah to the stand, who provided crucial testimony about a property transaction involving Shehu Bello and EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.
Nworah explained that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 8, 2023, regarding a sale of property at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.
He stated that the property had been sold to Shehu Bello but the sale agreement listed Dr. Bello Ohiani instead.
Nworah further testified that Shehu Bello had later approached EFAB Property, claiming the property was under EFCC investigation, and demanded a refund of the N550 million paid for it.
EFAB Property complied with the EFCC’s request, refunding the full amount in two installments—N400 million and N150 million.
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.
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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.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.
The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.
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According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.
The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.
According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.
They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that personnel of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) repelled an ambush by suspected bandits along the Amaafu-Abaji Road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 2, 2026, during a routine patrol by the security personnel along the road.
The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across different states.
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According to the Police, “Personnel of Operation Zenda JTF on routine patrol along Amaafu-Abaji Road successfully repelled an ambush by bandits, neutralizing one suspect and recovering his locally fabricated gun.”
The Police added that other members of the group fled into the surrounding bushes following the encounter.
It further stated that “No Police casualty was recorded” during the operation.
The recovered firearm was subsequently taken as part of the evidence from the operation as investigations continue.
The Police said the case has been placed under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Makurdi.
The Police Force continues to urge members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and useful information that can assist ongoing operations against criminal elements.
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