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Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Money Laundering Case Until April

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#NigeriaDecides: Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello Votes In Okene

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.

 

Crime

N59m Withdrawn After Father’s Death as Ondo Commission Arrests Son, Mother

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Ondo State

The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has arrested a middle-aged man identified as Tunde and his mother over the alleged withdrawal and diversion of N59 million from the bank account of his late father.

The development followed a petition by the only surviving child of the deceased, who lives abroad and returned to Nigeria after his father, stepmother and two half-siblings died within one week in August 2024.

SEE MORE: Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death

According to a family source, the deceased died on August 11, 2024, while his first wife died three days later, on August 14.

One of their children reportedly died on August 16, while the other, who lived in Ore, died on August 18.

The cause of the four deaths has not been officially established.

Confirming the investigation, SPFACC Secretary, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, said the commission swung into action after the surviving child discovered that N59 million belonging to his late father had been withdrawn after his death.

Adeyeye said the suspect, who is the son of the deceased’s second wife, was arrested alongside his mother.

He added that the suspect admitted withdrawing the money but denied any involvement in the deaths of his father, stepmother and half-siblings.

“The man died on the 11th, the first wife died on the 14th, the first child died on the 16th, while the last child, who lived in Ore, died on the 18th.

“The only child who survived was the one living abroad. He returned and went to the bank, where he discovered that his late father had N59 million which was withdrawn after his death.

“We swung into action and the culprit and his mother have been arrested,” Adeyeye said.
The commission also disclosed that the deceased left behind several properties, including about four buildings, lock-up shops, a resort centre and plots of land.

The suspect was also accused of selling some of the properties.

According to Adeyeye, the commission has so far recovered N10 million from the proceeds of the alleged transactions.

He said the matter was being treated as a family dispute involving the alleged misappropriation of jointly inherited assets.

“It is a collective family property which was misappropriated by one person.
“We are paying great attention to the family and are trying to settle the matter amicably, since it is a family matter,” he said.

However, the commission stressed that it had not established any connection between the alleged withdrawal or diversion of the deceased’s assets and the deaths of the four family members.

Adeyeye said the commission, under its Chairman, Justice Williams Akin Akintoroye, would continue to investigate petitions involving alleged corruption and financial crimes in the state.

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Crime

Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death

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A 23-year-old man, identified as Samuel Akoade, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly hacking his 60-year-old mother, Olufunke Amoo, to death in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the deceased’s residence in the Powerline area along the Ore–Okitipupa Road.

The incident reportedly caused panic in the community after the woman was discovered dead with deep machete wounds.

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According to a police source, preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased had been attacked with a cutlass, allegedly by her son. The motive for the alleged killing remains unknown.

Following a report of the incident, operatives of the Ore Division were deployed to the scene, where they secured the area and recovered a machete suspected to have been used in the attack.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene before the arrival of the police but was later arrested after a manhunt was launched.

The remains of the deceased were subsequently deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital, Ore.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, for further investigation.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered a thorough and professional investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served.

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information about suspicious activities in their communities.

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Kogi Man Allegedly Sets Wife Ablaze After She Burnt His Clothes

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A man identified as Jacob Irewa has been arrested by the Kogi State Police Command for allegedly setting his wife, Berida Irawo, ablaze following a domestic disagreement in Lokoja.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Oworo Estate, Felele, Lokoja.

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According to the state police spokesperson, ASP Salisu Afusat, the B Division Surveillance Team, Felele, received a report of the incident at about 8:30pm and immediately mobilised to the scene, where the suspect was arrested.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the dispute started after the victim allegedly burnt some of her husband’s clothes which she believed he was no longer using, without his permission.

The police said the suspect subsequently threatened his wife, fetched petrol from his motorcycle and allegedly set her ablaze.

The victim survived the attack and is currently receiving treatment at Honey Gold Hospital, Felele.

Afusat said the suspect, during interrogation, admitted to setting his wife ablaze, adding that the command had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, condemned the alleged attack and reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for violence, particularly domestic violence.

He urged members of the public to resolve domestic disputes through lawful means and avoid actions capable of endangering lives.

The police said Irewa would be charged to court for prosecution after the conclusion of investigations.

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