Crime
Court Declines EFCC’s Bid To Arraign Yahaya Bello Without Lawyers
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday suspended the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, following the absence of his legal representatives.
Bello faces a 19-count charge involving an alleged ₦80.2 billion fraud.
The prosecution, represented by Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, arguing that the law only requires the physical presence of the defendant, not necessarily his lawyers, for the plea to be taken.
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Citing sections 271, 277, and 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, Pinheiro maintained that Bello’s presence in the dock fulfilled legal requirements.
However, Bello informed the court that he learned of the hearing late Thursday night and believed his lawyers were unaware of the rescheduled date. The case was initially adjourned to January 21, 2025, before being brought forward.
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite declined to compel Bello to enter a plea in the absence of his legal team. He stressed that ensuring fair hearing is paramount.
“It would amount to a breach of fair hearing for the defendant to be docked in the absence of any lawyer representing him,” Justice Nwite ruled. “It would have been different if the defendant had no lawyer representing him.”
The court also acknowledged that during a previous hearing on October 30, Bello was absent, prompting the EFCC to seek permission to try him in absentia.
While a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest, Justice Nwite stated that procedural fairness must not be sacrificed.
“It is therefore my view that the interest of justice will be met by putting the defense counsel on notice about this abridgement of time,” the judge added.
Recall that Bello surrendered to the EFCC last week after months of evading arrest.
The EFCC alleged that an earlier attempt to execute a bench warrant at Bello’s residence was thwarted by the current Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, who reportedly whisked the former governor away in his official car.
Bello, alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, and two others, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces charges of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the FCT High Court had earlier remanded Bello in EFCC custody after he pleaded not guilty to a separate charge. On Friday, he was brought before the Federal High Court for the new charges.
Justice Nwite has ordered that Bello’s lawyers be formally notified of the rescheduled hearing date.
The matter was adjourned to December 13, 2024, to allow both parties to address whether the original January 2025 date should be abridged.
For now, the former governor remains in EFCC custody.
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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