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Court Declines EFCC’s Bid To Arraign Yahaya Bello Without Lawyers

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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.

 

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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Crime

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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Crime

Enugu Church Attack: Three Suspected Kidnappers Arrested, Four AK-47s Recovered

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Sit-At-Home: Two Killed As Police Take Over Enugu Streets

Three suspected members of a notorious kidnapping gang allegedly linked to the August 2 attack on St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Inoyi-Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested by security operatives.

The suspects were apprehended during a joint operation involving the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security personnel.

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One suspected kidnapper was reportedly killed during a gun battle with the security forces, while four AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the gang.

The development was disclosed on Monday night when Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, visited the state DSS headquarters to inspect the arrested suspects.

Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said two of the three victims abducted during the August 2 attack had regained their freedom.

The victims, identified as Seminarian Lawrence Igbo and Emmanuel Onwudi, reportedly identified the arrested suspects as the individuals who abducted them.

“There was one fatality in this process. It was one of the criminals that died in the process of apprehending them,” Onyia said.

He added that the arrested suspects would face the full weight of the law.

The SSG said the state government would continue to strengthen its security architecture and collaborate with security agencies to prevent criminal activities across Enugu State.

He warned criminal elements that the state would not provide a safe haven for their activities.

Onyia also cautioned residents against assisting or providing information to criminal groups, stressing that anyone found collaborating with such groups would be investigated and prosecuted.

“We will find you also, just as we have found these people, and we will prosecute you as part of this evil operation and this evil syndicate,” he warned.

The SSG commended the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, Enugu State Forest Guard and other security agencies for their efforts in apprehending the suspects and recovering the weapons.

He further assured residents that investigations were ongoing and that the government would continue to pursue those involved in criminal activities in the state.

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