NEWS
N80.2bn Fraud: EFCC Takes Bello To Court
The legal battle over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) move to arraign former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello for an alleged N80.2 billion fraud is slated to kick off on Monday at the Abuja Court of Appeal.
The appellate court will hear the EFCC’s plea to nullify a temporary injunction from a Kogi High Court, which prohibits the EFCC from apprehending the ex-governor.
Justice Emeka Nwite, presiding at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is expected to deliver a verdict on Tuesday regarding the EFCC’s plea for authorization to serve the charge on Bello through substituted means.
This follows an interim injunction issued by Justice Isa Abdullahi of a Kogi High Court on Feb. 9, which restrains the EFCC from taking any action against Bello until the main case is resolved.
Subsequently, on March 11, the EFCC appealed to the Court of Appeal, seeking to overturn the interim restraining order.
The EFCC informed the appellate court that the lower court was not authorized to help Bello avoid facing legal consequences.
They emphasized that Bello cannot utilize the lower court to evade being summoned for questioning, investigation, and potential prosecution.
Nevertheless, the EFCC’s appeal concerning the interim order will encounter robust legal debate, as the Kogi High Court issued its substantive judgment on April 17.
The court instructed the commission to obtain permission from the Court of Appeal before pursuing any additional actions against Bello.
This situation implies that the EFCC must appeal the new substantive judgment and await the appellate court’s decision before taking any further action against Bello.
Justice Abdullahi had in his latest verdict, held that: “Looking at the Orders sought by the applicant (Bello), I am inclined to grant them subject to some alterations which in my view will meet the justice of this case, in the following terms;
“An order is hereby granted enforcing the fundamental rights of the applicant to liberty and freedom of movement and fair hearing, by restraining the respondent (EFCC) by themselves, their agents, servants or privies from continuing to harass, threaten to arrest or detain or in any manner whatsoever arresting, detaining or prosecuting the Applicant on the basis of the criminal Charges now pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“To wit; Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022 between FRN v. Ali Bello & Anor, without prejudice to the power of the said Federal High Court, to make any order as it may deem just in the determination of the rights of the applicant and the respondent as may be submitted to her for consideration and determination.
“An order is hereby granted directing the respondent to bring before the said Federal High Court, or any such appropriate court, such criminal Charge, allegation or complaint in respect whereof the applicant is reasonably believed by the respondent to have committed any offence subject of its jurisdiction, provided that the respondent shall not invite, arrest or detain the applicant.
“This is on account of a reasonable belief that the applicant has committed any financial crime, without first obtaining the leave of a superior Court of Record.”
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
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