The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dragged former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84 billion money laundering offences, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The EFCC is prosecuting the quartet on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of fund to tune of N84, 062,406,089.88 (Eighty-four Billion, Sixty-two Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo).
To make way for Yahaya Bello’s inclusion in the trial, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court of an application before it for the amendment of the charges against the defendants, dated February 5, 2024, and filed the same day. He then prayed that the amended charges be read to the defendants for them to take their pleas.
The judge granted the prayer, overruling objections from A.M Aliyu (SAN) and Olusegun Joolawo (SAN), counsels to Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”
While ex-Governor Yahaya Bello and Hudu were not around, Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants respectively, who were present in court “pleaded not guilty” to all the charges when they were read to them.
In continuation of the trial, Oyedepo invited fourth Prosecution Witness, PW4, Yakubu Gana, counsel to the property owner and seller of a property located in Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja which Ali Bello and Suleiman allegedly bought at the cost of N950 million on behalf of ex-governor Yahaya Bello through their lawyer, Ramalan Jibril Abdullahi.
Gana said: “we negotiated and agreed on the sum of N950 million. Their lawyer, Ramalan Abdullahi, said his clients would prefer to pay in cash and in dollars. I had to call my client to inform him because he was not in the country at that time. My client cautioned me whether I knew the buyers, and I answered I knew their lawyer way back in secondary school.
“The lawyer and the clients invited me into their office, a bureau de change office at Zone 4, adjacent to Sheraton, now Abuja Continental Hotel.
“They then showed me dollars in ‘Ghana must go,’ but the dollars in ‘Ghana must go’ was not up to that N950million. “They said they would make it up by bringing some dollars to make it to N950 million. The transaction took us almost two weeks, and the lawyer invited me to the same BDC office for confirmation, then the money was completed in dollar equivalent.”
In his testimony as fifth prosecution witness, Abdullahi told the court that though he acted as a go-between in the purchase of the property, his major assignment was to carry out due diligence on the said property which paved the way for its purchase by Ali Bello and Suleiman, his clients.
Oyedepo requested for the property’s title documents to enable him to tender them in evidence. However, Justice Omotosho ordered him to formally apply to the defendants and thereafter adjourned the matter to March 28, 2024 for continuation of trial.

Spokesman to the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu has berated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for calling on the Senate President, Senator Akpabio to resign over the unfounded claim of N3.7 trillion budget padding, an allegations by the suspended Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi.
Adaramodu in a reaction today to the PDP call, as Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said: “The PDP has elevated chicanery to statecraft and fatally failed in their sordid attempt to hoodwink the unsuspecting public, on the ineffectual but spurious allegations of budget padding.
“The party’s ludicrous call for the resignation of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President is unthinkable and shows the party as a massaging balm for falsehood and immoral Legislative outbursts. He stated that Akpabio will not resign and has no intention to resign at any time because he has not committed any wrong doing to warrant a
resignation.”
According to him, it is shocking that the PDP leadership could not comprehend what transpired at Tuesday’s plenary where the allegations were debated and Senator Abdul Ningi,who was given the ample opportunity to defend himself and prove the budget padding allegations was suspended after he failed to substantiate his claims in the full glare of the public.
He said that contrary to the contention by the PDP that N3.7 trillion was discreetly inserted into the 2024 budget for alleged non-existent projects, and what transpired on the floor of the Chamber, “it is open knowledge that no such absurdity is found in the budget passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is being implemented judiciously by the Federal government. Perhaps, the N3.7trn being mentioned in the PDP’s shocking statement exists only in the fickle minds of its purveyors and serves as a dubious version of the budget generated by PDP’s ‘unidentified political flying objects.’
Senator Adaramodu said that the Senate did not in any way violate the constitution or its standing Rules and Orders, in not referring the matter to a relevant committee but the decision to take the issue in the Committee of the Whole was for transparency and fairness; and to afford the public the opportunity to follow the proceedings and have a value judgement as to who was lying to the nation. Albeit, it is the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to vary and determine its internal rules, as deem fit.
According to him: “Contrary to the unspeakable grandstanding, Senator Ningi was never intimidated nor harassed, neither was he gagged nor denied the privilege to exercise his right of reply as the senator was given ample opportunity to defend himself. But the whole world saw how he floundered, since he had no verifiable facts to substantiate his allegations and his futile efforts to defend lies.
“So, the decision to debate the matter in the Committee of the Whole was in sync with the resolve of the leadership of the 10th Senate under Senator Akpabio to stand for transparency, justice and fairness.
“The proceedings of the plenary were transmitted live by at least five popular national television stations, making all right thinking people to wonder the basis on which the PDP is questioning the process. The PDP expected the Senate to sweep the unfounded allegations under the carpet but the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senate President Akpabio has zero tolerance for corruption, insipid lies and egregious falsehood such as the N3.7trn budget padding allegations and could not have conducted the investigation in the closet as suggested by the PDP.
“Making the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio the fruit to receive the stones is curious, the Senate and the House of Representatives made the Appropriations law, hence the suspended Senator disparaged and impugned on the social, political and Legislative integrity of all.
“No amount of lies and fake allegations will distract the 10th Senate, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, from delivering good legislation and effective oversight for which Nigerians elected us for.”

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has solicited the collaboration of the Voice Of Nigeria (VON) in its efforts at expanding anti-corruption sensitisation to every ‘nook and cranny’ in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the anti corruption agency, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, who spoke when the Director-General of VON, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace led a team of the organisation’s management staff to ICPC headquarters on a courtesy visit, said that public enlightenment is a core pillar of the ‘preventive mandate’ of the Commission.
He vowed to break the language barrier between the anti-corruption messages of the Commission and Nigerians, whose comprehension would be more in their local languages.
He stressed that enlightenment would help to bridge the gap between the Commission’s initiatives and the understanding of the general populace, potentially increasing their involvement in the fight against corruption.
“Nigerians need to know what we are doing. We do not need to rely on speaking to them in foreign languages” and went further to suggest that understanding the activities and goals of the Commission would help an average Nigerian be forthwith in divulging valuable information.
The ICPC boss maintained that the common goal of anti-graft agencies and other MDAs was to throw light on the positive attributes of the country, while working hard to combat the negatives that deter foreign investments and trade.
He cited an example of MDAs whose successes had led to global accolades and a willingness by other countries to adopt identical modes of operation.
“No foreign investor will bring money to a country where there is alleged corruption.”
According to him, other countries have found ways to amplify their strengths, while dealing with their shortcomings in resolute silence.
He said that investors, both local and foreign, are influenced by what they see and hear and as such, Nigerians must cultivate the habit of positivity.
In his remarks, the DG of VON stated that the visit was a testament to their willingness to “build on the solid foundation laid by our forefathers”.
Malam Ndace commended the good work of ICPC, saying that no MDA should be tentative about telling their success stories and insisted that the mandate of VON remained to “tell Nigeria and Africa story to the world.”
The DG emphasised that leveraging the media’s reach, ICPC can disseminate information effectively to remote areas and international audiences, thereby maximizing the impact of its campaigns.
He pointed out that VON utilises four local and four international languages, to ensure that the home-grown and global audience are adequately catered for.
He pledged the support of his media organisation to the Commission as he informed ICPC to “see the broadcasting institution as a partner.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has has appointed Engineer Emeka Eze as Chairman of the newly created Civil Service Commission in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A statement from the Presidency named Hon. Ahmed Mohammed from North West, Chief Anthony Okeah from South-South Mohammed Magaji Ibrahim from North East as Commissioners in the Commission.
Other Commissioners are Miskoom Alexander Naantuam from North Central, Hon. Jide Jimoh from South West and Barrister Martin Azubike from South East.
The statement said that President Tinubu approved the filling of vacancies in some critical agencies of the FCTA.
They are:
Abdulkadir Zulkarfi – Coordinator Satellite Town Development Department;
Chief Felix Obuah – Coordinator Abuja Metropolitan Management Council; and
Oladiran Olufemi Akindele – Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Council (AIIC).
“Also, to strengthen the bureaucratic structure of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. President equally approved the appointment of the Head of the Civil Service and Permanent Secretaries in the FCT Civil Service.
“Mr. Atang Udo Samuel is appointed as the Head of the Civil Service and the following as Permanent Secretaries:
“Dr Adam Babagana – North East
“Wanki Adamu Ibrahim – North East
“Asmau Mukhtar – North West
“Dogo Aliyu Wadata Bodinga – North West
“Olusa Olusegun – South West
“Adetoyi Rabiu Kolawole – South West
“Grace Adayilo – North Central
“Olubunmi Olowookere – North Central
“Ibe Prospect Chukwuemeka – South East
“Okonkwo Florence Nonubari – South South
“The appointments take immediate effect.
“The appointees would be sworn in on Monday 18th March, 2024.”

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is planning to establish a public relations school that would eventually grow into a Public Relations University.”
“To boost professionalism in public relations, the NIPR plans to set up a finishing school so that graduates in mass communication, advertising, communication arts, etc, can come and specialise in Public Relations, and this institution will eventually grow to become Public Relations University.”
These where made known by the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, when he paid separate courtesy visits to the leaderships of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in their respective secretariat in Abuja.
According to the President, the law establishing NIPR makes it a criminal offence for anybody to practise public relations by whatever name without certification or licensed by NIPR.
He said that some journalists and Editors have crossed over to PR practice as Spokespersons and therefore need the certification to avoid violating the Nigerian law.
Neliaku used the opportunity to invite the leadership of the two professional bodies to participate in the forthcoming programmes of NIPR which include National Spokespersons Summits and Awards, PRWeek, Rebirth Nigeria project among others.
Speaking on the programmes, Neliaku said: “We have discovered that several spokespersons are driven by projecting only their principals in positive light, while others are held in the negative.
“That is why we want to hold a national spokespersons summit and awards. This is because we have to recognise those who have done well and use them as icons or templates to promote the image of Nigeria.
“We are hosting this event from the 26th to 28th of this month in Abuja. We are hoping that at the end of the summit, those who are already spokespersons and their successors will have a good reference material to guide them in their work.
“We are also set to hold the PR Week in Abeokuta next month to boost genuine investments in the country, using public relations to reinvent the economy of our country.
“We believe that the NIPR is in a position to drive the economic recovery of this country, through reputation management and by partnering with other related bodies in the communication industry
“Next is Rebirth Nigeria project which seeks to reinvent the value Orientation of Nigeria, comprising of value reorientation, operation excellence in service delivery, citizenship and patronage of made in Nigeria.

“We shall also host our Diamond Anniversary Cerebration. After clocking 60 years, we want to dedicate the entire month of June to do this programme.
“We also plan to host Nigeria Reputation Fair. We are having this programme in collaboration with the Kwara State government.
Responding, the National President of the NUJ, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, said that the visit has further showcased the cordial relationship between the two esteemed organisations, stressing that they both showcase national ideals based on understanding and collaboration through the dissemination of accurate communication and effective reportage, respectively.
He expressed confidence that the meeting will serve as catalyst for both organisations to advance the cause of press freedom, promote ethical journalism and advance the practice of both professions.
In her response, the President of GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo commended NIPR leadership for strenghtening the relationship between the PR body and the Network of online publishers.
Represented by the Deputy President of GOCOP, Mallam Danlami Nmodu mni, she expressed supports for the upcoming programmes of the NIPR, promising that they would remain partners in progress for a better Nigeria.
Source PRNigeria.

Nigeria has finally opened its land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
The directive to that effect was given by President Bola Tinubu, in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
President Tinubu directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
Travel bans on government officials and their family members.
The President also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.