Submit Yourself To EFCC And Stop Temporary Self-Help, Attorney General Advises Ex Gov Yahaya Bello

April 18, 2024

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN), has advised the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to follow the path of decency and submit himself for investigation.
In a statement he personally signed today, April 18, the Attorney General insisted that EFCC is empowered by law to invite any Nigerian for interrogation.
He described the action of the incumbent governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest yesterday as ‘disquieting.’
According to him, such action amounted to a temporary self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.
He assured of his strict adherence to the rule of law and that he will ensure that no right of any Nigerian is trampled upon.
“The bizarre drama confronting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the course of its efforts to perform its statutory duty has come to my notice (Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) as a matter of very grave concern.
“It is now beyond doubt that the EFCC is given power by the law to invite any person of interest to interact with them in the course of their investigation into any matter regardless of status. Therefore, the least that we can all do when invited, is not to put any obstruction in the way of EFCC but to honourably answer their invitation.
“A situation where public officials who are themselves subject of protection by law enforcement agents will set up a stratagem of obstruction to the civil and commendable efforts of the EFCC to perform its duty is to say the least, insufferably disquieting. A flight from the law does not resolve issues at stake but only exacerbates it.
“I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.
“I therefore encourage anyone who has been invited by the EFCC or any other agency to immediately toe the path of decency and civility by honouring such invitation instead of embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put our country in bad light before the rest of the world.”
Yahaya Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as governor of Kogi State.
In the last 24 hours, there have been dramas and hide and seek game between both parties over the move to arrest the former governor for arraignment today.

EFCC Vows To Involve Military To Arrest Ex Gov Yahaya Bello

Greenbarge Reporters

April 18, 2024

Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) has said that the commission will go to all length to drag the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello before the court to face his trial, even, if it means engaging the military to get him.
“We may have to invite the military to move Yahaya Bello out of where he is hiding.
“We may have to engage the military to force him out because immunity does not cover him where he is hiding.
“No one is above the law. Immunity covers only the governor and not everyone around him.”
The lawyer spoke today, April 18, during a proceeding in court where Yahaya Bello was supposed to be arraigned but the planned arraignment could not take place due to his absence.
The EFCC and former Kogi State Governor have been playing hide and seek game in the last few weeks.
Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello has accused the EFCC of trying to do the biddings of his political adversaries thereby trampling on the law itself.

Peter Obi Advises FG To Form Task Force To Tackle National Grid Challenges

Editorial staff

April 17, 2024

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government to establish a technical task force comprised of professionals to address the recurring collapses of the national grid.

Speaking via his spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Obi emphasized the need for a non-political team to diagnose and correct issues such as frequent fire outbreaks leading to system failures.

Tanko stressed the importance of improved coordination between the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and distribution companies (DisCos) to enhance power availability.

This proposal follows the recent national grid collapse, which plunged the country into darkness for the second time in a month, coinciding with controversial tariff increases by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Include NOUN Graduates In NYSC, Law School – President Tinubu

Editorial staff

April 17, 2024

President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme and Nigeria Law School.

Speaking at NOUN’s 13th convocation ceremony, Tinubu emphasized equal opportunities for NOUN graduates, acknowledging the changing demographics of Nigeria.

He assured that the doors of the Law School are now open to NOUN Law graduates, reflecting his administration’s commitment to quality and accessible education.

Tinubu underscored the significance of Open and Distance Education in expanding access to higher education and achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, reaffirming the government’s support for enhancing ODL nationwide.

Source: Leadership

Nigeria LNG Signs MOU) With 3 Hospitals On Multi-Billion Naira Hospital Support Programme

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

Nigeria LNG (NLNG) today signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with three hospitals to complete the second phase of its multi-billion-naira Hospital Support Programme (NLNG HSP).
The NLNG Hospital Support Programme (HSP) is NLNG’s national Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at boosting the healthcare delivery system in 12 federal university teaching hospitals and health institutions across the six geopolitical zones in the country. The programme started in 2022 with the signing and implementation of MoUs with six hospitals in the first phase.
For the second phase, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, signed MoUs with the respective medical directors of the Federal Medical Centre Asaba for the renovation and equipping of Neonatal Wards and Intensive Care Unit; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi, for the construction and equipping of laboratory complex; and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, for the renovation and construction of an oxygen plant.
At the ceremony, Dr. Mshelbila recalled that the HSP initiative was conceived on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic when NLNG donated numerous intensive care medical equipment to medical institutions across Nigeria. According to the NLNG boss, one of the fundamentals of the HSP programme is to foster partnerships that support infrastructural development and encourage immediate utilisation of the facilities to deliver quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
“Through this MoU, we will be able to channel our collective efforts towards addressing the healthcare needs of our people, promoting healthcare delivery, and driving positive change in the lives of vulnerable individuals.
“The hospitals involved in today’s MoU have a proven and long-standing tradition of providing quality healthcare services to all sections of society. This MoU will amplify our collective impact, leveraging our resources, expertise, and locations to the outcomes of the Hospital Support Programme.”
Digitaries at the event include NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Olakunle Osobu; NLNG’s General Manager, Finance, Mrs Fatima Adanan; Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Osiatuma Azubuike; CMD, Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja; and CMD, Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Prof. Yusuf Jibrin.
Beneficiaries of Phase 1 of the Hospital Support Programme include Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos; University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada; Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Kano; University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin; University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar; and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH), Yenagoa.
Projects already delivered in Phase 2 include the equipping of the renal centre at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt; the renovation and equipping of an accident and emergency unit and theatre at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo; and the construction and equipping of a twin theatre suite at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos.
NLNG has commissioned eight of the projects so far.
The Hospital Support Programme is a multi-billion-naira scheme by NLNG to reshape the healthcare landscape and enhance medical training within teaching hospitals nationwide. All the completed projects are already in active use.

Atiku Gives N10 Million To Victims Of Fire Outbreak At Yola Market, Begs Nigerians To Donate

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has given out the sum of N10 million to the victims of fire outbreak at the Yola Main Market in Adamawa State, and appealed to Nigerians to donate.
“I passionately urge other Nigerians, well wishers, and friends of Adamawa State to join and add to my donation of N10 million in providing succour to victims of this particular disaster.”
Atiku, who expressed deep sadness over the fire incident, said that he shares his sympathy with victims of the fire outbreak.
The former Vice President, who is the Waziri Adamawa, appealed to other Nigerians of means to make donations into the Yola Market Fire Relief Fund, aimed at providing support to the Adamawa State Government in rebuilding the market and succour to victims of the fire outbreak.
“I am deeply saddened by the report of a fire incident at Yola Main Market.
“Losing a means of livelihood in the face of the current economic hardship is a troubling development.”
Atiku, who contested the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), called for preventive measures to avert fire outbreaks and that infrastructure to deal with such outbreaks should be prioritised.
He prayed that God will replenish the losses and grant reprieve to those affected by this disaster.

Drama: Police Prevent EFCC From Arresting Ex Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

Policemen officers created a scene at the Abuja residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello when they prevented armed operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting him.
The confrontation between the EFCC operatives and the policemen, who are attached to Yahaya Bello occurred at Bello’s residence in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja today, April 17.

The EFCC officials had laid siege to ex Governor’s residence in an attempt to arrest him on corruption-related charges but his supporters, alongside the police officers, gathered at the residence and resisted the EFCC’s arrest attempt.
The situation escalated as tensions mounted between the two law enforcement agencies.
Yahaya Bello has been under EFCC investigation over allegations of misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of Naira.
Despite obtaining an interim injunction restraining the EFCC from taking any action against him pending the determination of a substantive originating motion to enforce his fundamental rights, the anti-graft commission has insisted on arresting him.
The interim injunction, which sought to shield Bello from detention, prosecution, or persecution during the ongoing legal proceedings, has been appealed by the EFCC.
The anti-graft agency contends that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and argues that any order issued by a court lacking jurisdiction is null and void.

Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello’s predecessor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo arrived at the residence of the embattled Yahaya Bello at about 2.30 pm today, April 17, in solidarity with him.

Move To Arrest Him: Ex Gov Yahaya Bello Asks Tinubu To Call EFCC To Order

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.”
This was the reaction of the media office of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, while confirming the sealing of the Abuja residence of the former governor by officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) today, April 17.
In the statement today, shortly after the sealing of the ex Governor’s residence, his media office narrated that at about 9:30 am today, “the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.
“This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.
“The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.
“The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.
“Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.
“Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!
“It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.
“We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.
“A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.
“Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
“We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.
It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.
“This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.”

EFCC Moves To Arrest Ex Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello, Seals His Abuja Residence

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) this morning, April 17, sealed the residence of the immediate past Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, at Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja.
Though the reason for the barricade is unknown, it was gathered that the operatives of the anti-corruption commission were in the area intending to effect the arrest of the former governor, who have been having issues with EFCC even before he left office in February.
It was learned that the operatives did not allow movement in and out of the street leading to the former Kogi helmsman house.
EFCC had joined the former governor as a co-defendant in the ongoing trial of his nephew, Ali Bello, who is the current Chief of Staff to Governor Usman Ododo, Dauda Sulaiman, and Abdulsalam Hudu in an alleged N84 billion money laundering case before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The commission had on March 14, amended the charge against Ali Bello, Sulaiman, and Hudu to include the former governor as the fourth defendant.
They are charged with 17 count charges, bordering on money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N84,062,406,089.88.
EFCC had told the court that both Yahaya Bello and Hudu were at large as at the time the fresh plea was taken in the amended 17- count charge was taken in court.

Suswam’s Ambition To Lead PDP Crashes, As NCW Passes Vote Of Confidence On Incumbent

Greenbarge Reporters

April 17, 2024

The campaign by the former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam to become the national chairman of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came to abrupt end as the National Working Committee (NCW) passed a vote of confidence on the current Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum.
The position of the NCW was made known in a statement today, April 17, by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba
He said that the NWC passed the vote of confidence on Damagum at the end of its 584th meeting at the party’s National Secretariat yesterday, April 16.
According to him, the PDP leaders took the decision in commendation of the efforts and commitment by Damagum to stabilize and reposition the party as the main opposition in Nigeria.
Ologunagba said that the Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja, presided over the motion for Vote of Confidence on the Acting National Chairman, which was moved by the National Vice Chairman (South East) Chief Ali Odefa and seconded by the National Treasurer, Yayari Mohammed.
“The NWC assures of its commitment in ensuring the continued stability, growth and success of our great party at all time.”
Some leaders of the party in the North Central geo-political zone, had endorsed Senator Suswam for the position of national chairman of the party.
The leaders on the aegis of ‘Platform of North Central PDP Stakeholders Forum’ announced the endorsement of Suswam at the end of their meeting, which took place at Ibeto Grand Hotel, Abuja.
The meeting attended by prominent political leaders and stakeholders, including former and serving members of the State and National Assembly, former ministers, appointees and party leaders, women, youths, and observers from the zone, expressed the desire for the need for the party to allow the zone complete the tenure of the suspended National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The position of the North Central stakeholders was confirmed by a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, when he featured on Arise Television programme.
He said that the zone wanted to complete its tenure following the suspension of Ayu, adding also that the PDP did not have to wait for court litigation, stressing, too, that based on available information at his disposal, he did not think that Ayu was in court.
“I do not think the meeting on Thursday is going to be about ‘are we electing a leader or are we discussing leadership’? What the meeting is about, from what I am picking among leaders and among members, is would Damagun remain in office or will he be replaced?”

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