A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the detention of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) facility till December 10 when it will give a ruling on his bail application. The judge, Justice Maryann Anenih today, November 27, after the preliminary hearing and plea taking, fixed December 10 for ruling on the bail application. The former Governor, along with two others: Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crones Commission over allegations of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy to commit an offence totalling N110.4 billion. The Judge fixed the date for consideration of the bail application after prosecution and defence counsel had argued on the matter. Yahaya Bello was arraigned on fresh 16-count charges brought against him by the EFCC. He had, during the hearing today, pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.
Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court, who was billed to handle the case of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, walked out in protest today, November 27, as supporters of the former Governor stormed the courtroom. The judge, who came in to take the plea of the former governor and his co-defendants, rose abruptly and announced not to come back until there was sanity in the court room. Shortly after the judge left the court room, Yahaya Bello, who sat in the front of the court room, stood up and moved to the surging crowd of supporters. He directed them to vacate their seats and leave the court room. His actions doused the tension without resistance, as the supporters left the court room one after the other. To ensure that sanity was restored, the former governor sat at the entrance to the court room and ensured that non of his supporters disobeyed the order of the court. Meanwhile, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) is leading the Federal Government’s legal team for the arraignment while Joseph Dauda, (SAN), leads the legal team of the former governor in the 16-count charges. Source: Prompt News.
President Bola Tinubu has wished the leader of the main opposition political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar long life to continue to be useful in the development of Nigeria. In a statement today, November 26, by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu congratulated Atiku for marking his 78th birthday. The President acknowledged that Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election with him, has been an active player in Nigeria’s democratic process since the return to civilian rule in 1999. Tinubu recalled many special moments he shared with Atiku as founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their being united in the mission to build a better future for Nigerians. He also remembered their engagement as political opponents in the last presidential election, saying that he recognized Atiku’s commitment to public service and philanthropy. President Tinubu prayed Almighty Allah to continue to grant him health and happiness in the years ahead. Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Waziri of Adamawa was Nigeria’s Vice President under the government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007.
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has again , turned himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital. In a trending video, the former strong man of Kogi state, was today, November 26, seen marching into the premises of the antigraft agency, accompanied by a retinue of friends, well-wishers and his lawyers. Yahaya Bello, had a couple of months ago, similarly stormed the premises of the EFCC, accompanied by, amongst others, his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo. The EFCC then, rejected his presence but later went hunting for him around Abuja. The former Governor is being hunted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and other financial frauds. Details later…
President Bola Tinubu has hailed the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery, thereby saving the country the embarrassment of being a major crude oil producer in the world but cannot refine for domestic consumption. The President is reacting to the official commencement of petroleum product loading from the Port Harcourt refinery today, November 26. A statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, quoted President Tinubu as saying that NNPCL has demonstrated his government’s determination “to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.” The President expressed his government’s determination to repair all the nation’s refineries, emphasizing that with the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, it is hoped that NNPC Limited would expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries. Tinubu stressed that the return of the nation to the path of functional refineries will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries “and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration. The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting export capacity for Nigeria. The President acknowledged the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all the nation’s refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project. He also commended the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kolo Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone. Tinubu stressed the values of patience, integrity and accountability in the rebuilding of the nation’s infrastructure, calling on individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that its Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State has commenced crude oil processing. Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Femi Soneye, said in a statement today, November 26: “today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. “This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation. “Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. “Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!” Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that truck loading is expected to commence immediately.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved the procurement of fertilizers and sprayers for dry-season farming The Administration’s Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Lawan Geidam, who made this known at the end of the Executive Committee Meeting yesterday, November 25, chaired by the Minister, Nyesom Wike said that the approved fertilizers are 300 metric tons of NPK, 300 metric tons of Urea, 310 NAFSAT sprayers, and 3500 liters of liquid fertilizer that will be used for irrigation. The Mandate Secretary said that the move is aimed at encouraging all-year farming and improving food security in the nation’s capital. “As you know, the rainy season has ended. We are going into dry season farming, that is, irrigation farming. This is the first time such approval was made in the FCT to encourage, instead of annual farming or rainy season farming, let’s go into irrigation and see that we can do farming all year round.”
The Nigerian Chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has scheduled its annual general congress, election and dinner for December 11 and 12 in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital. The secretary of the Institute, Ahmed Shekarau, in a statement, said that the annual congress would be a three-part event comprising a conference on 11 December, an annual general meeting and election of new officials on 12 December, and a dinner on the night of 12 December. Shekarau said that all the events will be held at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel). The statement said that the conference, with the theme: “Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting Nigeria’s Civic Space”, will provide members and other attendees the opportunity to brainstorm on some of the challenges affecting the practice of journalism and how practitioners can survive in challenging environments. “The conference will also help journalists to interact with leaders of key security agencies and seek common solutions to incessant clashes between journalists and security agencies. “The sessions are designed to afford all participants the opportunity to share experiences and learn from one another how to survive as media practitioners in a challenging environment like ours. The deliberations will significantly enrich discussions and contribute to finding solutions for a better media environment in Nigeria.” The statement said that IPI Nigeria will also hold a members-only convening on 12 December, saying that during the meeting, the current executive committee, led by Musikilu Mojeed will render accounts, and members will elect new officials. The three-year tenure of the group’s current executive committee expires on December 16. “To ensure a seamless transition, the Trustees of IPI Nigeria have constituted an electoral committee to oversee elections for executive positions, as stipulated in our constitution,” the statement said. “Further details about the membership of the electoral committee and the guidelines for the election will be provided in the next few days.” The International Press Institute (IPI), with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists. Since its establishment in 1950, it has consistently advocated for journalist rights and media freedom worldwide. IPI Nigeria is the Nigerian branch of IPI Global and is totally committed to credible and independent journalism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information in Africa’s most populous country and the continent’s biggest economy.
The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed that a particular traditional ruler be suspended for his role in the killing of a Fulani man at Isanlu, in Yagba East local government of the state. The governor also directed that some traditional rulers in the affected areas be properly interrogated in order to get to the root of the matter. A statement today, November 25 by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said that the governor took the decisions after an emergency security meeting he held with the parties involved in the Isanlu crisis. The governor was said to have cut short his journey to Abuja where he was billed to receive an award, to attend to the emergency situation in Isanlu.The emergency security meeting was held to avert reprisal attacks by Fulani people. The statement said that Governor Ododo frowned at a situation where people would take laws into their hands by killing fellow human, saying that such is not acceptable and that perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law. The governor asked the leaders of the Isanlu community to warn their subjects to desist from actions that constitute insecurity in Yagba East and the entire Yagba Federal Constituency. He also urging them to fish out the criminal elements among them as his administration will go after every criminal in the state, regardless of tribe. “The Governor, without mincing words, also challenged the leadership of the Isanlu community and its environs in Yagba East to sensitize their people on the need to stop constituting security threats in the area by taking the laws into their hands. “He particularly told them to stop harboring criminals and to ensure that criminal elements among them are reported and handed over to law enforcement agencies in order to curb insecurity in the area.” According to the Commissioner, Governor Ododo promised to protect everyone living in the state, but stressed that no criminal would be spared. The Governor commended the Fulanis in the area for resisting the temptation of launching a reprisal attack over the unfortunate incident, thanking them for demonstrating maturity, understanding and commitment to peace and security. He also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Fulani community in the State for supporting the security initiatives of the administration, saying their efforts at maintaining peace and security are well documented and appreciated. The emergency security meeting was attended by top government officials, security agencies, community leaders and representatives of the Fulanis in the area. The Chairman of the Local Government Area, Dare Joshua, thanked the Governor for his swift action at averting a major security breakdown in the Local Government Area.
The Nigerian Senate has given details of how it mourned late colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Uba before his burial in Nnewi on Friday. A statement today, November 24 debunking news circulating about the failure of the Senate to play a role in the burial of late Ifeanyi Ubah, said that contrary to insinuations in some misinformed quarters, the Senate accorded Senator Ubah all honours and rites. The statement by the chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said: “for the first time in the history of the National Assembly, a whole Legislative day was dedicated to paying Tributes to our departed colleague. His seat was adorned with the national flag which was huge honor and recognition of his contributions to the Senate and the good people he represented. “The Nigerian Senate did not abandon the late Senator and his family right from the moment the news of his death became public knowledge news. “In fact, the Senate commiserated with the people and government of Anambra State over his death. “The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, it would be recalled, had immediately after the demise of our late colleague was made public, led a high powered delegation of some principal officers and members of the Senate to the Lagos residence of the late Senator to commiserate with his wife and children. “Almost 100 Senators of the 109 members attended a valedictory session held in his honor, where senators including vice president Kashim Shettima paid tribute to his accomplishments as a, philanthropist, businessman and politician. The Senate said that this action was a demonstration of the Senate’s respect and appreciation for Senator Ubah’s contributions. It stressed that substantial members of the Senate were in Nnewi on behalf of the Senate which had earlier reached out to the family before his burial. “Having done all that in his honor and some sections of the media saw that as an abandonment, it shows that the minds behind the ill-informed story were expecting distinguished Senators to storm Nnewi in a show-off, while mourning the untimely demise of their colleague. “It is preposterous that anyone under any guise would suggest that the Senate failed in its role to honor the memory of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.”
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