You cant accede to his request – EFCC opposes bail for Yahaya Bello cites reasons
You cant accede to his request – EFCC opposes bail for Yahaya Bello cites reasons
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has requested that the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama deny bail to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, who is facing multiple corruption charges.
Represented by a team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, the EFCC opposed the bail application filed by Bello’s legal team, headed by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN.
The EFCC argued that Bello, who is also facing another corruption case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, had repeatedly failed to make himself available for trial.
The application was filed after Bello, alongside his co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge brought against them by the anti-graft agency.
In the bail application, filed on November 22, Bello’s legal team cited six grounds, including the presumption of innocence, arguing that the former governor should be treated as innocent until proven guilty.
Bello’s lawyers further claimed that granting bail would allow him to prepare his defense, asserting that he had only received a copy of the charges on the night of November 26.
His legal team emphasized that his attendance in court was in compliance with a summons issued against him.
In response, the EFCC highlighted that several witnesses were available to testify in the case, urging the court to allow the anti-graft agency to begin presenting its case.
This request was opposed by the defense.
The EFCC also argued that Bello’s bail application was procedurally flawed, as it was filed before the defendants were formally arraigned before the court.
EFCC’s counsel, Pinheiro, SAN, submitted, “This court only assumed jurisdiction upon the arraignment of the defendants.
“It is only after arraignment that the bail application can arise and be heard.
“The application is premature, hasty, and contradicts the meaning of bail.”
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and his co-defendants are currently on trial for their alleged involvement in a N110 billion fraud case.
The charges, outlined in case CR/7781, include conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property.
The EFCC has accused the ex-governor of misappropriating state funds to acquire multiple high-value properties. These include a property at No. 35 Danube Street, Maitama, Abuja, valued at N950 million, another at No. 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja, worth N100 million, and No. 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, priced at N920 million.
Additionally, the defendants are alleged to have used funds stolen from Kogi’s treasury to purchase other properties, including Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N170 million), a hotel apartment in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai (worth 5,698,888 Dirhams), Block 18, Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N60 million), and No. 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja (N310.4 million).
Further accusations include transferring $570,330 and $556,265 to TD Bank in the United States, as well as possessing N677.8 million from Bespoque Business Solution Limited, which the EFCC claims was unlawfully obtained.
The defendants, including Bello, have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which were formally read to them in court before Justice Maryann Anenih.
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Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
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Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
JUST IN; Imam that famously shielded 262 Christians from death during Plateau attack is dead
The Imam of Nghar village, Abubakar Abdullahi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who famously sheltered 262 Christians during communal violence, has passed away.
The Imam’s Son Saleh Abubakar, confirmed the development to Daily Trust on Friday, saying that the cleric died on Thursday night at the Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos.
The Son said, his father “died ten days after he was admitted” in the hospital.
“He was initially diagnosed with a heart problem. He’d go for check-ups and return. His health hadn’t been stable since the heart disease diagnosis.”
Imam Abubakar died at the age of 90. He is survived by 19 children – 12 sons and seven daughters.
Tecall that in June 2018, during violent, faith-based communal clashes that affected 10 villages in Barkin Ladi, Imam Abubakar sheltered 262 Christians in his mosque and residence until the violence subsided, saving them from certain death.
His courage earned him widespread recognition, including the International Religious Freedom Award presented by the United States Department of State in 2019.
The late cleric will be laid to rest on Friday (today) in Nghar village after the Juma’at prayers.
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