₦airaland Forum

A former Presidential Candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has hailed the Supreme Court Judgement that bars the Federal Government from sending Local Governments funds to States, but directly to the LGAs.

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, declared that it is unconstitutional for State governors to hold onto funds meant for Local Government (LG) administrations.

In its lead judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court observed that the refusal of state government on financial autonomy for local governments has gone on for over two decades.

However, Mr Olawepo-Hashim counseled that accountability structures including the local Governments Legislative Assemblies, should be strengthened to ensure that adequate over sight exists to ensure that local government funds that would now go directly to the LGA's are not subject to abuse, but truly benefits the citizens of the Local council.

"We have a real opportunity for development to resume at the local government levels", Olawepo-Hashim said, adding that "with the Supreme Court landmark Judgement, but only when we put up structures to ensure that these funds do not become the personal purse of certain individuals."

The former Presidential Candidate added that "with these development, LGA's should be able to pay attention to community policing, which is urgent and crucial in view of nation wide insecurity; Intra ward and neighborhood public transportation; regular grading of local roads to ensure easy movement of farm produce ; Primary and rural health services, Children early education etc etc."

According to him, "Let's ensure the real people benefit from this Judgement and that the Judgement does not create new local emperors from the LGAs treasury.

"On the face of it, the Supreme court's Judgement is a good step in the consolidation of Nigeria's democracy!"

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Consultants delegated from Rome, Italy have applauded the Federal Government (FGN) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the sustainability of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises-Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), in Ondo State.

The IFAD consultants made this known during the wrap-up meeting on field mission of the 4th Joint FG/NDDC/IFAD Supervision Mission of LIFE-ND Projects held in Akure.

According to the IFAD Consultants, the projects' implementation has made significant contributions to reducing poverty, unemployment and youth restiveness, improving livelihoods, and boosting the state's economy.

Mrs Dede Ekoue, IFAD Country Director,who said that the collaboration between Nigeria and IFAD had currently impacting the lives of over 26,000 beneficiaries across the Niger Delta said that 54 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, while 90 per cent are youths.

Ekoue, represented by Project Technical Lead, Global Technical Specialist in Rural Development and Institutions at IFAD, Abdoulaye Gonde, said that the project had facilitated the establishment of over 130 incubators and providing access to finance, inputs, and markets, significantly enhancing agriculture productivity.

Mr Bukar Musa, Director of the Project Coordinating Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the supervision was part of the project to allow stakeholders to verify and observe the level of implementation that had yielded satisfactory results.

Ms. Munet Sadiku, representing the International Economic Relations Department at the Ministry of Finance, commended the mission team for identifying key strengths saying that the improvement would lead to practical solutions by enhancing project implementation and outcomes.

Sadiku, who said that the supervision mission had been a significant step towards shared goal, said that the insights gained and the collaborations fostered would undoubtedly contributed to the project's success

"I therefore enjoin the Project team never to relent in monitoring the project’s progress closely to ensure the beneficiaries stay on track to achieve our objectives of job creation, income enhancement and food security on a sustainable basis.

"So, the Federal Ministry of Finance as the borrower reiterates its unflinching and unwavering support to drive the LIFE-ND project forward.

"We assure you of our constant availability to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure LIFE-ND delivers on its mandate of improving the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers in the Niger Delta region," she said.


Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator(NPC) for LIFE-ND, described the supervision as a huge success, saying the testimonies from stakeholders, including the state government, as evidence of its positive impact.

Sanni,who explained that the beneficiaries had increased to 4,250, while 3,500 already empowered, said that the project had showing significant improvement in the state.

According to him, there also increment percentage of People Living With Disabilities(PLWD) benefiting from the program.

Dr. Olumide Epebinu, Director of Agriculture and Fishery at NDDC,who commended the implementation of the project in Ondo State, called for more involment of youths and women in the programme in the state.

"What we see on ground in Ondo State is impressive. Our youths are dictation for development and much is expected.

"If employment is provided, youths restiveness will be reduced and our nation needs of development and NDDC will continue to give it and ensure to support anything that will move the country and project forward," he said.

State Project Coordinator, Prince Olawale Ademola, said that the level of project implementation was ensuring due diligence both on paper and in the field during the supervisory mission.

He reiterated his commitment to empowering more youth and women through ongoing efforts.

Mr Olayato Aribo, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, appreciated the support and collaboration of all stakeholders in implementing the project, saying that the project had impacted and reduced the rate of unemployment youths in the state.

Aribo said that the project's was alignment with the state's vision of transforming the agriculture sector and empowering rural youth and women.

He, therefore, pledged the state government's continuous support and creating an enabling environment for the project to scale up and sustain its development plan and budget.

He emphasized the dissemination and replication of project lessons and best practices across the state.

A former presidential candidate and global energy leader, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, has received a surprise birthday gift from friends and associates in Europe, in celebration of birthday.

In a surprise birthday launch, hosted at the ancient Circulo delicio, the oldest private club in Spain, established in 1847, business partners of Gbenga Olawepo Hashim presented a personal letter of legendary South African leader, Nelson Mendela purchased at an Auction in Europe to him as a birthday gift.

Olawepo Hashim, who considered Nelson Mendela as one of his heroes, was equally named Prisoner of Conscience in Africa, 3 years after Nelson Mendela was so named by Amnesty International in 1989.

Narrating the surprised birthday launch hosted in his honour on his social media Facebook page, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim said, “In Barcelona, I had lunch with Vincent Geuneau (my French Business Partner), Mrs Helen Brume, a director at Afrexim Bank, Cairo, and Mrs Begonia Rubo Saiz, Ex Spanish Diplomat and Ex European Commission staffer. Begonia has joined my team as Senior Advisor, Global Cooperation.”

According to him, a twist of history was added to the celebration as Vincent and Peter Hertog (My Deuch Business Partner) presented a personal letter of Nelson Mandela purchased at an Auction in Europe to me.

“The duo know Mandela as one of my heroes, and that I had been named Prisoner of Conscience in Africa, three years after Mandela was so named by Amnesty International in 1989”. He said.

Gbenga Hashim Foundation, recently granted N20Million to SME’s in Kwara State, constructed drainages and graded roads.

It also granted N10Million to SME’s in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital.

The Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, Ph.D, on Wednesday, urged all relevant stakeholders to join hands with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

He gave the charge while speaking at the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which held at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with the theme: ‘The Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention.’

The Speaker, who was ably represented by the member representing Ibadan South East/North East federal constituency and the Chairman of House Committee on Narcotic Drugs, Rep. Abass Adigun (Agboworin) lamented that the menace is speedily devastating the fabrics of Nigerian society, particularly the youth population.

Agboworin, while presenting the Speakers’ speech, called for more investment in comprehensive prevention programmes that would address the root causes of drug use and trafficking, saying stakeholders must ensure that traffickers are stopped from getting their destructive substances into the society.

“This requires a multi-sectoral approach involving government agencies, civil society organizations, families, and communities. It is against this background that we support increased investment in preventive actions especially in the areas of awareness-creation, education, counselling, advocacy and therapy to strengthen individual's resistance against drug abuse,” he stated.

Agboworin, while commending the efforts of the NDLEA and one of its partners, UNODC, for working tirelessly to combat the menace, called for more budgetary provisions for NDLEA in the face of its multi-faceted mandate.

He, however, assured that the House of Representatives will continue to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the country, maintaining that the fight is a collective responsibility.

“We have passed several laws and resolutions aimed at strengthening the legal framework for drug control and providing the NDLEA with the resources it needs to effectively carry out its mandate. The recent amendment of the NDLEA ACT which prescribes the harshest punishments for manufacturers and traffickers of hard drugs is a clear indication of our commitment to this cause.

“We must all work together to create a society that is free from the scourge of drugs. We must educate our children about the dangers of drugs, provide support to those who are struggling with addiction, and work to prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs,” he concluded.

In his address, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), OFR, said operatives of the agency have 52,901 drug traffickers, including 48 barons, and obtained over 9,000 convictions of suspects in the last three years.

The NDLEA boss said efforts to achieve a drug-free Nigeria are being led with preventive steps, one of which has been blocking distribution channels.

Other dignitaries who spoke at the event include Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Senator Sadiq Umar, who represented the Senate President; Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; Chairman of MTN Foundation, Julius Adeluyi and guest lecturer at the event, Dr. Vincent Udenze of Intersect Consortium, among others.

The Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Foundation, a non profit humanitarian organization on Wednesday granted about N20 million to empower 400 small scale entrepreneurs in Kwara State as part of its Economic Empowerment Programme for vulnerable section of society.

The Foundation, promoted by a former Presidential Candidate, Mr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is basically to lift vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty and set their feet on the path of productivity.

In his speech at the event, Olawepo-Hashim explained that his gesture is to give back to society.

According to him, "I have been doing this for decades. I have a passion to make society better.
It is not about having a deep pocket, but about commitment and passion to help people just as God has also helped me."

He admonished the benefiaciaries to put the grant into good use instead of lavishing it on frivolities and liabilities.

"Don't eat the seed, plant and nurture it, to produce more fruits to better your lives, so that you too can empower people.

"Nigeria was once a productive nation, producing clothes, cars, pharmaceuticals, etc. we must go back to the old and glorious path. We can start by these small steps," Olawepo-Hashim said.

He added that "what I can do at this time when things are really bad is to show love to underprivileged people in particular, and that we have been doing for decades.

In his remarks at the occasion, Mallam Naallah Azeez , coordinator Gbenga Olwaepo-Hashim Youth Vanguard described Olawepo as an undiluted politician and a great mentor, adding that the Otoge revolution that changed the political dynamics in Kwara in 2019 was started by him.

He prayed that God will continue to enrich him to play his part in this generation.

Mr. Yinka Babatunde Alanamu equally commended Olawepo-Hashim for "spending his own money to empower us" and prayed for God's continuous blessing on him.

Pastor Samson Abodunrin, representing the Executives of the Ifesowapo Community area of Ilorin recalled Olawepo-Hashim's great assistance to the community by grading our road and constricting drainages for us.

" We really appreciate his great gesture. What you don't appreciate, will depreciate. We will continue to appreciate his great contribution which has been a great relief to us," he said, adding that "his charity began at home, we are now feeling his impact already.

Abodunrin prayed that Olawepo-Hashim will live to fulfill his destiny.

Not a few of the participants at the event commended the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Foundation and called on well meaning Nigerians to emulate the non-partisan approach of Mr. Olawepo-Hashim towards ameliorating the plight of the less privileged.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Kamal Adebayo, the Chief of Staff to Olawepo-Hashim disclosed that the Ilorin event was not the first, adding that a lot of Nigerians had benefitted from this gesture across the country.

…tasks govt on provision of shuttle buses

Olawepo-Hashim on thursday in Abuja gave out seven cars to members of his staff to ameliorate their sufferings and security concerns.

He also urged govt, especially at the local level to provide shuttle buses to make transportation easier for citizens.

According to him, "I was moved to give out the vehicles following the harrowing experiences the beneficiaries have had to deal with in the course of using unconducive and unsafe transportation."

He recounted how one of the beneficiaries, a woman and her child, barely survived after they fell off a commercial motorcycle while coming to worship.

He also noted that passengers and commutters have been subjected to attacks because of the insecure nature of the transport system, especially in the Federal Capital territory, FCT

Olawepo-Hashim equally maintained that the provision of the safe shuttle buses would not just ease movement and commuting, but also ensure some sense of security.

Some of the beneficiaries of the cars include Taiye Godstime Atolagbe; Funke Samuel; Elizabeth Ola; Felix Gabriel; Vivian Metu; Bulus Alika and Abdulrahaman Abdulganiyu.

The elated benefiaciaries were united in their appreciation of the kind gesture and prayed for continued "grace and blessings" on Mr. Olawepo-Hashim.

Court adjourns to June 27 for arraignment

The Federal High Court, in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned arraignment of the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on an alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to June 27, following an agreement by the counsels of the two parties.

A new date, June 27, had earlier been reportedly fixed for arraignment at the instance of the EFCC counsels.

There was, however, a mild drama in court when Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, announced appearance for EFCC and claimed ignorance of the agreement.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Counsel to Governor Bello, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that the EFCC lawyers approached AbdulWahab Mohammed SAN, who is the counsel for the defendant, that the June 13 date would not be convenient for them to proceed and that Wahab had to agree by way of convenience for another date to be set.

Adedipe SAN, who was in court for another matter, was surprised when he heard that Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, was in court for the Yahaya Bello/EFCC case.

"They (EFCC) agreed that junior counsels would be sent to court today to formally pick a date. And the registry can confirm this," Adedipe said.

"Kemi Pinhero SAN has been calling us to say today is not convenient," he added. Kemi Pinhero is the lead counsel.

But for the decision of the EFCC to seek an adjournment to a future date for his arraignment, Governor Yahaya Bello, was said to be ready to appear in court today.

"Under 266 ACJA there are instances when defendants don’t need to come and this is one of them. We came here to pick a date. Of what use will the defendant coming here be? It is the prosecuting counsel that approached us, we did not approach them. We have nothing to hide," Adedipe noted.

In a strange twist, however, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, said he was not aware of any meeting that happened outside the court, that he did not know about the understanding to adjourn till 27th.

Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the case to June 27 after an undertaking by Adedipe SAN that the defendant would appear on that day.

Nwite said, ordinarily, an agreement outside the court that a new date should be picked should not be enough to ignore the previous undertaking.

The 60th Anniversary celebration of Motailatu Church of God has commenced with series of activities lined up to make the diamond jubilee memorable.

A statement by a member of the church's Board of Trustees, Very Reverend David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi says the celebration has commenced with a special Anniversary revival at the Motailatu Church of God International headquarters, St Adekahunsi cathedral, Ondo Town, Ondo state.

According to the statement, the special anniversary revival which commenced on Monday, June 10 2024 will run till Friday, June 14, 2024 at 4pm daily.

A medical outreach is slated for Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the church premises.

Ordination of parishioners will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024 while the grand finale, a special Anniversary thanksgiving holds on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Venue is the Motailatu Church of God International headquarters, St. Adekahunsi Cathedral, adjacent NEPA Office, off Brigadier Ademulegun Road, Oke-Iwosan, Ondo City, Ondo State at 10am.

The statement enjoins all and sundry to be part of the programme which promises to be life changing.

The statement added that Chairman, Board of Trustees of Motailatu Church of God worldwide, Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu ll), would preside at the memorable events.

Among the dignitaries expected to grace the Diamond Jubilee celebration are the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, the Osemawe and Paramount Ruler of Ondo kingdom, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo, High Chiefs, Spiritual leaders from all denominations, political office holders and well wishers from far and near

FIND BELOW THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY.

• MONDAY JUNE 10 - FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2024: ANNIVERSARY REVIVAL (4PM DAILY)

• THURSDAY JUNE 13: MEDICAL OUTREACH AT CHURCH PREMISES (10AM)

• SATURDAY, JUNE 15: ORDINATION OF PARISHIONERS (10AM)

• SUNDAY, JUNE 16: ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING (10AM).

VENUE: CHURCH AUDITORIUM

Returning the Nation to Its Roots: The Debate Over Nigeria's National Anthem By Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju

The phrase "returning the nation to the mothers" belongs to Mr. Farouq, an active participant on our #IAMANIGERIAN nation-building platform.

The debate over the new National Anthem has persisted for days, with many torn between accepting the change, considering the current state of the country, especially over the past year, and the aftermath of subsidy removal, among other challenges.

The reintroduction of the 1959 National Anthem was met with many criticisms, primarily for the rushed process accompanying the passage of the bill and the subsequent presidential assent. While some viewed the change as a political maneuver to divert attention from criticizing the government on the eve of their one year in office, others saw it as a positive step, possibly marking the beginning of a new Nigeria.

It's crucial to emphasize that a nation's anthem is not a trivial matter, and Nigerians should not take this symbolic move lightly. An anthem, originally from the word "antefn," according to Vocabulary.com, signifies a song by multiple persons, now representing a rousing or reverential song expressing allegiance or embodying the ideals of a people or nation.

Most nations have recitals that symbolize their allegiance; for instance, "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King" for the United Kingdom, with variations for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Britain. Nations at some point consider a variation of their anthem for example. Australia recently changed a line in their anthem to represent the reality of not being a young country anymore, “For we are one and free” replaced “For we are young and free”. more inclusive system, These songs stir national spirit. Nigeria, post-October 1st independence, has had a National Anthem enshrined in the Constitution, reflecting some of our national values. The 2024 anthem echoes the one used at independence, while the 1978 version was composed during General Obasanjo's regime.

1959/2024 NIGERIA NATIONAL ANTHEM

The 1959 lyrics, composed by Lillian Jean Williams, with music by Ms. Berda, were selected from over 500 entries, and adopted in 1960 during Nigerian independence celebrations. Criticisms against the anthem included the fact that the lines were not submitted by Nigerians and that the winners were women.

The 1978 National Anthem, composed by the Police band under Pa Benedict Odiase, also deserves mention. Sadly, the writers, John, A Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P.O Aderibigbe still deserves to be honoured nationally. Their entries that won were not properly acknowledged by the nation, nor were promises of recognition fulfilled. The nation should consider this and posthumously to those who had passed on. Honouring them in 2018 was a mark of respect to highlight that patriotic contributions matter.

While it may seem coincidental, Nigeria has seen economic and patriotic decline since around 1979. The demand for the return of the "good old days" alongside the reintroduced National Anthem as a condition for accepting the new anthem suggests that focus is on the economic benefits from the nation as opposed to the intrinsic fabric that builds a society value system. However, love for the nation can inspire change. For example, having leaders with the vision of leaving a better nation for our children can influence decisions, reduce corruption, and encourage nation building activities.

I believe the return to the old anthem aims to reignite lost passion while working to reposition the country. It's part of several changes to come. Perhaps it signals a shift towards gender-blind leadership, focusing on dedication and vision rather than gender or political affiliation.

While it may take time to adapt to the new anthem, its lines should remind us of the need for reflection and consideration of our nation's direction. Let's embrace it and return the nation to those who genuinely care, bridging our differences for a better future, enjoyed both at home and abroad.

Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land.
Though tribes and tongues may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand.
Nigerians all, proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign.
In peace or battle, honored,
This, we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.

O God of creation,
Grant this, our one request:
Help us to build a nation
Where no one is oppressed.
And so, with peace and plenty,
May Nigeria be blessed.

Let's build a nation where no one is oppressed, with plenty for all. God bless Nigeria and my readers.

Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju
@QueenofCountryNg
@Beeseryor

Yahaya Bello: Ignore sponsored calls by anarchists, focus on rule of law, Activists advise EFCC


Again, scores of activists hit the streets of Lagos on Saturday demanding an end to what they described as the mischievous use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission platform to malign perceived enemies by opposition forces.

The activists, who frowned at the consistent call for anarchy in a democratic setting by those that their investigations had established to be working for known opposition figures in Kogi State, called on the EFCC to ignore the "sponsored, desperate calls" and focus on toeing the path of the rule of law.

The over 80 Human Rights Civil Society Organizations, under the broad umbrella of Citizens Action Against Lawlessness, said those calling for the EFCC to ignore an ongoing court process and forcefully arrest a defendant, former Governor Yahaya Bello, were not only ignorant of the rule of law and up to some mischief, but also tools in the hands of desperate political actors to rubbish the integrity of the Commission.

While commending the EFCC for heeding the calls of reasonable, unbiased Nigerians and CSOs for the Commission to correct past mistakes and avoid disregard for the rule of law, the activists labelled those calling for Yahaya Bello's arrest as anarchists who the EFCC boss must be wary of.

"The same way this particular group of people have spread falsehood against judges, who they earlier boasted were for them, against prominent figures perceived to be close to President Bola Tinubu, and against APC governors that they felt were supporting them during the election in Kogi and at the Tribunal, is the same way they will turn against the EFCC boss with baseless allegations. It is their stock in trade. The EFCC boss and other relevant authorities must detect this and put them in their place," Segun Abegunde, Co-Convener of the Joint CSOs platform, said.

Abegunde, who is also the Coordinator of the South West Progressive Youths Organisation stated, "We insist that this is beyond corruption investigation but political persecution. Some sponsored anarchists still went to the EFCC Zonal office today to call on the Commission to use military force to attack the defendant's known residences and abduct him. There have been insinuations that they are even planning to use fake soldiers in order to inflict maximum damage."

"The target of these anarchists is to provoke crisis so that a state of emergency can be declared in the state. If they've lost at the polls and at the Tribunal, they most likely think they can create a crisis that will still serve their purpose. Why the desperation to hunt the man down at all costs? Many who understand the politics in the state know that these calls are nothing more than a revenge mission for a botched Igala agenda, believed to be the sole fault of Bello, as well as a way for other political enemies in the state to get their pound of flesh," the activists noted.

According to them, "these anarchists" must be called to order as they have allowed their insatiable appetite for revenge turn them into agents of destruction for the country.

"We call on President Bola Tinubu to call on the security agencies to be at alert as nothing bad must happen to Yahaya Bello or any of his family members.

"Let the courts decide Yahaya Bello's fate. Desperate opposition forces should not plot to kill him by all means. We demand due court processes. We say no to political persecution. We say no to opposition politicians using EFCC to attack Yahaya Bello who they consider their political enemy.

"EFCC must avoid anarchists bent on tarnishing its image. They should rather sharpen their political skills and leave the anti-graft agency alone. We will always give our unflinching support to the EFCC to carry out its duties strictly in line with the rule of the same law that set it up," the activists said.

The Association of Deans of Student Affairs in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (ADOSATIN) has named the Vice-Chancellor of Sam Maris University (SMU), Prof. Francis Gbore as its Patron.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was a member of the Association at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko as the Institution’s Dean of Student Affairs at a time, delivered the Keynote Address at the 5th Annual Conference of the Association (ADOSATIN) held at the Royal Dream Hotels, Mararaba, Nasarawa recently.

The Association, while honouring Prof. Gbore with a plaque, noted with great enthusiasm that his appointment as one of its Patrons premised on his invaluable contributions to the establishment and growth of the Association.

ADOSATIN noted in particular, the much-needed support and cooperation given by the Vice-Chancellor during its previous Conference hosted by Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke.

In his response, the Don extolled the wisdom of the Association for his appointment and presentation of a plaque.

He said, “It is with profound gratitude that I accept the honour of my appointment as one of your Patrons. This recognition reflects our shared commitment to enhancing student affairs and supporting the holistic development of students in our tertiary institutions. I am deeply humbled by your confidence in my dedication and commitment to the ideals and cause of ADOSATIN.

“As your patron, I wish to assure you of my unfettered commitment to supporting the Association’s efforts to improve on the effective management of students in our tertiary institutions. Together, we can create robust support systems, innovative programs, and ensure inclusive environments that foster student growth and success. Your exemplary work inspires me, and I look forward to collaborating with other Patrons with whom I promise to work hand-in-hand to promote and achieve our shared goals.

“Once again, thank you for this incredible honour. Let us continue to strive for excellence in managing student affairs in our respective institutions, mold character, play in-loco-parentis role very well and make a lasting impact on the lives of the students we serve. Your confidence in me is a powerful motivator, and I am eager to contribute to our shared mission with unwavering dedication.

Indigenes of Kogi State have cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against those they described as embittered and desperate ethnic jingoists who are strengthening the public opinion that the Commission is collaborating with certain opposition figures to persecute the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.

The indigenes said since the allegation of corruption by the EFCC against the former Governor became a national discourse, "some persons who are afraid of chasing their dreams at the polls have hidden under the veneer of activism to sponsor their tribesmen to impugn on the character of ex Governor Yahaya Bello maliciously".

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the Chairman of Kogi Youth Leaders Forum, Benjamin Oguche, PhD, specifically noted that those still calling for the arrest of Bello even in the face of an ongoing court process, were either uninformed or out to rubbish the image of EFCC while pursuing their prolonged vendetta mission.

The Kogi youth leaders said this particular group had consistently pursued a "we against them" agenda, causing division and hate among the ethnic groups in Kogi, spreading falsehood and propaganda to the public on the matter.

"It is sad and regrettable that the so-called corruption allegation against Bello, which remains an allegation until established in the court of law, has become an opportunity for chronic political failures to unleash their intolerance and deep-rooted frustration on a state that our founding fathers have laboured so hard to unite.

"Without credible reasons, they have been said to have mobilised resources to fight him for daring to govern a state he hails from and for overseeing a free and fair election which produced another Governor, not from their fold," they stated.

According to them, the polarisation, ethnic and religious colouration that have been introduced in recent times into the EFCC trial of the immediate past Governor calls for worry, especially among every Kogi indigene who has a firm belief in the peaceful co-existence of the state as an indivisible entity.

"Suffice to say that what we see playing out today is a microcosm of what our country represents, where the so called minority is discriminated against, sidelined and treated like a lesser citizen in a country he has made equal, if not greater, contributions to building. The so called minority has been made to believe his voice does not count and his fundamental right to pursue social, economic and political interest taken away.

"Since through divine providence that former Governor Yahaya Bello became governor in 2016, several arrow of ethnic bitterness, needless attacks and corruption profiling have been targetted at him and his government for no offence other than for the simple reason that the responsibility to lead our dear state at that time fell on his shoulder.

"While God saw him through his four years in office, the people of our dear state equally and overwhelmingly renewed their mandate for him, sending him to go again, amidst hate campaign, violence attacks and ethnic war by some ethnic driven elites who have sworn never to allow certain ethnic groups have a taste of leading the state. While this gathering is not about catalogue of exploits he achieved and the records he broke within these eight years, it is important to note that since he left office, same known tribal jingoists and ethnic champions have been having sleepless nights plotting the downfall of the man.

"The anti-Bello protests in the UK last week, Lagos last week and Abuja today highlight the glaring danger those they regard as minority ethnic groups face in the hands of those who feel that their population is for the purpose of suppressing the fundamental rights of others to seek political interest. One continues to wonder where the protesters gathered the money to go on a protest spray, if some people are not bankrolling them, which suggest a sinister plan different from genuine fight against corruption as the public is made to understand.

"We understand that the case for which these hate-induced protests are going on is in the court and the court is a place of orderliness where every party will push their stands without necessarily drawing dagger to murder our peace. We are, however, surprised that dimension of sustained protests have been added to their inglorious mission.

"We have often expressed our confidence in the judiciary and irrespective of how long it could take, the wheel of justice must grind to a logical end. We, however, frown at the seeming open hands the EFCC has been showing to the protesters which is fuelling an unfortunate suspicion that must be immediately corrected.

"While we welcome in its entirety the probe of the former Governor, we, however, reject the deliberate image smearing against him. We call on the EFCC to disregard the propaganda of ethnic agents and face the task of diligent prosecution," the Kogi Youth Leaders advised.

The Civil Defence Officers Wife Association (CDOWA), Ondo State Chapter, has bought uniforms and paid school fees of some indigent students in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Mrs Ademola Omotola Ibiloye, CDOWA Chairperson in the state, distributed the school uniforms and paid the school fees of the students on behalf of the association on Wednesday .

Ibiloye, who is the wife of the Ondo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the gesture was part of the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commemorating the Children’s Day celebration.

She said that the indigent students were selected from three different schools within the Akure metropolis.

“Two primary and one secondary school benefited from the gesture, and to break it down, 17 pupils were supported in the two primary schools while 12 students benefitted in the secondary school,” she said.

She explained that school fees of seven pupils were paid while additional costs was made for the purchase of uniforms for three pupils at the Ilekun Community Primary School, Oda Road, Akure.

The CDOWA chairperson disclosed further that school fees for 10 pupils were paid at the Glory land Community Primary School and fees for 11 pupils were also paid at the Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, Ijoka, Akure.

According to her, the reason the association is doing this is to give back to society, especially to give hope to indigent students in the little way.

“We thank God for using us to impact into the lives of the young ones because the Nigeria we are praying for, a better Nigeria we are hoping for, starts from those children,” she said.

Ibiloye, therefore, admonished the students not to be involved in crime and use their time for valuable activities.

“Don’t be discouraged because you have a brighter future ahead, don’t limit yourself and you need to work hard.

“Be mindful of people you are relating with, especially those Yahoo boys because their way is not the better way, remember that ill gotten wealth will fly away,” she said.

Mrs Jumoke Abiodun-Olaimolu, Principal, Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, appreciated CDOWA for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to help the students to concentrate on their studies.

“We appreciate you for strengthening the hands of love to the indigent students because some parents could not afford a day’s meal not to talk of paying the school fees of their wards or children,” she said.

One of the benefiting students, David Oluwole, a Senior Secondary Student, Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, thanked CDOWA for paying their school fees, saying it would help them to be more focused on their studies.

“We appreciate you ma, you have helped us in our career lives and we promise to be good ambassadors of this country,” Oluwole said

The General Manager of Operations and Technical at Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi, has been described as a compassionate leader with a rare gift of insight incredible leadership capacity.

The laudation was expressed, Wednesday, in a statement signed and made public by Ondo State Coordinator of the Tantita Security Services Limited, Senior High Chief Felix Idowu Asonja, on the occasion of Pondi's birthday anniversary.

The statement partly reads: "Effective leadership is measured using different dipsticks. People acquire leadership finesse through various means. For Sir Godfrey Tare Pondi, it is incredible and innate. He is a leader who is very perceptive, compassionate and responsive.

"Sir Pondi has a rare gift of insight and discernment. These fine traits explain why he has since recorded sterling feats in his capacity as General Manager. On this auspicious occasion of his birthday anniversary, we can only wish him God's unfailing grace over his life and family's."

The Vice-Chancellor of Sam Maris University, Prof Ayodeji Gbore, has urged students in Tertiary Institutions across the country to keep Internet fraud, cultism and drug addiction at arm's length, stressing that curtailing the menace demands consistent orientation and enlightenment.

The Don gave the advice during his Keynote Address at the 5th Annual Conference of the Association of Deans of Student Affairs in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria (ADOSATIN) held at the Royal Dream Hotels, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The Vice-Chancellor identified peer pressure (influence of peer group), parental background, societal moral decadence, erosion of educational standards, lack of recreational facilities, socioeconomic factors, overzealous quest for power and protection among others, as the root causes of drug addiction, Internet fraud and cultism.

Prof Gbore emphasized that the prevailing decadence had eaten deep into the fabrics of morality in the society, lamenting that prestigious institutions, which have produced several generations of prominent and reputable individuals, are now reduced to an appalling den of criminals and social degenerates.

He said, “Like most social vices, it is not surprising that these trios usually go hand in hand and in some cases, we find students who indulge in all of them. An internet fraudster is prone to drug addiction the same way a drug addict is prone to cultism and vice versa. As a result of this, they tend to live extravagant lifestyles, throwing them off focus and affecting the focus of other students around them.”

“There was a time drug addicts were generally referred to as being insane; cultists were seen as bad company and miscreants to the society; and internet fraudsters were labelled as thieves. Today, however, drug addicts, as well as cultists and internet fraudsters have seemingly developed a heightened sense of boldness and confidence in their misdemeanours.
“This is obviously as a result of the new generation glamorizing these vices and making it the norm in our society. Parents are not insulated from the blame. In a bid to showcase wealth and affluence, some have derailed from the societal values which were inculcated in them and refused to chastise their children and wards against indulging in vices.

Highlighting the roles of Deans of Student Affairs, Prof. Gbore stressed that formulation of policies and implementation of rules and regulations, meting out appropriate disciplinary measures, promotion of rewarding extra-curricular activities, and robust town-gown relationship would nip the menace in the bud.

The Don tasked the Deans of Student Affairs across the country to take the front row in combating the multidimensional challenges of drug addiction, cultism and internet fraud which are most prevalent amongst the students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and maintain decorum amongst the students.

Hundreds of activists, on Saturday, stormed the streets of Lagos to protest alleged underground moves by some desperate opposition figures in Kogi State as well as other perceived political enemies to unleash terror on the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, using the platform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The activists, who addressed a press conference and also staged a huge rally, condemned calls by a group called Zero Corruption Agenda in collaboration with another group, Kogites United Against Corruption, for the EFCC to ignore court orders guaranteing Bello's fundamental human rights and effect an arrest despite the ongoing court process.

While raising the alarm that there were speculations going around that some desperate politicians were "even allegedly planning to use gunmen dressed in fake military uniforms to attack Yahaya Bello's residences", they called on the police and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant to prevent anarchy in the country.

According to them, many Nigerians already suspect that the alleged "endless attack on the former Governor, his family members and even innocent children by the EFCC in the most unprofessional way, despite revelations that showed he was actually protected by the law, have deep political undertones.

Comrade Segun Abegunde, who briefed the press on behalf of the CSOs, under the joint umbrella of Citizens Action Against Lawlessness, insisted that the desperation by some opposition figures and Yahaya Bello's political enemies to hide under the purported fight against corruption to call for the arrest of a man who has a court order for his fundamental human rights to be protected and who is already in court with the EFCC, "almost confirms this insinuation of an evil plan against him by some interested politicians, using the EFCC platform."

"This is not difficult to detect, having seen the composition of the so-called Kogites who made these curious calls, even in London. The videos exposed their ethnic leaning as they were speaking the language of the aggrieved politicians in Kogi State," the activists said.

They alleged that opposition political parties were using the EFCC to fight political battles in Kogi State and called on the ruling Party to be vigilant.

"The tribunal judgement on the last governorship election in Kogi State is coming up on Monday May 27th. The desperation by the opposition to have Yahaya Bello in custody has increased exponentially as that date approaches. There seems to be a determination to either keep him out of circulation while they try to steal APC's mandate in the state or to completely eliminate him for whatever reasons only known to them.

"Also, considering the way and manner the EFCC chairman has taken the Yahaya Bello matter so personal, it is glaring that a Yahaya Bello in the custody of the EFCC is not going to be safe at all," they stated.

Abegunde said, "The courts are there to mediate between government and citizens and between two or more contending interests and the court's intervention is sacrosanct until overturned by a superior Court.

"The rallies, both home and abroad, calling for jettisoning of the due process of law and for the EFCC to arrest Yahaya Bello, court orders or no court orders, sponsored by the opposition and his political enemies within, are not only reckless but dangerous to our polity and absolutely condemnable.

"Such calls have now given credence to the allegations that some powerful political forces are after Yahaya Bello, not because of corruption allegations, but that they are actually after his life. What have the military got to do with the EFCC that a group would be calling for military intervention to arrest a single citizen in a case where he is already a defendant?"

Emphasising the urgent need for President Bola Tinubu to call the anti-graft body to order before it is too late, the CSOs pointed out that the so-called Kogites call for the commission to use military force to arrest the former governor, even when his date to appear in court had already been fixed, was not only reckless but dangerous to the nation's polity.

"There is even a speculation going around now, which may be credible, that some desperate politicians are even allegedly planning to use gunmen dressed in fake military uniforms to attack Yahaya Bello's residences.

"We call on the police and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant. We also call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately call EFCC to order. The Commission seems to have offered its platform for enemies of the former governor to execute their plans against him and the President must wade in, especially with the facts on ground that EFCC has displayed flagrant disregard for the rule of law, all the way, in handling this matter.

"We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to, as a matter of urgency, call the EFCC to order with a view to staying off political interference. The Commission should concentrate strictly on its anti-corruption mandate by staying within the enabling laws that established it. The EFCC should not be identified with promoting anarchy, no matter what.

"The court processes should be allowed to run their course without disruption. That is when democracy and rule of law can be said to be functioning in our nation," the activists stressed.

. We refuse to support lawlessness, EFCC should reform its activities

Again, scores of Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations have kicked against what they described as the perceived use of the platform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by politicians to fight their political battles.

They said this during an emergency Press conference on Friday, in reaction to a joint press conference by "a civil society organisation and a group, which called itself Kogites United Against Corruption Coalition."

The frontline CSOs, led by the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, wondered why a few Nigerians were not seeing the persecution in the current case against the former Governor of Kogi State, considering the anomaly in the undending calls for arrest, mainly by members of the opposition party in the state, in collaboration with alleged sponsored CSOs, when the matter was before the courts.

According to them, the line-up of lawyers, both at the Tribunal and as seen on the current charge sheet against the former Governor, throws up the name of the same lawyer standing for the opposition party at the Tribunal and for EFCC in the suit against the former Governor.

Addressing the press on Friday, Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said, "One wonders how opposition politicians and the EFCC now collaborate on a case of corruption allegations as is so glaring in this matter. We are aware of all the clandestine meetings by opposition political parties with some activists with a view to sponsoring protests and Press Conferences against us. For as long as they do that, they'll continue to spoil their own case in public view and justify the fact that this is beyond corruption investigation but direct persecution."

They described those who addressed a press conference, calling for the arrest of the former Governor and attacking their activities as "ill-informed folks" allegedly being sponsored by opposition political parties who had seen the EFCC as a reliable ally in actualising their interests.

"Today's Press Conference by those ill-informed folks, who we have reasonable suspicion are being sponsored by opposition political Parties who are fighting their own political wars on the matter and, even, the Commission against us, was filled with a poor comedy of judgment and an apparently orchestrated blackmail against our coalition. This is why this is so political rather than prosecutorial," the activists said.

According to them, the EFCC would be doing itself a lot of good by ignoring characters asking the Commission to disobey lawful court orders and apply maximum force by bringing in the military "with a view to violently arresting a defendant we are repeatedly told by the Commission is being investigated for 'white collar crimes.'"

Adeniran said, "Anyone who has even a little knowledge of our pedigrees in the fight against corruption should know that we have fought many battles against corruption and at the same time against all forms of injustice in this country, even at the risk of our lives and livelihoods. We do not pick and choose which injustice to fight against. We invest time, energy, resources and relationships into pursuing the cause of justice throughout this country for decades now.

"We are not emergency activists and we are beyond compromising even with all the billions in the world. We stand for the cause of humanity which is about justice, fairness and the highest ideals of a decent and free society.

"Therefore, any individual or a group of individuals who allege us of supporting corruption is either ignorant of the subject matter or doesn't know us at all and, therefore, cannot make an informed judgment on us or our activities."

The CSOs said their struggle was not only against corruption but also against injustice, adding that they would not be intimidated into silence in the EFCC/Yahaya Bello matter because there was a clear case of injustice and disrespect for the rule of law, which in itself was corruption.

Adeniran stated, "We are not politicians and we are not in the business of partaking of the loot by corrupt public officials, we fight them. Even as a sitting president, we came out vehemently against Olusegun Obasanjo because we believed he had a case to answer. Who paid us to do that?

When the current EFCC Chairman was nominated and there was brouhaha about his qualification for the job due to him not having a security training background, I was among the leading figures who stood by him and insisted that he was qualified enough for the office. Many groups were sponsored against his confirmation, some of whose leaders I personally called to convince them to drop their opposition and they did. How much did the EFCC chairman or anyone pay me for that?

"When he was eventually confirmed, we not only congratulated him but we also cautioned that he should avoid the pitfalls of his predecessors by doing everything according to law and must never act contrary to the orders, rulings and judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction because that would be a recipe for anarchy and his own downfall like the others. We were confident that as a lawyer, a senior one for that matter, he wouldn't follow the route of disobedience to lawful court orders.

"Therefore, when we saw that the commission under him was tilting towards that direction, we decided to speak up as a reminder to the chairman that this wasn't the way to go. Nobody should take this as a crime against us. We refuse to be intimidated into silence. We refuse to stop speaking out against injustice. We refuse to support lawlessness."

The activists said an EFCC chairman should engage in less of media celebrity show and concentrate on the critical assignments of making the Commission work.

"An EFCC chairman should not be someone you see everyday in the media exposing critical information that should even be secret in order to assist in the effectiveness of their investigation. An EFCC chairman should be seen lesser but be heard by the competence and capacity he brings to bear on his office. That is why the Commission has a publicity department. Let them do the talking whilst you provide effective leadership," they insisted.

"I don't know Yahaya Bello, I've never met him, I don't intend to meet him. But the same way that the June 12 actualization struggles were not about M.K.O Abiola as an individual is the same way that this intervention is not about Yahaya Bello as a person," Adeniran noted.

"Already, many of Yahaya Bello's supporters are alleging an assassination plot. The government would do well to avoid anything that could confirm these suspicions and the only way to avoid this is by playing by the rule of law to the letter," he said.

Those who represented over 80 Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations on Friday were Comrade Sina Loremikan (Campaign Against Impunity); Comrade Olufemi Lawson (Centre for Public Accountability); Declan Ihekaire (Activists for Good Governance); Gbenga Soloki (CAIDOV); and Ganzallo Gbenga (Transparency Advocacy for Good Governance).
Others were Comrade Funmi Jolade (Community Women Forum); Princess Ada Nwandu (Ohaneze Youth); Alh. A. Abdullahi (Justice and Peace Centre); Comrade Adeshina Ishola (Transparency Agenda); Comrade Daniel Oyesola (Stop Impunity Coalition); Comrade Leke Adebanjo (Committee for Amnesty); and Kayode Sampson (Democracy and Justice Forum), among others.

A member representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in Lagos State, Fuad Kayode Laguda, FCTI, has unveiled his achievements in his first 100 days in office.

The lawmaker disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by him.

The statement reads, “Dear Surulerians, I am honoured to give you an account of my activities as your representative at the House of Representatives sworn in on 13th February, 2024.

“Within the last 100 days in office, I have strived to progress our interests in the area of legislation, education, economic empowerment, welfare and community development.

“My Bills for Act to amend the National Health Act 2014 to prohibit and penalize Organ trafficking in Nigeria and Higher National Diploma Discrimination (Prohibition), 2024 were read for the first time. I also moved a motion to curb the use of casualized labour by employers of labour in Nigeria.

“Under education, 60 students were sponsored to watch a stage play of "The Lion and The Jewel" by Prof. Wole Soyinka, which is part of the WASSCE syllabus. We equally doled out bursaries to indigent students, 100 JAMB forms, and professional exams (ICAN, CITN , NIPR etc) fees were paid for qualified constituents.

“We are partnering with the leadership of the markets to harness their entrepreneurial and vocational experience to empower our constituents, supporting business owners, attending to the immediate needs of the various CDAs via the FKL/CDA Technical Team, and the welfarism of Surulerians are prioritised.

“These feats are achievable through your unflinching support and feedback. We are not resting on our laurels as we remain committed to fulfill our campaign promises, as contained in our manifesto.

...Lambast opposition for alleged desperation

Kogi indigenes and concerned Nigerians gathered under the banner of the "Alliance For Emancipation and True Change" to stage a peaceful protest in the United Kingdom, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) remains impartial and free from political interference.

They raised concerns that the Commission, with the handling of the corruption allegations against the former Governor of Kogi State, had given the impression of political persecution to Nigerians and the international community.

During the protest, held in London on May 20, 2024, the demonstrators stressed the importance of a fair and just prosecution process, in line with the rule of law, and condemned the alleged use of the EFCC by politicians to intimidate and harass perceived opponents.

They cautioned against the politicization of the EFCC's activities and called for a review of its operating procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.

Speaking during the procession, Dr Shaibu Ojogbane, Publicity Secretary of the Alliance For Emancipation and True Change, and Chukwunonso Ezeani, Director of Research & Public Affairs, reiterated the alliance's support for the government's anti-corruption efforts but called for greater oversight to prevent selective justice and abuse of human rights.

The group said, "The protest against the former Governor today, apparently sponsored by the Opposition in the state, indicates desperation on their part. We are aware that at least one of the opposition candidates is currently in London.

''Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has restated his readiness to answer questions regarding his period of leadership in Kogi state; all he asks for is that the rule of law be adhered to, as it is glaring that in this particular case, the commission is serving the interest of some powerful Nigerians beyond the eye meets.

''With this in mind, we state without any fear of contradiction that the commission must be called to order without delay.

''We trust that Mr President will act swiftly so this situation doesn't degenerate into a massive calling out of the government on matters related to selective justice, abuse of human rights and other issues associated therein.''

They urged the president to intervene promptly to prevent further damage to the government's reputation and ensure the EFCC operates with integrity and impartiality.

According to them, the Opposition has also continued to ride on the activities of the EFCC to malign Governor Bello by sponsoring ethnic onslaught against him even outside the country.

The protesters said they deemed it important to stage a peaceful protest on the side of justice so that Nigerians were not misled by a few people.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has requested the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, based in Abuja, to dismiss a petition submitted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, contesting the victory of Gov. Usman Ododo.

Governor Ododo, along with the All Progressives Congress, APC, has also urged the three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, to reject the petition entirely, arguing it lacks competence and merit.

Representatives for the trio, including Chief Kanu Agabi, Joseph Daudu, and Emmanuel Ukala, made these assertions while presenting their final written addresses and counterarguments against the SDP and Ajaka’s petition.

However, Pius Akubo, representing Ajaka, has urged the tribunal to disregard the respondents’ contentions and uphold their petition.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the tribunal, after listening to all the parties in the petition, reserved the matter for judgment.

It would be recalled that Ajaka had challenged Ododo’s victory in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.

The tribunal had, on April 25, fixed Monday for adoption of final written addresses after parties closed their case in the matter.

Upon resumed hearing, INEC’s counsel, Agabi told the court that their final written address was dated and filed on May 2.

He said the commission’s reply on point of law was dated May 8 and filed May 9.

While adopting the processes, the lawyer submitted that the petition lacked merit and was incompetent, urging the court to strike it out or dismiss it.

“It is our humble submission that your work in the determination of this petition is simplified in recent judgments by the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” he said.

He argued that the Appeal Court had decided that if the grounds of a petition are inconsistent with one another, and are not consistent with the reliefs, it should be struck out.

He also argued that the evidence of the petitioners were grossly insufficient, citing a Supreme Court decision in a case by Tonye Cole against INEC.

“It is to the effect that once the evidence called is grossly insufficient, there is no evidence.

“In that case, the petitioner filed 305 witness depositions but only adopted 40 of them.

“The petitioner, according to the decision, only adopted about 13.1 per cent of the witness depositions.

“In this case, the depositions adopted represent just about 3.6 per cent of their witness depositions,” he said.

He said the petitioners only called 25 witnesses out of the scores listed.

Agabi said that in a mathematical calculation of evidence, 3.6 per cent of Ajaka’s witness deposition adopted in the petition amounted to a failure and, therefore, ought to be dismissed.

The lawyer also described the case as “frivolous”.

He said the petitioners equally failed to file the witness deposition before hand in contravention of the Supreme Court’s decision in Obungado’s case.

He argued that the petitioners’ witness, who testified about the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines clearly stated that he could not guarantee whether those were the BVAS used.

Besides, he said the witness was not the maker of the inputs in the BVAS machines.

“Also, the evidence contained in the BVAS machines fell short of what is required of the law,” he added.

Agabi further argued that the BVAS machine was tendered against Section 84 of the Evidence Act, as there was no certificate of trustworthiness attached alongside it as required by the law.

He argued that out of the 25 witnesses called by the petitioners, there was no single polling unit agent among them.

“In other words, not a single person who observed the election was called.

“Besides, the star witness could not distinguish between what he heard and what he saw when questions were put to him,” he said.

The senior lawyer prayed the tribunal to strike out or dismiss the petition for being incompetent.

While adopting his final written address dated and filed on May 1, Daudu, who appeared for Gov. Ododo, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety.

Adumbrating, he argued that the petition was statute barred (filed out of time).

The senior lawyer said that though the petitioners responded to their submission that “when it comes to filing, it is what the secretary of the tribunal says that determines the date of filing,” he, however, argued that the action of the petitioners was against Section 122(1) and (2)(a) of the Evidence Act, which empowers the tribunal to take judicial notice of this.

But Akubo objected to Daudu’s citing of the section, describing it as fresh argument.

Daudu, in response, disagreed with Akubo that he was raising fresh issues after a final written address had been filed.

“You cannot shut me out from making my comment. You cannot because you don’t have the power to do so,” he said.

He said if the court found merit in his argument, Akubo had the right to respond because it bordered on issues of remittal procedure.

He also urged the tribunal to dismiss the allegations of forgery against his client, saying it bordered on pre-election matter, which the apex court had decided in Gbagi’s case against INEC.

Daudu also argued that Section 137 of the Electoral Act cited by the petitioners on allegations of over-voting did not apply in the instant petition.

Also backing Daudu’s submission, Ukala, who represented APC, urged the court to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit.

The lawyer, who said their final written address, dated April 30 was filed same date, adopted all the processes.

The petitioners’ lawyer, Akubo, told the tribunal that their final written address was dated and filed May 6.

He disagreed with Daudu that their petition was filed out of time.

He argued that the respondents themselves confirmed that the petition was filed on December 2, 2023, even by their own witness.

“I urge your lordship to hold that we filed this petition within time under our law,” he said.

After taking the arguments, Justice Birnin-Kudu reserved judgment in the petition.

“The date will be communicated to both parties,” he said.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Honorable Israel Sunny-Goli, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe multi-million naira investments made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

Sunny-Goli, who represented the Nembe-Brass Federal Constituency in the 9th Assembly, stated that he is calling for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution regarding the disbursement of funds for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, as well as the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited.

The former lawmaker noted that all the projects are situated within the precinct of Brass Local Government Area and that the investments were undertaken during the tenure of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.

According to him, NCDMB’s total equity of $200 million was contributed to the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Limited project, which was conceived to establish two trains of 5,000 MTPD methanol plants and one train of 500 Mscf per day processing plant, along with associated infrastructure to be sited in Odioma, Brass Island, Bayelsa State.

For the Atlantic Refinery project, he disclosed that a full investment of $35 million was made for the project, which was expected to be a 2,000 bpd modular refinery with a jetty facility and 2MW power plant, with a duration of 24 months completion at the Brass Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

Sunny-Goli further stated in his petition that the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited is also included for probe, with NCDMB’s investment aimed at establishing a 50 million-liter facility with a two-way product jetty, automated storage tanks, and loading bay in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He expressed sadness that the current state of the three projects is nothing to write home about, as they are now surrounded by uncertainty and a sense of gloom.

Sunny-Goli pointed out that the projects are well-meaning and could provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and also increase the government’s revenue.

“To ensure that our great nation is not short-changed, and our teeming unemployed youths are not denied gainful employment opportunities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, I hereby request that your commission immediately institute a thorough investigation into the projects listed above and prosecute without delay anyone found culpable in the event of misappropriation of funds,” he said.

…Adjourns To June 13, 2024 For Arraignment

A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

The judge had, on April 23, fixed today (May 10) for the ruling on the ex-governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

The judge had on, April 17, issued an arrest warrant to EFCC for Bello’s arrest.

The order was made after the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, moved the ex-parte application to the effect.

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to Pinheiro’s submission that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case, he said the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

According to him, the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

Counsel to Bello has however said his client will appear in court on 13th of June at the Federal High Court, in Abuja.

Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN gave the assurance while saying that his client had stayed away from the authorities because he feared for his life.

The counsel assured that the former kogi state governor would make himself available to clear his name after he got the assurance of the court that no harm would come to his client.

The counsel also clarified that Bello will appear in court and not in EFCC custody.

Some members of the All Progressives Congress under the umbrella of Southwest Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Supporters Movement have called on President Bola Tinubu not to delay in sacking some of his appointees who have allegedly been plotting his political downfall for their selfish interests.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Lagos, the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential supporters condemned, in its entirety, the development which they described as "satanic agenda", and called on President Tinubu and the APC leadership to immediately arrest the situation and ensure that the party is not hijacked by a disloyal few.

They also vowed to expose those scheming to succeed Tinubu in 2027, with the notion that he might not be able to contest.

According to the supporters, allegations by a prominent member of the ruling APC, Jesutega Onokpasa, about those around the president already planning to succeed him possibly before he completes his first term in office, ought not to be taken with levity.

Onokpasa, a former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had in a video clip, alleged the ongoing drama around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s allegations against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and the continued attack on former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, were part of plans by these individuals against the President.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Femi Bode-Banjoko, APC Chieftain and Coordinator, Southwest Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Supporters Movement said, although Onokpasa didn't mention names, "it is not difficult to make an educated guess as to those involved in such satanic plot to be scheming for Asiwaju's untimely departure for their own selfish political ambitions."

Bode-Banjoko added, "These characters have been using their positions as appointees of the president to pursue their personal agendas rather than concentrate on the assignments of their offices.

"Because of that, their performances in office have been woeful till date. Rather than assist the president to improve on the country's security and economy, they are busy chasing their perceived political enemies all around the country whilst the country suffers. They continue to give our Party a bad name among Nigerians because they are not justifying their appointments whatsoever but concentrating on alienating those who worked hard for the success of our Party in the last presidential election from the president.

"For instance, former Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Ganduje of Kano were in the forefront of Northern Governors who gave one hundred percent support and loyalty with tireless hard work to ensure Asiwaju's victory to emerge as our Party's Presidential candidate and eventually as the President and Commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria last year.

"Nasir El-Rufai and former Governor Yahaya Bello were the ones who went to Court to bail out the country from the satanic plot of the Naira redesign policy that threw many Nigerians into pains and penury.

"These retrogressive political opportunists made sure that El-Rufai was frustrated out of the Ministerial appointment through flimsy petitions and are now instigating his successor against him. Former Governors El-Rufai, and Yahaya Bello delivered their states to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 through unprecedented hard work, dedication and Party loyalty whilst these ones who are reaping from where they didn't sow lost their states and couldn't even deliver any significant electoral value to the Party's ticket. But they are now exploiting their positions to go after those who delivered for the ticket.

"They wouldn't allow our Party's national chairman to rest by sponsoring proxy wars against him. They have succeeded in alienating former Governor El-Rufai from the president and the Party and still going after him using his successor. They are after the life of former Governor Yahaya Bello who worked so hard to win his state for the President and the Party at the governorship election whilst they achieved zero for the Party. The offices they occupy are failing in their mandate as there have been no noticeable improvement in the country's security and so forth."

The Coordinator of the support group, therefore, urged the president to fire all incompetent and disloyal members of his cabinet and replace them with those who can help him secure the country better among other development indicators.

"All those paying marabouts millions of Naira and dollars to pray for the President to be sick or even die will receive the arrow of death before they achieve their aim," he said.

Bode-Banjoko restated the group's undivided loyalty to President Tinubu and the party, assuring that "He (Tinubu) will complete his first term and win his second with even greater electoral success by God's grace."

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Jesutega Onokpasa, has revealed that certain appointees of President Bola Tinubu are plotting to succeed him before the end of his tenure and are seriously wishing that the President will not make it to 2027 for their selfish reasons.

Onokpasa, a lawyer and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who lamented the alleged hypocrisy, pull him down mentality and anti-party activities going on in the governing party, laid curses on those he accused of wishing Tinubu dead, saying, "If they don't repent, Asiwaju will attend their funeral."

He said this in a video, where he was seen addressing party members and drawing their attention to the belief that the ongoing drama around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's allegations against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; and the continued attack on former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, were plans mapped out by these individuals to allegedly perfect their plans.

Expressing concern over ill treatments, selective prosecution and hounding meted out on some prominent chieftains of the party since the emergence of Tinubu's presidency, Onokpasa alleged that the particular appointees he was referring to in Tinubu's government were behind the ordeals of former Governors Yahaya Bello, Nasir El- Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje in order to perfect their "satanic" succession plans, while allegedly wishing that the President would no longer be around by 2027.

Referring to a particular appointee of Tinubu whose name was not mentioned, the chieftain said, "You drive Rufai away, you start hounding Ganduje, although there are other things involved, you start attacking Yahaya Bello, what did you do? You don't have mandate my friend, you are just an appointee... you think we don't know what is going on?

"Listen, Asiwaju is a child of God. Asiwaju will rule this country for eight complete years. There is nothing anybody can do about that. He will rule this first four years, he will so perform, Nigerians, again, will vote for him and next time around, we will win a majority of the total votes cast. So, all these your satanic plans, plotting that our President will not make it to 2027, you are wasting your time. Get that through your head."

The party chieftain, who Nigerians know to be a die-hard supporter of President Tinubu, also angrily bemoaned what he called the attitude of "using and dumping" people who worked for the victory of the President in 2023, while those who were against the President and even insulted him, were being given priorities "over authentic supporters and genuine Batists."

Onokpasa, who was also a member of the APC Presidential Legal Team and Chairman, Tinubu Media Support Group, said, "Of recent concern to me is the case of my younger brother, His Excellency, the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. In this party, we have had our brother, the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai basically chased out of our party despite what he did for us to make us win. Now, it is Yahaya Bello. A few weeks or months ago, it was our National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje that was basically almost being chased from our party."

Blowing hot against those behind the ugly trend, who he claimed were arrogating powers to themselves at the detriment of Tinubu's wellbeing, and warning them to desist, Onokpasa stated, "Listen, we cannot tolerate such nonsense in a party. Let everybody in this party come to his senses. We know how we won election. We won election because of the grace of God, because the grace of God is upon our President, Asiwaju. We won election with the lowest margin. This our government has the lowest margin since 1999. We won with less than 40 per cent of the votes. In every other election, someone had won with 50 per cent of the votes.

"Everybody that contributed to our victory is important to me, because me, I am a fanatical Batist. This is the way I see Bola Tinubu's administration. Bola Tinubu is a child of grace. The way I see it, God wants Bola Tinubu to be our President and we need him to be our President for eight years. What we should all square up to right now is a question of, there is no need to beat about the bush; there are people in our party who don't believe in our President. For whatever reason they feel, I don't know where they went to, that's their headache."

He cautioned those wishing Tinubu dead, stressing that the president would make it beyond 2027.

"Even after that eight years, he (Tinubu) will become an elder stateman for many years after that and none of you ... all of you doing this rubbish, if you don't repent, Asiwaju will attend all of your funerals. I am the one that is saying it," he said.

Onokpasa recounted how a young man died in Edo State after wishing the President dead, saying, "I will like to share a story with you. There was this young man in Delta State where I come from. He had the guts to come to me and he said, uncle, this man, Bola Tinubu that you are supporting is going to die before the election and I told him, are you the God that created him? Do you know what happened? May his soul rest in peace, he died before Bola Tinubu won election."

"There are people in this party who don't believe in Asiwaju, they never believe that Asiwaju can make it to 2027. Do you know what? All these people, if they don't repent, Asiwaju will attend all of their funerals. They are mad! They don't have mandate, it is Asiwaju we voted for, it is Asiwaju that has mandate, it is Asiwaju that is the President. And we need Asiwaju to run complete eight years to finally make this country the pride of the black race," APC chieftain stated.

On the Bello-EFCC controversy, he said it was for the court to decide, stating, "Nobody is supporting corruption. However, we fight corruption according to law and you will not have a personal indifference with somebody and then you use the instrumentality of office to torment that person. We will not tolerate that in this party. We must not."

He also lambasted a particular appointee that he portrayed to be high-handed, alleging that the appointee funded an opposition member against the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, during the Kogi State governorship election.

The popular Tinubu loyalist said, "I mean, can you imagine the nonsense. You sponsored somebody who left our party, he used to be a member of our party committee, you claim to be a member of our party, you now sponsor him against our own candidate, Usman Ododo, you give him money, he lost, we defeated him. Sorry! Then, you say his lawyer, my learned friend, Jibril Okutepa, he is the one that you now brief to torment Yahaya Bello?

"I am very proud of Yahaya Bello, Yahaya Bello helped Asiwaju to win election. Anybody who helped Asiwaju to win election is my brother. He is my father's son that my mother gave birth to. I don't owe you any apology, who are you? Nonsense! You will turn all of us to cowards?"

The Court of Appeal has granted an exparte motion for stay of proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against the contempt proceeding commenced by the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, against the Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede.

The Court of Appeal, presided over by Hon. Justice Joseph O.K. Oyewole, consequently granted the EFCC's application to serve the processes in the Appeal by substituted means on the former Governor. The Court consequently adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to May 20, 2024.

The EFCC boss who was summoned to appear before the Kogi State High Court on May 13, 2024, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for disobeying the Orders of the court, had appealed the Ruling of the trial Court and sought a stay of the proceeding of the Court.

The EFCC boss is facing a contempt charge for carrying out "some acts upon which they (the EFCC) have been restrained" by the Court on February 9, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive Originating Motion.


Justice I. A. Jamil, delivering a ruling in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ordered that "the said act was carried out by the Respondent (EFCC) in violation of the order, which was valid and subsisting when they carried out the act. That same act of the Respondent amounts to Contempt.

EFCC operatives had laid siege on the residence of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as early as 8am on April 17, 2024, with a bid to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, pending the determination of the Originating Motion.

Justice Jamil's order was based on a motion ex-parte filed by Yahaya Bello through his lawyer, M.S. Yusuf, Esq, where he prayed the court
for an order to issue and serve the Respondent (EFCC Chairman) with Form 49 Notice to show cause why Order of committal should not be made on Olukoyede.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned further hearing in the alleged money laundering charges against Ali Bello and three others to May 27, 2024.

The Judge, on Thursday, adjourned the trial following the conclusion of evidence in chief by the second witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
Olomotane Egoro.

The adjournment was to allow counsel to Ali Bello, Abubakar Aliu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, to cross examine the witness in his testimony against the defendants.

At Thursday's proceedings, in the suit marked: ABJ/CR/573/2022 (FRN Vs. Ali Bello and 3 others), Egoro, a Staff of Access Bank, tendered Bank Statements of Keyless Nature Limited, Fasab Business Enterprise and Ari Consulting and Integrated Limited and testified of cash lodgements into the accounts from 14 Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

The witness, who did not state the purpose for which the monies were transferred into the accounts, also testified as to withdrawals from the said accounts.

The lodgements and withdrawals were said to have been made from between 2017 and 2022.

At the end of the Witness' testimony, Counsel to the 1st Defendant, Ali Bello (A. M. Aliyu SAN) prayed the Court for an adjournment to enable him cross examine the Witness. By agreement of Counsel, the matter was adjourned.

Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa, SAN, appeared for the Prosecution.

Nureini Jimoh SAN appeared for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants.

Ali Bello and three others are facing trial on an alleged N3 billion fraud charge brought against them by the EFCC.

***Vow to present case to National Human Rights Commission

Scores of youths from Kogi State trooped out in Abuja, on Wednesday, in a May Day solidarity walk for Nigerian children to press home their disappointment with the handling of the much-publicised allegations of corruption against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The youths decried what they called the systemic violation of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the former Governor's children, "who have nothing whatsoever to do with whatever the Commission is investigating their parents for."

President, Kogi Independent Youths Association, Comrade Mohammed Abdulrazak, said, "Let it be on record that we do not support corruption in any manner. What we are against is not following due processes to carry out law enforcement duties, especially when you begin to drag in innocent children into the fray. This can damage them psychologically for life.

"Children don't play politics. Children can't be punished for the sins of their parents even when such has been proven. Nobody deserves to be punished for a crime they know nothing about, not to talk of innocent children.

"Today's rally is the first in the series of actions we have laid out until justice is done in this matter. All these concerns will be presented to the National Human Rights Commission any moment from now for appropriate intervention especially to protect the rights of the innocent children who have been dragged into this political war by the EFCC."

He added, "As educated youths who are versed in the practice and procedures concerning the arrest, arraignment, and prosecution of an accused person, the due process of the law is sacrosanct and must be duly adhered to and complied with.

"Former Governor Yahaya Bello has not been shown any fairness, which is a cardinal principle of law. He has not been
served with the notice of charges against him, or arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction by the EFCC, but he has already been arraigned, tried, and convicted by the EFCC going by their utterances in the media and unnecessary display of executive drama."

Abdulrazak pointed out that the 1999 Constitution as Amended guarantees the innocence of an accused person until otherwise proven, but added that the EFCC, in the pursuit of its persecution of ex-Gov Bello, had thrown all caution to the wind and turned his botched arrest into a television and social media soap opera.

"This is being done to demonise him," he said.

The President of the Kogi Youths Association said, "We know that before an accused person is arraigned before a court for arraignment and trial, service of charges against him is usually the condition precedent, except where the accused person is on the run. Former Governor Yahaya Bello was not and has never been on the run. In fact, he has an active and running injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction that forbids EFCC from arresting him to which EFCC had appealed against in the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja until they recently withdrew it.

"It is the natural course of justice that once an appeal is pending before an appellate court, status quo ought to have been maintained until the appeal is determined, but EFCC in their zeal to prove that they were working as they ought to refused and neglected to obey the order of the court which constitutionally binds them and to which they as a matter of must, obey. But they in disobedience to competent court order disobeyed and laid siege to his house, thereby violating his right to privacy and other constitutionally guaranteed rights.

"We are also aware that before a Nigerian citizen is deprived of his property, both corporeal and incorporeal, an order of a court of competent jurisdiction must first be had and obtained.
In the instant case of Governor Yahaya Bello, EFCC, in their gestapo style, had forced the American International School to make a refund of nearly $800, 000(eight hundred thousand dollars) being the school fees of his children studying therein, which he paid in advance to avoid the inflation and fluctuations that go with Nigerian economy.

"This action of the EFCC has brought to and exposed the children to so much trauma and opprobrium because of the taunts and mockery they are being bombarded from their fellow classmates.

"We are in no way advocating against the trial of the former governor, and if found guilty, face the appropriate sanctions and punishments that go with it, but the anti corruption agency, which is the EFCC must as a matter of obedience to law, follow the procedures because any disobedience to our constitution and extant laws is a recipe for anarchy which is antithetical to
our constitutional democracy.

"We condemn in its entirety the involvement of those innocent children in whatever EFCC and the powers that be have against their parents. They should have never have been part of any witchunt by the Commission. Their actions against these children are in total violation of the Child's Rights Act of 2003."

Frontline Youth Groups in Nigeria staged a combined peaceful protest in Abuja on Tuesday, against what they termed a political colouration to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's allegations against former Governor Yahaya Bello.

The youth groups, including the Yoruba Youth Council, Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria, North Central Youth Council, All Progressives Congress Youth Ambassadors and APC National Students Forum, all called on the National Assembly and Attorney General of the Federation to call the EFCC to order and ensure due process is followed in the matter.

According to them, many Nigerians were not aware of the legal bottlenecks involved in the matter at the beginning, which clearly show that the former Governor was protected by the law and that the Commission acted in a hurry.

The youths, numbering over 1,000, stormed the National Assembly Gate, carrying placards with various inscriptions such as "Respect the rule of law", and "NYLC condemns media trial", among others.

National President, Yoruba Youth Council, Prince Ayodele Gbologe, said, "If the EFCC has a case against the former Governor, let them follow the normal procedure, not just following any backdoor to just arrest anybody or think of intimidating any Nigerian. There is rule of law. They should follow the rule of law. The Chairman of the EFCC calls himself a lawyer, the court has given an order, let them follow it. If they have any case against him, let them prosecute him. Not to be using EFCC to maltreat any Nigerian.

"Today, it is the case of Yahaya Bello; tomorrow, it can be me and it can be any other person. So we have to fight for the future of Nigeria. An organisation that has not been able to sanitize themselves. An organisation that has not been able to wash their dirty clothes. What happened to the former EFCC bosses? What we are saying is that they should follow due process in prosecuting anybody."

Rt. Hon Mahmoud Mohammed, who signed a statement on behalf of the Coalition of Youth Groups, said, "The Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN) condemns in strongest terms the continued harassment of His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello, the immediate past youthful and useful Governor of Kogi State. We are calling on the EFCC to respect the rule of law and not to make it a personal thing.

"The Commission should stop the ongoing media trial because it's derailing the mandate of the Organization and thereby making it a laughing stock before the international community.

"NYAN understands that since the Ebira People retained the Governorship Seat of Kogi State, the Opposition Party (SDP) has been sponsoring all kinds of attacks, using any means they can, against the immediate past Governor as the individual who hindered them from returning to Power in Kogi State.

"Hence, we call on EFCC to be careful, not to allow itself to be used, as the Commission has its name to protect. Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello has performed well as Govenor of Kogi State and his footprints are all over the State."

Other youths that addressed Journalists called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop all political victimization of Yahaya Bello and also condemned it.

Scores of Anti-Corruption Organisations have berated the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for flouting the Child's Rights Act by revealing details and identities of minors whose parents are being investigated over alleged corruption.

With specific reference to the case of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, whose children's names abd other details were reportedly made public by the EFCC, the anti-graft CSOs expressed shock, arguing that the commission had recklessly exposed the affected children to all manners of dangers.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, the Anti-Corruption Organizations condemned the EFCC for not considering the safety and protection of the minors as required by both international and national laws, stressing that, "when minors are exposed to public and peer ridicule in the name of investigating their parents, no matter the allegations, such minors are automatically subjected to excruciating trauma that they don't deserve."

The press conference/protest was the fourth by the human rights crusaders since they began the struggle to demand that the rule of law prevails in the ex-Kogi Gov/EFCC face-off.

The Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, who led other activists, on a peaceful protest shortly after the press conference, said, "We are here today, as parents who have children in and out of school, to appeal to the conscience of this nation and those in authority. First, permit me to state unequivocally that I cannot see myself either now or at any point of my life to ever align with corrupt public officials or individuals no matter the remuneration or temptation. I can also say the same thing for my colleagues on this Coalition.

"We have passed such elementary stages of amenability to corrupt environment or people. We will continue to fight them and support antigraft agencies to do their jobs as constitutionally assigned to them by extant laws. We will continue to confront corruption with the same vehemence and resolve as we do against all forms of injustice.

"Make no mistakes about it, this struggle is beyond this Coalition or any individual. It is about saving the spirit and soul of our democracy and rule of law. We are convinced that where law and order are jettisoned under the excuse of political exigencies, society suffers irreparable injustice and damage due to the necessary anarchy that ensues from such a course of action.

"It is in this respect that we think that in the course of investigating and prosecuting corruption, special care must be taken to ensure that innocent minors are not dragged into what they know absolutely nothing about.

"Children cannot be made collateral victims of the alleged indiscretions of their parents even when proven. Law is about justice. Justice is about humanity. Humanity is about our common good as a people. When minors are exposed to public and peer ridicule in the name of investigating their parents, no matter the allegations, such minors are automatically subjected to excruciating trauma that they don't deserve.

"I know enough of child psychology to understand that in their vulnerable state, they may suffer irreversible trauma when subjected to undeserved pressures that destroy their self-esteem. Unfortunately, this is what we believe the recent action of the EFCC in putting the identities and details of minors whose parents are under investigation for alleged corruption in the case of Kogi State has caused those little kids."

"They do not deserve that kind of treatment no matter the sins of their parents. We believe that whatever would affect those children in the course of investigation are better left in the safe custody of the Court. And, this is what we have been saying ; that our courts must be respected and obeyed at all times! Let's always follow the due processes of law in law enforcement duties," the Coalition stated.

Quoting relevant sections of the laws that EFCC allegedly disregarded, it said, "Going public with all the details involving minors is a direct violation of Section 35 of the Child's Rights Act that prohibits ALL forms of harmful publication about a child.

"The mother of the Child's Rights Act is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child of 1989. This convention passed most of the rules that were incorporated into the Child's Right Act in Nigeria.

The Child's Rights Act was passed in Nigeria in 2003 after lots of Government and Civil Society engagements. Section 277 of the Child's Rights Act defines a child as any person under the age of 18. This effectively nullifies the earlier law under the Children and Young Persons Act which defines a child as a person under the age of 14 years.

"Section I of the Child's Rights Act specifically provides that the BEST INTEREST of a child is to be of PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION IN ALL ACTIONS. This is capitalized and underlined for emphasis. We do not believe that by releasing details of minors to the media, this section has been complied with. It has been violated, in our opinion

"Section 2 of the Child's Right Act provides that a child SHALL be given ALL protection and care for his well being. ALL. In the present case, the affected children have been recklessly exposed to all manners of danger by the Commission's action. Section 11 of the Child's Right Act provides that a child is entitled to the dignity of his person.

"Section 33 of the Child's Rights Act forbids anyone from any form of exploitation of a child. The EFCC can be said to be exploiting the transaction with the children for its media showmanship."

Meanwhile, the Coalition has demanded apologies from the Commission and the affected parents to the minors, noting that, "We make bold to say that the EFCC could have achieved its objectives without doing anything that could be viewed as attacking the sensibilities of these children under whatever guise."

The Coalition added, "We will restate here for the umpteenth time that EFCC should learn to stop sensationalizing its operations. It is not only counterproductive but seriously injurious to the anticorruption fight that the government is supposedly doing.


"To break the Child's Rights Act is to break a child's heart. We condemn such deliberate violation in its entirety. As a matter of fact, those children deserve public apologies from both the Commission and their parents and we shall see to that."