₦airaland Forum

A Constitutional Lawyer, Ewa Okpo, has described the actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing face-off with the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as "trial by mischief".

In an interview on Arise TV's morning show on Saturday, the legal practitioner specifically stated that it was wrong, in the first instance, for the EFCC to attempt to arrest the former Governor when it was aware of a subsisting restraining order, which had not been vacated as of the time of its action.

He said the whole "drama" was centred around an abuse of court process.

“I think that it is a rather unfortunate narrative for Nigeria, and to summarize the whole of this drama in legal terms would be to just say, look, this is an abuse of the court process.

“Why do I say abuse of court process? To successfully prosecute anybody in Nigeria, in this case, the EFCC is prosecuting Yahaya Bello; there are six categories of laws that you must follow.

“The ground law being the Constitution, administration of Criminal Justice Act, the law that empowers the prosecutor, in this case, EFCC Act; the law that defines the offense and the punishment, in this case, Money Laundering Act; and then the law of the courts with jurisdiction.

''In this case, that would be the Federal High Court Act, Practice Directive, and the rest of it that guide proceedings at the Federal High Court, and, of course, the Evidence Act and other ancillary legislations.

''Now what is expected of the EFCC in this instance, where you follow all of these laws put together? They ought to have at first invited the suspect (officially), in the person of Mr Yahaya Bello; when he refuses to honor the invite; EFCC does not even need to get a warrant from the court; it is an administrative power to issue a warrant," he said.

According to him, in line with all the steps he enumerated, the EFCC failed to follow proper legal procedures in the matter.

''Sadly, you know, they rather attempted to arrest the man when they could not arrest him. Being smart, I must give it to Yahaya Bello; he got his lawyers, and they ran to the court and got an order restraining the EFCC.

''Now you must understand because I think that what the EFCC is trying to do now is what can be described as trial by mischief," he stated.

Okpo added that court orders restraining law enforcement agencies from harassing or arresting individuals should be respected and emphasized that such orders do not restrain the courts themselves.

He condemned the EFCC’s disregard for the court orders and stressed the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Okpo also commended the court’s intervention, stressing that it served as a crucial check on the actions of law enforcement agencies and promoted adherence to the rule of law.

“Now, the EFCC is the watchdog. We need the EFCC to function in Nigeria. But in the course of them being the watchdog, who watches them? And so when there is an order, EFCC, you cannot correct wrong by doing wrong.

“Since there was an order restraining the EFCC, they had no business attempting to arrest Mr. Yahaya Bello,” he said.

Chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress have said that an unbiased assessment of the alleged media trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission goings showcases grounds for strong suspicion of vendetta.

The Stakeholders, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Friday said, while the public was being misled into the erroneous impression that the EFCC was trying to fight corruption, "it is actually just a pretense in furtherance of a personal vendetta on behalf of, and, at the behest of persons in government intent on the bastardisation of our institutions of state."

Lawyer and Head of the Tinubu Media Support Group, Barrister Jesutega Onokpasa, while addressing the press, on behalf of on behalf of Concerned Chieftains, Stalwarts of the APC, stated, "We, concerned Chieftains, Stalwarts and Stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, find certain pertinent issues emanating from the matter between the former Governor of Kogi State, Governor Yahaya Bello, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to be quite unfortunate, most disturbing and totally unacceptable in a nation governed by laws.

"Indeed, an unbiased assessment of the goings on in this matter profusely showcase grounds for strong suspicion that while the public is being misled into the erroneous impression that the EFCC is trying to fight corruption, it is actually just a pretense in furtherance of a personal vendetta on behalf of, and, at the behest of persons in government intent on the bastardisation of our institutions of state.

"The EFCC Chairman, in a most bizarre and utterly absurd approach to law enforcement, confessed to having offered former Governor Yahaya Bello the option of passing through the backdoor of the commission's headquarters for preferential treatment in the Chairman's own office!

"By the way, this highly irregular and unorthodox offer was made not vide a proper invitation in the contemplation of law but through the most irregular route of a mere phone call, according to the EFCC Chairman.

"In the midst of this show of shame, the EFCC Chairman then proceeded to appoint himself a judge, jury and executioner by transferring a case the agency he heads had purportedly filed in court to the court of public opinion, clearly in the hope of whipping up public sentiments against former Governor Yahaya Bello and unleashing mob justice on him.

"We find it most unprofessional and quite shameful that a lawyer would so brazenly seek to pervert the course of justice by preferring to litigate a matter before the legal court of law in the illegal court of public opinion.

A citizen in the position of former Governor Yahaya Bello, especially not being a lawyer, would naturally be suspicious of the gamut of shenanigans that have been machinated against him thus far and be quite apprehensive that his traducers have something else in mind that is totally different from their quite laughable public position that they are fighting corruption.

"It has been said that 'if you fight corruption, corruption will fight back' but this is clearly a case of corruption pretending to be fighting corruption.

"In short, it is clear that those intent on harming former Governor Yahaya Bello are so full of themselves as to appropriate our institutions of state for self-aggrandizement and the prosecution of their personal agenda rather than upholding the rule of law.

"Far from being a cherished agency we can rely on to rid our nation of corruption, the EFCC has only succeeded in thoroughly embarrassing our nation before the international community.

"This entire affair has become a mainstream media as well as a social media sensation and it is all thanks to the EFCC bungling its absurd pretense of having a case against former Governor Yahaya Bello.

"Seldom have we witnessed a more bewildering absurdity as the conduct of the EFCC in this matter.

We must protect our institutions from abuse and our government from ridicule.

"We most certainly do not condone corruption and both individually and collectively oppose it in all its ramifications.

"But weaponising an agency of government into an instrument of intimidation and deviating from its mandate, even to the extent of giving the highly disturbing impression that it has decomposed into a willing tool in the hands of people in power for the purpose of hounding their political enemies is a most heinous form of corruption.

"Former Governor Yahaya Bello is most certainly not above the law but so also is the EFCC, any other agency of government and, even the government, itself, not above the law.

"The EFCC is certainly not fighting corruption in this instance.

You do not properly invite a man; you said you called him on the phone offering to smuggle him through the backdoor; you do not inform another court of coordinate jurisdiction that you have been restrained from arresting, arraigning or prosecuting him; you brazenly engage in forum shopping; you proceed in gestapo fashion to carry out an illegal arrest; you secretly file an appeal out of time; you then withdraw that appeal quietly only for news of that withdrawal to filter out days later; clearly realising you do not have a case, you proceed to tarnish the reputation of a citizen you claim to have a case to answer by calling a press conference most unbecoming of a lawyer, public official and government agency!

"You try to tarnish the reputation of a sitting Governor by accusing him of smuggling his predecessor from a private residence only for you to admit that you were actually the one who offered to smuggle him through the backdoor into your office at the headquarters of a government agency!

What a show of shame!

We fight corruption according to law and we subject any person of interest pertaining thereto to the due process of law in a court of law.

"Instructively, the party that has placed himself under the law and authority of the courts in this matter is former Governor Yahaya Bello, who has painstakingly and consistently followed the law.

"On the other hand, the EFCC, in its usual manner, has insisted on deploying patently unlawful and unbecoming approaches to this matter, indeed in a manner most contrary to the rule of law and one that is most unacceptably disrespectful to the Judiciary.

"The rule of law must always prevail because without the law, we would not have a society and without courts, we would not have a civilisation.

Barr. Jesutega Onokpasa,

For and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Kogi State High Court in Lokoja has issued a summon for Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to appear in court on May 13, 2024.

This directive stems from allegations of disregarding a court order.

Olukoyede faces a contempt charge for allegedly violating a court order issued on February 9, 2024, restraining the EFCC from certain actions pending the determination of a substantive Originating Motion.

Justice I. A. Jamil, in Suit No: HCL/68M/2024 and Motion No: HCL/190M/2024, ruled that the EFCC's actions amounted to contempt as they contravened a valid and subsisting court order.

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.

Having listened to the arguments of the Applicant's counsel, the submission and exhibits attached in the Written Address, Justice Jamil granted Yahaya Bello's prayers and ordered Olukoyede to be summoned to appear before the court to answer the contempt charge.

Delivering his order on the motion on April 25, 2024, Justice Jamil said, "The applicant's application before me is to the effect that the Respondent has carried out some acts upon which they have been restrained by this Court on the 9th of February, 2024, pending the determination of the substantive motion on Notice before this Court.

"That the said act was carried out by the Respondent in violation of the order which was valid and subsisting when they carried out those acts. That same acts of the Respondent amounts to acts of contempt.

"That the Respondent should be summoned to appear before this Court to answer to the contempt charge.

"It's against the above facts that this Court hereby grants the prayers sought in line with the principle of "Audi Ultra Patem". To wit:

"An order of this Honourable Court for the issuance of Form 49 Notice to show cause why order of committal should not be made against the Executive Chairman of the Respondent - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

"An order for service of Form 49-Notice to show why order of committal should not be made on the Executive Chairman of the Respondent - Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at EFCC Corporate Headquarters, Plot 301/302, Research and Institution District, Abuja.

"This matter is adjourned to the 13th of May, 2024 for the Respondent's Chairman to appear before this Court in answer to form 49 ordered to be served on him."

The media office representing the former Governor of Kogi State has countered the assertions made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the attendance of the governor's children at the American International School in Abuja.

In a statement released on Friday by Ohiare Michael, the office clarified that Yahaya Bello did not make payments of USD720,000 or USD840,000, as claimed by the EFCC Chairman or circulated on the internet, respectively.

The statement partly read, “On Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, in a conduct which we view as unbecoming of a Legal Practitioner, organised a press conference where he alleged (amongst other outrightly defamatory statements) that His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, withdrew cash from the Kogi State Government Account, sent same to Bureau De Change Operators and then used same to pay the school fees of his children in advance.

According to Olukoyede, the payment was made just about the time the former Governor was to leave office.

Since the said press conference, receipts of payments of the said fees bearing the names of His Excellency’s Children and those of other family members, who separately paid their fees, have been flying all over the internet.

While we reserve our rights to seek redress against the said defamatory statements, permit us to briefly state the following for the purpose of setting the records straight:

“His Excellency, Yahaya Bello's children have attended the American International School, Abuja well before he became Governor and he has paid fees for his children as and when due and without fail.

“When the EFCC approached the American International School Abuja (AISA) to illegally recover funds legitimately paid by Alhaji Yahaya Bello and other family members, a member of the family challenged the EFCC’s unlawful acts to recover funds legitimately paid. The FCT High Court, in Suit No. FCT/HC/2574/2023 between: Mr. Ali Bello v. The Incorporated Trustees of American International School, Abuja, held that AISA could not lawfully and unilaterally refund to a third party, including the EFCC, fees paid by the parties to the suit.”

“Now, let it be known that, contrary to misleading narratives by the EFCC, all the documents published online i.e. receipts and letters, that the EFCC has released online, in furtherance of its unrelenting persecution of the former Governor, are documents filed by lawyers in the suit instituted on behalf of Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others who paid fees for their wards under the Advance Fee Payment Agreement with AISA. 

Those documents, having been filed by his lawyers, are thus public documents, which shows that his Excellency, Yahaya Bello, has nothing to hide with regard to the payment of advance fees for his children. This unending harassment and persecution, even while in office, were among key reasons he sought to enforce his fundamental human rights.” 

“We state that the payment of these fees and the legitimacy thereof is the subject matter of Charge No. FHC/CR/573/2022, filed by the EFCC since 15th December 2022 at the Federal High Court, Abuja. The Charge is pending and the Court has yet to make any finding or convicted anyone in respect of the said sum” 

“It is imperative to remind Mr. Olukoyede, who is a Lawyer, that once parties have submitted a dispute to the Court, they are to shun all actions and statements that may prejudice the hearing of the matter or the mind of the Court” 

“Finally, our Principal, Yahaya Bello, doesn't visit law enforcement agencies "through the backdoor". He has insisted on following due process in line with the rule of law. No amount of blackmail will intimidate him.”

A philanthropist, Akintayo Akintunde, has congratulated the Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over his victory at the just concluded governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Akintayo who recently empowered over 300 women in Ile-oluji area of Ondo State, congratulated Aiyedatiwa in a statement made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The Ile-oluji born Philanthropist also urged Aiyedatiwa to approach the upcoming general election with assurance, emphasizing the importance of fostering connections and unity for the challenges ahead.

The statement read, “I extend warmest congratulations to Governor Aiyedatiwa on his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate. His dedication and commitment to the welfare of the people have been evident throughout his tenure, and we are confident that he will continue to serve with excellence.

“As we look forward to the November 2024 election, I urge Governor Aiyedatiwa to be rest assured of our unwavering support. His leadership has brought about positive changes, and we have full confidence that he will emerge as the victor, propelled by the trust and faith of the electorate.

"We stand united in our belief in Governor Aiyedatiwa's vision for a prosperous and inclusive future for our state, and we pledge our continued support as he embarks on this journey towards reelection”, Akintunde said.

'EFCC boss should be held in contempt of court'

Hundreds of Civil Society Organisations took to the streets in Lagos on Wednesday to protest "the continued disrespect for the rule of law and undue harassment of a citizen of Nigeria" by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The activists condemned the fact that the EFCC chairman failed to provide any documentary evidence of an official invitation sent to former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, yet the Commission declared him wanted and had subjected him to "unprecedented and reckless media trials despite a subsisting Court order which protected him at the time they laid a siege on his residence."

They alleged that the EFCC-Bello saga appeared like a case of selective hatred targeted at an individual for no concrete cause.

The movement, led by the Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, many frontline Anti-Corruption and human rights crusaders, said this in Lagos.

The activists addressed a press conference before staging a protest rally.
Adeniran called on the younger ones in the mix to rise up and become activists if they were not acitivists already, saying that a society where fundamental human rights were not obeyed and rule of law broken by enforcement agencies could not stand the test of time.

The activists said it was sad that the agency had so much thrown away professionalism but playing to the gallery on a daily basis without any legal substance other than the threats and application of brute state force, irrespective of what the court says.

They said they would be in the struggle for as long as it would take the EFCC to follow due process, alleging that, from the consistent attack on Bello, despite being protected by the law, his life might be in danger.

The human rights crusaders lambasted the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, saying that his pronouncement on Tuesday, where he admitted, during an interview with journalists in Abuja, that he put a call through to the former governor, was a clear evidence that EFCC did not formally invite Bello regarding the accusation.

Condemning the Commission for its alleged penchant for disregarding due processes of law, the civil groups pointed out that the approach by the anti-graft agency was becoming alarming, and that EFCC should be held in contempt of court for disobeying court order.

The coalition said, "The statement of the EFCC Chairman yesterday (Tuesday) whereby he admitted that he put a call through to the former Governor is a clear testimony that the EFCC never formally invited the man.

"The EFCC chairman failed woefully to provide any documentary evidence of an official invitation sent to Yahaya Bello, yet you declared him wanted and have subjected him to unprecedented and reckless media trials despite a subsisting Court order not to harass him.

"It is the exact protection of the court that he sought that the EFCC has wantonly broken multiple times. How do you now expect him to entrust himself to the custody of an agency that has so much thrown away professionalism but playing to the gallery on a daily basis without any legal substance other than the threats and application of brute state force irrespective of what the court says.

"A bad order or ruling or injunction or even judgment can be vacated, appealed, and upturned on the merit of the case by a superior Court. But, until that is done, the subsisting order or ruling must be respected and obeyed. As at when they laid siege at 8am and everyone watched live, that interim order was still subsisting.

"In essence, the EFCC has not only disobeyed a lawful Court order but has broken it and, therefore, stands in contempt and must be treated as such. There are no two ways about it.

"We are not lawyers, but we understand the rudimentary processes of adjudication which unequivocally states that a yet unvacated order stands effective until vacated. We also know that both state and federal High Courts are of coordinate jurisdiction. But we've heard lawyers moved by emotions and not the letter and spirit of law argue that because Yahaya Bello got a restraining order on the EFCC from a Kogi State High Court, that order is untenable. Sometimes you wonder why some lawyers approbate and reprobate at the same time."

"The continuing threats of violence in apprehending the former Governor is uncalled for. All you need do is vacate your restraining order and invite the man. If he doesn't show up, at that point you can get him arrested. But as of the time of the siege, no formal invitation had been extended to him," the CSOs added.

Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo, an aspirant who was excluded from the APC Guber primary election due to internal issues between the APC's Election Organising Committee and the National Organising Secretary over extension of sales of forms, has congratulated Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the winner of the 2024 Ondo State APC Governorship primary election.

Ariyomo who paid the required N50 million nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the primary on Friday the 5th of April 2024 was however never screened alongside the others as the office of the National Organising Secretary did not acknowledge the 2-day extension despite the press statement issued to proclaim same by Felix Morka, the party’s spokesperson, who announced the extension on Thursday 4th of April 2024 in a published statement which is yet to be retracted.

When asked if he would sue the party over the exclusion, Ariyomo responded that "not at all. Suing is out of it. I, Olatunji Ariyomo, will not obstruct a process that has been successfully concluded"

"Rather, I congratulate the winner, Hon. Aiyedatiwa. I also commend other aspirants for their doggedness".

He added that "The incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has won this round in every department of the game. The party should reconcile and forge ahead to be able to win the general election. That's the next stage".

Ariyomo further explained that "I concede that we are not practicing American type direct primary yet. That's the dream of people like me. I also concede that we can't get their type of outcome from our type of processes. But everybody on that ballot that day also knew these facts. So, I plead for understanding and the reconciliation of those that are aggrieved. November is just by the corner".

. Say FG's drastic actions suggest issue is political, beyond corruption

. Alert FG, public to imminent threats to ex-Gov's life

. Describe issue of evading arrest as deliberate misinformation

. Issuing military action threat by EFCC anti-democratic, violation of courtroom sanctity

Hundreds of human rights activists, on Saturday, hit the streets of Lagos to condemn what they described as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's antidemocratic approaches to issues of law enforcement as well as unjust application of state power by the Federal Government.

The Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations, numbering over 120, along with a huge crowd of members and supporters, stressed that the actions of the Federal Government in the ongoing face-off between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, which took an ugly dimension during the week, suggested that the bone of contention was beyond the EFCC exercising its constitutional responsibility.

According to them, from the facts and documents obtained on the matter, the EFCC never sent a letter of invitation to ex-Gov Bello.

The issue of evading arrest, they said, did not therefore exist.

"Someone who was never invited, who has a valid court order restraining his arrest and harassment, among other reliefs, until the determination of the court case, could not be said to be evading arrest. It is deliberate misinformation to turn the public against the Governor," they said.

The anti-corruption activists and human rights crusaders, specifically condemned the military action threat by an EFCC lawyer, saying that, issuing "such a threat before a judge and inside a court was a violation of the sanctity of the courtroom."

The Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, who led other activists during the protest on Saturday, noted that the ongoing disregard for the rule of law was not only about Yahaya Bello.

"We don't know who the next victim will be," he said.

"If the FG continues in its iniquitous way of trampling on the rule of law by undermining our judicial system, we will mobilise a much larger number of Nigerians to join this pro-democracy struggle. It concerns all Nigerians because we don't know who the next victim may be," Adeniran said.

He called on the Federal Government to first obey all the court orders preceding their own actions in court and then go ahead to vacate them through due processes of law.

"There is no point in endangering anyone's life unnecessarily because that's the situation we believe that Yahaya Bello is in now. If the government doesn't handle this matter carefully, it may shoot itself on the foot and put all Nigerians in collective injury," the activists said.

The activists warned that Government should not instigate anarchy, insisting that democracy is governed by the rule of law and not the rule of force.

They pointed out that some of them had been in the trenches for over four decades without comprising their stand on justice.

"Thirty-one years ago when we organized to confront the military for the annulment of the June 12 election by General Ibrahim Babangida's junta, it was for the cause of justice.

"Nobody paid us a dime to organize the anti-SAP protests of 1989 that nearly shut down the entire country.

"We have organised or participated in many altruistic struggles. In the course of these selfless struggles, many of us were jailed, many were maimed, a lot lost their lives on the battlefield of the fight for justice. But we have remained undettered till date. Ours is thankless sacrifice for humanity. But we are not complaining.

"We have been on the side of the EFCC in many cases without gratification or prompting. But on this case, we insist that the EFCC is disregarding the rule of law and creating room for anarchy. And this must not be allowed to stand," they stated.

The anti-graft CSOs stated, "Our intervention today is to ensure that each side in the ongoing but avoidable tension between the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the immediate former Governor of Kogi State gets the justice that is deserved - both the agency and the suspect.

"We feel that it was totally unnecessary to threaten military action in a civil case because it may escalate beyond proportions and cause devastating even if unintended consequences as being suggested by the EFCC through their lawyer.

"We are hearing now that some citizens of Kogi State are already saying that the FG would be held responsible if anything untoward happens to their former Governor."

"If the FG insists on inviting the military to intervene in a civil case involving a citizen, it is better they return power to the military so that we know that we are back to ground zero. It is now very clear to all Nigerians that this Yahaya Bello's saga is far from being about corruption. Come to think of it, how do you accuse a man of stealing an amount that the combined total of its IGR and Federal allocation for two years is not even up to? Why is the FG fishing for chicken inside a river? It doesn't live there," one of Nigeria's lead activists, Gbenga Soloki, said.

"If anyone doubts our determination to continue fighting for justice on this matter, they should wake up and smell the coffee. We will not relent and neither will we retreat until justice is not only done but seen in this Yahaya Bello's case. We won't stop," a spokesperson for the Coalition of Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations Olufemi Lawson, added.

. Say 'rush to arrest ex-Kogi Gov despite pending Appeal Court hearing suggests political persecution'

. Warn against 'breaking a law to enforce another'

Anti-Corruption Civil Society Organisations have advised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission not to desecrate the courts in the course of carrying out its constitutional role of fighting corruption.

The CSOs and human rights crusaders cautioned the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies against trampling on the rights of supposed suspects of corruption in order to avoid breaking a law to enforce another law.

The activists, who spoke at an emergency press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, noted specifically that the recent public face-off between the EFCC and a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Abuja, was "both unnecessary and unfortunate."

The Executive Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), who addressed the press, suggested that the rush
by the EFCC to make an arrest, when the Court of Appeal hearing on its application to vacate the restraining order was just in a few days, might give credence to allegations of political persecution.

“Mr. Olukoyede is my friend. But if he begins to trample on the rule of law, then that’s the terminal point of our friendship,” Adeniran said.

The CSOs noted that the EFCC's action on Wednesday was "tantamount to the agency preempting the outcome of its appeal and also violating a subsisting and valid court order to pause action pending the determination of the case before it."

"Our layman's understanding is that a Court of coordinate jurisdiction cannot assume superiority over another," they noted.

Gbenga Soloki of the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, who also spoke, said civil societies in Nigeria would protest vehemently against any attempt to use the military to arrest an individual who had not been accused of treason.

“It is extremely disappointing to hear this afternoon that EFCC is threatening to involve the military in their desperation to forcefully or violently arrest an individual who has not been alleged of treason.

"Should that happen, we will be a laughing stock globally. Civil society will be active in protesting against such unforgivable infraction on our democracy should it happen as threatened. It should better not happen,” he said.

Adeniran stated, "We do not consider Yahaya Bello a saint, but even the devil deserves his rights under the law. Court documents at our disposal show that the former Governor had obtained a High Court restraining order on the EFCC not to arrest or prosecute him pending the determination of a case of the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, which the Commission has rightfully appealed with the intention of vacating.

“The Commission has done very well up to this point following the due processes of law because without vacating that order, it cannot proceed with arresting the suspect.

“According to available court documents, hearing on the appeal has been slated to come up on Monday April 22nd in Abuja. However, suddenly yesterday (Wednesday) the news of the foiled arrest of the former Governor by the Commission went viral. One would have expected the Commission to wait for the determination of its own appeal before going after the suspect.

“We think it is an abuse of court processes to ignore a court order still on appeal at the instance of the Commission and to obtain a warrant of arrest from another court on the same suspect."

The CSOs urged the EFCC to fight, prevent and prosecute corruption cases strictly within the ambit of the law set up to regulate the interaction between them and corruption suspects.

They noted that laws, including the Nigerian criminal justice system regulations and court processes, were meant to be obeyed non-selectively by both state and non-state actors.

The CSOs recalled that when the current Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, came on board last year, one of his promises was to operate strictly within the rule of law.

“For those who are likely to misinterpret this intervention as it is their regular trademark, this goes beyond Yahaya Bello. Injustice to anyone should not be allowed to stand because it may be your turn tomorrow,” they noted.

The activists therefore urged the EFCC to revert to status quo antebellum pending the determination of its appeal and a vacation of the restraining order placed on it, saying “that is the way and dictate of the law.”

The press conference was attended by Comrades Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership CACOL); Sina Loremikan, (Campaign Against Impunity); Declan Ihekhaire, (Activists for Good Governance); Gbenga Soloki, CADOV; Ochiaga Ohaneze, (Ohaneze Youth Council); Funmi Jolade, (Women Democratic Vanguard); Kola Abe, (Centre for Socioeconomic Rights); Ologun Ayodeji, (Transparency and Accountability Group); Femi Lawson, (Centre for Public Accountability) and Gbenga Ganzallo (Media Rights Campaign), among others.

Activists and Civil Society Organizations have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against portraying Nigeria as a lawless society.

They expressed concern that a law enforcement agency is being manipulated by politicians, deviating from its intended purpose.

The Coalition for Democracy and Justice, representing about 60 CSOs, conveyed this message during an emergency press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

They cited the disregard for a valid court order, which restrained the arrest, prosecution, and harassment of the former Governor of Kogi State, pending the resolution of a fundamental rights enforcement action.

"It would be a sad day for democracy and the EFCC would have succeeded in turning itself into a law-breaking Commission that deserves to face the full weight of judicial retribution," they warned.

According to them, one of the strongest threats to democracy is "when the rule of law is compromised in the service of crude politicking and personal score-settling plus other dark interests."

The Convener, Barrister Ojo Olukayode, who addressed the press, alerted President Tinubu on why he and his genuine supporters "must take exceptional care not to fall victim of the shenanigans of crude politicians whose main objective is to derail his beautiful Renewed Hope agenda with their desperate plots to turn the President into a proxy to fight their dirty political war."

He said it was important to advise the EFCC not to make itself susceptible to any action that might be deemed as violating the sanctity of the judiciary.

"They must ignore the antics of all those who are urging them to commit contempt of Court through disregarding an outstanding Court order against the arrest and prosecution of former Governor Yahaya Bello or any of his aides, pending the determination of the case in court in that regard as instituted by the lawyers of the former Governor," he added.

The activists stated, "The Commision must deliberately avoid the temptation of falling under the pressure of disgruntled political elements by breaking the law in their actions to uphold the law. All of those concerned must follow the due processes of law by abiding by subsisting Court orders.

"We do sincerely hope that the EFCC, as a law-abiding agency, would see through the poorly veiled ignoble actions of those undesirable political elements and refuse to act illegally. But our optimism may be short-lived as, in vagrant disregard to that Court order which the Commission has appealed and pending for hearing on Monday 22nd April, the EFCC may be in the process of effecting the illegal arrest of the former Governor.

"If this happens, it would be a sad day for democracy and the EFCC would have succeeded in turning itself into a law-breaking Commission that deserves to face the full weight of judicial retribution."

The CSOs called on the President to ignore and rebuff all attempts by political jobbers to influence him to move against one of his most dependable allies.

"Their voices of blackmail and wicked, false allegations may be loud, but truth remains constant and justice shall prevail ultimately. As Nigerians, we cannot allow hatred and injustice to win," they declared.

The Coalition for Democracy and Justice is a Committee of activists and Civil Society Organizations that concern themselves with issues of justice as they affect individuals, organizations and corporate entities as well as maintaining vigilance to forestall anything that may threaten our democracy as a nation.

The media office of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to order.

The media office made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday.

The statement read, “About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.

“This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

“The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division. The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.

“Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.

“Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!

“It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.

“We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.

“A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.

“Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.

“It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.
This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, closed its defence in the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, against the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi.

INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, made this known to the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, shortly after he tendered more documents against the SDP’s petition.

Njoku told the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, that INEC did not intend to call any witness having assessed the case of the petitioners.

“My lords, the 1st respondent, having reviewed the state of pleadings in this petition, the evidence elicited from petitioners’ witnesses under cross examination, and the documents so far tendered in evidence by the 1st respondent, considers it reasonable not to further belabour the tribunal with the calling of witnesses.

“In the circumstances, the 1st respondent (INEC) applies to close its case,” the lawyer said.

Justice Birnin-Kudo, who declared the commission’s case closed, adjourned the matter until April 16 for Gov. Ododo (2nd respondent) to open its defence.

It would be recalled that INEC conducted the Kogi governorship election on Nov. 11, 2023.

However, the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

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

Earlier in the course of Tuesday’s proceedings, Njoku told the tribunal that INEC brought the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices used for the election as ordered by the court on Nov. 25, 2023.

Njoku also tendered three sets of documents, which included a letter, dated Feb. 22 forwarding the BVAS, a document containing the summary of the BVAS devices and another documents containing the BVAS’ identification numbers.

When Njoku applied to tender the documents, Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed, SAN, who appeared for Ododo and Ayo Asala, SAN, who appeared for the APC, did not object to the admissibility of the exhibits.

Lawyer to SDP and Ajaka, Pius Akubo, SAN, objected on the grounds that it was only documents that were tendered without the actual exhibits.

Ruling, tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Birnin-Kudu, admitted the documents as exhibits and marked them accordingly.

The BVAS tendered were in relation to seven LGAs, including Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Basa, Ogori-Magongo, Lokoja, Adavi and Okene.

Meanwhile, Ododo has indicated his readiness to open his defence on Wednesday.

His lawyer, Mohammed, disclosed this upon being asked by the tribunal’s chairman when the 2nd respondent was willing to open his defence.

Mohammed assured the tribunal that his client was ready to commence his defence on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the electoral umpire, on Monday, tendered some electoral documents used in the conduct of the poll in defence of its case.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday, tendered electoral documents against the petition by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, challenging the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo.

INEC’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, who held the brief of Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, tendered the documents before the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

It would be recalled that INEC conducted the Kogi governorship election on Nov. 11, 2023.

However, the SDP and its governorship candidate in the poll are challenging the declaration of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.

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

Some of the documents tendered on Monday by the commission’s lawyer before the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, include INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Election; INEC Manuals for Electoral Officers and INEC Form EC8C.

Others include INEC Form EC8B; INEC Form EC8E; List of Accredited Agents for SDP; List of Accredited Ward Agents; Receipts of Payment for Forms, among others.

After the documents were tendered, Justice Birnin-Kudu admitted them in evidence and marked them as exhibits.

Njoku then applied for an adjournment to enable the electoral umpire present its witnesses on the next adjourned date.

The judge adjourned the matter until April 16 for continuation of hearing.

Earlier, Justice Birnin-Kudu, who observed that the SDP’s petition would elapse on May 29, said there was the need to amend the number of days earlier given for the 2nd and 3rd respondents to present their case and for the filing of the final written addresses of the parties.

He, therefore, reduced the number of days to five instead of the earlier 10 days given for the respondents’ lawyers to present their case.

He assured that where five days would not be enough, the panel would not hesitate to give additional more days.

He solicited for the cooperation of the parties in this regard.

But APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, pleaded with the tribunal not to reduce the earlier days given to prepare their defence.

Ukala, who pledged the cooperation of the respondents in ensuring timely completion of their case, pleaded that the order on the schedule for hearing should not be amended.

The panel, however, clarified that the amendment to the order was done off record.

While Joseph Daudu, SAN, led Gov. Ododo’s team of lawyers, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, led Ajaka’s team.

It could be recalled that SDP and Ajaka had, on April 5, closed their case after calling 25 witnesses.

Engr. Funmi Waheed-Adekojo, a female gubernatorial candidate representing the All Progressive Congress in Ondo State, has criticized the use of zoning as a pretext by certain politicians in the lead-up to the gubernatorial primary election next week Saturday.

She emphasized that competency should take precedence over any informal zoning agreements.

Waheed-Adekojo pointed out that all senatorial districts in Ondo State have already experienced rotation, rendering further emphasis on zoning unnecessary.

She said , “Whosoever picks first now starts the race of zoning again. The aspirant, asked politicians to stop exploiting the electorate who voted them into power.

According to her, they should help the needy and provide succour for the downtrodden.

She declared that “Our politicians should stop selfish tendencies and change the attitude of exploiting the people who voted for them.

Speaking on her experience since joining the race, Waheed- Adekojo, said that “My experience with the grassroots people is interesting and challenging . The majority of the politicians at the grassroots do not care about the poverty level in the state.


” The majority do not care about the future of their kids, and they do not bother about having an enabling environment for the next generation.


“We should focus more on uplifting the under privileged people in the society. For me, I am in politics to help the needy and provide succour for the downtrodden.


“Our politicians should stop selfish tendencies and change the attitude of exploiting the people who voted for them.

” It is highly disgusting that politicians don’t care if you are a family member, long-term neighbour, or friend. Everyone has this sickness of let me quickly grab whatever I can grab and waka pass.

“I am grateful to God for the few innocent and genuine ones who still protect the interest of the state, but they are so few that their voices are covered with the lousy voices of these greedy ones.

“How I was able to manage the experience was to stop giving my hard-earned money to people of such calibre, not minding if they vote for me or not.

“I always let them know that I can’t waste my money. I worked very hard for my money, and I must give value to it.

“People don’t care about you when you are doing great things, so I am not disappointed that despite all the rich and powerful women in Ondo state, none came out to sponsor me.

“Even the men showed their support more than the women. “In the coming election, I am not expecting much from anyone with the proper understanding I have now about the so-called grassroots people and politicians within the state.

“That is why I called it a game of chess. If I win the primary, that means God himself made it happen.

” If otherwise, I won’t be disappointed because I have seen the actual behaviour of the so-called people that I so much have passion for to rescue from their state of poverty, and realise that they don’t care about their lives themselves.

“Many politicians in my Constituency are not supporting my ambition. But, I am not disappointed at all that my own acclaimed brother did not support my aspiration but decided to sponsor another candidate rather than his own sister.

“I want to appreciate everyone out there that has the same passion like me for our dear Ondo state for change and good governance."

An Abuja-based Lawyer, Adeojo Oluwaseun, has rated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's 100 days in office as first-class, stating that the the Governor's unprecedented feats have superceded that of his predecessors.

Adeojo, who reflected on the past administrations, said with the prevailing economic challenges, Aiyedatiwa prioritized the welfare of the workers and senior citizens, fixed bad roads and curbed restiveness, lure of lucre by giving out employment to jobless youths.

The accomplished legal practitioner cum realtor hailed Aiyedatiwa's 100days in office during an exclusive interview on Friday, in Akure, the state capital.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa's accomplishments in Ondo State surpass those of previous governors. It's undeniable that comparing Aiyedatiwa's first 100 days to those of his predecessors is not feasible, given the current economic challenges and widespread hardship across the nation.

“Despite these difficulties, the Governor has performed admirably, outshining past administrations whose initial 100 days were not overshadowed by economic turmoil.

“Since his inauguration on December 27, 2023, Governor Aiyedatiwa has been tirelessly dedicated to leading Ondo State forward, addressing governance challenges head-on and continuing the state's development trajectory.

“Immediately after taking office, Governor Aiyedatiwa wiftly enacted the 2024 budget, prioritizing infrastructure and worker welfare. Prompt salary payments, monthly palliatives of N35,000 for workers, and N10,000 for pensioners demonstrate his commitment. Additionally, over N2 billion in gratuities has been disbursed to retired workers.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa has tackled salary arrears, paying off debts dating back seven years and clearing three months' arrears for Rufus Giwa Polytechnic staff.

“Employment opportunities have expanded with 165 new recruits at the State Revenue Service and plans for 600 more health workers. Education isn't overlooked, with new teachers hired and school transport services improved.

“Infrastructure-wise, road projects are progressing, with a focus on rural areas. Initiatives like Operation Keep Ondo Clean and Operation Flush aim to enhance waste management and prevent flooding”, he said

On Thursday, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presented a witness at the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal.

Benjamin Ikani Okolo, from Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi East, acknowledged that the SDP had agents stationed across polling units in the state.

Okolo submitted an inspection report and affirmed his sworn deposition before the panel of three justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu.

His confirmation that the SDP had agents across the polling units in the state, was of interest, considering the fact that only one polling agent, who said he couldn't produce an evidence of his role, had been presented by the SDP as witness in the ongoing hearing.

The Respondents' counsel had, in earlier sittings, asked why the polling agents were not complaining, while random voters were being produced as witnesses.

When he was being cross-examined, Respondents' Counsel, Kanu Agabi SAN, said the witness, a former Local Government Chairman of Dekina, should tell the Tribunal how many polling units were being challenged in the petition, but he said he did not know.

He was shown INEC manuals, regulation exhibits, BVAS screenshots and other Electoral documents as earlier tendered by the petitioners, and he identified them, but admitted that he didn't "make" any of them.

He noted that he only saw the result sheets and other documents he identified in court during inspection, adding that he did not also make any input to the BVAS devices.

When asked where he was during the governorship election in the state, he said he was in Kogi East, that he was not in Okene, Okehi, Adavi or Lokoja, where the results were being challenged.

According to him, there was no signature of INEC staff on the inspection report that he tendered.

The Respondents' counsel pointed out one of the scores of the APC as indicated in the witness statement on oath, which was different from the one in the inspection report, in addition to other discrepancies found between the report and figures said to have been gotten from the BVAS.

While responding, the witness said he would not agree that a large portion of the report was not correct in view of the discrepancies found.

He agreed that some polling units were not stated in the inspection report even though they were stated in the petition but noted that this was because there was no over-voting in those polling units.

The Respondents' counsel also asked, "Are you aware that INEC staff had come to show the figures in the BVAS to the Tribunal, and that the figures in the BVAS contradict what is in your deposition?"

He responded that he could not confirm that the figures in the BVAS were contradictory to what was in the deposition on oath because he didn't see the figures in the BVAS.

It was also observed that the accreditation figures quoted in his witness deposition were at variance with what was contained in the BVAS as presented in earlier sittings.

The sitting was adjourned to April 5 2024 for continuation of hearing.

While Pius Akubo SAN represented the petitioners, Kanu Agabi SAN appeared for INEC.

A.M. Aliu SAN represented Gov. Usman Ododo and E.C. Ukala SAN represented APC.

The SDP is challenging the victory of Gov Ododo in the November 2023 governorship poll in the state.

A female gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, has submitted her expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the governorship primary election of the party.

Waheed-Adekojo, who was the first aspirant to obtain the forms last week, is also the first to submit on Thursday at the party's headquarters in Abuja.

While submitting the forms, the leading aspirant disclosed that her swift actions was a totem that she meant business, expressing optimism that she will emerge as the candidate of the party.

She said, “I was the first to acquire and submit the forms, signifying my unwavering commitment and readiness to represent the party. This proactive approach underscores my seriousness, indicating my firm resolve to advance the party's interests.

“With a strong sense of optimism, I firmly believe in my ability to secure the party's candidacy. My dedication and preparedness to fly the party's flag are unwavering, and I am determined to earn the trust and support of both party members and constituents alike.

“As I embark on this journey, I call upon fellow party members to join me in this endeavor. Together, we can strengthen the All Progressives Congress and propel it towards greater success.

“I humbly urge the collective support of the party members as we work towards achieving victory and securing the party's nomination."

. I forgot to say I was SDP agent in my deposition - Witness


. Sitting adjourned to April 4 for continuation of hearing


Hearing continued at the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday with four witnesses testifying for the petitioners, the Social Democratic Party.

The witnesses' accounts, like in previous sittings, followed virtually the same patterns even when they voted in different polling units.

Visible contradictions were also discovered during cross-examination, which, in most cases, could not be explained by the witnesses concerned.

While one of the four witnesses, Danlamin Abaji Yakubu, from Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State, claimed that he was an agent of the SDP during the election, others said they were not agents.

Yakubu, who said he was a member of the SDP, a voter and the Party's agent during the election, however, noted, under cross-examination, that he had lost everything that could prove that he was an agent.

When asked if he stated in his deposition that he was an agent in the election, he told the Tribunal that he forgot to say so.

He also admitted that he did not write his deposition but explained to his lawyer, who he said wrote it for him.

When his attention was also brought to the fact that in Paragraph 4 of his deposition, he did not indicate the total number of accredited voters, he said it was a mistake by the typist.

The Respondents' counsel asked him to state the number he meant to write if it was a mistake. But he said, "I don't know the number."

In his deposition, he indicated that the number of registered voters in his polling unit was 771, but when he was asked to confirm the number, he said, "I did not indicate that I voted in my deposition."

This was amusing because his answer did not tally with the question he was asked.

Another witness, Abdulkareem Muhammed Ogeja, also from Ajaokuta, created room for a mild drama under cross-examination.

He said though he was a member of the SDP, he did not state in his deposition that he was a member of the party.

But he confirmed that he was not the party's agent during the election and that the SDP had an agent at his polling unit.

The Respondent's counsel asked, "Are you surprised that the SDP agent did not complain and you were the only one that complained? He said, "I'm not surprised."

The interesting part of his appearance was when he was asked if he wrote the deposition by himself and he said his lawyer did after he explained what happened to him.

When he was told to mention the name of his lawyer, the witness said, "His name is my lawyer."

The Respondents' lawyer then asked him, "Which language did you use to communicate with your lawyer?" Ogeja said he communicated with his lawyer "in vernacular".

Investigations, however, revealed that there was no illiterate jurat in his deposition as required.

He also noted that he did not know the number of registered voters in his polling unit and that he did not also receive any paper indicating the number on the day of election, whereas he was said to have quoted the figures in his deposition.

On his part, Emmanuel Ohiare, from Okehi Local Government Area, said he was not a member of the SDP neither was he an agent but noted that the party had an agent at his polling unit.

It was therefore an issue of concern that the SDP agent did not complain of irregularities but a random voter.

He also admitted, under cross-examination, that the election went on smoothly and proper procedures were followed, noting that voters were validly accredited. But he maintained that there was over-voting even though it was observed that he could not substantiate this during cross-examination.

He told the Tribunal that his lawyer prepared the deposition for him but did not know the name of his lawyer.

The judge observed that the witness, Ohiare, was being evasive during cross-examination.

Abdullahi Musa, from Ajaokuta Local Government Area, said he was not at his polling unit as the agent and did not know whether the SDP had an agent.

He told the Tribunal that proper procedures were not followed, but during cross-examination, he was confronted with Paragraph 5 of his deposition, where he had said that the procedures were properly followed.

He indicated there that there was voters' accreditation and that he was fully accredited.

Another interesting twist to his claims was that he had made reference to a particular Form EC40H(1)PWD in his deposition. But when asked, during cross-examination if he knew the said form, he said no.

When the witness' attention was drawn to Paragraph 5(F) of his deposition, which contained the Form EC40(1)PWD, and the fact that his response meant that the statement in that paragraph was not correct, he said, "I know."

Sitting was subsequently adjourned to April 4, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

Four witnesses had testified on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and they all confirmed that they were voters and not party agents.

One of the witnesses, Abdulsalam Adamson, from Okehi Local Government, had said no one threatened him not to testify in court, contrary to claims that the SDP witnesses were being threatened.

Others that testified on Tuesday were Salawudeen Abdulraheem, Adavi Local Government;
Abdulazeez Abdulkareem, Okehi Local Government; and Raji Usman, also from Okehi.

The lead counsel for the petitioners at the hearing on Wednesday was Pius Akubo, SAN.

Kanu Agabi SAN represented the Independent National Electoral Commission,
A.M. Aliu SAN, appeared for Governor Usman Ododo, while
E.C. Ukala SAN, represented the All Progressives Congress.

On Tuesday, Alex Iziyon SAN appeared for Governor Ododo.

The SDP is challenging the victory of Gov. Ododo of the APC in the November 2023 Governorship election in the state.

. Caution EFCC against 'enemies of state' fighting selfish battles

. Warn 'desperate' politicians to stop portraying image of State in bad light


Youths from Kogi State, on Tuesday, declared that they had decided not to fold their arms and allow those they described as desperate politicians continue to drag the name of an otherwise great state in the mud.

The youths, from the three senatorial districts of the state, under the aegis of Kogi Independent Youths Association, particularly cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to be wary of politicians who they said meant no good for Kogi State but were out to use the Commission to achieve selfish objectives detrimental to the wellbeing and unity the state had enjoyed in the past years.

They made these remarks after an emergency leadership meeting, in Abuja, insisting that, as critical stakeholders, they had decided not to keep quiet but to warn all embittered politicians in the state to stop portraying its image in a bad light before the whole world.

Comrade Mohammed Abdulrazaq, from Igalamela Local Government Area of Kogi State, who spoke on behalf of the youths, stressed that they would not allow "embittered politicians" to turn Kogi State into an ethnic enclave of crisis and would employ every legal means to protect the integrity of the state.

The youths, however, said they were confident that the current leadership of the EFCC would not fall for the antics of the said politicians and would also not allow themselves to be used as a tool to achieve the selfish interests of a few embittered people.

The Kogi Independent Youths Association is made up of about 500 registered members, mainly graduates, with thousands of nominal members and supporters across all the 21 local government areas of the state.

Abdulrazaq said, "We will not wait to gather money for a proper press conference because this is a very important issue. We believe we must use every means at our disposal to speak up, defend the truth, expose the real enemies of Kogi State and warn them to change their ways.

"We are here to caution the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to advise them that they must be wary of those individuals whose intentions are not noble and who are out there to use the Commission as a tool to fight their political battles.

"There are some desperate Kogi politicians who are hell bent on using the EFCC to fight and achieve their selfish political interests and we, as youths of Kogi State, we must not keep quiet because an injury to one is an injury to all."

In between solidarity songs, the youths stated, "We must not keep quiet on this for a man who has done well for Kogi State. We know and they know that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has done well in the area of infrastructure. We know and they know that the former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has done well in the area of youth empowerment, youth inclusion and women inclusion in politics as far as Kogi State is concerned.

"We know and they know that former Governor Yahaya Bello has done well in the area of education, also lifting the face of our institutions in Kogi State. And when he needs a rest now, after serving Kogi State diligently for eight years, we cannot pay him back with this bad coin.

"This is why we are here today to condemn some Kogi State politicians, desperate Kogi State politicians, embittered Kogi State politicians, who feel they can divide the state along ethnic lines. We are saying Kogi State is one and we are one united people. We will not allow them to turn Kogi State into an ethnic enclave of crisis.

"We must stand as youths to fight against this. We are critical stakeholders in the present and future of Kogi State. We are not just leaders of tomorrow but the champions of the change today that is critical to the development process. Of course, if our leaders in the state are quiet on this, we will not remain quiet.

"So we are cautioning and warning all the embittered politicians of Kogi State to stop portraying the image of Kogi State in a bad light in the face of the whole world. Kogi State is not like that and we must also ensure that we maintain the name and integrity of our dear state."

"If all our demands fall on deaf ears, we will be left with no option than to utilise all legal means to drive home our demands," they declared.

A mild drama continued at the Kogi Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday as some witnesses disowned their depositions before the panel.

Four witnesses from Adavi Local Government Area of the state gave their evidence for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) before the three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu.

The witnesses, when called, gave virtually the same narration regarding what transpired where they voted even though they were in different polling units during the November 11, 2023 governorship poll.

The four witnesses, like the previous ones, adopted their witness depositions on oath.

However, during cross-examination by the defence counsel, they made claims different from what was in the witness depositions.

When shown their deposition, they disowned it, saying it was not written by them while also confirming that they were not polling agents but random voters.

One of the witnesses, Rufai Muhammed, who said he was from Adavi Local Government, stated in his deposition that there was no validly accredited voter for the said election.

Upon cross examination, however, he said he was validly accredited to vote and he voted.

When his attention was drawn to his witness deposition on oath, which said there was no validly accredited voter for the election that he witnessed, he denied the deposition, saying he did not write it.

Another witness, Yakubu AbdulAzeez, said he stood at a particular point throughout the voting period on election day observing the proceedings, and that it was from that point he saw that there was over-voting.

AbdulAzeez, who said he stood watching the voting process, however, could not stand during the tribunal hearing.

He told the panel that he had been suffering from a leg problem since 2008 and the panel directed that he should be given a seat.

Claiming that he stood for hours in a spot to monitor an election that took place in November 2023 thus became an issue of concern.

On his part, Hamza Abdul Azeez said he wrote a letter of complaint to the tribunal that there was over-voting.

But when asked how many votes each political party actually scored in his polling unit, he said he did not know.

The witnesses said their lawyers wrote their depositions for them, but added that they couldn’t remember the names of the lawyers.

The tribunal adjourned the matter until April 2 after Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, sought an adjournment.

While Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, represented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ibrahim Sani Muhammed, SAN, appeared for Governor Usman Ododo, and AbdulWahab Muhammed ,SAN, represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the sitting.

The witnesses who testified on Monday were Hamza Abdul Azeez, Said Muhammed, Yakubu Abdul Azeez and Rufai Muhammed, all from Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi.

It would be recalled that the SDP is challenging the victory of Governor Usman Ododo of the APC in the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

. Others deny being polling agents as Tribunal adjourns to April 1

Six witnesses provided by the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal on the Kogi State Governorship election, on Saturday, entertained the court with different amusing submissions as they struggled to answer questions during cross-examination.

At the resumed hearing, all the six witnesses gave testimonies contrary to their depositions on oath and confirmed that they were not polling agents as stipulated by law, but voters.

An interesting part of the testimonies was when one of the witnesses, Yakubu Dahiru (PW 10), confronted with the contradictions between his claims and depositions, said he had not been able to see for the past one year, owing to an eye problem, yet he claimed to have written his witness deposition.

A witness, one Isah AbdulGaniu from Okene Local Government area, who said he was a fashion designer, also noted that he was neither a member of the SDP nor polling agent and denied knowledge of Form DCE-41, which was part of his deposition.

In all, while some of the witnesses denied averments in their depositions, some claimed they made mistakes when it was found during cross-examination that what they said in court was different from what they submitted.

Some of the witnesses said they dictated the statement to their lawyers and later crammed it before coming to the Tribunal.

Despite the fact that their petitions showed the names of the petitioners, petition number and lawyers’ names, some of the witnesses interestingly claimed that they did not know the petitioners and their lawyers.

The testimonies of the six witnesses were similar in nature but visibily contradictory.

After the sixth witness, the petitioners' lawyer, Pius Akubo SAN, sought for adjournment. The hearing was consequently adjourned to April 1, 2024, for continuation of hearing.

Kanu Agabi SAN represented the Independent National Electoral Commission, Alex Iziyon SAN represented Governor Usman Ododo, while Abdulwahab Muhammed SAN represented APC.

The witnesses, from Okene Local Government Area who testified today were: Isa Abdulganiyu, Aliyu Musari Abdul, Ohieku Rebeka, Abdulsalam Baki, Yakubu Dahiru and
Ibrahim Majeed.

*Affirms commitment to peace, security

The Kogi State Government has debunked what it described as a headless allegation by the Social Democratic Party that it masterminded attacks on witnesses at the ongoing Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, saying the allegation was not only reckless, but stands logic on its head.

The state government said, contrary to the propaganda of the SDP, discerning members of the public were following the Tribunal case and would know that there was no way anyone would plot an attack against witnesses that were already testifying against those who paid them to testify and doing enough to make SDP lose woefully.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, said it was, however, important to enlighten the SDP that the case at the Tribunal was between parties and that the State Government, which it accused, was not one. 

Fanwo, who spoke at a press conference in Lokoja, on Saturday, noted that if any attack did happen as claimed by the SDP, "it must have been stage-managed by the SDP to justify their failure to produce the number of witnesses they claimed to have in line with their modus operandi as witnessed during the campaign."

"Why would anyone attempt or even attack a witness that has testified against those that paid him to witness for them? The discerning public is following the tribunal case and understands there is no need to attack witnesses that are doing enough to make SDP lose woefully in the law court," he said.

The state government noted that it was absurd and incomprehensible for the SDP to continue to exhibit anti-democratic tendencies and provoke the sensibility of the people in such a reckless manner, adding that "if they are so confident in their incompetent petition, why resort to self help?" 

"As a legitimate Government, we won't be soiled in the oil of subjudice that the SDP has engaged in with impunity. We will protect all the people and residents of the State and also protect our integrity and image," the Commissioner stated.

He said, "We wouldn't have bothered to respond to the barking of the SDP and its leadership as the State Government is busy with governance; but it is important to set the record straight and address the minds of the public to the tradition of lies by the SDP. 

"The Kogi State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, the democratically elected Governor of the State, will be undaunted in its resolve to serve the people of the State rather than be entangled in the propaganda festival by a jobless and idle party."

According to him, the Kogi State Government is unwavering in its stance on security and constitutionalism as the basic minimum in ensuring a peaceful and secured state.

The Commissioner added that it was the responsibility of the Government to protect all citizens, irrespective of their political or religious persuasions. 

"To this end, the State Government did not receive any report of politically stirred crisis and therefore surprised at the blatant, false, spurious and pedestrian claims by the Social Democratic Party in the party's usual way of whipping up sentiments and spreading falsehood to win public sympathy," he said.

The state government stated, "It is clear that SDP's petition is suffering an irreversible setback at the Tribunal as the comedians they presented as witnesses probably didn't rehearse their lines well or they are falling because their claims have their foundation in fiction. It will be unacceptable for them to vent their impending failure on the State Government that is doing all it can to provide security for all in the State.

"The Kogi State Government doesn't subscribe to violence and actions that breach the peace of the State. We will also not accept statements deliberately made to incite the people against the Government and possibly spark panic. The SDP must always be prepared for the consequences of their actions and utterances against the Kogi State Government or its officials. 

"The illogic of the SDP's claims is characteristic of a party that is desperately making efforts to hug the limelight through propaganda. 


"The Governor of Kogi State is a law abiding gentleman who is working hard to consolidate on the achievements of the immediate past administration. He promised to protect all Kogites irrespective of their political and religious beliefs. His commitment to fulfilling such promises is iron cast and unimpeachable. 


"For the National Chairman of the SDP to make false claims against the Kogi State Government before gentlemen of the Press is further proof of the party's irrelevance and the reason the party is not controlling any state in the Federation. Kogi State cannot be a podium for the SDP to test its songs of division, ethnic bigotry and violence. 


"We urge the people of the State to go about their normal businesses as there won't be any chance for anyone to attack any Kogite. No stone will be left unturned to ensure peace and security in the State."

In preparation for the Easter festivities, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ondo State has taken proactive measures to educate and caution motorists against overloading and speeding.

Ezekiel SonAllah, the FRSC State Sector Commander, delivered this caution at the conclusion of a three-day Easter Enlightenment and Sensitisation Talk held at the Ado/Benin Garage in Akure on Friday.

SonAllah highlighted that the FRSC command conducted extensive outreach efforts at nine different parks as part of their Easter sensitization and enlightenment campaign. He emphasized the crucial role of drivers in adhering to road regulations to mitigate the risk of accidents.

Reiterating the FRSC's vision, SonAllah underscored their commitment to eradicating road traffic accidents and fostering a safer road environment across Nigeria.

SonAllah also said that the eight people that died recently in the road crash within two days in the state was caused by burst of tyres and loss of control.

He said that no sickness could claim eight lives within two days in the state.

According to him, drivers must ensure that the conditions of their vehicle is in order before engaging in any journey, particularly during the festival period.

“So, we are appealing to our drivers, we need to avoid overloading our vehicles, avoid going at excessive speeds and install speed limit device in our vehicles.

“Also, we need to shun the issue of economic hardship and go for standard tyres instead of tokunbo tyres because we need to value our lives, not only our lives alone, but the lives of passengers.

“Moreover, don’t let us endanger our lives to tokunbo tyres, please, and let us drive to stay alive and remember that the higher the speed, the higher the deaths if any crashes occur.

“It is also compulsory for commercial vehicles to install speed limit device, while drivers should move with the prescribed limit to avoid unforseen circumstances that may occur on highways.

“So, road safety values lives, we don’t want any life to be lost and we want all the drivers and passengers to have a safer Easter and Sallah celebration,” he said.

SonAllah, therefore, called on major stakeholders to join hands with the road safety to ensure zero crashes was recorded during and after the festival.

He, however, explained that the command had deployed 16 patrol vehicles, four ambulances, one towing truck, saying 572 regular marshals and 429 special marshals were also deployed for the Easter celebration in the state.

Speaking, Afolabi Osatuyi from Ado Garage and Felix Oshin, Branch Secretary in Benni Garage, applauded the commandant for the sensitisation.

They promised to be safety cautious and to continuously sensitise other drivers on the dangers of speeding and over loading.

Prompt news reports that the highlights of the programme was the distribution of flyers to drivers in highways and commercial motorcycles across the state capital, Akure.

.Renders testimony baseless

The testimony of a witness of the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Kogi State governorship election went awry, on Thursday as the witness' statement before the Tribunal contradicted the documents submitted.

The petitioners had delved away from BVAS, after their star witness claimed he was not in Kogi State during the said election, and alleged that the All Progressives Congress candidate, now the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, forged his age declaration affidavit.

The witness, one Dan Musa Williams from the FCT High Court, in Abuja, who had said the document did not emanate from the Court, upon cross examination, could not substantiate his claims.

When asked whether he checked the record of the registry to ascertain that it was a forged document, he said he just looked at the date, being a Saturday and concluded that it could not have been from them.

It was, however, found that the "declaration of age" affidavit was sworn in Okene, Kogi State, and not in FCT, but the witness claimed that a lawyer forwarded the one he was talking about to him.

Confusion, however, set in when the witness claimed that he also concluded that the affidavit submitted by the APC candidate was fake because it did not have the name and picture of the deponent on it.

At this point, the attention of the SDP witness was drawn to the fact that the affidavit with INEC, which he also annexed, had both the picture of the deponent and name, and that it was sworn in Okene and not FCT.

The contradictions between what the witness said in court and the documents he (the same witness) presented to the court, seemed to have damaged his testimony beyond repair, as he could not give further defence after the discrepancies were pointed out.

Sitting was thereby adjourned to March 30, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

Pius Akubo, SAN, represented the petitioners, while Kanu Agabi SAN, JB Daudu SAN, and DC Denwigwe SAN represented the Respondents.

A business Magnate, Mrs. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, has purchased her expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state

Wahed-Adekojo who doubles as an Engineer, picked the form on Wednesday at APC national headquarters in Abuja

Waheed-Adekojo is the first to purchase the forms ahead of the party’s primary election.

Speaking at the Party’s Secretariat, Funmilayo, Adekojo expressed confidence that she would win the party's ticket and would tailor her campaign inline with the guidelines

She said, “I am confident that I will secure the nomination as the party's candidate and emerge victorious in the Ondo State Governorship Election. This is an opportune moment for women to showcase their leadership abilities and make a significant impact in politics. With determination and support, I am ready to lead the way and bring about positive change for the people of Ondo State.”

“As a woman, I recognize the importance of representation and diversity in governance. I am committed to amplifying the voices of women and addressing the unique challenges they face. By promoting gender equality and inclusivity, we can build a stronger and more prosperous Ondo State for all its residents.”

“My candidacy symbolizes a shift towards a more inclusive and progressive political landscape. By breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, I aim to inspire future generations of women to pursue their ambitions fearlessly. Together, we can build a brighter future where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive.”

Adekojo was warmly received, on behalf of the National Working Committee by Alhaji Suleiman Argungu and others.

.. Damages, discredits evidence under cross examination

.. Says I didn't operate BVAS machines during election

The star witness of the Social Democratic Party and its candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State, in a dramatic twist, on Monday, told the Election Petition Tribunal that he was not in Kogi State on the day of the election.

The star witness, who is a data analyst with the Independent National Electoral Commission, said this as he completed his Evidence-In-Chief and was cross-examined after 11 long days of his testimony before the Tribunal.

The witness, Abdulmalik Njidda, had earlier testified to events that took place during the election in Kogi State, with regard to entries on the BVAS machines used for the election in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo and Lokoja Local Government Areas of the State.

However, drama ensued when, during cross examination by Counsel to the Governor of Kogi State, the APC and INEC, he turned around to say he was nowhere near Kogi State on the day of the election.

The INEC data analyst confirmed that he was posted to Imo State for the Governorship election, which held on the same day the election in Kogi State was held.

Specifically, the witness admitted that he was never at any of the polling units complained about on election day and in respect of whose BVAS machines he examined before theTribunal.

He said he was therefore not in a position to know or show how the BVAS machines were operated at those polling units.

In his further testimony under cross examination, the witness also admitted that as an INEC data analyst, he was never assigned any function on the day of the election in Kogi State, meaning that he had no reason to operate the BVAS machines he was brought to Court to prove its contents.

When further cross examined on the serial number of the BVAS machines that he was called to demonstrate in Court, the INEC data analyst said he did not know the serial number of the machines, adding that the BVAS machines he demonstrated in Court were not the entirety of the BVAS machines used for the election in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo and Lokoja Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

The witness could, however, visibly be seen trying to evade some of the questions put to him by the team of defence lawyers.

Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN represented INEC; Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and E.C. Ukala, SAN, represented APC.

In summary, the witness said he had no business with the election that took place in Kogi State, that it was the duty of the Presiding Officers to operate BVAS machines at any polling unit; to have the picture of Form EC8A on the respective BVAS used in their polling units and to transmit the result to IRev.

He noted that BVAS machines used for an election were meant to contain Form EC8A but that the BVAS machines he demonstrated in open court did not all have the picture of Form EC8A.

The witness added that he could not tell which ones had the picture of the Form EC8A used at the various polling units.

From what transpired at the Tribunal on Monday, the evidence of the INEC data analyst, who seems to be the main witness for the SDP and its candidate, appears to have been badly damaged.

Attempts by Counsel to the Petitioner, J.S.Okutepa, SAN, to repair the damaged witness through re-examination questions were objected to by the defence team and were overruled as the objections were well rooted in law.

. Advise against prioritising political battles contrary to Tinubu’s robust anti-corruption policy

. Say charging ex-Gov for crime predating his tenure reflects desperation without due dilligence

. Advise EFCC boss to shut out selfish politicians, concentrate on genuine struggles


Civil Society Organisations and human rights lawyers have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to save the image of Nigeria by not prioritising political battles that are counterproductive to the robust anti-corruption policy of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

The scores of acitivists and lawyers, under the broad umbrella of the Committee for The Defence of Democracy and Rule of Law,
particularly noted that the seeming fixation of the anti-graft agency on particular targets, fierce media trial and the network of opposition figures publicly displaying their affinity with the Commission on particular matters easily reflected political hatchet jobs that must be discouraged.

The Co-Convener of the Committee, Barrister Kayode Mogbojuri, who spoke on behalf of the over 100 CSOs at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, said the EFCC could not afford to become a tool of political witchunt in the hands of every disgruntled politician seeking political retribution against opponents or perceived enemies and advised the helmsman, Ola Olukoyede, to shut out real enemies of the Commission.

"For instance, the way it (the EFCC) is handling the current corruption allegations against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is becoming a case of clear political witchunt by his political opponents for whom the EFCC seems to be a ready tool to be manipulated into fighting their proxy wars.

"In every country that the fight against corruption has been politicized, corruption has not only thrived but also imploded. Politics and law enforcement should be water and oil that cannot mix," he stated.

The activists said the fact that the ammended charge read that the former Governor committed the said offence sometime in September 2015, when he had not even become Governor, also showed that it was a hurried attempt to nail him without due dilligence, adding that saying it was an error would only compound the embarrassment this had earned for the nation's anti-corruption struggle.

The CSOs also made particular reference to the EFCC's statement that the former Governor was at large, stating that it was the greatest evidence of political persecution, considering the fact that there had been no prior publication that he had been invited.

According to them, curious statements against the former Governor and the state government, credited to one JS Okutepa SAN, a counsel to the Social Democratic Party candidate in Kogi State, already gives political colouration to the fresh EFCC allegations.

The CSOs said that their suspicion of political persecution was aroused by the particular elements of EFCC's method of handling the matter in question.

"First, the EFCC is attempting to stand the rule of law on its head by violating a clear Court order that it is yet to vacate by a counter Court order. The High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division has given a restraining order on the EFCC to stay any action either to arrest, prosecute or persecute the former Governor or any of his appointees pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

"The EFCC may not agree with that order, but it cannot violate it unless the subsisting order is vacated...The question is why the desperation to disobey an unambiguous and subsisting Court order if political persecution is not involved? Corruption cannot fight corruption. There is no greater corruption than disrespecting an express order by a Court of competent jurisdiction," the Activists said.

According to them, the slant of the EFCC's operations, if not checked, could attract unnecessary local and international suspicion as to the real intentions of the Commission if it becomes obvious that it is tending towards political persecution rather than legal prosecution and trampling on the sacred principles of the rule of law.

The Co-Convener said, "No sensible Nigerian would oppose the fight against corruption considering its horrible effects on the socio-economic wellbeing of the country. It is a phenomenon that must be decisively fought, no doubt. We support the anticorruption drive of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has clearly stated and so far demonstrated its total intolerance for corruption of any sort.

"However, the agencies constitutionally charged with fighting corruption must have to avoid fighting corruption with corrupt means of political compromises and means that are against it as this will surely run counterproductive to the robust anticorruption policy of the Tinubu administration."

"We advise the Commission to leave politicking to politicians and concentrate on professionalism and delivery of its constitutional anti-corruption mandate without political pollution which has the potential to make it lose local and international support," the activists concluded.

. Asks Commission to come clean on reasons for baseless political witch-hunt of former Governor, false narrative of missing money.

. Calls on President Tinubu to probe EFCC's activities in Kogi, unveil 'political hawks' writing over ambitious scripts.

The Kogi State Government has once again told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to come clean on the reason behind its unrelenting persecution and media trial of the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, saying that the world would be eager to know why the Commission is trying so hard to find what is not missing.

The state government, for the umpteenth time, insisted that its funds were not missing, and called on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, allegedly orchestrated by some political actors around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of the former Governor.

"We believe that this ignoble agenda is unknown to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who trusted those people with power with the hope that they will use it judiciously for the greatness of our nation. Unfortunately, they have decided to use the privileges given to them as tools for political vendetta," the statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, said.

"The amended charges in which the name of the former Governor was mentioned are false, frivolous, fictitious and far from the truth. They are cooked-up charges that signpost their desperation to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The intention was to sensationalize the whole scenario and promote a media war against the former Governor and other officials of Government.

"We have seen how low EFCC and its paymasters can go in order to pander to the political agenda of those afraid of the rising profile of Alh. Yahaya Bello," it added.

The state government called on President Bola Tinubu to order a special probe into "what is happening in Kogi State before the EFCC is pushed into being used as a hired gun by political hawks who are acting a selfish and overambitious script."

It said those who had personal grievances could vent their grievances without dragging the name of Kogi State in the mud, maintaining that Kogi Government "believes in transparency, accountability and probity in line with the trend from 2016."

The statement reads, "As a subnational in the Nigerian nationhood, we wish to express our utmost respect for agencies set up to perform specific functions towards the greatness of Nigeria. The Kogi State Government is also conscientiously committed to the determination of the present administration to stop corruption and fight corruption.

"As an administration, we inherited the zero tolerance for corruption policy from the immediate past administration of His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON. From 2016, the Government of Kogi State has continually strengthened her anti-corruption brakes and bumps to ensure the commonwealth of the people works for the common good of Kogites. This has won the State Government a lot of credible awards from national and international organizations, including the World Bank.

"A few years back, we witnessed a worrisome trend and torrent of witch-hunt by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, unrepentantly striving to force corruption claims on our Government and its officials. The Commission started with claims that it discovered a non-existent fund in an alleged Fixed Deposit Account.

"It eventually shot itself in the foot with a badly scripted skit of conniving with the now discredited Emefiele-led Central Bank to claim the money was returned to the Central Bank. This is the hight of witch-hunt and unprovoked attack on the integrity of the Government and People of Kogi State.

"The desperation of the EFCC to hastily and for glaring political reasons, hound the immediate past Governor on their corruption list is unfortunate and speaks volume on how we reward altruistic leadership in our nation. For the records, we wish to make it clear that Kogi's funds are not missing and that the EFCC is trying so hard to find what is not missing.

"We therefore call on the EFCC to desist from mentioning the name of Kogi State in its ongoing persecution, orchestrated by some political actors in and around the Presidency bent on destroying the image of Alh. Yahaya Bello and Kogi State. We believe that this ignoble agenda is unknown to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who trusted those people with power with the hope that they will use it judiciously for the greatness of our nation. Unfortunately, they have decided to use the privileges given to them as tools for political vendetta.

"The amended charges in which the name of the former Governor was mentioned are false, frivolous, fictitious and far from the truth. They are cooked-up charges that signpost their desperation to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The intention was to sensationalize the whole scenario and promote a media war against the former Governor and other officials of Government. We have seen how low EFCC and its paymasters can go in order to pander to the political agenda of those afraid of the rising profile of Alh. Yahaya Bello.

"The Kogi State Government wishes to call on Mr President to order a special probe into what is happening in Kogi State before the EFCC is pushed into being used as a hired gun by political hawks who are acting a selfish and overambitious script.

"As a Government, we will continue to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, howbeit, such crusade should be based on the rule of law, purity of conscience and devoid of political scheming. We cannot afford to politicize our fight against corruption. We will continue to have faith in the judiciary to protect our name and integrity.

"Those who have personal grievances can vent their grievances without dragging the name of Kogi State in the mud. Our Government believes in transparency, accountability and probity in line with the trend from 2016.

"We also wish to assure the good people of our State that nothing will be spared to protect the integrity of our Government. Our administration will continue to act in a way that Kogites will be respected wherever they go and for us to retain the respect of our international development partners who have persistently commended our anti-corruption credentials."

. Ali Bello, Suleman refute EFCC's allegations in amended charges

There was confusion on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following amended charges filed against Alli Bello and Daudu Suleiman, including the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, in which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed they allegedly diverted about N100 billion belonging to the state government in September 2015, months before former Governor Bello assumed office as Governor.

Governor Bello was not a defendant in the original suit, and was not in court. However, Ali Bello, currently Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor and Dauda Suleman have denied the fraud allegations in the amended charges brought against them at the fresh aaraignment on Thursday in Abuja.

Their plea was taken by Justice James Kolawole Omotoso.

Both Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman vehemently denied the allegations contained in the 17 counts amended charges.

Earlier, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, A.M. Aliyu, SAN, had objected to reading of the amended charges to his client.

His ground of objection was that the anti-graft agency had failed woefully to comply with Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

The senior lawyer submitted that a copy of the amended charges was not served on them as required by the provisions of the ACJA Act.

EECC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN asked the court to reject the arguments of the defendant, adding that the court had on its own endorsed the amendment.

In a brief ruling, Justice Omotoso recalled that he had granted accelerated hearing in the matter and had also ordered that all forms of objections must be kept in abeyance till address stage.

He then directed the Registrar of the Court to read the amended charges.

In the first count, former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman were accused of conspiring with each other in September 2015 and converted N80, 246, 470, 089 to their personal use.

They were alleged to have run foul of section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 because they ought to have reasonably known that the money was a product of fraud and criminal breach of public trust.

In other charges, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman were alleged to have concealed several millions of naira with one Rabiu Musa Tafada, a Bureau De Change BDC operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.

Alli Bello's counsel, Aliyu SAN, at this point, applied that one of the EFCC witnesses, Edward Fanada, be recalled for fresh cross examination in view of the contents of the amended charges.

The request was granted by Justice James Kolawole Omotoso due to no opposition from the EFCC lawyer.

Meanwhile, Justice Omotoso has ordered that Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman should continue to enjoy the bail conditions granted them in the previous charges.

Mrs. Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Ondo State, has said it is the turn of the female politicians in the state to occupy the state's exalted seat.

Waheed-Adekojo stated this in a statement issued to newsmen in Akure, the state capital, to celebrate the 2024 International Women's Day.

The aspirant also vowed to tremendously surpass the achievements of the erstwhile Governors of the state if given the opportunity to serve as the Governor of the state.

She said, “On this auspicious occasion of International Women's Day, I extend my heartfelt salutations to the women who continuously shape and strengthen our communities, families, and nation with their unwavering spirit and dedication.

“In celebrating the strides made by women across various sectors, I am particularly mindful of the significance of this day in Ondo State. As we reflect on the progress achieved, it is imperative to recognize that it is the turn of women to lead as the governor of Ondo State. I stand committed to this imperative and pledge to support and champion the cause of women's leadership at all levels.

“Moreover, I solemnly vow to surpass the achievements of past Governors by fostering inclusive governance, implementing progressive policies, and prioritizing the well-being and prosperity of all residents of Ondo State. Together, let us forge a future where every woman's potential is unleashed, and equality and empowerment reign supreme.

“As we commemorate International Women's Day, let us also acknowledge the intersectional challenges faced by women, including those related to gender-based violence, economic disparity, and access to healthcare and education. It is incumbent upon us to address these issues comprehensively and ensure that every woman in Ondo State and Nigeria has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

“Conclusively, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of women in Ondo State and beyond. Together, let us continue to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society where every woman's voice is heard, valued, and respected.

The Kogi Collective Interest Group (KOCIG) has labeled the demonstration at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) targeting former State Governor Yahaya Bello as driven by political motives.

Abdulganiyu Yusuf, the group's Chairman, asserted this stance in a statement released on Friday.

The statement read, “It has come to the attention of the Kogi Collective Interest Group, KOCIG, the renewed onslaughts of some disgruntled political elements in Kogi State to resurrect their agenda of blackmail via unproven corruption allegations against the immediate former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

“KOCIG has over one million active members across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, all the 21 local governments. Members believe in the unity and progress of our dear state and hold leaders accountable at all levels.

“We saw the ragtag crowd of hungry non-Kogites that they assembled to go to the national headquarters of the EFCC today to submit their baseless petition, alongside some rejected former office holder who does nothing now other than go from one top politician to the other begging for alms all in the name of being able to mobilise rallies against their opponents. Kogites have gone beyond senseless propaganda.

“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is a politically motivated protest sponsored by political desperados and ethnic jingoists who see that they have been thoroughly thrashed at home and are seeking crooked means of staying relevant. That they are hellbent on blackmailing the former Governor who has done nothing but excellent jobs in Kogi State during his eight years as Governor is not news. What may be news is the fact that they are confronted with the reality that in Nigeria of today, under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is no longer easy to witch-hunt political opponents without regard for the rule of law.

“For one, as bona-fide citizens of Kogi State, we are aware of the clandestine conspiracy by some disgruntled local politicians who are still licking the wounds of their defeat in the last governorship election to blackmail Alhaji Yahaya Bello with baseless allegations of corruption and attempting to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, into their dirty political fights to nail a man who many attest to his achievements.

“This is where the EFCC leadership must be wary of becoming an accidental tool of vendetta in the hands of politicians who are so desperate to get their evil and dark objectives achieved at all costs. The EFCC must be above board and treat all petitions strictly on their merits and not pay attention to political miscreants who are playing to the gallery.

“Looking at the unprecedented infrastructural developments in Kogi State under the eight-year administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Kogites are forever grateful for the insight and management expertise of the former Governor. With all the legacy projects in education, healthcare, roads, security and so forth, there is nowhere left for any money to be misappropriated. It is public knowledge that an international financial institution like The World Bank gave Kogi State a clean bill of health in the areas of transparency and fiscal accountability more than once under Yahaya Bello.

“All investigations of corruption allegations against the former Governor till date have come back empty because there was no substance to them but his political enemies have remained implacable.

“The man who led today's protest further alleged that Yahaya Bello has been suppressing the news of his group's activities. The question is what activities has his group been engaging in that were suppressed by anybody? This can only mean that he is desperately trying to justify the humongous resources he has been milking from the unsuspecting financiers to stage such protests.

“In the first instance, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to the best of our knowledge, does not own a media organization. Moreover, he is not a member of the editorial board of any media company and, therefore, cannot influence any news that should get published or not.

“News media determine which activity is newsworthy or not and decide which deserves to be published or not. But because of the ignorance and deliberate mischief of these political jobbers, they attributed their failures to a third party.

“This is not an age where some hungry political miscreants can just gather and make spurious allegations in the public and think they should not be held accountable. As responsible Kogites, we do not take kindly to bringing down leaders who have served us well.

“In this particular case, we will demand that these imprudent characters show proofs of their reckless allegations against Yahaya Bello to the public or a Court of competent jurisdiction. It is the sole responsibility of who alleges to show indubitable proofs of their allegations and they must be ready to prove that.

“We will employ all legal means to hold them accountable for the gross indiscretions and blackmail that they have committed because their ill-conceived actions are also rubbing off negatively against the image of Kogi State and its people.

“The EFCC must beware and not fall into the manipulative agenda of disgruntled politicians that want to use the Commission to achieve their selfish goals against a perceived political enemy. This won't augur well for the Commission in terms of local and international perception.