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Alleged Fraud: Stop Evading Arrest, Court – Group Chides Yahaya Bello

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2024

milcah

A civil society group, Pan African Society for Social and Economic Change has lambasted former Governor Yahaya Bello for trying to evade justice and attempting to drag the reputation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the mud instead of submitting himself for questioning and the courts of law to clear allegations of financial malfeasance while in office.

Executive Director of the group, Basah Mohammed made this known in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja and warned Bello to stop being a fugitive and take responsibilities for events that took under his reign as a governor of Kogi state.

The group insists that the former must have his day in court, dismissing all attempts to rubbish the good work done by EFCC to arraign Bello for allegedly misappropriating N80.2 billion. Adding that the commission has not, in any way, erred but doing its lawful job by asking the former Kogi State’s Governor to appear before it for questioning.

The group condemned strongly the call for EFCC’s Chairman’s resignation and knocked individuals and faceless groups used by corrupt politicians to distract the EFCC, warning them to steer clear and allow the former governor to have his day in court.

Former Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, had filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) declaration of him as wanted. Bello is facing a 19-count charge for allegedly laundering N80.2 billion.

“It should be clear by now to all Nigerians that strict accountability in governance occupies a cardinal place in President Tinubu’s administration. To serve this purpose, his government has shown zero tolerance for cases of corruption since assuming office.

“Yahaya Bello is not above the and we simply urging him to man up and face justice. So the EFCC, by inviting the former governor Yahaya Bello, as it did with past and other officials is in tandem with its policy and character to nurture a culture of probity and accountability in governance.

“We believe that Yahaya Bello has no reason to fear. It is a process that is not predetermined. We urge him to heed the advice of the Attorney General and so many other Nigerians and make himself available to the courts required by laws.

“We also advise members of the public who have been up in arms against the anti-graft agency to be circumspect in their reaction to the issue,” the group said.
The EFCC has also restated their aim to ensure Yahaya Bello faces the law and clear the air on the shenanigans of the former Kogi governor.

In a statement, the Commission explained:
“The incident of Wednesday, September 18, 2024, regarding the orchestrated antics of former governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello to surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, having denied being invited by the Commission and operating underground as a fugitive for several months, expectedly raised concerns and curiosity of many Nigerians who had been waiting frantically for his arrest and trial.

It is public knowledge that the former governor had made several unsuccessful attempts to throw spanners in his ongoing trial through some irresponsible and utterly rascal efforts. The appropriate place of surrender would be before Justice Nwite before whom his legal team had undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18-count charges of money laundering.

Yahaya Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists. To even insinuate that he was the target of a phantom assassination attempt because the Commission made efforts to effect his arrest at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge where he had been hiding, is preposterous. It is the first time in the Commission’s more than two decades existence that such a jejune claim would be made. This is no more than scaremongering, intended to scandalize the Commission.

But EFCC is not deterred by this, and other shenanigans by the ex-governor. The Commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Yahaya Bello in Court.

EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented and arguments marshaled for justice to be served to all parties involved in this saga. The true test of Yahaya Bello’s willingness to abide by the law in the criminal proceedings instituted against him at the Federal High Court Abuja by the EFCC is to present himself to the court in obedience to the order of Justice Nwite. His presence in court is the only step that will convince Nigerians that his touted submission to the EFCC which was widely reported in the media on September 18, was not a stunt.

Till date, Bello is yet to take his plea in the alleged N80.2 billion money laundering charges preferred against him before Justice Nwite. His invasion of the corporate headquarters of the Commission with a retinue of security details, hand-to-hand cahoots and carriage with a sitting governor having immunity, unwarranted media blitz, scripted sleight of hands unknown to the public and other backend intelligence available to the Commission, compelled a tactical rebuff of his touted surrender offer.

As a responsible anti-graft agency, the EFCC is sensitive to public opinions, especially if they are in tandem with its operational codes and Standard Operating Procedures. However, no hysteria, blackmail, sentiment or coordinated attacks in some section of the media would make the Commission compromise its integrity. Yahaya Bello’s matter cannot define the success or failure of the works of the EFCC, as the scorecard of the Commission is remarkable and undeniably impressive. The EFCC is not unaware of the fact that corruption fights back. Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy, or acts of brigandage.

Within the year, the Commission had arraigned three former ministers, two ex-governors, several top government officials, captains of industries, internet fraudsters and many more would be arraigned in due course. Every former governor, minister, head of ministries, departments and agencies, and MDAs being investigated by the Commission would soon be arrested and charged to court. The EFCC is not running a circus show. Corruption issues should not be turned into a theatre of the absurd. Those who harbor a criminal suspect should know that the act is also a criminal offence which is also punishable in law.

While the EFCC is assuring the public of its unfaltering focus and commitment to continue to tackle every issue of economic and financial crime without fear or favour, there is a need to remind Nigerians that corruption does fight back and caution and restraint should always be exercised in responding to the operational mechanics and dynamics of the Commission. By now, Bello ought to know that the game is up for him and the chicken has come home to roost. The EFCC would continue with its no sacred cow policy, no matter whose ox is gored,” the statement read.

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2027: ALGON Backs Kwara Speaker’s Guber Bid, Reaffirms AbdulRazaq’s Leadership

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kwara State Chapter, has reiterated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state remains united, peaceful, and firmly aligned with the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

ALGON made the clarification following reactions to a recent press conference by some individuals, stressing that the views expressed did not represent the position of the 16 local government areas in the state.

A statement by the spokesman of the State ALGON, Hadji Abdulrasheed Femi Yusuf, said: “The individuals who spoke at the press conference did so in their personal capacity and did not represent any local government council or its leadership in Kwara State.

“The gathering in question was not in consultation with the recognised elders’ caucuses across the 16 local government areas, and as such does not reflect any formal or collective decision of party structures.”

ALGON has, therefore, restated that the APC primary election held on Friday, 22nd May 2026 was duly conducted in line with party guidelines, with members freely participating in the process, adding that the exercise produced Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, as the duly emerged candidate, and the association urged all stakeholders to respect the outcome.

The association maintained that there is no crisis within the Kwara APC, adding that the party remains stable, focused, and committed to the continued development agenda of the AbdulRazaq-led administration.

It further noted that APC remains a united family where internal democracy produces both winners and those who may not emerge successful, stressing that all members are ultimately working towards a common goal of party success and good governance in Kwara State.

According to ALGON, the APC in Kwara State has continued to grow stronger under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s leadership, due to the discipline, loyalty, and commitment of party members to collective interest over personal ambitions.

The association therefore urged party faithful and members of the public to disregard narratives capable of causing division, and instead focus on strengthening unity and consolidating the developmental achievements already recorded across the state.

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Court Convicts Female Arms Courier to Death in Katsina.

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2026

Our Reporter

A Federal High Court in Katsina State has sentenced a female arms courier to death by hanging after the Department of State Services (DSS) successfully prosecuted her for conspiracy to commit, aid and abet terrorism, the second death sentence secured by the DSS in the month of June.

The convict, Hauwa’u Mukhtar, was arrested by the DSS on September 16, 2023, at Jibia Motor Park, Katsina State, while attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to one Ado, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Dunburum Forest, Zamfara State.

On 3rd June, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men arrested by the DSS to death by hanging for their roles in the June 5, 2022, terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, which claimed over 40 lives.

Security sources revealed that, in Katsina, the DSS filed a two-count charge against Hauwa’u Mukhtar
before High Court No. 3, Katsina, presided over by Justice A. B. Bawale.

After evaluating the totality of evidence, witness testimonies, tendered exhibits, and final addresses of both prosecution and defence counsel, the court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding Mukhtar guilty on both counts.

The judge subsequently sentenced the convict to death by hanging in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2021.

“The successful prosecution is a significant milestone for the DSS, demonstrating its capacity to not only intercept criminal actors but to follow through with decisive legal action that results in landmark convictions.’, stated the source.

It could be recalled that, about a month ago, a Federal High Court in Abuja convicted and sentenced one Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years imprisonment for unlawful possession of 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism marking the second conviction of a female arms courier secured by the DSS this year.

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2027: APC Elders Back Kwara Guber Candidate Danladi

Published

1 day ago

June 15, 2026

Our Reporter

*Assures Tinubu of landslide victory

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Members of the Elders Caucus of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara State have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu.

The APC elders, at a crowded press conference on Monday in Ilorin, the state capital, assured President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the APC that Danladi- Salihu enjoyed the popular support of the people of the State, especially the youths.

The forum was reacting to the earlier press conference held by the Chief James Bamisaiye- led APC Elders Caucus where they condemned the choice of Danladi-Salihu as the party’s gubernatorial candidate.

They said that the APC candidate does not represent the strongest political option available to the party to win the next year gubernatorial race.

The elders warned that unless President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the party wade into the raging crisis that had emerged from the Danladi- Salihu’s candidacy, the party may lose Kwara State to the opposition.

But, the APC Elders Caucus at a press conference addressed by the State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda Ambassadors, Hon. AbdulLateef Gidado Alakawa said: “To Say the least, those who addressed that conference are interlopers who are not recognised by the APC structure in the State.

“We shouldn’t have dignified the claims of these interlopers who called themselves elders of our great party, the APC by this response, but there’s is the need to put a lie to their fathom claims.

“The general public is aware of the fact that our party held its primaries for all the elective offices, including the governorship ticket in a peaceful atmosphere. The results of the governorship primary was announced by the Chairman of the panel that was sent from Abuja to conduct the exercise, Hon. Musiliu Obanikoro in the presence of all loyal party members at the Banquet Hall along Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.

“The governorship primary that was held on 22nd May 2026 produced the incumbent speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu DanladiSalihu as winner. Since that time, none of the other gubernatorial aspirant has raised a complaint on the outcome of the exercise. And as a team player, the APC gubernatorial candidate has since extended the hands of fellowship to his cocontestants.

“Not only this, Hon. Danladi has embarked on a tour of the residences of key stakeholders in the affairs of our dear state, including our traditional rulers, who have all blessed him, assured him of their support and prayed for his victory at the poll come 2027.

“The credentials of Danladi – Salihu are in public domain. Apart from being an engineer, he has garnered enough political experience as the state’s number three citizen in the last seven years. Our candidate is also a youth who enjoys the support of mammoth youths population.

“On the so-called elders disparaging comments on our leader, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, we want to clarify that the governor did not imose any gubernatorial candidates on the party. The governor allowed a free contest in the gubernatorial primary while he was not also directly in charge of the conduct of the exercise. He as a democrat only accepted the outcome of the exercise which was adjudged peaceful, free and fair by those that supervised it.

“Declaring the result of the gubernatorial primary, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Supervisory Committee of Kwara State Governorship Primary, Senator Musliu Obanikoro said DanladiSalihu scored 94,990 votes to beat other cight aspirants that participated in the exercise.

“We recall that key contenders, including Amb. Yahaya Seriki, had earlier mobiiised support for DanladiSalihu in a show of solidarity. All the five local government areas in the North returned more than 90% of their votes in favour of the DanladiSalihu, while he also led comfortably across the two other senatorial districts. In Southern District, Offa, Oyun, Irepodun, Ekiti, Isin, Oke Ero, and Ifelodun stood firmly behind the choice of the Speaker, underscoring his strong support base across the state.

“The above illustration showed that Danladi – Salihu won the gubernatorial primary convincingly. What we expected of the socalled elders is to join hands with our governor and other stakeholders to ensure the victory of our governorship candidate and all other candidates of the APC at the poll.
“The conduct of these elders have shown that their not patriotic member of the APC and do not mean well for our dear Kwara State. We hold the opinion that every well meaning party man will pray for a successor who will continue the good work of the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. “

“We want to assure His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu that Kwara is APC state and in shaa Allahu, the governor and all other genuine stakeholders will deliver the state, once again to the APC come 2027. “

Alakawa was flanked by the Coordinator of the Kwara Central APC Elders Caucus, Alhaji Razaq Lawal and a chieftain of the party, Alhaji Usman Bibire Ajape, amongst others.