Crime
Court Postpones Hearing in Alleged Money Laundering Case Against Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) case against former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello on money laundering charges. The case, which was scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, will now resume on January 21, 2025.
Justice Emeka Nwite announced the postponement after hearing arguments from EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, and Bello’s lawyer, Michael Adoyi. Pinheiro submitted that, despite the defendant’s absence, the court should proceed with entering a plea of not guilty on behalf of Bello, in compliance with Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
Pinheiro argued that entering a plea in Bello’s absence would not disadvantage the defendant and would allow the prosecution to present its case. He requested that the court proceed with the first witness’s testimony following the plea entry.
In response, Adoyi contested Pinheiro’s application, asserting that the court’s prior order required Bello’s physical presence for any further applications or pleas. He contended that the application contradicted this order and expressed concerns about the prosecution potentially bypassing due process.
Adoyi maintained that, according to Supreme Court rulings, criminal trials require a clear separation between judicial and prosecutorial actions. He argued that Pinheiro’s request could compromise the court’s role by assisting the prosecution in ensuring the defendant’s appearance. He requested that the court deny Pinheiro’s application, stating it was unsupported by relevant provisions of the ACJA.
After both submissions, Justice Nwite acknowledged that the case’s complexities may delay a ruling until the next session. Pinheiro agreed, and the case was adjourned until January 21, 2025, for a decision on the plea and potential arraignment.
At a previous hearing in September, Adoyi notified the court that the matter of Bello’s arraignment is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court, listed as Appeal Numbers SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024. He emphasized that the court should await the Supreme Court’s decision on this appeal before proceeding with the arraignment.
Crime
3 Egyptians arrested for assault at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

The Cross River Police Command has arrested three Egyptian nationals for allegedly assaulting a female security officer at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
The suspects Mohammed Ayan, 24; Mohammed Mohammed, 40; and Ahmed Mohammed, 20 were said to have entered the hospital premises around 12 noon on Monday to hawk household items, an act prohibited within the facility.
Zagazola confirmed from sources that a security officer, Christiana Ada Ewa, 34, attached to the hospital’s surveillance unit, attempted to stop the men from hawking when one of them, Ayan, allegedly assaulted her.
Her colleague, Ethan Ita Ansa, 24, intervened, resulting in a physical altercation between the parties. During the scuffle, Ansa’s uniform was torn and he sustained a finger injury, while Ayan also suffered bruises on his right eyebrow and knees.
Police detectives promptly visited the scene and arrested the suspects. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.
Crime
Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom.

A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the tragic incident occurred on Sept. 22, 2025.
The source said the officer, who was also a medical doctor attached to the 6 Battalion Regimental Medical Officer (RMO), had a heated argument with his wife, Mrs. Samson Haruna, which resulted in her dousing him with petrol (PMS) and setting him on fire.
“The officer sustained severe burns and was immediately stabilised at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks before being evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for further management,” the source said.
The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.
It was further gathered that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Crime
Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover firearms and POS machines in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally-made pistol and several stolen items in Gwagwalada Area Council.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest followed a complaint lodged by one Kabiru Ahmed of Kasuwan Dare, Gwagwalada, who reported that two men swapped his Moniepoint POS machine on Oct. 1, 2025, at about 2:55 p.m.
Detectives from the Gwagwalada Division swiftly acted on the report and apprehended one Abdul Abdullahi of Kano State, who confessed to being part of a syndicate notorious for POS swapping and robbery within the area.
The suspect named his accomplices as Yusuf Abdul, Mustapha Abba, Faruk, and Abu Chibola, and later led police operatives to their hideout in Angwan Dodo, Gwagwalada.
However, the other suspects escaped through the ceiling and roof of the building towards a nearby river upon sighting the operatives. One female suspect, Rahama Michael was arrested at the scene.
Items recovered include one fabricated locally-made pistol, six POS machines, seven ATM cards, 37 SIM cards, six wristwatches, and one axe.
The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate.
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