Trial in the ongoing prosecution of Yahaya Bello, the erstwhile Governor of Kogi State resumed today in Abuja. Parties appeared before Hon. Justice Josephine Anenih to continue proceedings in the High tension legal battle.

Shehu Bala ‘Bello’, testifying for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today underwent extensive cross-examination at the hands of defence counsel in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

The witness, who was subsequently discharged after what a journalist observing proceedings described as ‘a grilling’, is now the seventeenth prosecution witness (PW17) called by the EFCC since the commencement of the trial.

During a lengthy and detailed cross-examination, defence counsel subjected the witness to questions bordering on his relationship with Ali Bello whom he testified at the last hearing yesterday to have had dealings with, including the acquisition of various properties, the source of funds utilised in those transactions, and the ownership structure of the assets that have featured prominently in the prosecution’s case.

Despite the extensive questioning, the witness failed to directly link former Governor Yahaya Bello to the ownership, purchase, financing or control of the disputed properties and funds under scrutiny before the court. He also clarified that ‘Bello’ in his name is purely concidently, and that he is not related to the former Governor.

Under questioning, PW17 exonerated Bello from allegation of having had business dealings with him. He maintained that his dealings related principally to his own business and property transactions and he did not have direct business with the former governor on any of the properties and other assets in issue.

The development is being viewed by courtroom observers as another difficult outing for the prosecution, which has now called seventeen witnesses without allegedly producing direct evidence tying the former governor to the properties and financial transactions at the centre of the charges.

Proceedings are currently ongoing. More details later…

☆☆☆Worries Over Repentant Boko Haram activities.
☆☆☆BOSG Orders Immediate Action as Traditional Ruler seeks help.

By: Our Special Correspondent.

Mandaragrau, a quiet town of about 3000 people: just 20 minutes drive from Biu, the headquaters of Biu Local Govetnment Area, in Southern part of Borno State, has come under armed attack for the upteenth time.
Coming on the heels of assurances that no community will again fall to the guns of insurgents in Borno state, the town has been completely sacked.
National Trail investigations reveal that, the attack was the fifth, with attendant casualties on the part of both the Military, stationed in the town and the community.
Our correspondent learnt that, both the District Head, Lawan Mohammed and the ward heads in the area have been forced to relocate to Biu, the Local Government headquaters, while thousands seek refuge in adjourning communities.
The District Head in a report made to the Local Government Chairman, Sule Ali Yimi, and made available to our correspondent, indicates that, other members of the community have all fled the town to Biu, Mirnga, liya and other commu ities.
The Military command post has been equally sacked, with soldiers now operating from Maina Hari, in the neighbourhood of Biu.
Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, Sule Ali Yimi confirmed to our correspondent that, the town has also been reduced to ashes, as the insurgents burnt town every available building in the town.
The Chairman also told our correspondent that, with the successful infiltration and sack of Mandaragrau, Biu, the Local Government headquaters is not safe, as it may be the next target.
“As it is, we are not safe. Mandaragrau is one of the most fortified towns after Biu, and we fear that Biu could be their next target”, Yimi said.
This is even as the Deputy Governor of Borno state, Umar Usman Kadafur has ordered the State Emergency Management Agency, SENA. to quickly make assesment and report the situation for immediate government action.
Kadafur told NationalTrail Editor-in-Chief, that, the state government will implement immediate interim meadures before a comprehenssive plan for reclaimng the area, before resettling citizens is worked out.
He said he has been in contsct with the Molitary hierachy in evaluating efforts, prom8sing a strong collaboration for the immediate rescue of Mandaragrau.
The deputy gover or further assured that, the Military has put in plsce multiple measures to ensure the crisis does not spillover into Biu.
Mesnehile, the chairman of Biu. Sule Ali Yimi, has further alerted on the activities of repentant Boko Haram elements, deployed to Mandaragrau, alleging that, accusing fingers point in their direction for compromising the security of Mandaragrau.
Our correspondent reports that, repentant Boko Haram elements have been wrecking havoc in Mandaragrau and are extending their activities into Biu.
While coroborating NationalTrail findings, the council boss said, he is aware that, the repentant elements have been harrasing citizens, demanding for monetary settlement, at gun points.
Yimi said before the community was dispersed, repentant Boko Haram elements have been collecting royalties from villagers.
According to him, with the fall of Mandaragrau, security reports indicate that Biu may be tbeir next target.
Findings reveal that, the repentant Boko Haram have also relocated to the bus terminus in Biu, where they continually harass citizens.
While praising the efforts of the Military in trying to reclaim Mandaragrau, Yimi lamented that soldiers were ill equipped, and how the attackers peneterated the cordon, put around the Military camp in Mandaragrau, remains a mirage.
“Even the military have their suspicion, that, they might have been working with an insider, and citizen allege that, the insider could possibly be a repentant Boko Haram”, he noted.
Our correspondent traced several members of the Mandaragrau community to Biu, where they are squatting with relatives.
One of them, Haruna Saidu told NationalTrail, that, he was inside the mosque for an all night recitation when he heard gunshots, followed by explossions in the direction of the Military camp.
On getting outside, he noticed that the whole community had been thrown into confussion, with people fleeing in no particular direction.
He asked for a call to be put out to the District Head, Lawan Mohammed, who was out of town, intimating him of the development.
Haruna said, by the morning of June 11th, the entire town had been vacated, except for for some aged persons, who could not move out in the night. “They have also been evacuated, by noon of that day”, he added.
National Trail also reports that, for five days after the attack, the insurgents returned to Mandaragrau each night, setting the remaing few house on fire and vandalizing property.
Soldiers who also fled the town only go in the morning and return to their new base in Maina Hari, by 5:00pm, everyday.

The Executive Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abuja, Nigeria

Dear Sir,

RE: RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MAKURDI

I write as a concerned Catholic faithful and citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria regarding the recent public call for a comprehensive investigation into the financial affairs of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi covering the period from 1989 to 2023.
While transparency and accountability are principles that every institution should uphold, it is equally important that public requests for investigations be founded on credible evidence and specific allegations rather than on speculation, assumptions, or generalized concerns.

The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has, for decades, played a significant role in education, healthcare, humanitarian services, peacebuilding, and the spiritual development of communities across Benue State and beyond. Through the leadership of Most Rev. Athanasius Atule Usuh and Most Rev. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, the Diocese has established schools, healthcare facilities, pastoral institutions, and numerous social outreach programs that have positively impacted countless lives.

In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, institutions and individuals are presumed innocent unless credible evidence suggests otherwise. A blanket demand for the examination of over three decades of financial activities without presenting any specific allegation of wrongdoing risks creating unnecessary suspicion and damaging the reputation of an institution that has served the public faithfully.

It is important to emphasize that no institution is above the law. Should there be verifiable evidence of financial misconduct, the appropriate authorities should investigate such matters in accordance with established legal procedures. However, investigations should be guided by facts, evidence, and due process rather than public pressure or unsubstantiated claims.

The Catholic Church operates within established canonical, administrative, and financial frameworks that include various levels of oversight and accountability. Any concerns regarding diocesan administration should, where appropriate, also be addressed through the relevant ecclesiastical and legal channels.

I therefore respectfully urge the EFCC and all stakeholders to remain guided by the principles of fairness, objectivity, and justice. Public confidence is strengthened not merely by investigations, but by ensuring that every action of public institutions is based on credible evidence and respect for the rights and reputations of all concerned.

I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, while also safeguarding the principles of justice, fairness, and the presumption of innocence.

Thank you for your attention.
Yours faithfully,

Bolingo T Leva.
Concerned Catholic Faithful Makurdi Diocese, Benue State Federal Republic of Nigeria