Yahaya Bello Archives - Voice of Liberty NG

Yahaya Bello: Court to rule on bail application Dec. 10

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 Aminu Imam

�Defendant to remain in EFCC custody The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has fixed December 10, 2024 for rulings on the bail applications by the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others. The presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, fixed the date after taking arguments for and against the bail request by Bello�s lawyer, Joseph Bodunde Dauda, (SAN) and the Prosecution�s Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, (SAN). Ex-Gov Bello and two others had, on Wednesday, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Commission. Bello,…

EFCC seeks Yahaya Bello�s trial ‘in absentia�

October 31, 2024October 31, 2024 Aminu Imam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), yesterday asked Justice Emeka Nwite, of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in absentia, arguing that his non-appearance in court for arraignment should not be allowed to frustrate his trial. The EFCC, through its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, (SAN), also urged the court to enter a plea of �not guilty� on behalf of Bello. Bello is facing trial on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the…

EFCC Money laundering allegation: Ex-Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello begs Tinubu to intervene

September 28, 2024September 28, 2024 Aminu Imam

The Media Office of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the confrontation between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), and the ex-governor. In an issued statement signed by Ohiare Michael, the media office condemned the EFCC�s conduct, labelling its recent releases and actions as biased The office called on President Tinubu to intervene in the matter, urging him to ensure that the fight against corruption remains impartial. According to Michael, the anti-graft agency�s approach to the bid to arrest the…

Kogi: Court adjourns alleged money laundering suit against ex-Gov. Bello

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 Aminu Imam

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has postponed hearing on the money laundering case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate-past Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello. According to reports, Nwite picked October 30, 2024 for the next sitting on the suit. This comes after Bello approached the Supreme Court to file an appeal aimed at overturning the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17. During the proceedings, Bello�s attorney, A.M. Adoyi, highlighted that the matter of the defendant�s…

“Yahaya Bello arrested in midnight sting operation; didn�t surrender” � EFCC

September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 Aminu Imam

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is currently in custody at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja. The embattled politician is facing accusations of money laundering and financial misconduct amounting to N80.2 billion. According to reliable sources at the Commission�s headquarters, Bello was arrested in a midnight sting operation. A source familiar with the development stated that Bello, who had initially claimed to have voluntarily honoured the commission�s invitation, was trailed and arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja at midnight. �Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya…

Alleged N80bn Fraud: Appeal Court upholds lower court judgment on ex-Gov. Yahaya Bello

August 22, 2024August 22, 2024 Aminu Imam

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the FCT Federal High Court ruling which restrained the former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, from moving any preliminary objection until he is arraigned. In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a 3-member Justices of the court held that the trial court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite was right when it ruled that it would no longer entertain any application, including the appellant�s preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction. Justice Kenneth Amadi, who read the judgment on an appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/536…

“Present yourself for arraignment” – Appeal Court orders ‘fugitive’ Yahaya Bello

August 21, 2024August 21, 2024 Aminu Imam

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has ordered former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to present himself for arraignment. The court gave the verdict yesterday, while also restraining the embattled governor from taking further action until he is arraigned. It also restrained Bello from taking further steps to stop the charges unless he is arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). Recall that Bello has been evading the arrest by the EFCC to answer questions on corruption allegations levelled against him by the anti-graft agency. He has…

Alleged N80bn fraud: Yahaya Bello remains ‘wanted’ – EFCC

July 12, 2024July 12, 2024 Aminu Imam

…Appeals to SSS, Police to capture him The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, remains ‘wanted’, and that his arrest is a collective responsibility of all security agencies in Nigeria. �We have declared him as ‘wanted’; and he is still wanted,� Spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, told newsmen yesterday. When asked why the fugitive former governor had not been arrested since he was declared wanted months ago, Oyewale said, �When a suspected is declared ‘wanted’ in law enforcement, the responsibility…

Alleged N80.2bn fraud: EFCC uncovers Yahaya Bello�s plan to escape Nigeria

July 9, 2024July 9, 2024 Aminu Imam

…Immigration put him on watchlist The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has uncovered the plan of ex-Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, to leave Nigeria for Morocco via Cameroun amid the N80.2 billion fraud allegation against him. Recall that Bello, who is currently on the run, faces a 19-count charge, including allegations of money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to about N80.2 billion. Despite denying the allegations, he has repeatedly failed to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite on scheduled dates. On Thursday, June 27, the defendant failed…

Yahaya Bello: Lawyers petition UN, UK

May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 Aminu Imam

…Seeks visa ban for EFCC Chairman A group of lawyers, on Friday, said they have written petitions to both the United Nations, the government of the United Kingdom and other international organisations to seek a visa ban against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede. The legal practitioners, who made the disclosure during a press conference they held in Abuja, accused the EFCC Chairman of disregarding valid court orders and breaching constitutional rights of Nigerians, citing the on-going case of the immediate-past governor of Kogi…