EVENTS

EFCC Seeks Yahaya Bello’s trial in Absentia

Published

6 months ago

October 30, 2024

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EFCC Seeks Yahaya Bello’s trial in Absentia

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday October 30, 2024 asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of a former 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 tune of N80.2billion. The court had summoned him for arraignment six consecutive times.

Pinheiro told the court that the former governor’s refusal to appear for his arraignment was malicious and that the court should not demonstrate helplessness by not trying him in absentia. “A court can never demonstrate helplessness. That would be an indication of anarchy and society is based on the rule of law. The court demonstrating helplessness will negate the basis of the rule of law,” he said.

Arguing further, the EFCC’s counsel reminded the court that a defendant’s refusal to engage the court’s processes should not frustrate his trial, maintaining that justice is a three-way mechanism. “A criminal trial must not be held hostage, truncated or frustrated by a defendant’s refusal to engage the process. Justice is a three-way street: justice to the defendant, justice to the prosecution who has assembled witnesses and justice to the society”.

Earlier in his submissions, he urged the court to enter a not guilty plea for Bello to pave the way for his trial contending that under Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, a defendant’s physical presence in court is not an absolute requirement for arraignment.

“The right to plead guilty or not guilty is a right that can be waived by the defendant,” adding that Bello’s absence should not impede the case.

“My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty to the defendant, even in his absence. The second point is, notwithstanding his physical absence, trial can proceed. What prejudice will the defendant suffer if my lord enters a plea of guilty or not guilty in his absence? Even if he was in court and pleaded not guilty, the situation would still be the same. The entry of a plea of not guilty by your lordship is an invitation to the prosecution to come and prove the veracity of the allegations”, he said.

In response, counsel for the defendant, Michael Adoyi, opposed the prosecution’s motion, citing a previous court order requiring the defendant’s presence before any applications could be entertained. He emphasized that the application was contrary to the court’s directive issued earlier. “Our first point of response to the application made by the learned senior counsel to the complainant is that the application is made contrary to the subsisting order of this honourable court, even made this morning, that no application can be entertained by this court in the absence of the arraignment of the defendant,” he said.

Pinheiro rebutted Adoyi’s argument, urging the court to reject the defence’s position and proceed with the plea entry, assuring that it would not infringe on the defendant’s rights or affect the trial’s fairness.

Justice Nwite, after listening to both parties, noted that a ruling on the matter may not be possible within the current year due to court schedules. “It may not be possible to deliver this ruling this year.

Pinheiro proposed that the matter be adjourned for ruling and arraignment, which Justice Nwite granted, adjourning the case until January 21, 2025.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

EVENTS

JOINT SECURITY TEAM ARRESTS TWO ARMED HOODULUMS DURING A PATROL THAT RESULTED IN AN EXCHANGE OF GUN BATTLE, RECOVERS ONE AUTOMATIC PUMP ACTION AND TWO MOTORCYCLES IN AMORKA, ULI.

Published

15 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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On 19th April 2025, a Joint Security Team comprising of Police Operatives attached to Uli Police Station and Uli Vigilantes on patrol of Operation Udo Ga Chi – Zero Kidnapping engaged armed hoodlums on motorbikes in a gun duel and arrested two suspects and recovers one pump action gun and two motorbikes along Uli, Amorka, along Onitsha-Owerri Road.

The suspects Chigozie Johnson and Umuerima Oguta all males between the age bracket of 30- 32 years confessed to being among members of the criminal gang and were on an evil mission before they were arrested. Meanwhile, during the Police operative’s search in a nearby bush, a lot of blood stains were observed – an indication that some of the gang members escaped with bullet wounds.

In the light of this development, the Command urges all proprietors of private and public hospitals to admit, but report any individual presented with bullet wounds or injuries of a suspicious nature to the nearest Police Station. This measure is critical to the ongoing effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further escalation of criminal activities in the State.

The Command remains committed to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted security operations in the State.

*SP Tochukwu Ikenga*
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka

20th April 2025
Admin Nibo

EVENTS

MURDER: NPF COMPLETES EXTRADITION OF BENJAMIN BEST NNAYEREUGO ALIAS “KILLABOI” TO FACE CHARGES ‎ ‎As IGP Appreciates AGF, INTERPOL, Assures of Diligent Prosecution ‎

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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‎PRESS RELEASE
‎
‎MURDER: NPF COMPLETES EXTRADITION OF BENJAMIN BEST NNAYEREUGO ALIAS “KILLABOI” TO FACE CHARGES
‎
‎As IGP Appreciates AGF, INTERPOL, Assures of Diligent Prosecution
‎
‎The Nigeria Police Force has successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, male, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria. The fugitive, who had been on the run for the murder of Miss Augusta Oseodion Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, 19th April 2025, through the coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
‎
‎The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives dated 29th September 2024. The matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja for investigation. Investigations revealed that the suspect, Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, murdered Miss Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, at his residence located at No. 24A Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
‎
‎Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension. He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity “KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Feeetown.
‎
‎Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
‎
‎Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.
‎
‎The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja and extended sincere appreciation to the Honorable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
‎
‎The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
‎
‎
‎ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
‎FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
‎FORCE HEADQUARTERS
‎ABUJA
‎
‎19TH APRIL, 2025

EVENTS

Swarm of bees kill farmer, injures two others in Osun

Published

2 days ago

April 19, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A swarm of bees have attacked and killed a farmer, eaving two others seriously injured in Olobe Farm, Igbajo, Osun State.

The incident, Ekwutosblog gathered occurred on Friday, April 18, 2025.

It was also gathered that the deceased, Abideen Olabiyi, who hailed from Alalade compound, Ada, was working on the farm alongside Solomon Kingsley and Olusegun Alalade when the swarm struck.

A police report from the Otan-Aiyegbaju Division of the Osun State Police Command also confirmed the incident.

The report stated that the three men were attacked suddenly and without warning.

The report partly reads: “Today Friday 18/04/2025, at about 1645 HRS, there was a complaint from one Babasanjo Alalade, male of Alalade compound Ada, Osun State, he stated that today, three of his brothers went to farm, one Abideen Olabiyi, male, Mr Solomon Kingsley and Chief Olusegun Alalade all of Alalade compound Ada, went to the farm in Olobe Farm Igbajo.”

The report noted the victim had been deposited at the Healthy Paradise Mutuary Ikirun for autopsy.

The two surviving victims are currently receiving care at an undisclosed medical facility in Ada, Osun State, where their conditions are reported to be critical.

“On getting to the farm they were attacked by bunch of bees X and as a result x Mr Abideen Olabiyi ( M) X lost his life x while the other two victims manage to escape with their lives X detectives mine visited the scene X photograph taken X corps removed and deposited at Healthy Paradise Mutuary Ikirun for autopsy while the other two victims were rushed to undisclose hospital at Ada for treatment x for your information sir X From Supol Otan Ayegbaju Division.”