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Alleged N80.2b Money Laundering: Court Fixes Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment for December 13

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has slated the arraignment of the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello for December 13, 2024.

Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday, November 29, 2024 directed the court’s Registrar to issue a hearing notice to Bello’s legal team regarding his arraignment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC , is prosecuting Bello on 19-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N80.2 billion.

Addressing the court about the former governor’s presence in court, prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to proceed with the arraignment, stating that the defendant’s presence satisfied the legal requirement for the process.

“In view of his physical presence in court and relying on Sections 271-277 and Section 392 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), I respectfully apply that the charge be read to the defendant, his plea be taken, and my lordship adjourn for further proceedings,” he said. He referenced two Court of Appeal rulings, dated August 20, 2024, which upheld a defendant’s presence in court as satisfactory enough for his arraignment
and further buttressed his position with the fact that Bello had failed to appear in court on several occasions, prompting an application for his trial in absentia.

Bello in his response, informed the court that he had not mobilized his legal team on the arraignment and pleaded for time to do so.

Justice Nwite, in a short ruling, adjourned to December 13, 2024 to enable the prosecution to serve the defendant’s counsel with the necessary processes.

In addition, the court directed the registrar to issue a hearing notice to Bello’s legal team and ordered that the former governor be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

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Rights group condemns killings in Plateau, calls for govt intervention

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The Movement for the Emancipation of Nigeria, MEN, has issued a powerful statement condemning the relentless violence plaguing Bokkos Local Government Area in Plateau State.

The group’s statement issued by Solomon Dalung, paints a grim picture of mass murder, ethnic cleansing, and what they described as the “targeted annihilation” of innocent citizens, with the latest attacks between April 2 and 3, 2025, claiming over 60 lives.

The statement detailed the horrifying toll of the recent assaults on communities such as Mangor Tamiso, Daffo, Manguna, Hurti, Tadai, and Ruwi, saying that women, children, and the elderly were among the victims and their homes torched and lands desecrated by what MEN alleges are Fulani militias operating with genocidal intent.

The statement explained, “This is not random—it is systematic, coordinated, and genocidal.”

”MEN’s outrage is matched by its frustration with the Nigerian government and security agencies, whose “glaring silence and ineffectiveness” have left the people of Bokkos defenseless. How many more mass graves must be dug before Nigeria acts”?

MEN accused the perpetrators of seeking the slow but deliberate erasure of indigenous Christian communities under the guise of farmer-herder conflicts.

The statement outlines a series of bold demands, including the immediate designation of the Fulani militias as terrorist organizations, the establishment of a special tribunal to investigate the killings, and the deployment of a permanent security task force to Bokkos.

MEN also called for the eviction of foreign mercenaries and land-grabbers and urged civil society, religious leaders, and youth movements to break their silence, lamenting that people abandoned by their government are a people who must rise to protect themselves.

MEN also praised the Butura Development Association for its solidarity with the grieving residents of Ruwi, calling it a beacon of the true Plateau spirit, emphasizing that the crisis transcends regional boundaries.

The statement called on the international community, human rights organizations and global watchdogs to document what MEN labels a genocide, saying, “Let the world know: Bokkos shall not bleed in vain.”

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NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY

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PRESS RELEASE
NATIONWIDE PROTEST: NPF CAUTIONS AGAINST ILL-TIMED PROTEST ACROSS THE COUNTRY

The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called “Take it Back Movement” is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.

In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day. The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.

The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.

The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
6TH APRIL 2025

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Abia Police Commissioner Dismisses Three Officers for Abduction and Extortion

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The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Danladi Isa, has dismissed three police officers for their involvement in acts of conspiracy, abduction, and extortion of unsuspecting victims. The officers have also been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution alongside their civilian accomplices.

The affected officers are:
– **Sergeant Jonas Nnamdi** (Force No. 501356), attached to Area Command, Aba.
– **Corporal James Daniel** (Force No. 511844), attached to the Department of Operations, Umuahia.
– **Corporal Ifeanyi Emeka** (Force No. 511853), attached to Eziama Division.

According to the police statement, the officers were arrested on January 29, 2025, after they conspired with two civilians, hired a minibus, and abducted some individuals along the Port Harcourt Expressway. They were found armed with an electric baton, an assault rifle, and a Beretta pistol, which they used to intimidate and extort money from their victims. The officers also demanded additional ransom from the victims’ families before releasing them.

Following their arrest by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abayi, an investigation and Orderly Room Trial were conducted, which confirmed their involvement in the crime. Their dismissal follows the administrative disciplinary measures taken by the Abia State Police Command, and their service accoutrements have been retrieved.

CP Danladi Isa reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for corruption and unprofessional conduct, emphasizing that discipline and professionalism remain the foundation of the Nigeria Police Force. He assured the public that the command under his leadership would not tolerate any form of misconduct and remains committed to upholding the vision of the Inspector General of Police for a people-friendly and law-abiding force.


The dismissed officers and their civilian accomplices will face prosecution as part of the command’s efforts to maintain law and order in Abia State.

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