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Bello, Co-Defendants Didn’t Pay For Property, EFCC Witness Alleges
The two other defendants are Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The Second Prosecution Witness, Segun Adeleke, in the alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has told the Federal Capital Territory High court, that the ex-governor and his co-defendants never paid for a property at Efab company.
The two other defendants are Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
During the day’s proceedings, Adeleke added that he had no dealings with the three defendants throughout the transactions on the property.
When asked to also confirm if the names of the defendants appeared on any of the transaction documents, the witness, who is a manager at Efab Property Limited, said he did not know any of the three defendants.
The First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Fabian Nwora, had also earlier confirmed to the court that none of the three defendants in the case paid money into the account of his company, Efab Property Limited.
Nwora said he knows the former governor, but maintained that his name did not feature in the transaction being referred to.
He said he opened negotiations on the said property but that the negotiations were concluded by Segun Adeleke, who is the EFCC’s second witness (PW2).
Nwora had at a previous hearing testified that he was invited to the EFCC on February 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property on a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama, noting that it was the said Shehu who approached him for the property.
The PW2, Adeleke, while being examined by the Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), reiterated that, in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, gave him the brief of the property, which Shehu Bello showed interest in.
He said the deal was concluded, and N500 million was paid for the said property.
When the prosecution lawyer asked what happened afterwards, the witness said Shehu Bello returned to their office, with the agreement, to tell his chairman that he was no longer interested in the property as a result of the EFCC investigation.
The EFCC lawyer also asked about some documents issued to one Nuhu Muhammed with respect to a property in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory.
The witness confirmed that the documents were issued to the said Nuhu Muhammed after he purchased one of the units of the detached bungalows.
At that point, the Counsel to the Defence, Joseph Daudu (SAN), objected, saying there was a clear disconnect between the documents sought to be tendered and the foundation laid by the witness himself.
The Prosecution, however, said the objection was misconceived, and it was subsequently overruled by the Judge.
Responding, while being cross-examined by the Defence Counsel, the witness confirmed that he had testified to similar evidence at the Federal High Court before Justice Emeka Nwite.
He admitted that he was brought into the transaction after the process had commenced, that he did not initiate it.
Daudu, SAN, told the witness that while giving evidence before Justice Nwite, he had said that funds for the said property at Gwarinpa were transferred at once.
He added that he had now contradicted himself before Justice Anenih by saying it was done in two tranches.
The witness said it was in two tranches and that he had receipts, but admitted later that he did not know Nuhu Muhammed.
Another witness, on subpoena, Mrs. Williams Abimbola, tendered the statement of account of Kogi State Government House, along with the Certificate of Identification.
The defence counsels said they would speak to the document appropriately in the course of the trial.
After listening to both parties, Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case to October 8, 9, and November 12, 13, 2025, for continuation of the hearing.
Channelstv.com
The Senate has amended its internal rules that restricted the eligibility of those interested in the Senate presidency to a few.
This is as the new rules indicated that only members of the 10th National Assembly, who returned to the Chamber after the 2027 election, can become principal officers in the 11th assembly.
The decision was reached after a marathon closed-door session that was publicly criticised by Senator Adams Oshiomhole from Edo state.
The Senate has made a major shift to its internal rules as it amended its standing orders to restrict the eligibility of candidates for the office of the Senate President to only members of the 10th National Assembly.
The move came after a marathon closed-door session where the lawmakers agreed on new criteria that prioritise parliamentary hierarchy and experience. Under the revised rules, only senators who have been in the national assembly would be able to contest for principal offices.
According to Channels TV, the new law stated that at least one of the two terms must be the immediate term before the nomination, a move that effectively narrowed the field of contenders.
The amended Order 4 of the Senate reads:
“Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
“This means that only senators currently serving under the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s leadership of the 10th Assembly who secured their re-election in the 2027 general elections would be able to contest for the Senate presidency and other principal offices.
According to the Senate, the development was intended to strengthen adherence to the tradition of ranking within the Upper legislative chamber
Daily voice.ng earlier reported that Senate President Godswil Akpabio has blamed the insecurity in the country on the upcoming elections, and predicted improvement after the polls.
However, some critics of the claim have challenged Akpabio’s views and highlighted the need for peace ahead of elections.
At the same time, public reactions have revealed mixed feelings on security and Akpabio’s optimistic outlook ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed fresh criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in the state.
According to court documents filed at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17, the anti-graft agency brought 11 counts against the former governor and the other defendants under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
A former Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, disclosed the development in a post on his Facebook page.
Ramalan said El-Rufai and the seven other accused persons would soon face the new charges.
The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68bn CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it claimed lacked the required competence.
The commission also alleged that several large sums were received and transferred between 2017 and 2022 by individuals and companies linked to the project.
The firms mentioned include Singularity Network Security Limited and other companies allegedly connected to the CCTV security project.
Others named in the case include a former Kaduna State government official, Jimi Lawal; senior executives of IHS Towers; and five companies.
One of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was also mentioned in the allegations but was not listed as a defendant.
The fresh charge is the third set of charges filed by the ICPC against the former governor since March.
El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments.
He had denied wrongdoing in earlier court appearances.
Other agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are also investigating or prosecuting him over separate allegations.
A statement by former President Goodluck Jonathan has been read before the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom in the ongoing trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The statement was presented during proceedings on Tuesday, according to BBC reports.
In the statement, Jonathan said it was not unusual for third parties to make payments on behalf of ministers during official overseas duties.
“Any properly incurred incidental or in-kind assistance from third parties would be recorded and reimbursed where applicable,” the former president was quoted as saying.
He also confirmed that he approved Alison-Madueke’s use of private jets for certain foreign trips.
Alison-Madueke, who served as minister of petroleum resources from 2010 to 2015, is standing trial alongside Olatimbo Ayinde and Doye Agama.
They are facing a five-count charge bordering on accepting bribes but have all pleaded not guilty.
Earlier in the trial, prosecutors accused the former minister of accepting luxury goods and access to high-end properties from individuals seeking favourable treatment in oil contracts.
They alleged that the benefits were provided in exchange for influence within the petroleum sector.
Counsel to Alison-Madueke, Jonathan Laidlaw, told the court that his client had no real influence over the award of oil contracts during her time in office.
Meanwhile, Nigerian businessman Igho Sanomi and Ghanaian businessman Kevin Okyere have denied allegations of bribery.
Their statements, read in court, indicated that payments made on behalf of the former minister were later reimbursed.
Okyere stated that he paid about £3,900 for items purchased by Alison-Madueke in 2014, adding that the money was later refunded in cash.
Sanomi also said items he purchased on behalf of the former minister were reimbursed, insisting that his companies secured contracts through fair competition.
The trial is ongoing, with further proceedings expected as the court continues to examine evidence and witness statements.
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