society
FEATURE: How Long Will Yahaya Bello Continue With This Lawless Act? By Richards Ibe
Published
1 week agoon
FEATURE: How Long Will Yahaya Bello Continue With This Lawless Act?
By Richards Ibe
The ex-Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who handed over to the current governor of the state, Usman Ododo in January this year after his two terms of four-years-tenure, has consistently been in the news in the past eight months.
It has been from one drama to the other bordering on his stewardship and how he handled the affairs of the state under his tenure.
Bello, who was alleged to have defrauded the state to the tune of N84 billion during his tenure, have done everything in and out of the books to avoid his trial spearheaded by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Thursday, March 14, 2024, the EFCC had dragged the former governor before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84 billion money laundering offences, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu.
The Anti-graft agency was prosecuting the quartet on an amended 17-count charge of money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of fund to tune of N84, 062,406,089.88 (Eighty-four Billion, Sixty-two Million, Four Hundred and Six Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo).
To make way for Yahaya Bello’s inclusion in the trial, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court of an application before it for the amendment of the charges against the defendants, dated February 5, 2024, and filed the same day.
After prayers that the amended charges be read to the defendants for them to take their pleas, the judge had granted the prayer, overruling objections from A.M Aliyu SAN, and Olusegun Joolawo SAN, counsels to Ali Bello and Suleiman, first and second defendants.
Count one of the charges had read: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman, Yahaya Adoza Bello (still at large) and Abdulsalam Hudu (still at large), sometime in September, 2015 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty-six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty-nine Naira, Eighty-eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.”
Also distancing itself from the proceeds of fraud, the American International School, Abuja had in April 2024 refunded to the EFCC the sum of $760,000 paid by Yahaya Bello as advanced school fees for his children at the tail end of his administration as governor of Kogi State.
Bello was alleged to have paid $720,000 in advance as fees for five of his children in Grade Levels 2 to 8 in the school from the coffers of the Kogi State Government.
Confirming the development in April, the EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, had declared “The school has refunded the entire $760, 000 to the EFCC’s recovery account,”
Going into hiding, Yahaya Bello had severally refused to appear in court in person to clear the allegations raised against him.
Some eminent Nigerians had pleaded with Yahaya Bello to come out and answer the charges against him and that he should not be giving former governors bad name.
One of those who gave the advice was the immediate-past governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, on Sunday, 28th of April 2024.
Speaking at a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Makurdi, Benue State during the thanksgiving service organised by his aides for his 63rd birthday celebration, Ortom advised Bello to come out of hiding and answer his case with the EFCC.
Ortom had said that Yahaya Bello’s continued hiding would bring disgrace to former governors across the country.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise my younger brother and friend, Governor Yahaya Bello, not to disgrace former governors.
“You don’t need to hide. You don’t need to resist arrest or anything. Go there and respond. The EFCC (officials) are human beings. If they are making inquiries, the laws are there.
“I have tried to get him on the phone, but I could not. I have tried those around him but I could not, so I want this to be noted. Wherever he is, if he can hear me, thank God the press is here, he should come out.” Ortom had stated.
Even though immunity no longer covers the ex-Governor, he has reportedly been assisted to evade arrest by his successor, Kogi State Governor Ododo, presently enjoying immunity as the sitting governor of the North Central state.
To ensure that justice is served, some eminent Nigerians have also called on Governor Ododo to hand over Yahaya Bello to the law for prosecution.
A political activist, Usman Okai Austin had cautioned Governor Ododo against being hypocritical and obstructing anti-graft war.
He had charged Ododo to demonstrate his dedication to fighting corruption by taking concrete steps to hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC for investigation.
In a statement, Okai had also questioned Ododo’s commitment to fighting corruption, particularly in light of allegations that he is protecting Bello.
He criticized the enacted Kogi State anti-corruption Bill under Ododo, as he accused Ododo of hypocrisy and labeled the legislation as a mockery of the entire anti-corruption system.
Okai cited and faulted an occasion when Ododo was reportedly seen “accompanying Bello to a Sallah celebration in Okene, despite Bello’s alleged involvement in corrupt activities.
“This perceived complicity has raised concerns about the governor’s true intentions in the fight against corruption and has prompted calls for him to take decisive action to uphold the rule of law.
“As a prominent figure in Kogi State politics, it is imperative that governor Ododo addresses these concerns and takes concrete steps to demonstrate his commitment to combating corruption and promoting good governance in Kogi State.
“Despite his declaration to ‘attack corrupt practices and make it impossible for corruption to thrive,’ his actions suggest otherwise.
“To genuinely demonstrate his dedication to fighting corruption, Governor Ododo must take concrete steps, such as handing Yahaya Bello over to the EFCC for investigation.
“Until then, his actions will be seen as hypocritical and obstructing the anti-corruption war.
“We urge Governor Ododo to practice what he preaches and take meaningful action against corruption by handing over the wanted Bello to the EFCC.”
A popular activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju also charged Governor Ododo to hand over his predecessor, Yahaya Bello to the EFCC for trial.
“Ododo, the impunity-loving governor of Kogi State should hand over Yahaya Bello to the EFCC to face trial for all his corrupt acts.” Adeyanju wrote on his Facebook page.
While Ododo has failed to heed the advice, the anti-graft agency has been seeking ways to bring Yahaya Bello to justice.
In an attempt to bring the ex-Governor to justice, some EFCC operatives had on Wednesday 17th of April 2024 stormed Yahaya Bello’s Abuja home at Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Ododo had reportedly assisted in whisking away Bello in his official car from the scene to evade the arrest.
Kicking against the EFCC move, the ex-governor’s media office, in a statement, had claimed that the presence of the operatives in Bello’s residence negated the order of injunction granted on February 9, 2024, by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division, in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Yahaya Bello v. EFCC, restraining the commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting him, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.
Despite Yahaya Bello been declared wanted and going into hiding for several months, especially after the sting operation in his Abuja home, he is reported to be perpetually hanging around his successor Ododo to evade arrest.
On Wednesday September 18th 2024, Yahaya Bello came out of hiding for months and visited the EFCC office in the company of Ododo.
At the EFCC office, he was said to have snapped pictures with security guards, and to create the impression that he has turned himself in to the anti-graft agency.
But the EFCC was said to have been hindered from arresting Yahaya Bello as Ododo’s governorship immunity prevented the operatives from taking further action.
Doing otherwise, would have resulted in confrontation between the security personnel protecting the governor and the anti-graft agency, which may lead to gun duel and lost of lives.
Speaking on the latest development on Wednesday, EFCC officials said Ododo helped Bello to escape again just like in April.
One of the officials said, “Yahaya Bello has not been arrested. The Kogi State governor prevented operatives from doing their work yesterday just like he did the other time. He took him away and our men could not do anything because of the immunity he (Ododo) is enjoying.”
In another attempt to get Bello to answer the charges against him, EFCC operatives again on the same night of Wednesday September 18th 2024 stormed the Kogi State Government Lodge in Abuja.
Yahaya Bello, again was reported to have evaded arrest by EFCC operatives with the assistance of his successor, Governor Ododo, leveraging on the immunity being enjoyed by Ododo as a sitting governor.
Apart from Ododo’s immunity covering, which Yahaya Bello has been hiding under in the past eight months, some questions are also now on the lips of some well-meaning Nigerians.
Topmost of these questions is if Yahaya Bello is also getting support and protection from another influencial personality in the Presidency, who has security background.
With these dodging of the law going on for months, it is hightime the fight against corruption in the country is really allowed to thrive.
As a matter of urgency, Yahaya Bello should immediately turn himself in for the N84 billion money laundering trial.
He should have nothing to fear if his hands are clean and has served the people of Kogi State to the best of his ability for eight years.
Even though Bello played a great role in Ododo’s emergence as the governor of Kogi State, Ododo should now start concentrating on serving the good people of Kogi State as he has sworn to do and allow Bello to carry his cross and face the course of the law.
Any other influential person backing Yahaya Bello in the Presidency, irrespective of whatever he has gained from Bello in the past, should also stop forthwith in order not to soil the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who didn’t shy away from suspending a Minister linked to corruption.
Related
Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]
society
Why Do I Consistently Mention ErukuCity Plus Parental Guidance?
Published
1 hour agoon
October 3, 2024Why Do I Consistently Mention ErukuCity Plus Parental Guidance?
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
Your heritage or background plays an undeniable role in shaping your life, regardless of whether you recognize its impact. Generally, people in Lagos, abroad, or worldwide have a historical ancestry or family lineage. You can quote me anywhere.
When individuals of high stature forget their humble beginnings, they potentially forfeit the opportunity to impart valuable life lessons to their children and inadvertently become educated yet culturally uninformed
ErukuCity, located within Ekiti Local Government of Kwara State, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, agricultural excellence, impressive sports records, robust security measures, quality educational institutions, and considerable influence on Kwara State politics, which I aim to highlight in an upcoming project celebrating my hometown’s exceptional qualities.
My origins trace back to ErukuCity, where I was raised in a Muslim family with deep ties to hunting and farming. The influential legacy of Balogun Dodondawa is prominent in our family history and throughout ErukuCity. Efforts are soon to be made to compile and highlight the late Balogun’s contributions to the community.
Under Parental Guidance And Wisdom, I Began My Journey:
In our adolescent years, while residing in our hometown, our parents frequently advised us to develop a practical proficiency or business venture, confident that it would enhance, not hinder, our educational aspirations
Whenever our parents mentioned this, I felt growing frustration with their ideology, believing their lack of education contributed to their premature advocacy for vocational skills as a supplemental income stream
It never occurred to me that our parents had a profound understanding of the potential challenges the country would face in the future. During my JSS 3 year at Methodist High School in ErukuCity, I distinctly recall a particular evening when my parents summoned me, saying, ‘Oluwaseun, we recognize your exceptional abilities, calm demeanor, and promising future. As individuals who were deprived of educational opportunities, with only a few graduates in our family and lacking vocational skills, we urge you to acquire a trade or skill while pursuing your education, as it will be invaluable to you and future generations.’ Despite my parents’ efforts to dissuade me, I remained resolute, stressing that I would not compromise my academic goals initially, and subsequently, I might establish a reliable alternative source of financial support or a secondary contingency plan.
Ultimately, with our parents’ passing, we, the next generation, remain; significantly, some of us have come to appreciate and integrate the counsel offered in the 80s, following our academic accomplishments.
Considering the current economic landscape in Nigeria and Africa, it is clear that sole reliance on one income stream precludes wealth accumulation, thus necessitating the cultivation of an alternative income source, or ‘plan B.’ My upbringing and heritage have been instrumental in my professional journey, and I remain grateful for the foundational values they have imparted.
I am deeply grateful to my late parents and the entire Eruku community for their invaluable support, which has profoundly influenced my personal and professional progress.
The forthcoming Part 2 will examine the outstanding heritage and notable accomplishments of the late Balogun Dodondawa in fostering the expansion and transformation of Eruku City.
Hello, I’m Oluwaseun Fabiyi, a journalist writes from Lagos.
Related
society
Lawyers, CSOs kick as 2,412 protesters rot in detention
Published
7 hours agoon
October 3, 2024Lawyers, CSOs kick as 2,412 protesters rot in detention
Lawyers and civil society organisations, CSOs, yesterday, decried the continued detention and incarceration of #EndBadGovernance protesters two months after the August 1-10 protests across the country.
As of last night, most of the detained protesters are yet to be prosecuted, with minors among those held in captivity in Police, Department of State Service, DSS, facilities or prisons.
Although some minors, who were arrested during the protest, have been released on bail, others are in the process of being granted bail, Vanguard’s checks showed.
40 charged to court in Nasarawa
In Nasarawa State for instance, of the 50 protesters arrested, 10 minors have been freed, while 40 adults have been charged to court, according to Police PRO, DSP Ranhan Nansel.
109 arrested in Sokoto
In Sokoto where 109 protesters were arrested, Attorney-General of the state, Nasiru Binji, said a significant number had been released on bail, while the rest were in prison custody.
6 freed in Kaduna
Similarly, in Kaduna State, six of those arrested have been freed on the order of the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, while three others have been charged to court.
Details on 600 in Kano uncertain
The situation in Kano State is alarming, as no fewer than 600 protesters (including 76, who displayed Russian flags) were arrested and later transferred to Police Force headquarters in Abuja. While it was gathered that many of them have been charged to court and bailed, the number of those still in detention could not be ascertained at press time.
The Director of Public Prosecution, DPP in Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir, said they were still compiling the details.
390 await freedom in Jigawa
However, in Jigawa State, of the 419 protesters arrested, 390 have been arraigned in court, as 29 have been released, according to Police PRO DSP, Lawan Adam.
Unclear situation over 9 in Zamfara, 97 in Borno
In Zamfara, the Police PRO, Yazid Abubakar, said nine protesters had been charged to court, but said he does not know if they were detained or granted bail by the court.
In Borno, 97 protesters were arrested during the protest but their condition remains unclear at the time of this report.
In Yobe, of the 51 arrests made during the protest, 35 have been sent to Potiskum Prison, while the rest are being detained by the police. The minors among them, are to be freed on bail.
No freedom for 23 detainees in Niger
In Niger State, 23 persons were arrested, out of which six have been arraigned and sentenced to jail terms, while 17 are in police custody.
1,090 yet to be prosecuted in Abuja
In the Federal capital territory, FCT, Abuja, no fewer than 1,100 were arrested, but only 10 have been arraigned.
Additionally, the hundreds of Northern youths who brandished Russian flags during the protests have not been arraigned, neither has the tailor who mass-produced and distributed the flags.
Those on trial for participating in the protest are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
Trial Justice Emeka Nwite remanded the defendants in prison custody, pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
51 freed in Plateau
The 51 protesters who were arrested in Plateau State for breaching the law on curfew but not on hunger strike, have all been freed.
There were, however, no arrests in Benue, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kwara and Kogi states, as many of the states adopted some strategies to prevent their citizens from joining the protests.
@VANGUARD
Related
Health/Beauty
Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation
Published
7 hours agoon
October 3, 2024Doctor Warns On The Danger Of Excessive Masturbation
A British doctor has warned that excessive masturbation is behind the rise of male health problems.
In moderation, self-pleasure helps to reduce stress, and improve sleep quality and mood, but it can become ‘an unhealthy habit’ and trigger a form of erectile dysfunction, says Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
‘Overall, there’s no strict rule or guideline on how much people should masturbate.’
‘But when masturbation gets out of hand, there’s a variety of ways it can impact sexual and physical health.’
A key concern is the rise of porn use: half of adults in the UK now access graphic material online, according to a recent survey by media watchdog Ofcom, and Dr Grant links this to the rise in porn-induced erectile dysfunction, or PIED.
Up to 50 percent of adult men suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction, according to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. It is often associated with obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes but can also have no obvious cause. One lesser-known culprit could be PIED, claims Dr Grant.
‘PIED is a type of erectile dysfunction that stems from an unhealthy consumption of pornography.
‘This unhealthy porn usage can lead to desensitisation, making it more difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection — as they’re used to more intense sexual activity seen on screen.
‘It can lead to reduced interest in sex with actual partners as men prioritise porn and masturbation instead.’
More worryingly, Dr Grant warns that compulsive masturbation could trigger physical changes that affect intimacy.
‘Compulsive masturbation can lead to reduced sensitivity in the genital area, making it more difficult to achieve sexual pleasure or stimulation.
‘It can occur when nerve endings become damaged from too much activity, creating a loss of sensitivity.
‘This can also impact individuals who masturbate too roughly, causing potential friction damage.
‘Thankfully, this is a short-term issue and factors such as taking breaks or utilising lubricants can help restore sensitivity.
‘And thankfully, there are a range of treatments available to men who are struggling with ED, helping them manage a healthy sex life and achieve erections with ease.’
Dr Grant added that ‘over-masturbating’ can be damaging in other ways.
It can cause men and women to become ‘hyper-focused on their own pleasure, meaning when the time comes for sexual intercourse with a partner, individuals could experience performance anxiety, which directly impacts sex drive.’
The question of how much is too much is subjective, he admitted.
‘Masturbation habits can differ largely from person to person with some people doing it daily, weekly or not at all.
‘It’s important to monitor the sexual activity to ensure it doesn’t interfere with social lives, work or relationships.
‘Additionally, discomfort or injury is usually a telltale sign that the masturbation sessions are becoming too much and harming health.
‘It’s important to maintain a healthy but sensible sex life through masturbation, ensuring it’s not at the expense of daily activities.
‘Some people can even experience mental distress due to guilt or shame relating to their masturbation — this can stem from porn usage or other factors, but can have a big effect on people’s mental well-being.
‘Overall, common sense is required to ensure it remains a recreational activity without interfering with other aspects of daily life.’
Related
Trending
-
news6 months ago
PROFILE OF VICTORIA AKAI
-
society6 months ago
$87m Theft Case: Abayomi Oluwasesan, Wife Re-arrested, Remanded In Prison As Court Demands Stringent Bail Conditions (Video)
-
Business6 months ago
Afriq Arbitrage System Slams $10 million Lawsuit Against Micheal Okoh, Prince Humble Eteng, Hajj Ibrahim, Engineer Awajioma and Others (Video)
-
Business5 months ago
Maxwell Opara Goofed Says AAS Investors As They Stand By Jesam Michael, Demand For Justice