Connect with us

Politics

Desperate opposition figures in Kogi behind calls for Yahaya Bello’s arrest despite court process – Activists

Published

on

Desperate opposition figures in Kogi behind calls for Yahaya Bello's arrest despite court process - Activists

Desperate opposition figures in Kogi behind calls for Yahaya Bello’s arrest despite court process – Activists

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That CSOs raise alarm over alleged plots by desperate politicians to use gunmen in military uniform to attack Bello’s residences

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desperate opposition figures in Kogi behind calls for Yahaya Bello's arrest despite court process - Activists

 

 

 

 

Hundreds of activists, on Saturday, stormed the streets of Lagos to protest alleged underground moves by some desperate opposition figures in Kogi State as well as other perceived political enemies to unleash terror on the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, using the platform of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 

The activists, who addressed a press conference and also staged a huge rally, condemned calls by a group called Zero Corruption Agenda in collaboration with another group, Kogites United Against Corruption, for the EFCC to ignore court orders guaranteing Bello’s fundamental human rights and effect an arrest despite the ongoing court process.

 

While raising the alarm that there were speculations going around that some desperate politicians were “even allegedly planning to use gunmen dressed in fake military uniforms to attack Yahaya Bello’s residences”, they called on the police and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant to prevent anarchy in the country.

 

According to them, many Nigerians already suspect that the alleged “endless attack on the former Governor, his family members and even innocent children by the EFCC in the most unprofessional way, despite revelations that showed he was actually protected by the law, have deep political undertones.

 

Comrade Segun Abegunde, who briefed the press on behalf of the CSOs, under the joint umbrella of Citizens Action Against Lawlessness, insisted that the desperation by some opposition figures and Yahaya Bello’s political enemies to hide under the purported fight against corruption to call for the arrest of a man who has a court order for his fundamental human rights to be protected and who is already in court with the EFCC, “almost confirms this insinuation of an evil plan against him by some interested politicians, using the EFCC platform.”

 

“This is not difficult to detect, having seen the composition of the so-called Kogites who made these curious calls, even in London. The videos exposed their ethnic leaning as they were speaking the language of the aggrieved politicians in Kogi State,” the activists said.

 

They alleged that opposition political parties were using the EFCC to fight political battles in Kogi State and called on the ruling Party to be vigilant.

 

“The tribunal judgement on the last governorship election in Kogi State is coming up on Monday May 27th. The desperation by the opposition to have Yahaya Bello in custody has increased exponentially as that date approaches. There seems to be a determination to either keep him out of circulation while they try to steal APC’s mandate in the state or to completely eliminate him for whatever reasons only known to them.

 

“Also, considering the way and manner the EFCC chairman has taken the Yahaya Bello matter so personal, it is glaring that a Yahaya Bello in the custody of the EFCC is not going to be safe at all,” they stated.

 

Abegunde said, “The courts are there to mediate between government and citizens and between two or more contending interests and the court’s intervention is sacrosanct until overturned by a superior Court.

 

“The rallies, both home and abroad, calling for jettisoning of the due process of law and for the EFCC to arrest Yahaya Bello, court orders or no court orders, sponsored by the opposition and his political enemies within, are not only reckless but dangerous to our polity and absolutely condemnable.

 

“Such calls have now given credence to the allegations that some powerful political forces are after Yahaya Bello, not because of corruption allegations, but that they are actually after his life. What have the military got to do with the EFCC that a group would be calling for military intervention to arrest a single citizen in a case where he is already a defendant?”

 

Emphasising the urgent need for President Bola Tinubu to call the anti-graft body to order before it is too late, the CSOs pointed out that the so-called Kogites call for the commission to use military force to arrest the former governor, even when his date to appear in court had already been fixed, was not only reckless but dangerous to the nation’s polity.

 

“There is even a speculation going around now, which may be credible, that some desperate politicians are even allegedly planning to use gunmen dressed in fake military uniforms to attack Yahaya Bello’s residences.

 

“We call on the police and other relevant security agencies to be vigilant. We also call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately call EFCC to order. The Commission seems to have offered its platform for enemies of the former governor to execute their plans against him and the President must wade in, especially with the facts on ground that EFCC has displayed flagrant disregard for the rule of law, all the way, in handling this matter.

 

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to, as a matter of urgency, call the EFCC to order with a view to staying off political interference. The Commission should concentrate strictly on its anti-corruption mandate by staying within the enabling laws that established it. The EFCC should not be identified with promoting anarchy, no matter what.

 

“The court processes should be allowed to run their course without disruption. That is when democracy and rule of law can be said to be functioning in our nation,” the activists stressed.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Politics

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Published

on

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

 

Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.

Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.

However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

Continue Reading

Politics

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Published

on

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Lands Bureau to appear before it to provide clarity on previous allocations and recurring land-related issues. It also approved land compensation for communities where the state government acquired lands for public use.

At plenary last Thursday, the House adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Business on a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the petition of Ladaba Community” presented by Hon. Noheem Adams.

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Following the presentation of the report, the House unanimously adopted the recommendations as its resolution by asking the bureau to appear before it with proper documents to explain the status of lands acquired by the state. The committee also recommended that the bureau issue excision/allocation letters to the 68 affected communities, while their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) should be ready within one month of the House’s resolution.

Members who lent their voices to the matter commended the committee for ensuring they got justice for the affected communities and suggested that their compensation should be increased from 20% to 25%.

In his summation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa acknowledged the need for increased compensation but noted that the state government has its plans. Particularly, he endorsed the allocation of 20% (2,000 hectares) of the 10,000 hectares acquired by the state government as compensation.

Speaker Obasa further recommended that the committee should collaborate with the Lands Bureau, Office of the State Surveyor General, and New Towns Development Authority for the effective implementation of the recommendations.

The Lagos State Lands Bureau is responsible for land administration and management. It oversees key activities such as land allocation, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), land registration, and the management of state-owned lands.

Its primary goals include ensuring equitable and transparent land transactions, facilitating urban planning, and supporting economic development by maintaining an organized system of land ownership. The bureau also handles disputes related to land and implements policies to optimize land use while protecting public interests.

Continue Reading

Politics

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

Published

on

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

 

 

Two women with two distinct destinies. One, Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, is a political luminary and steadfast advocate for the marginalized. The other is Aisha Achimugu, a trailblazing entrepreneur who conquered the male-dominated oil and gas sector, yet wears her heart on her sleeve for humanity.

 

 

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan 

 

Though their paths differ, their souls converge in two profound ways: an unyielding passion for women’s empowerment and a lifelong covenant with charity.

 

 

For Oluremi, empowering women and uplifting the vulnerable is not merely a mission—it’s her oxygen. From founding the New Era Foundation as Lagos’ First Lady to launching her Renewed Hope Initiative as Nigeria’s First Lady—a platform championing youth and girl-child education and spearheading transformative projects like the Community ICT Hub—she has turned biblical compassion into action. Her unalloyed commitment to charitable virtues shone brightly during the commissioning of the hub in Ibadan, a Federal Government collaboration under her RHI that bridges the digital divide for thousands, revealing a heart that beats for the forgotten.

 

 

 

In Aisha Achimugu, Oluremi unknowingly finds a kindred spirit. Aisha’s SAM Empowerment Foundation has illuminated the futures of countless Nigerian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training, transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities. Her compassion radiates beyond borders, driven by a pan-African vision to uplift communities wherever the need arises. Whether empowering women in Nigeria’s underserved regions or advocating for sustainable livelihoods across the continent, Aisha’s mantra—“When God has blessed you, be a blessing to others”— resounds in every act of service. From rebuilding lives shattered by poverty to fostering dignity through education, her golden heart has become a beacon of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable.

 

 

 

Yet, their journeys have not been without storms. Both women have endured savage media trials—unfairly judged, their reputations scrutinized. Society often forgets: behind the headlines are mothers, leaders, and humanitarians whose “crimes” are loving too fiercely and giving too generously. They are imperfect, as all humans are, but in their relentless generosity, they mirror the very best of what humanity can be.

 

 

 

To Oluremi and Aisha: Your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to your unbreakable spirits. When cynics question your motives, remember the girls now coding in Ibadan’s ICT Hub, the mothers reclaiming their futures through vocational training, and the orphans who see you as their lifeline. Do not relent. For every life you touch—whether through education, healthcare, or the quiet restoration of dignity—a ripple of hope spreads. Your legacies are not etched in headlines but in healed hearts and transformed destinies.

 

 

We see you. We celebrate you. And we beg you: keep shining.

Continue Reading

Cover Of The Week

Trending