Crime & Court
₦80bn Fraud Allegations: Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello’s Arraignment Adjourned to June 27
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the arraignment of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in an alleged money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The adjournment, agreed upon by both parties’ lawyers, shifts the proceedings to June 27, 2024.
Originally scheduled for today, June 13, 2024, the arraignment was deferred after the EFCC’s legal team indicated inconvenience with the date, according to Adeola Adedipe, counsel to Bello.
He disclosed that an agreement was reached among all parties that June 27 would be more suitable for the arraignment.
Speaking in court, Adedipe expressed surprise over what he perceived as a communication breakdown within the EFCC’s prosecution team, led by Kemi Phinhero and represented in court by Rotimi Oyedepo.
Oyedepo, however, stated that he was unaware of any off-court meetings or the decision to adjourn Bello’s arraignment.
In response, Justice Emeka Nwite accepted the lawyers’ undertaking that Bello would appear in court on the new date, despite the unconventional manner in which the adjournment was agreed upon.
The judge emphasized the importance of adhering to judicial undertakings.
Yahaya Bello served as Kogi State Governor from January 27, 2016, until January 27, 2024, when he handed over to his successor, Usman Ododo, both of whom are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The EFCC’s attempt to arrest Bello on April 17, 2024, at his Abuja residence was thwarted when Usman Ododo reportedly intervened and removed Bello from the scene.
Subsequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, warning against obstruction of its operations, a stance supported by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who urged Bello to surrender himself.
A top Namibian court on Friday struck down the African country’s colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex relationships, in a victory for the LGBTQ community.
The high court in the capital, Windhoek, declared the crimes of “sodomy” and “unnatural sexual offences” as “unconstitutional and invalid” in a ruling hailed by LGBTQ rights groups.
“We are not persuaded that in a democratic society such as ours… it is reasonably justifiable to make an activity criminal just because a segment, maybe a majority, of the citizenry consider it to be unacceptable,” the judges wrote.
The judgement overturns rarely enforced laws dating back to 1927, which Namibia inherited from the colonial era but maintained after gaining independence from South Africa in 1990.
“Because of this decision, I no longer feel like a criminal on the run in my own country simply because of who I am,” said Friedel Dausab, the activist who brought the case.
London-based Human Dignity Trust called the ruling “historic”.
“LGBT Namibians can now look to a brighter future,” said its chief executive, Tea Braun.
The verdict comes against a backdrop of growing intolerance towards LGBTQ rights in southern Africa.
While a handful of African countries have legalised same-sex relationships, South Africa remains the sole African nation that allows gay marriage, legalised in 2006.
The United Nations AIDS program, UNAIDS, said the ruling marked a “significant victory for equality and human rights”.
“This decision… is a powerful step towards a more inclusive Namibia,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS regional director for East and Southern Africa.
In a disturbing incident in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, suspected gunmen have abducted a pregnant woman who was on her way to the State General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta.
The victim, identified as Mrs Rahmatullah Ogunbunmi, was reportedly kidnapped on Thursday by unidentified armed men.
According to Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, the case was reported by Mr Ogunbunmi Lateef, husband of the abducted woman.
Lateef stated that his wife, who was due for delivery, had left their home in Oke Lantoro for the hospital when the abduction occurred.
Quoting. Mr. Lateef, Odutola said, “One Ogunbunmi Lateef of Oke Lantoro reported that his pregnant wife due for delivery left home for State Hospital Ijaiye Abeokuta.”
The abduction has sent shockwaves through the community, with family members and locals expressing concern over the safety of Mrs Ogunbunmi.
Lateef reportedly received a WhatsApp message notifying him of his wife’s abduction, further intensifying the distress of the family.
The Ogun State Police Command has assured the public that efforts are underway to rescue Mrs Ogunbunmi and apprehend the perpetrators. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has declared the creation of the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as unconstitutional and illegal.
The judgment, delivered by Justice A.O Adebusuoye, dealt a significant blow to the legacy of the late governor, asserting that the LCDAs were not lawfully established under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
The controversy stemmed from Governor Akeredolu’s decision in September 2023 to sign into law a bill passed by the State House of Assembly, which created the 33 LCDAs.
This move, aimed at decentralizing governance and bringing development closer to the grassroots, was met with legal challenges questioning its legality.
The LCDAs, although intended to operate alongside the existing 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, effectively increased the administrative units to a total of 51.
This restructuring was part of Akeredolu’s governance agenda during his tenure, marked by his background as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and former Attorney General of Ondo State.
Governor Akeredolu, who served from February 24, 2017, until his untimely demise on December 27, 2023, was succeeded by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was promptly sworn in to continue leading the state.
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