The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) has denied having the embattled former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, in its custody.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, Bello is not in the custody of the anti-graft agency and remains a wanted man.

The EFCC added that the subsisting warrant of arrest for Bello over an alleged ₦80.2billion money laundering charges remains in place.

“Media reports today that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody.

“Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest,” Oyewale said.

The position of the anti-graft agency differs from an earlier statement from Bello’s media office, which claims the former Governor honoured the EFCC invitation after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies, asserting that he has “nothing to hide.”

This development comes after a history of resistance from Bello, who had previously evaded multiple EFCC invitations and faced a dramatic scene at his Abuja residence.

The EFCC had even obtained a warrant for his arrest, but intervention from his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, had staved off immediate action.

Bello currently faces a 19-count alleged money laundering charge, with his trial adjourned until September 25.

The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have threatened that its members would embark on strike unless their demands are met.

The university unions threatened to embark on a fresh strike in three weeks’ time unless the government meets their demands.

In a statement jointly signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, the unions noted that an initial 10-day grace period given to the government to meet their demands expired on 26th July, 2024 and the government failed to take action.

They added that six weeks after the grace period elapsed, the government has yet to fulfill this obligation.

The unions, therefore threatened that if the federal government fails to act within the new grace period, they’ll be left with no choice than to shut down universities and inter-university centres.

“It is in light of the above that we inform the government of the decision of the National JAC of NASU and SSANU, at the meeting held on 12th September 2024, that the government is given a final three-week ultimatum from Tuesday, 17th September 2024, to pay the four months’ withheld salaries and implement the agreement reached on 20th August 2022. Failing this, our members may be forced to embark on indefinite strike action at the expiration of the ultimatum,” Ibrahim said.

The statement added that, during the National Minimum Wage meeting, President Bola Tinubu had approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries on 18th July 2024, following discussions with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

“We have it on good authority that Mr President approved the payment of the four months’ withheld salaries as far back as 18th July 2024 at the National Minimum Wage meeting with the NLC and TUC leadership.

“Recently, we also heard that Mr President has approved the actual release of the payment. Regrettably, despite these approvals, nothing has been forthcoming,” the statement added.

The unions are demanding, among other things, the payment of four months’ withheld salaries, improved remuneration, earned allowances, and the implementation of the 2009 agreements with the government.

The faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure says Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the party in 2023, and Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, have betrayed it.

The faction is miffed at both men because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refused to recognise Abure as LP national chair.

INEC’s position was contained in a counter affidavit filed in the Abuja federal high court.

The counter affidavit was in response to a suit filed by the Abure-led LP faction which is challenging its exclusion from uploading the names of its party agents on the INEC website for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The electoral commission said Abure’s tenure as national chair of the opposition party expired in June 2024.

In reaction to the development on Wednesday, Obiora Ifoh, spokesperson of the faction, said some of the people who want Abure out did not have money to purchase nomination forms in the build-up to the 2023 election.

“As you are aware, the party has since sued INEC challenging its exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections,” Ifoh said in a statement.

“However, INEC had in a counter-affidavit, filed in response to our suit argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Julius Abure, is now invalid, stressing that it does not recognise the party’s March 2024 National Convention, which re-elected Abure as chairman.

“The leadership of the Labour Party is however miffed by the actions of our leaders including our former presidential candidate Peter Obi and the only Labour Party governor, Dr. Alex Otti who should be defending the party at this auspicious and trying moment.

“They ought to know that the Labour Party is going through these challenging times simply because of its role in defending both leaders during the 2023 general election.

“For the benefit of hindsight, not a few Nigerians will forget how the Labour Party reduced its guards in accommodating some of these leaders when they were denied tickets in their former political parties.

“Today, these leaders are now dancing ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ with us. What a shame, what a betrayal.”

Nenadi Usman, a former senator, has since been appointed as national chair of the LP caretaker committee, following a party stakeholders meeting called by Otti recently.

Obi, and Datti Baba-Ahmed, LP vice-presidential candidate in 2023, were among the top party members that attended the meeting.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies should ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Edo state.

The Edo state off-cycle governorship election will be held on September 21.

Obi spoke on Wednesday during the grand finale of the LP governorship campaign in Benin, the state capital.

The former governor of Anambra called on the people of Edo to vote for Olumide Akpata, the LP governorship candidate.

Obi said Akpata if voted as governor of Edo, would deliver the needed change for the benefit of the masses.

“If elected, the Labour Party’s candidate will address federal roads connected to the state without waiting for the federal government to act,” Obi said.

He added that the era of election rigging is over in Nigeria, noting that “anyone who tries to rig the election would be rigged”.

“Election rigging is coming to an end in this country. This time around, anyone who rigs the election, we will rig him,” he said.

“Nigerians are suffering every day with hardship, and we cannot continue. That is what the Labour Party wants to change.”

Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential elections, asked LP supporters in the state to leverage their numerical strength to ensure the victory of their candidate.

On his part, the LP governorship candidate asked his supporters to use their votes to “chase” the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) out of the Edo government house.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu over the ₦30 billion street fencing project in Sokoto metropolis.

Speaking via a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinawal, the party argued that the project was reckless and a waste of funds.

They subsequently called for an immediate probe into the financial practices of the state government.

The PDP stated its readiness to face any scrutiny regarding the activities of the immediate past administration of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

The party stressed that the former governor, his executive council, and senior officials were prepared to appear before the state’s Commission of Inquiry whenever summoned.

The call for an EFCC investigation follows a petition by the Sokoto State government to the Commission of Inquiry over the alleged diversion of ₦16.1 billion in shares by the previous administration through the state’s investment company.

Counsel to the commission, Amanzi Amanzi, revealed that the proceeds from the sale of government shares between 2018 and 2023 were allegedly unaccounted for.

In response, the PDP decried what it termed the “financial recklessness” of Governor Aliyu, accusing him of spending billions on unnecessary projects such as wire fencing in one of the states hardest hit by the nation’s economic challenges.

The party also pointed to the ₦1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes as another example of mismanagement.

“The people of Sokoto have not yet recovered from the N1.2 billion spent on repairing 25 boreholes, and now the governor has embarked on another wasteful project of fencing streets with an outrageous budget of N30 billion,” the statement read.

The PDP accused the governor of attempting to deflect public attention from his administration’s shortcomings by making false allegations against Senator Tambuwal and his cabinet.

The party maintained that Tambuwal’s administration was the most transparent in Sokoto’s history, as recognized by global assessment agencies.

Nollywood actor, IK Ogbonna has condemned the influx of fake miracles in churches.

Speaking via a post on his Instagram page, the thespian warned that deceiving and exploiting vulnerable people stains the true essence of Christianity.

Ogbonna emphasised that using God’s name for falsehood is a betrayal of the gospel and warned that the consequences of such actions are broken trust, lost lives, and faith manipulated for profit.

He also cautioned against getting carried away by social media trends that disrespect and ridicule faith, stressing that Christianity should never be used as a tool for likes, views, or viral content.

Ogbonna called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the government to step up, regulate, and hold accountable pastors engaging in fraudulent activities.

He wrote: “Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows he will also reap. Fake Miracles Are Mocking Christianity.

“It’s heartbreaking to see pastors using fake miracles to deceive and exploit vulnerable people. These acts stain the true essence of Christianity, turning faith into a spectacle for selfish gain. The consequences? Broken trust lost lives, and faith manipulated for profit.

“To those pastors, it’s time to reflect—using God’s name for falsehood is a betrayal of the gospel. To the victims, remember your faith is sacred, and true miracles don’t come from deception.

“Let’s also be cautious not to get carried away by social media trends that disrespect and ridicule our faith. Christianity should never be used as a tool for likes, views, or viral content.

“I call on the government and religious bodies like the Christian Association of Nigeria to step up, regulate, and hold these bad actors accountable. Christianity is about truth, love, and humility—not fraud, manipulation, or mockery.

“Let’s stand together to protect the integrity of our faith!”.

Nollywood actress in the Yoruba movie industry, Bisola Badmus, has called out famous Fuji singer, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, better known as Kwam1, for not caring for their son, Malik.

Bisola in a recent episode of Talk To B, with her colleague, Biola Adebayo, opened up about her estranged romantic relationship with Kwam1, confirming they had a child together.

The film star claimed the singer stopped performing his responsibilities as a father even though he accepted the child at the beginning.

She said, “From the beginning, he accepted the boy as his son but it changed all of a sudden.

“What I want from K1 is to be responsible for Malik, his son. I just want him to take care of his son.”

Speaking about the battle with brain disease, Bisola said Kwam1’s support was short-lived.

She added, “He didn’t know about my condition earlier because I didn’t tell him. When he knew, he tried his best for a while but stopped at some point”

It would be recalled that in 2023, the movie star opened up about her battle with a brain disease known as encephalopathy.

Biola also revealed that the condition made her stay away from social media.

A thrilling political showdown is unfolding in the heart of Edo state – a hub of diverse cultural traditions and heritage. 

The long-awaited 2024 governorship election is here. With 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo state, the residents are set to decide who will lead them in the next democratic dispensation.

Two accomplished lawyers — Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and Asuerinme Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — are locked in a fierce battle for the governorship seat. Each is armed with a “vision for a path to prosperity” for the state.

Monday Okpebholo, a Nigerian senator and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is also in the race, with his famed ability to cultivate grassroots politics to his advantage. 

As the trio clash in a quest for leadership, the people of Edo stand at a crossroads, poised to decide between the promise of innovative governance, the weight of political experience, and giving in for a third force. 

On September 21, the stage will be set for a captivating electoral contest that will shape the destiny of the state.

Though the electoral race is between 21 candidates, TheCable provides a lowdown on the three major contenders.

ASUE IGHODALO’S ‘PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY’ 

Ighodalo is arguably the strongest contender owing to the endorsement from Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor of Edo.

Apart from the support of the governor and the ruling party in the state, Ighodalo also hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan south-east LGA, which falls under Edo Central, a senatorial district that had reportedly been sidelined from producing a full-tenured governor in the state.

Before his foray into politics, Ighodalo has been in the corridors of Edo governance for the past 16 years. He was an economic adviser to Adams Oshiomole, former governor of the state, and also a member of Obaseki’s economic team.

The PDP candidate is a founding partner of Banwo-and-Ighodalo, a tier 1 corporate and commercial law firm in Nigeria. Its speciality is corporate finance, capital markets, energy and natural resources, mergers and acquisitions, banking and securitisation, and project finance.

Ighodalo has also served as chairman of the board of directors at Sterling Bank, director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), among many of his career achievements.

With his wealth of experience, Ighodalo tagged his manifesto “Pathway to Prosperity for All” with strategic attention placed on the well-being of the Edo people, economic growth, environment, good governance, security, and order.

“I see a pathway to prosperity for our people and our state. I see a path to lifting the highest number of people into prosperity by implementing the most comprehensive social welfare program ever witnessed in south-south Nigeria,” he said in the manifesto.

“I see a path to making Edo state the safest state to live and work, a place where everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. I see a path where the regeneration of Nigeria will begin right here in Edo, the heartbeat of the nation.”

Ighodalo is not going on this journey alone. He has selected another lawyer, Osarodion Ogie, as his running mate.

AKPATA MAKES PACT WITH PEOPLE OF EDO

Relying on the success recorded by the Labour Party (LP) in Edo during the 2023 presidential election, Olumide Akpata, former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is eyeing the governorship seat with a conviction to set the state on the right path of development.

Peter Obi, LP candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had set the stage for better visibility for the politically young party when he won in Edo with 331,163 — more than half of the votes cast in the state.

Neda Imasuen, the senatorial candidate of the LP in Edo South, where Akpata hailed from, defeated both the candidates of the ruling PDP and the APC to become the senator representing the district in the national assembly.

That was the extent of the power the LP pulled in the last general election in the state, which Akpata hopes to capitalise on in the guber poll.

Also, Akpata is a consummate lawyer who, in 2020, made waves by becoming the first non-senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to lead the bar.

Before resigning to participate in Edo politics, Akpata worked as a senior partner with Templers, a commercial law firm, but he has also been a vocal critic of violations of human rights and maladministration.

However, there is a covert roadblock on his way to the government house. Akpata comes from the same senatorial district as Obaseki, the incumbent who is on his way to completing eight years of a two-term administration.

A long-standing rotational gentleman agreement rooted in Nigeria’s complex political landscape has taken centre stage in Edo, posing a significant hurdle to Akpata’s aspirations.

This has given ground for the “It’s Esan’s time” mantra, gradually proving to become a rallying cry for disgruntled voters who are determined to uphold the rotational power-sharing tradition.

As Akpata navigates this treacherous terrain, he faces an uphill battle against entrenched biases and ethnic loyalties, threatening to derail his political momentum.

In his manifesto, ‘My Pact With the People of Edo state’, Akpata promised to create and grow a healthy, stable, sustainable and inclusive economy that benefits everyone in the state.

He divided the challenges facing the state into eight priority areas — economy and job creation, roads and related infrastructure, electricity and energy access, agriculture and food security, education, healthcare, security of lives and property and other essential infrastructure — and provided key solutions to solving them.

Akpata is going into the race with another lawyer, Yusuf Kadiri, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as his running mate.

OKPEBHOLO MONDAY, SENATOR WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR 

Contesting a governorship election after spending less than two years at the national assembly, Monday Okpebholo, senator representing Edo central and an astute grassroots politician, is taking a shot at the Edo governorship seat.

Okpebholo clinched the governorship candidacy of the APC amid a primary election marked by confusion, contentious claims, and counter-accusations.

Following the voting exercise at the primaries, Dennis Idahosa and Sunday Dekeri, house of representatives members, were both announced simultaneously as winners of the election by different returning officers, before the party’s stakeholders subsequently affirmed Okpebholo as the flagbearer.

In his appraisal of Okpebholo, John Mayaki, chieftain of the APC and former chief press secretary to Obaseki, had described the candidate as “lacking even the most rudimentary understanding of what governance entails.”

He said the senator only “has instincts for politics” and never engages in discussions about important things such as policies, investment attraction, sectoral reforms, and development.

Nevertheless, Okpebholo stood triumphant, his name etched on the party’s ticket as the standard-bearer for the coveted seat. However, the fiercely contested primaries left the dust hovering in the air with the party edging towards a governorship election on a divided front.

Notwithstanding, being from Edo central, Okpebholo shares a key advantage with Ighodalo, which could work in his favour due to the stakeholders’ firm belief in power rotation.

With APC as the ruling party at the federal level, the senator also boasts of federal support, a significant advantage that could be in his favour. This backing may prove invaluable in the anticipated tight race, potentially giving him the edge he needs to secure victory.

With federal support, Okpebholo can leverage resources and influence that might otherwise be out of reach, making him a formidable contender in the election.

In a move that may be intended to appease disgruntled stakeholders or serve another strategic purpose, Okpebholo chose Dennis Idahosa as his running mate. This decision may be a calculated step to address potential sources of opposition and internal wrangling in the party.

In one of his promises to the electorates, Okpebholo vowed to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, security, health and infrastructure if he is elected into office as governor.

OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RACE:

Uwaifo Osaro  — Action Alliance (AA)

Aner Aliu — Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Azena Azemhe Friday — New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)

Osifo Isiah — All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)

Ugiagbe Sylvester — All People Movement (APM)

Areleogbe Osalumese — All Peoples Party (APP)

Akhime Afere — Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Udoh David — African Action Congress (AAC)

Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena — Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

Osirame Edeipo — Boot Party (BP)

Iyere Kennedy — Accord Party (AP)

Obazele Agbone — African Democratic Congress (ADC)

Key Ndidi — Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)

Okungbowa Ovbokhan — Young Progressive Party (YPP)

The Sokoto state commission of inquiry has commenced an investigation into the sales of the state’s shares worth N16.1 billion during the administration of Aminu Tambuwal, the immediate past governor.

The shares were sold by the Sokoto State Investment Limited.

Amanzi Amanzi, a lawyer, told journalists on Tuesday at the end of the panel’s session that the commission was called upon to investigate the sale of government shares unaccounted for between 2018 and 2023.

“In 2018, the accountant-general of the state transferred all government shares to Sokoto State Investment Limited through an official letter,” Amanzi said.

“Between 2018 and 2023, these shares were sold, but the proceeds are unaccounted for. This commission has been called upon to investigate the sales and trace the whereabouts of the funds.”

Amanzi alleged that N16.1 billion was unaccounted for from the sales of the shares, adding that N4 billion out of the amount was distributed to private and corporate accounts without justifiable cause.

Gov Dauda Lawal of Zamfara state has said that his government has been putting in efforts to tackle the insecurity in the state.

Dauda Lawal said his political will to address the attacks of bandits across the state has been paying off as farmers can now go to their farms to cultivate.

He stated that the formation of local security, Community Protection Guard (CPG) by his administration has also helped to reduce the consistency of bandits attack in the state.

Speaking with Arise TV, on Tuesday, Lawal said, “Let me start by admitting the fact that the state has been in this situation for the past 13 years. It is something that we inherited. And part of what we did or what we’re doing right now is to make sure we put so much effort. And priority has always been our concern. That was the reason why when I came on board, I formed the Community Protection Guard that is called CPG.

“The whole essence of this is to complement the effort of the conventional security in terms of combating this menace that we’re facing the state. And I will say that they’re doing very well in terms of assisting the conventional security because they understand the trend much better than the conventional security. So they provide the lead. And that is what is happening right now.

“So far, we’ve seen a lot of success. The story is changing. In the past, if you hear anything about Zamfara, you realize that 200 people, 300 people are being killed. But right now, it’s not the case. There has been some spontaneous attack here and there, but not the way it used to be in the past. So we’re making progress.”

Speaking further on gains his administration has made with the formation of CPG, Governor Lawal continued, “Some weeks back, I went around all the local government in the states and I’ve seen the level of agricultural development this time around, which wasn’t the case in the past. So that is to show you that something is being done. And that is why people now have the ability to go to their farms and farm. That is ongoing.

“And of course, it’s a state that has been in this situation, like I said, for the past 13 years. So there will always be issues here and there, saying all sort of things. And remember also, some are just for negative reason, not for the positive aspects.

“Because some would rather see everything negative about security so that they can use that against you. But the reality is, we are making significant progress. If you have time, I will take you around the state for you to go and see. They say seeing is believing. So yes, we are making progress.”

The Zamfara State Governor noted that his political will to save the state from the hands of bandits was responsible for the gains recorded in addressing insecurity in the state.

“First of all, there is the political will on my own part as a governor. And I’ve taken security as one of the major, major issue, number one, under my administration, which was the reason why we formed the CPG.

“And also, we’re spending so much to make sure we have intelligence information in terms of movement of these people, which has been provided by the locals. And there’s so much community awareness now for people to be able to report any suspicious movement by these people. And it’s making things much easier than the way things used to be.

“So the political will is number one. And that is why we’re making this significant progress. Security is key to everything, without which there’ll be no meaningful development. That is the difference,” Governor Lawal noted.