There was confusion at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday over the amended fraud charge filed against Alli Bello and Daudu Suleiman, as well as the immediate past governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The anti-graft agency claimed that the accused persons diverted about N100 billion belonging to the state government in September 2015, months before Yahaya Bello assumed office.

Bello was not a defendant in the original suit and was not in court.

However, Alli Bello, currently the chief of staff to the Kogi State governor and Dauda Suleman have denied the allegations in the amended charges brought against them at the fresh arraignment yesterday in Abuja.

They pleaded not guilty after the amended charge was read to them before Justice James Kolawole Omotoso.

Earlier, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, A.M. Aliyu (SAN) had objected to reading of the amended charges to his client.

His ground of objection was that the EFCC had failed woefully to comply with Section 218 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

The senior lawyer submitted that a copy of the amended charge was not served on them as required by the provisions of the ACJA Act.

The EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) asked the court to reject the argument of the defendant, adding that the court had on its own endorsed the amendment.

In a brief ruling, Justice Omotoso recalled that he had granted accelerated hearing in the matter and had also ordered that all forms of objections must be kept in abeyance till the address stage.

He directed the registrar of the court to read the amended charges.

In the first count, former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman were accused of conspiring with one another in September 2015 and converted N80,246,470,089 to their personal use.

They were alleged to have run foul of section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 because they ought to have reasonably known that the money was a product of fraud and criminal breach of public trust.

In other charges, Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman allegedly concealed several millions of naira with one Rabiu Musa Tafada, a bureau de change (BDC) operator trading under Global Venture in Abuja.

Alli Bello’s counsel, Aliyu (SAN), at this point, requested that one of the EFCC witnesses, Edward Fanada, be recalled for fresh cross examination in view of the content of the amended charges.

The request was granted by Justice Omotoso due to no opposition from the EFCC lawyer.

Meanwhile, Justice Omotoso has ordered that Alli Bello and Dauda Suleman should continue to enjoy the bail conditions granted them in the previous charges.

A 37-year-old Point of Sale (POS) operator at Kurnar Asabe Quarters in Kano State, Mohammed Sani Abdulrahman, has returned the sum of N10 million wrongly transferred to him by a customer.

The spokesperson of Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, who confirmed the development, said the POS operator reported the incident to the command when he realised that the customer had wrongly transferred N10 million instead of N10,000.

SP Haruna, however, said it took the police investigation three (03) months to identify the owner of the excess money, and after a painstaking investigation and being satisfied with proofs of ownership, the money was returned to the owner’s same account.

He said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, commended the POS operator for his honesty and good conduct while encouraging others to emulate the good habits exhibited by Abdulrahman.

According to him, “It was since on 21/12/2023, that a Point of Sale (POS) Operator known as Mohammed Sani Abdulrahman, 37 years, ‘m’, of Kurnar Asabe Quarters Kano, reported himself at the Bompai Police Headquarters Kano, where he stated that someone among his customers has overpaid into his POS business the sum of Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N9,990,000:00) while he wanted to make an online transfer of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000:00) only and mistakenly transferred the sum of ten million naira (N10,000,000:00).

“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, directed a team of detectives led by SP Abdulwahab Zubairu from the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out discreet investigation with a view to identify the owner and return his money.

“On the 14th of March, 2024, the investigation was concluded by uncovering the identity of the rightful owner, who is a businessman at Dawanau Grain Market in Kano Metropolis.

“After a painstaking investigation and being satisfied with proofs of ownership, the money, the excess sum of Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N9,990,000), was returned to the owner’s same account. The owner admired the gesture of which, out of joy and with pleasure gave the POS operator cash gift of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000:00). The owner also thanked the CP for his honesty, integrity, and showing good example.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who is famously nick-named by the good people of the state as “A Fada a Cika,” commended the POS operator for his honesty and good conduct and referred to this kind gesture as rare, enabled the owner also encourages others to emulate,” the statement reads.

The Defence Headquarters has said that the 287 students of a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, who were kidnapped last week are being held in locations that are difficult to get to.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who spoke to newsmen on Thursday, March 14, said the kidnappers are using their victims as human shields to prevent further air and land offensive against them.

He further revealed that it took more than six hours after the students were abducted for the information to get to security agencies before machinery was commenced for the rescue efforts.

Buba said;

“We have depleted their ranks, neutralized many of their commanders and foot soldiers. The terrorists exhibited gross cowardice by going after children. We have taken their Commanders out. We recently acquired new air platforms to further decimate them. They know we mean business. It is to protect themselves that they went after the students. But we will not rest until all the kidnapped victims are rescued.

“As in every war, there are complexities and ours is no exception. Recently, cases of citizens being abducted in the North East, North West and North Central theatres of operations were recorded.

“These citizens were abducted by a brutal and blood tasty group that should only be addressed as tettorists not bandits. I repeat, these are terrorist and not bandits.

“They are holding these citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world.

“Several of their leaders and commanders have been neutralised as a result of troops onslaught. They want to use these hostages as human shield for their survival. Nevertheless, be assured that we will not rest until the hostages are returned.

“No doubt, this is a difficult situation, but not one that is insurmountable. The hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war.

“These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reached. The situation is however indicative of the desperation of these terrorists to avoid troops onslaught by all means.

“Recall that in recent times troops have decimated several of the terrorists leaders, commanders and foot soldiers and fast closing in one several others.

” These terrorists have exhibited cowardice by going for such soft targets to impede troops advances. I assure you that we will not rest until they are returned.

“Given the hostage situation, it can be deduced that the search and rescue effort was grossly affected by the none timely notification of troops of the incident. Nevertheless, I can assure you that we will not rest until these hostages are returned.

“However, because of the sensitivity of the matter, I can not go into further details as to signs of life, location, and the different options that we have in order to get these hostages back.

“Let me further assure that, getting these hostages back is very clearly on the top of our priorities. It is for this reason we have leveraged on our international partners for support.

“Accordingly, they are providing the necessary support including intelligence that is giving us the advantage in dealing with the ugly situation."

The General Overseer of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, popularly called Odumeje, has refuted claims that he revels in occultism and diabolism.

This is even as he disclosed that assertions that he’s a fake prophet are false.

He made clarifications amid admonition by gospel singer Dunsin Oyekan that Christians should be weary of the ‘abido shaker’ trend, stressing that it makes a mockery of the Christian faith.

“Been seeing videos and people writing ‘Abido Shaker’ and the rest… Believers, the things we find funny are a mockery of our faith. We should shut things like this down! No, it’s not funny! You will be shocked at how gullible some people are! #wakeup,” Oyekan said.

However, Odumeje, in a viral TikTok video, said that his miracles are all about Jesus, adding that he’s Christlike.

According to Odumeje: “I don’t have anything to do with fake power; only Jesus appears to me. I have never gone to any place or native doctor to seek power. It’s all about Jesus.”

The Nigeria Police Force Lagos State Command has arrested one Olaseinde Ojo, a suspected armed robber and kidnapper at Post Officer Isokoko who disguises as a lunatic to get close to his victims and then rob or kidnap them.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi who disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday March 14, also said another arrest was made along Dolphin Bridge when police operatives patrolling that axis intercepted a dispatch rider identified as Samson Shina ‘m’ in possession of a locally made pistol and some charms.

The statement reads in part: 

“The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in their quest to tackle crimes and criminality across the country have once again recorded milestone achievements in various areas. It is our responsibility as the lead Security Agency in Nigeria to update the public of our efforts to curb the menace of crimes in our society, and also educate Nigerians on the series of antics adopted by Criminals so as to guide against them

For instance, our operatives in Lagos State and FCT Command, having intensified their operational strategies, have successfully arrested several criminals connected to atrocious crimes. Among these is the arrest of one Olaseinde Ojo ‘m’, a suspected armed robber and kidnapper at Post Office, Isokoko who disguises as a lunatic to get close to his victims and rob or kidnap them.

He added

‘’Operatives of the FCT command on stop at search duty around Taxi Park area, Abuja, accosted a motorcycle carrying 3 passengers one Usman Musa ‘m’ and 2 others, and found in their possession a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with 11 rounds of live ammunition. Search conducted in their premises also led to recovery of $5,800 fake dollar notes and other incriminating items.

Amid rising concerns about personal safety, the Nigeria Police urges citizens to remain vigilant and prioritize their security. With recent reports highlighting various incidents, including thefts, defilement, and assault, it’s essential for individuals to take proactive measures. These include being sensitive to their surroundings, especially in unfamiliar areas, and avoiding isolated or poorly lit places, particularly at night.

Moreover, members of the public are encouraged to keep their belongings secure and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly. By staying alert and cautious, everyone can play a role in fostering a safer society for all, and we will not fall into the antics of the criminals.”

A Zimbabwean man has been arrested for killing a three-year-old child in a suspected ritual murder.

The suspect identified as Steady Munda killed the young child in a bushy area before throwing his lifeless body into a river. Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko who confirmed the gruesome incident which took place on Monday night in Chemowa area, Zhombe, said;

“I can confirm the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of the toddler whose body was dumped in the river. Investigations are in progress.”

Eyewitnesses told H-Metro that Steady was in the company of another individual named Caston Mucheuki when they boarded a commuter omnibus headed to Chemowa Primary School to repair some windows.

Their journey took an ominous turn when the vehicle became stuck in the sand near a river. The driver requested that passengers disembark while he resolved the issue. It was during this time that Steady mysteriously vanished, prompting Caston to initiate a search for his missing colleague.

Caston, accompanied by other male passengers, scoured the area for Steady. They encountered a group of distressed children who informed them that a strange man had fled with a toddler.

The children led the search party to the other side of the river, where Steady was apprehended just after disposing of the child’s lifeless body in the water. Steady is currently under police custody at ZRP Gokwe.

Upon being apprehended, Steady implicated a local businessman named Tambu in the heinous crime. He accused him of orchestrating the murder.

Men of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested a 42year-old man identified as Auwul Shaibu, for allegedly raping his 9-year biological daughter.

The incidents occurred in Kabak Mubi South local government area on Monday, March 11. The suspect Auwal Shaibu was apprehended following a report by his wife Asmau Isa.

During the course of investigation, the suspect confessed committing the offence but blamed it to taken too much alcohol and Drugs.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, SP Nguroje, said the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, CP Dankombo Morris, has ordered for a diligent investigation and prosecution of the suspect upon completion of the investigation.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday appealed to all state governors to set aside their political differences and focus on governance.

He also said the country is no longer in the state he met it since assuming office nine months ago, assuring Nigerians that the “tunnel is not as dark as when we started”.

“Since we recognise the need to build our nation together, the time for politics is over. It is now time for governance,” Tinubu said when he hosted Governors for a Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement on Thursday titled ‘President Tinubu to Governor: It is time for governance; let us set aside political differences.’

Highlighting the significance of the holy month of Ramadan and the Lenten season for Christians, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to use the solemn season for reflection, prayers, and charity towards others.

He said, “Your excellencies, it is a very great honour to have you here to share the breaking of the fast. What I just want to say is the promotion of the message of the month of Ramadan which coincides with the Christian Lent.

“This overlapping period is very valuable to our country. And we should utilise it to pray more for our country and be good to one another and our neighbours.

“We are of the same family and parents; living in the same house, but sleeping in different rooms. We must cooperate and spread love among each other.”

Acknowledging the difficulties facing the nation, Tinubu expressed optimism about the future, noting that the challenges are beginning to respond to the solutions being implemented by his administration.

“I am glad that the headwinds are almost over. The tunnel is not as dark as when we started. It is going to be brighter and brighter. We must communicate with each other, stick together, and share joy,” the President said.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commended the Federal Government for distributing 42,000 tons of grains, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts between the national and sub-national governments in addressing collective challenges.

On the payment of wage awards to workers, the governor promised that the states would do the right thing.

”Wet season farming is almost here, and I want to implore all governors to engage in the farming business, so that we can all appreciate the challenges of ordinary farmers and ensure that we have a bumper harvest at the end of the farming season,” the NGF Chairman said.

The governors are the President’s first set of Iftar guests, and he is expected to host more such gatherings with senior government officials in the course of the holy month.

In past Ramadan fasts, former President Buhari had hosted the leadership of the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the All Progressives Congress, members of the diplomatic corps, and traditional rulers, among others.

Senate Chief Whip, Ali Ndume, has asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to withdraw orderlies attached to lawmakers in the National Assembly and those attached to politicians in the country.

Ndume stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

He said, “I support that they should take away all their police (officer).

“One Senator will be going around with 10 policemen, seven, members of House of Reps, everybody. That is for those who are mobile. Some even give security to their wives, others give security to their children. I am against that.”

According to Ndume, Nigeria, with about 300,000 policemen, does not have enough to police the country, hence, orderlies of Very Important Personalities should be withdrawn to protect the people.

“Let’s have like 2 million police, 500K soldiers,” he said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to give security agencies a blank cheque, give them all they want in terms of funding and weapons to fight the menace of banditry, kidnapping and insurgency.

Ndume said the President should empower the police to increase their manpower to two million men and the military to 500,000.

The Senator from Borno South Senatorial District, however, said he won’t vote for state police if it comes up in the constitution amendment process, adding that it would be abused by governors.

A 60-year-old man, Bamidele Haruna, was on Thursday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court for allegedly presenting a forged National Identification Number.

The defendant is facing three counts of conspiracy, forgery, perjury, and impersonation preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that Haruna and others, now at large, conspired and committed the offences on March 5, 2023.

Osuji said that the offence was committed during working hours at the Federal High Court Lagos Division in Ikoyi.

He alleged that the defendant obtained and presented a Deed of Indenture to the Federal High Court, for verification when he appeared as a surety.

The prosecutor further told the court that Haruna had sworn an affidavit of means by using one Bamidele Fagbamila as his bonafide name and also used the same name in the National Identity Management System, a representation he knew to be false.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 411, 365 (1) (a), (b) and 85 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State in 2015.

However, Haruna pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Consequently, Magistrate Oluwatosin Erinle, adjourned the case till March 19, 2024, for facts and sentence.