Crime
Alleged N110bn fraud: Former Governor To Appear In Court Today
Bello, who was declared wanted by the anti-graft agency in April over an alleged N110bn fraud, was finally grilled after all efforts to have him arrested and stand trial proved abortive.
Since filing the charges against the former Kogi governor, the commission has not been able to bring him to court for arraignment.
The commission had initially filed 19 charges against Bello, along with his nephews Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman and Abdulsalam Hudu for money laundering offences amounting to over N80bn.
But the charges were reduced to 16 on September 25, with the total sum allegedly laundered rising to over N110bn.
He, alongside other defendants, was alleged to have bought a total of 12 houses in various locations in Abuja with the money.
The offences, the EFCC said, were contrary to Section 311 of Penal Code Law Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963 and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.
To stop his arraignment, Bello had filed an application before Justice Emeka Nwite, which the judge rejected on July 17.
Displeased with the ruling, Bello approached the Court of Appeal but was overruled.
A three-member panel led by Hamma Barka on August 20 dismissed the appeals filed by Bello and ordered him to surrender himself for trial.
He was also unsuccessful with his move for the transfer of his trial from the Abuja division of the Federal High Court to the Lokoja division.
Also, efforts by the commission to arrest Bello were allegedly prevented by his successor, Usman Ododo.
In April, Ododo reportedly facilitated Bello’s escape from EFCC operatives during a raid on his residence in Abuja.
In April, the EFCC had declared Bello wanted after he reportedly shunned a series of invitations and resisted arrest.
EFCC officials had stormed Bello’s residence in Abuja to arrest him, but there was a stalemate.
After hours of being unable to secure their mission, the security operatives reinforced with backup support from the Police and Department of State Services.
They were planning to forcefully arrest Bello when Governor Ododo, Bello’s successor, arrived at the scene.
Ododo, who drove into Bello’s compound, departed after a while.
However, as he was leaving, reports filtered in that Bello was in his vehicle, forcing security operatives, who had been on standby for hours, to allegedly open fire.
Also, in September, Bello reportedly evaded arrest by the anti-graft agency with the assistance of his successor, Ododo.
The September incident was after Bello and Ododo went to the EFCC headquarters.
While the media team of the former Kogi State governor insisted that he was at the facility of the EFCC, the anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, insisted that Bello remained wanted.
But Bello’s team, led by its Director, Ohiare Michael, said Bello was at the EFCC office alongside his successor, Usman Ododo, but was not interrogated by the commission and was told he could leave.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority and stressed that all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights to ensure due process,” the statement partly read.
At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought for adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying that the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had issued a public summons on October 3, requiring the former governor to appear before the court to face a fresh 16-count charge brought against him and two others by the EFCC.
In the case marked FCT/HC/CR/778/24, the former governor was accused of criminal breach of trust involving the sum of N110,446,470,089, among other charges, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu.
Bello was ordered to appear before the court on October 24, but he failed to. The court subsequently extended the summons to November 14.
At the last adjourned date in the matter before Justice Anenih, Bello was given till November 27 or would be arraigned in absentia.
The court issued a public summon for Bello to appear before it to answer the 16 new charges pending against him.
Justice Anenih issued the summons after the EFCC filed an application claiming inability to serve Bello with the charge filed on September 24.
EFCC counsel Jamiu Agoro informed the court that the 30-day duration of the public summons issued against the former governor would lapse on November 17. He clarified that the summons was still valid.
Agoro argued that it would be inappropriate to take the plea of the defendants while the summons remained in effect. He added that the former governor was expected to appear at the next adjourned date, failing which the prosecution would take appropriate action.
Agoro also requested the court to extend the time within which Bello must appear and to issue an order for the hearing notice to be pasted at his last known address, Number 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Justice Anenih subsequently adjourned the case to November 27 (today).
On Tuesday, multiple EFCC sources told The PUNCH that Bello had been arrested by the anti-graft agency in Abuja.
One of the sources, a top EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the issue, said the Chief Security Officer of the commission arrested Bello.
“He was arrested by our CSO. He was taken in around 12:59 pm. He later brought three of his lawyers,” the source said.
The source added that Bello was interrogated by investigators on the allegations against him for hours.
“He is being held at our detention facility after he was interrogated over the allegations against him for hours. The interrogation will still continue.”
Meanwhile, The PUNCH learnt that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the EFCC would arraign the former Kogi governor on Wednesday (today).
This was said to be part of renewed efforts to tackle insecurity.
Disu gave the directive on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
According to the IG, the order followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that the persistent insecurity in Benue State must be brought to an end.
He stressed that only authorised security personnel were legally permitted to bear firearms, warning that the era of passive policing was over.
“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated,” he said.
Disu disclosed that police officers had been empowered under Force Order 237 to respond decisively to armed threats without waiting for directives from superior officers.
“We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers, and other members of the security agencies dying anyhow.
“They have been instructed to shoot at sight. They have been trained to do what is necessary. But we will not succeed without the cooperation of all of you.”
He called on residents to support security agencies with credible information, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to the fight against armed criminality.
Benue State has witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months, resulting in the loss of lives, displacement of residents and destruction of property.
The federal government has continued to deploy additional security personnel and adopt tougher measures aimed at restoring peace in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Fresh fears have gripped residents of Ifite Awka following an alleged plot by suspected gunmen to establish camps in the area where four Fulani herders were killed two days ago.
Security reports indicate that the attack may have been aimed at scaring away visitors to the bush in an attempt to facilitate the establishment of new camps in the area.
Residents recalled that similar tactics had allegedly been used by criminal elements to take over communities, often with the assistance of local collaborators.
The area shares boundaries with Awka North Local Government Area, where there have been reports of gunmen operating in some communities.
Following the development, youths from Ifite Awka have stormed the Ifite Agu area in a manhunt for the suspected gunmen.
The development comes as Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has issued a fresh directive to traditional rulers and President-Generals (PGs) of communities to take charge of the security architecture in their respective areas in conjunction with local security operatives and the mayors of the 21 local government areas.
It was gathered that as early as 5 a.m., some youths in the area had moved into the bushes in search of the suspected gunmen and cattle reportedly missing following the incident.
The youths were accompanied by local hunters who assisted in the search.
Speaking with reporters, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Christian Aburime, confirmed the fresh directive to traditional rulers and President-Generals of communities across the state.
He said, “We have a government that is people-oriented and that is the government of Prof. Charles Soludo, who is a man that loves the people, is at home with the ordinary people and feels their pains.”
Aburime described the incident as unfortunate and urged the police and other relevant security agencies to take immediate action.
He noted that traditional rulers and President-Generals are the first points of contact when it comes to the security of lives and property in their communities, adding that the governor had reiterated his charge to security stakeholders to take control of security in their respective areas.
He, however, said the possibility of sabotage could not be ruled out, but added that it would be premature to draw conclusions before the completion of investigations by the relevant security agencies.
“The issue of sabotage against security in Anambra State cannot be ruled out, and that could just be an attempt to undermine the efforts of the government. But I cannot categorically tell you that it is an act of sabotage. We have to wait for the investigations of the security agencies before drawing conclusions,” he said.
He added that the Agunechemba Security Squad was working to improve security in the state, noting that residents had commended the governor for the improved security situation.
“We have a good security architecture in place, and I can tell you that this could just be an isolated incident. Everything necessary that needs to be done will be done in that regard,” Aburime said.
He stressed that security was the responsibility of everyone, regardless of social status or position.
“It is very simple, and the governor has always said that security is everybody’s business. When it happens, it affects everyone, irrespective of class or position,” he said.
According to him, “The President-Generals and traditional rulers are the first points of security in their communities and should be able to ensure that there is no security breach in their respective localities.”
He urged residents to provide useful intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that their identities would be protected.
“If you see something, say something. These people doing these things are human beings, and they live in the localities. People should be able to know them. They should avail us of intelligence reports, and that will help us fish them out. Your identity will always be protected,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Sanusi, has urged residents, particularly youths, to resist attempts by police officers to search their mobile phones during stop-and-search operations.
Sanusi said such searches violate a directive issued by the Inspector-General of Police, stressing that officers are not permitted to randomly search the phones of members of the public.
The commissioner made the remarks during a press conference shared by News Central Television on Tuesday.
He explained that although mobile phones could be used as evidence in criminal investigations, they should only be examined after a suspect has been lawfully arrested and taken to a police station.
According to him, officers are not authorised to stop people on the road and demand access to their phones merely on suspicion that they may be involved in internet fraud or other criminal activities.
Sanusi urged residents confronted by officers demanding to search their phones to seek assistance by contacting the police emergency line or nearby police officers.
He reaffirmed the FCT Police Command’s commitment to enforcing the Inspector-General’s directive, warning that officers found violating the order would face disciplinary action.
He said the command would continue to take action against officers who abuse their authority or engage in extortion under the guise of conducting stop-and-search operations.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 39-year-old man, Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor and defrauding a woman of ₦500,000 under the guise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Calabar.
According to the statement, Ekpeme was arrested by officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South Local Government Area following a petition by a 45-year-old woman, Mrs Edemawan Samuel.
The complainant alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and collected ₦500,000 from her after promising to facilitate employment for her children at UCTH.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the woman into handing over the money.
Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the alleged offences were also recovered during the investigation, while the suspect remains in police custody.
The police spokesperson said the suspect is being investigated for alleged impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence and unlawful use of medical equipment.
The Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, has directed detectives to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices.
The command said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigations if sufficient evidence is established.
The police assured members of the public that further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
The arrest comes weeks after the Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of a 46-year-old man, Osaze Okungbowa, who was accused of impersonating a medical doctor and allegedly delivering babies and trafficking newborns.
The Edo suspect was arrested following a complaint by a woman, Princess Oke, who reported that the baby she delivered under his care had gone missing, leading to a police investigation.
Also killed were three women, including the commander’s sister, who were with him during the attack.
The assailants reportedly attacked the vigilante commander while he was relaxing outside his compound with the women along Oba Road in Omoku.
It was gathered that the killing may have been a reprisal following a violent clash linked to a community dispute.
A source told our correspondent that a youth meeting had been disrupted earlier on Tuesday after armed security personnel and OSPAC members allegedly stormed the venue and opened fire, leaving two youths with gunshot injuries.
Videos of the aftermath of the attack circulating on social media and seen by our correspondent on Wednesday showed multiple casualties, including the three women.
Residents, some believed to be relatives of the victims, were seen crying at the scene, while others carried the injured into a vehicle.
A source told our correspondent that the incident had caused panic in the area, with some residents fleeing to safer locations and business activities disrupted.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said, “As I speak to you, many businesses and markets have remained shut since Tuesday.
“Many residents have also fled to neighbouring communities for safety because of fear. There is serious panic here.”
Confirming the incident in a voice note, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Nkem Godknows, said the gunmen attacked the vigilante commander while he was sitting with his sister and her friend near his residence.
He further said two other victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
He said, “It was about 5:05 p.m. Our commander was hanging out with his sister and friend around his neighbourhood. Before you know it, the gunmen got there and shot him dead.
“There are three women that died on the spot, while two others are in the hospital with bullet wounds.
“We reported to the police immediately. My call to the people of Omoku and ONELGA in general is that they should remain calm. Nobody should panic.
“By God’s grace, OSPAC and the security agencies are on top of the matter. I also appeal to the government and the security personnel to come to the aid of OSPAC because we are not properly taken care of.
“We are not paid. We have no source of income.”
When contacted on Wednesday afternoon, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the attack and expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
Agabe said the command strongly condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
She said, “I can confirm the incident. The Rivers State Police Command is saddened by this incident, which has disturbed the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
“The command condemns this act in its entirety and assures that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
“The Rivers State Police Command seeks credible information from members of the public that will assist us in our ongoing investigation.”
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