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Protesters paid by Yahaya Bello block highway over plots to arrest ex-Gov. Bello

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Some youths in Kogi State have accused the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, of witch hunting former Governor Yahaya Bello urging it to shelve its plot to arrest him over an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

The youths, who gathered in their numbers for a protest, barricaded the popular Lokoja-Abuja road on Tuesday, causing gridlock on the highway.

The protesters under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, and Africa Youths Coalition for Justice, accused the anti-graft agency of blackmailing and victimizing the former governor.

They were seen carrying banners with various inscriptions, “Nigeria is not a banana republic”, “President Tinubu, Call EFCC to Order”, “EFCC Stop Witch Hunting”, “Yahaya Bello remains a responsible citizen”, “EFCC Obey Court Order Now” and many more.

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The groups called for caution and adherence to the rule of law during Bello’s trial.

Addressing journalists in Lokoja, the Convener, Coalition of Civil Society for Democracy, Richard Otitoleke, said the groups are on the ground in defence of the rule of law and democratic governance.

“We are here this morning to express our opinion on the fracas between EFCC and the former Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

It has been in the news for some days on the travail of the former governor. We want to say very clearly that the operation of the EFCC is an establishment of an act of parliament and the law of Nigeria.

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“We are saying confidently again that its operations must be based on the established extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The rule of law is the hallmark of a democratic society.

We are saying there is a court order, an interim restraining order of the court of competent jurisdiction that stated clearly that the former Governor of Kogi State should not be invited, arrested, or prosecuted pending the determination of the issue before it concerning his human rights.

“It is not a big thing for EFCC to comply with it. Nigeria is not a banana republic. Disobedience to court order is worse than corruption itself, except if we want to drive this country into anarchy. I am not sure Mr. President is interested in lawlessness. Mr. President is not interested in witch hunting, ” he stated.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, examine the activities of EFCC to ensure that their operations are professional by the extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“We are not saying former Governor Bello is above the law. We are saying that the law must take its course. We are not saying the Ex-Governor should submit himself when there is a subsisting court order. EFCC must comply with the rule of law” he added.

Adding their voices, Comrade Ajibade Olamilekan David and Comrade Oluwa Kayode who are members of the groups protesting both accused the EFCC of engaging in a media trial on the former Governor of Kogi State.

Their words, “It is uncalled for, for EFCC to come against what the Court has said. We are saying that we will not bow down to such illegality. We heard that they are busy saying the sitting governor in Kogi State Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo whisked away his predecessor in Abuja. It is a lie.

“The Governor only paid a solidarity visit to the former Governor. We are saying the EFCC should obey the court order. We call on the President to call the EFCC to order so that the right thing can be done.

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“We are saying no to victimization. We are saying no to the threat. We are saying no to anyone who thinks he can suppress the voice of the people’s mandate.

We are out to say no to EFCC because, in the face of the law, you can’t disobey the court to enforce the law. It has never happened, and it will not happen. In any attempt for anybody to go against that, we will not take it lightly.

“EFCC is not above the law, so they must respect the law of the land. Going against the law of the land is more satanic than corruption. That means the nation is in jeopardy. The EFCC should stop the victimization of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

There is something they are not taking into cognizance. Yahaya Bello is a youth. He is a Man that cut across the nation. He is a man who has worked tirelessly for this state for eight years.

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“The man is supposed to be resting, but they are now victimizing him, using EFCC. We are seeing the hands of Monkey in this matter. How can EFCC use the lawyer of an opposition party to be the lawyer that will try former Governor Bello in court? It is uncalled for, unheard of, and highly condemnable. We want EFCC to trade with caution.

“We will be going around each state across the federation to protest if EFCC fails to obey Court order. This victimization must stop because an injury to one is an injury to all. So we are saying that their satanic and evil victimization must stop. Yahaya Bello is not the person they will use to do their drama. ”

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PFIPC scandal: ‘I borrowed N400 million to secure the appointment’ – Adeyemi Adeniyi

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The self-acclaimed Director-General of the disputed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Adeyemi Adeniyi, says he borrowed the N400 million to secured the job at the presidency.

Adeniyi made this revelation on Monday during zoom interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.

He said his creditors have reported him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

He described the way some actors in government taking the matter as ‘unfortunate and embarrassing’, asking how only him could manoeuvre the entire Federal Government system.

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“I borrowed this money, the N400 million, to pay for this appointment. In fact, those that I borrowed the money from have reported me to the EFCC to refund it,” he said.

When asked to react to the report that there is a United States lobbying firm helping him to seek an asylum, Adeniyi said, “I read it the way you read it.”

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May 18 primaries has come to a close, I appeal to all my people to support all APC candidates -Ize-Iyamu

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Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has beckoned on all his loyalists to support All Progressives Congress APC candidates after the party formally endorsed all Edo State candidates.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed encouraging his loyalists in Edo South to throw their weights behind all APC candidates.

Hear him:

“Following wide-ranging consultations with our leaders, party members, supporters, women, youths, and well-wishers across Edo South, Nigeria, and the diaspora, I address you today(Monday ) with profound gratitude, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great party.

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“The APC Edo South Senatorial Primary held on May 18, 2026 has come to a close. Our party has completed its democratic process, and a candidate has emerged. I accept the decision of our party in good faith and appeal to all our members, followers and friends to do same.

“The All Progressives Congress is greater than any individual ambition. It is a platform built on service, sacrifice, discipline, and our shared commitment to a better future for our people. Political contests may test our preferences, but they must never diminish our common purpose.

To every supporter, coordinator, volunteer, grassroots mobiliser, and everyone who stood with us throughout this journey, I offer my heartfelt appreciation. Your loyalty, sacrifices, encouragement, and prayers have been a constant source of strength. I remain deeply grateful for your confidence and steadfast support.

I wish to specially thank our brothers and sisters in the diaspora across party lines for the overwhelming support they gave my senatorial bid and assure them of my continous commitment to the development and progress of our district. I urge every one of you to remain peaceful, reject division, and continue to uphold the values that have always defined our people.

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Now is the time to reconcile, close ranks, and focus on the greater task before us. Our collective responsibility to serve the people of Edo South is far greater than any individual aspiration. As we move forward, I remain committed to working with our leaders, stakeholders, and party faithfuls to strengthen the APC, secure victory in the general election, and advance the development and well-being of Edo South Senatorial District.

The contest is behind us. The future is before us. Let us move forward with one resolve, and one commitment- to build a stronger APC and a more prosperous Edo South.

Thank you for your prayers, your loyalty, and your unwavering support throughout this journey.
History will not remember the contest we fought; it will remember the future we built together. Let us unite. Let us serve. Let us win for the APC, for Edo South and for the people of Edo State.

God bless the All Progressives Congress. God bless Edo South Senatorial District. God bless Edo State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Oba gha to kpere, ise

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Senate investigates N34tn Duty Waivers, Threatens Sanctions for Defaulting Agencies

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The Senate Committee on Finance has opened a fresh scrutiny of the Federal Government’s import duty waiver regime after the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) disclosed that the value of Import Duty Exemption Certificates (IDECs) issued since March 2020 rose to about ₦34 trillion by 2025.

The committee also threatened sanctions against the heads of several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, for failing to appear before its investigative hearing on revenue remittances.

Appearing before the committee on Monday, Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the agency’s revenue performance had been significantly influenced by government fiscal policies, particularly import duty exemptions granted to strategic sectors.

He explained that about 60 per cent of the ₦34 trillion worth of duty waivers covered military hardware imported to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, while the remaining exemptions applied to imports of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electric and hybrid vehicles, medical equipment, industrial machinery, manufacturing inputs and food items under government intervention programmes.

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Adeniyi maintained that duty waivers should not be assessed solely on the basis of revenue forgone, arguing that they were intended to promote broader economic and social objectives, including industrial growth, improved healthcare delivery and national security.

He, however, recommended stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure beneficiaries of the incentives deliver the expected outcomes through increased production, lower prices and wider economic benefits.

The Customs boss also told lawmakers that the Service had generated about ₦4.5 trillion as of June 30, 2026, against an annual revenue target of ₦11.04 trillion.

However, the hearing exposed disagreements over Customs’ financial obligations after the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) alleged that the agency had an outstanding operating surplus liability of about ₦8.9 billion based on its 2019 audited accounts.

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Customs officials rejected the claim, insisting that the figures required reconciliation.

The committee also turned its attention to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) after the Fiscal Responsibility Commission alleged that the agency had failed to remit about ₦13.9 billion in operating surplus between 2023 and 2025.

Responding, the Registrar-General of the CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, acknowledged the outstanding liability but said the Commission had commenced gradual settlement of the amount.

To establish the actual figure, Chairman of the committee, Senator Sani Musa, directed the CAC, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and the committee’s secretariat to reconcile their records and submit a comprehensive report within two weeks.

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The committee also expressed displeasure over the absence of several invited agencies from the investigative hearing.

Senator Musa warned that the heads of the NCAA, SMEDAN, ITF, FMC Jabi and other defaulting agencies must appear at the next sitting or face sanctions under the Senate Standing Rules.

He stressed that agencies responsible for managing public resources have a constitutional obligation to account for revenues generated on behalf of the Federal Government and comply with legislative oversight.

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