News
Just In: FCT High CourtG admits ex Gov. Bello to N500m bail
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The Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Thursday, granted the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum.
Justice Maryann Anenih had, on December 10, refused the ex-governor’s bail application, saying it was filed prematurely.
While delivering the initial ruling, she said, having been filed when the 1st defendant was neither in custody nor before the court, the instant application was incompetent.
There was, however, room for the governor’s lawyers to file a fresh application for bail and apply for hearing date.
The former governor is facing an alleged money laundering trial to the tune of N110bn, along with two others.
He had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When the case was called for hearing, on Thursday, Counsel for the former governor, Joseph Daudu, SAN, informed the court that the defence counsels had filed a further affidavit in response to the counter affidavit filed and served by the prosecution counsels.
He, however, applied to withdraw the further affidavit, saying, “We do not want to make the matter contentious.”
There was no objection from the prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN. The court, therefore, granted the application for withdrawal, striking out the further affidavit.
Daudu, SAN, also informed the court that discussions had taken place with the leader of the prosecution counsels, resulting in an agreement to ensure a speedy trial.
In light of this understanding, Daudu urged the court to grant the bail application.
He further requested that if the court would graciously grant the Defendant bail, the court should kindly review the bail conditions for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants.
He urged the court to broaden the scope of property to be used as bail sureties to include locations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rather than limiting the location solely to Maitama.
The prosecution counsel, Enitan SAN, acknowledged that Daudu SAN had been in talks with the prosecution team.
In accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), the EFCC Counsel gave assurance of their cooperation in expediting the trial.
He said, “I confirm the evidence given by the distinguished member of the bar that is leading the Defence, J.B. Daudu, SAN, that he has been in conversation with the leader of the prosecuting team.
“As with the legal tradition that we should cooperate with members of the bar when it does not affect the course of justice, we have decided not to make this contentious, bearing in mind that no matter how industrious the defence counsel might be in pushing forward the application for bail and no matter how vociferous the prosecution counsel can argue against the bail application, your lordship is bound by your discretion to grant or not to grant the application.
“We are therefore leaving this to your lordship’s discretion.”
Delivering her ruling, Justice Anenih acknowledged that the offence the 1st Defendant was charged with was a bailable one and granted the ex-governor bail in the sum of N500 million, with three sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, and Asokoro.
The 1st Defendant was also asked to deposit his international passport and other travel documents with the court.
He is to remain at Kuje Correctional Centre until the bail conditions are met.
The court also granted the application to vary the bail conditions for the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, Umaru Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, respectively.
They were granted bail in the sum of N300 million, with two sureties who must own landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Apo, Garki, Wuse, or Guzape. The location was initially restricted to Maitama.
They are to deposit their international passports and other travel documents with the court.
The 2nd and 3rd Defendants are to remain at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions. [Daily Review Online]
News
DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker
Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.
It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.
News
Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.
In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.
According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.
Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.
The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.
So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.
“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.
“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.
“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.
For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”
Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.
The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.
However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.
Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.
News
I have never insulted President Tinubu in my entire life”-Gov Adeleke
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has said he has never insulted President Bola Tinubu in his entire lifr
He praised him for his support of the rule of law during the ongoing local government elections in the state.
Speaking to newsmen in his hometown of Ede on Saturday, Adeleke emphasized the importance of maintaining legal integrity in the electoral process.
The governor also took the opportunity to clarify that he had never made any negative comments about the president. “I did not at any point make any negative remarks about Mr. President. Any news reports suggesting that I criticized him are completely false,” Adeleke stated. “I have always been supportive and cooperative with the federal government.”
Adeleke further assured the public that his past broadcasts, including two addressed to the people, did not contain any attacks on President Tinubu. He urged the public and relevant stakeholders to disregard any fake news regarding his position on the president, especially in the context of the ongoing election.
Reflecting on the local government election, the governor described the process as smooth and well-organized, offering praise to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) for its efficient conduct.
Also commending the electorate, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, praised the large turnout of voters in the election. Speaking in Osogbo, Igbalaye highlighted the peaceful nature of the voting process and expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious.
“I want to commend the electorate for coming out in large numbers to cast their votes. The election has been peaceful, and I believe the PDP will win,” Igbalaye remarked.
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