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Just In: FCT High CourtG admits ex Gov. Bello to N500m bail
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]
…handover Ogbeche, Osadebamwen, others to EFCC for probe
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, the Council under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike shared details of the inquiry conducted by a committee established by the NUJ Congress. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance organisational accountability and strengthen internal governance systems.
The five-man panel, chaired by veteran journalist, Comrade Tony Akowe, included Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka (Secretary), Comrade Akin Orimolade, Comrade Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Comrade Imam Umar.
The committee’s scope covered activities from December 2018 to October 2021, encompassing the periods of past administrations led by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Patrick Osadebamwen.
According to the committee’s documentation, critical gaps were observed in record-keeping and transitional documentation. In addition, there was limited engagement from some former officeholders during the review process. The only available financial review for the period in question reportedly presented inconsistencies requiring further attention.
The committee noted that its work was hampered by a lack of cooperation from key figures of the past administration. According to Mr Akowe, no formal handover was done, and only a limited set of documents including one audited financial report and some rental receipts was made available.
Efforts to retrieve further documentation from the former chairman, Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, proved unsuccessful. He reportedly claimed to have submitted relevant documents to the NUJ National Secretariat, which has since denied receiving any such records.
The probe uncovered several questionable financial entries and unverified expenditures:
• A total of ₦33 million was declared as rental income between 2018 and 2021, but there was no breakdown showing the names of tenants or corresponding rent periods.
• The administration claimed to have received ₦7.2 million in donations yet failed to provide details or evidence of the sources.
• ₦5.28 million was spent on salaries for four to five staff, even though no single staff member earned more than ₦25,000 monthly.
• Over ₦1.7 million was reportedly spent on electricity, ₦285,000 on DStv/GOtv subscriptions, ₦78,000 on “public relations and entertainment”, and ₦1 million on transport and accommodation—all lacking adequate justification.
• A controversial line item showed ₦14 million received as rent “in advance”, with no associated documentation to validate it.
The committee’s report concluded that there was no transparency in the management of the union’s finances during the period under review.
Following the probe report, the NUJ-FCT Congress, in its sitting on 12 April 2025, adopted a series of resolutions aimed at protecting the Union’s integrity and financial stability.
The Council issued a public disclaimer against the following individuals, who have been warned to cease parading themselves as representatives of the NUJ-FCT Council:
• Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State.
• Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, immediate past Chairman and journalist with the Nigerian Tribune.
• Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, former Secretary of the Council and staff of People’s Daily.
In addition, Mrs Gloria Essien has been cautioned against representing the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she no longer holds any official position within the NUJ-FCT.
The union also called on UBA Bank to freeze the NUJ-FCT Council’s accounts still under the control of former signatories (Account Nos: 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account: 3002941904), pending a full transition to the current leadership.
Furthermore, the NUJ-FCT will:
• Publish a formal disclaimer in national dailies.
• Notify the employers of the former officials about the resolutions.
• Alert government institutions, corporate bodies, and the general public not to engage with the aforementioned individuals on behalf of the NUJ-FCT Council.
The Council’s Secretary, Mr Jide Oyekunle, who anchored the press briefing, reiterated that the probe’s findings and the resolutions reflect the collective will of the NUJ-FCT Congress and the determination to protect members’ interests.
News
Finally , Lagos Court frees Quadri, young Nigerian who stood before Obi’s convoy in viral photo
The Apapa Magistrate Court, Court 9 sitting at Orege, Ajegunle – Sikiru Adagun Courthouse, has discharged and acquitted Alabi Quadri, the young Nigerian who became a national symbol of courage during the 2023 general elections, for standing boldly in front of the convoy of then-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He was discharged and acquitted of conspiracy to commit felony and armed robbery.
The court held that he has no case to answer.
Quadri was brought to court on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after spending months in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional Service produced Quadri at the Apapa Magistrate Court, located at Orege, Ajegunle—Sikiru Adagun Courthouse (Court No. 9).
Quadri’s case was initially slated for a hearing on April 28, 2025.
However, human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong had revealed that both he and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested that the date be moved forward, and the court granted the application.
Quadri gained widespread attention after a viral video showed him, a teenage boy at the time, fearlessly standing before Peter Obi’s campaign convoy—a moment many Nigerians interpreted as a symbol of youthful defiance and hope during a tense election period.
The media reported that Effiong revealed that Alabi’s recent painful descent into the Nigerian prison system was not due to any major crime but rather a result of prolonged malice and resentment harboured by some self-acclaimed ‘area boys’ (thugs) in his neighbourhood.
According to the lawyer, these individuals felt entitled to a portion of the unexpected attention and goodwill, including financial support, that Alabi received following his moment in the spotlight during the 2023 presidential campaign.
Effiong, who recently visited the Apapa Magisterial Court in Lagos alongside Alabi’s mother and legal colleagues, stated that Alabi’s journey to Kirikiri prison was not only heartbreaking but appeared to be the outcome of a vendetta fuelled by local ‘area boys’ who felt entitled to the financial support Alabi received after his viral moment.
Effiong revealed that Alabi was abducted in January near his home while returning from work by the ‘area boys’ who had been threatening him.
They allegedly took him to Amukoko Police Station (popularly known as Pako Police Station) and accused him of being involved in street fights.
However, Alabi was then arraigned before a Magistrate Court along with four other individuals, said to be complete strangers to him, on allegations of conspiracy to commit armed robbery with cutlasses.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged victims were robbed of N579,000, comprising cash and four mobile phones.
Effiong also emphasised that despite being a minor, Alabi had been detained with adults at Kirikiri since January, pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
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