Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been summoned by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of criminal breach of trust and unlawful possession of property.

The court order, issued by Justice Maryann E. Anenih, alleges that Bello committed the offenses between 2016 and 2023.

The summons, dated October 3, 2024, and made public via the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s social media platform, accuses Bello of violating Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, which addresses criminal breach of trust, and Section 319A, related to possession of unlawfully obtained property.

Advertorial

He is expected to appear in court on November 14, 2024.

The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted and filed multiple charges against him, accusing him of involvement in money laundering offenses totaling N110.4 billion.

These fresh charges come after earlier accusations involving N80 billion, with the former governor facing 19 charges alongside his nephew, Ali Bello, and others.

Bello’s appearance at the EFCC headquarters in September, alongside the current Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, sparked controversy as the visit was not followed by any interrogation.

The EFCC later criticized the visit, describing it as a “stunt,” suggesting that Bello was not genuinely interested in cooperating with the investigation.

Additionally, an earlier attempt by the EFCC to arrest Bello in September was unsuccessful.

Bello now faces further legal challenges, with fresh charges adding to his already complicated legal battles.

The Rivers State Government has maintained that the recent Appeal Court ruling in Abuja on Thursday did not reinstate Martin Amaewhule and 26 other defected members of the State House of Assembly.

In a statement released by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Iboroma, SAN, the government emphasized that Amaewhule and the others had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 11, 2023, which automatically rendered their seats vacant.

Advertorial

Iboroma clarified that according to Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, their seats were vacated upon their defection, and no court ruling is needed for this provision to take effect.

He further explained that the issue of their defection was not part of the cases heard by the Federal High Court or the Court of Appeal in Abuja, dismissing any claims that the court had legitimized their positions in the House.

Advertorial

He added that following the Appeal Court’s decision, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has directed his legal team to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court and file for a stay of execution.

The Attorney General also noted that following the defection, the Governor recognized Edison Ehie as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly when the 2024 Appropriation Bill was presented in December 2023.

The bill was later passed into law by the Assembly under Ehie’s leadership.

Advertorial

Iboroma criticized the portrayal of the court’s decision as reinstating Amaewhule and his group, calling it a misrepresentation.

He stated that their defection was not an issue determined by the courts, and the legal challenges instead centered on the 2023 Appropriation Law and the National Assembly’s involvement in the Rivers State House of Assembly’s legislative duties.

He also noted that Governor Fubara had complied with a directive from the President to withdraw legal actions in order to promote peace, while Amaewhule and the others continued their case, leading to a judgment against the state government.

A factional crisis has hit the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leading to the suspension of several top officials.

The National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Illiya Damagum first suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, over allegations of disloyalty and insubordination.

Advertorial

The NWC, during its 593rd meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, decided that both Ologunagba and Ajibade should step aside to allow investigations into the allegations.

A committee chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, was formed to investigate the matter.

The NWC directed the deputies of the affected officials, Ibrahim Abdullahi Manga and Okechukwu Osuoha, to assume the roles of Acting National Publicity Secretary and Acting National Legal Adviser, respectively, beginning October 11, 2024.

Advertorial

However, in a surprising twist, Ologunagba responded by announcing the suspension of the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum, and the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.

Ologunagba’s statement pointed to their involvement in sending a letter to the Court of Appeal concerning a case against the PDP’s position regarding 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who had defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Advertorial

This move was deemed an act of gross misconduct and a violation of the party’s constitution.

In response to these accusations, Ologunagba announced that Damagum and Anyanwu would be suspended from all party activities and meetings pending an investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.

Both officials will remain suspended until further action is taken based on the committee’s findings.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has defended her husband, President Bola Tinubu, against criticisms linking him to the current economic challenges in the country.

Speaking during a visit to the Palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday, she emphasized that the Tinubu administration is still in its early stages and should not be blamed for Nigeria’s economic woes.

Advertorial

The country has faced severe economic difficulties, particularly after the removal of the fuel subsidy, which caused the price of petrol to surge from N198 to N1,030.

President Tinubu announced the end of the subsidy during his May 29, 2023, inaugural speech, stating that the policy was hindering Nigeria’s progress.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, while at the event to inaugurate a hostel and a 2.7-kilometer road donated to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) by the Ooni of Ife, addressed concerns about the economy.

She stated, “We are just two years into this administration, and we are not responsible for the current situation. We are working to fix it and secure a better future.”

She acknowledged the difficulty of removing the fuel subsidy but expressed confidence that the administration’s efforts would yield positive results in the coming years.

“With God’s help, Nigeria will be stronger in the next two years,” she added.

Advertorial

The First Lady also dismissed accusations of greed, emphasizing that her husband was committed to Nigeria’s progress.

She said, “We give glory to God for where we are today. Myself and my husband are not greedy, and we will not fail Nigeria. With God’s guidance, we are working toward the promised land.”

In recognition of her alma mater, Senator Tinubu, a graduate of OAU, donated N1 billion to the university for its development and advancement.

Advertorial

The Ooni of Ife praised the First Lady for her longstanding role as a positive influence on the younger generation.

He particularly noted her efforts in Lagos State with the New Era Initiative, which inspired many young people through programs like the One Day Governor initiative, fostering aspirations among secondary school students.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “T-Pain” in reaction to the recent increase in petrol prices.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) raised fuel prices across the country, prompting widespread backlash.

In Abuja, the price rose from N897 to N1,030 per litre, while in Lagos it increased from N855 to N998.

Advertorial

Prices in the North-East, South-West, South-East, and South-South regions also saw significant hikes, with the highest being N1,075 per litre in the South-South.

The price hike has stirred anger among Nigerians, with many calling on Tinubu to address the escalating costs.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, questioned whether Tinubu’s administration exists solely to raise fuel prices.

Advertorial

Atiku, who competed against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, added his voice to the debate on Thursday through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He attributed the country’s economic woes to the administration’s “haphazard and disingenuous” management of fuel subsidies.

Advertorial

“As things stand, there will be no relief from the rising inflation, which is eroding the well-being of Nigerians. It is even more alarming that T-Pain appears unconcerned about the country’s hardship,” Atiku said.

The nickname “T-Pain,” typically associated with the American musician, has been adopted by social media users to criticize Tinubu for the increasing cost of living.

Advertorial

Upon Tinubu’s return from an overseas trip last month, a social media user mocked him after he visited Maiduguri to offer condolences to flood victims, calling him “T-Pain” and commenting on his government’s response to the crisis.

In defense of the government, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that the federal government was not responsible for the latest fuel price increase.

He explained that NNPCL acted independently, driven by market conditions in the energy sector, and that since the removal of fuel subsidies in May 2023, the government no longer has the authority to fix fuel prices under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

According to Idris, NNPCL had been absorbing the losses to keep fuel prices lower but could no longer sustain it.

A Kano State High Court has once again issued an order restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, from renovating the Nassarawa Mini Palace.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday following an ex-parte motion filed by the Kano State Government, the Attorney General of Kano, and the Kano Emirate Council, through their counsel Rilwanu Umar SAN.

The motion was dated September 12, 2024.

Advertorial

The applicants sought a court order to halt Emir Ado Bayero’s renovation efforts at the mini palace.

In her ruling, the presiding judge and Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, found the application meritorious and granted the interlocutory injunction.

She noted that the respondent had not filed any counter affidavit or written argument opposing the application.

“It is pertinent to note that the respondent filed no counter affidavit nor written address challenging the applicant,” Justice Aboki stated before referring the case to High Court 15 for further mention.

Earlier, the applicants’ counsel, Rabiu Ibrahim-Yaura, informed the court that Emir Ado Bayero had been deposed under the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law of 2024.

Despite being served with the court papers on September 14, the respondent did not submit any defense or appear in court.

Advertorial

The applicants also asked the court to declare the Nassarawa Mini Palace as property belonging to the Kano State Government and the Emirate Council, and not a personal property of the Emir.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that invalidated the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

On Thursday, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that it lacked merit.

Advertorial

The court noted that Governor Fubara had previously withdrawn his counter-affidavit in the lower court, which barred him from initiating an appeal in a case he did not contest during the trial.

It emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law rather than exercising power arbitrarily.

Additionally, the court criticized the current situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a case of “executive dictatorship” by the governor, characterizing the circumstances as a joke taken too far.