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Yahaya Bello: Court Sets Nov 14 for Response to Summons and Arraignment

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Yahaya Bello Court Sets Nov 14 for Response to Summons

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday, granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s application for adjournment in a fresh charge against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello, and two others until Nov. 14

Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who appeared for the EFCC, made the oral application before Justice Maryann Anenih.

The former governor, alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively in the 16-count charge.

Oyedepo informed the court that at the last adjourned date, the court issued a public summons against the former governor directing that same be published and that the charge be pasted.

Justice Anenih, however, interjected, stating that she did not gave an order that the charge be pasted alongside the summons.

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Oyedepo, who admitted, said he had expected the 1st defendant to be in court, even though the 30-day duration of the summons would be on Nov. 14.

The anti-graft lawyer therefore sought for adjournment until Nov. 14 for arraignment of the three defendants.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, objected to Oyedepo’s application.

The senior lawyer insisted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment today, and that they were ready to proceed, arguing that the defendants were all independent and should be so treated.

“You cannot be using somebody as a human shield when they are not in hostage. I don’t like this practice,” he said.

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He said that if the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the case, the defendants who were already in court, should be discharged.

Mohammed Aliyu, SAN, who represented the 3rd defendant, aligned with Daudu’s submission.

Aliyu said in the alternative, he would be asking the court to take his client’s application for bail.

Oyedepo, however, disagreed with the defence.

He said that the application for bail could not be taken as the charge was a joint charge.

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According to him, there are counts of conspiracy in it.

The lawyer, who insisted that the court should adjourn to Nov. 14, said there was an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the 2nd defendant which was also served on him.

He argued that the application for bail cannot be taken until their arraignment.

Daudu, however, argued that Oyedepo’s position negated the principles of fair hearing.

“His argument is persuasive but does not go by what the law says.

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“That until one individual appears before they can be arraigned. I don’t understand this kind of practice.

“It is an affront to fair hearing because the privilege of fair hearing allows us to raise any issue. Keeping them for 10 years will have no impact.

“They have enjoyed administrative bail before with the EFCC, so it won’t hurt their pride if they give them,” he stated.

Besides, Daudu alleged that EFCC abused the court process when it obtained an order to remand the defendants at a magistrate court, even when the matter was already before the high court.

“That is the abuse,” he said.

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The 2nd defendant’s counsel also asked for a date for fundamental rights application for his client.

Though the judge refused the oral application for bail, she said the defendants should come formally by filling applications in writing.

Justice Anenih therefore adjourned until Nov. 14 and Nov. 20 for response of the 1st defendant to summons and/or arraignment.
#Yahaya #Bello #Court #Sets #Nov #Response #Summons #Arraignment


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Okpebholo orders Edo LG chairmen to submit 16 months account statements in 48 hours

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Okpebholo orders Edo LG – Okpebholo orders Edo LG…

Okpebholo orders Edo LG – Gov. Monday Okpebholo of…

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Tuesday directed the 18 local government chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date within 48 hours.

A statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, instructed that the documents should be submitted to the Assets Verification Committee through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

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At a meeting with the chairmen, the governor emphasised the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Okpebholo, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, assured the council chairmen of collaborative governance for the betterment of the state.

The governor reiterated that the directive would enhance the committee’s ability to verify assets efficiently. According to the governor, I have listened keenly to the ALGON Chairman, I’m a leader of all and we are one family.

The governor urged the chairmen to comply with the directive promptly to support the committee’s work. 

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LASEMA rescues 4 victims from road accident on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos

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LASEMA rescues 4 victims – LASEMA rescues 4 victims…

LASEMA rescues 4 victims – The Lagos State Emergency…

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said it rescued four accident victims on Monday evening.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Oke-Osanyintolu said the victims were severely injured in the accident involving two buses.

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He said that the incident happened in the late hours of Monday, on Third Mainland Bridge, inward Owroronshoki.

“Following distress calls received through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines at 17.25hrs, LASEMA activated its emergency response team from the  Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

“On arrival to the incident scene at 17.35hrs, we discovered that a white Toyota coaster bus, Registration Number KJA-380-XV collided with a parked Lagos State BRT, Registration Number AGL938-YD.

“This happened while the coaster bus was on motion resulting in significant damage and injuries.

“The accidented Toyota Coaster bus blindsided a parked BRT in an attempt to overtake a car while headed inward Iyana Oworo,” he said.

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He said four people were severely injured including the driver, adding that no fatalities were recorded in the incident.

“The recovery operation was coordinated by the agency and we extricated the trapped passengers.

“The injured victims were administered pre-hospital care treatment by the agency’s paramedics before being evacuated to nearby government-owned hospitals.

“The white coaster bus was subsequently towed to Iyana-Oworo and handed over to the Police. Recovery operation concluded,” he stated.

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Labour strikes cripple activities in 4 states over ₦70,000 minimum wage

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Labour strikes cripple activities – Labour strikes cripple activities…

Labour strikes cripple activities – Economic activities were paralysed…

Economic activities were paralysed in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states on Monday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a one-week warning strike over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

In Abuja, teachers expressed frustration with the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) area councils for failing to comply with the minimum wage directive.

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The labour action caused widespread disruption to public services across the nation’s capital.

Kaduna state saw ministries and agencies grind to a halt despite the government’s claims of having commenced minimum wage payments in October, barring consequential adjustments.

“We have started implementation,” said a Kaduna State official.

However, workers dismissed these claims as insufficient.

In Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru responded to the industrial action by announcing a 72-hour ultimatum for workers to resume or face dismissal.

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He stated that the state government had approved and started implementing a ₦75,000 minimum wage.

However, striking workers described the announcement as “mere rhetoric” lacking actionable backing.

Nasarawa also witnessed widespread disruption, with organised labour accusing state authorities of failing to meet the October and November implementation deadlines.

The strike highlights escalating tensions between labour unions and state governments over wage disparities. Union leaders have vowed to sustain their protest until their demands are met.

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