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Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment

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6 months ago

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Yahaya Bello

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on an alleged money laundering case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to July 17, 2024.

At the resumed hearing on Thursday, the former governor’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, brought the court’s attention to an application before the Chief Judge for transfer of charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 to Federal High Court, Lokoja, pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act.

He said the Prosecution had been notified and their opinion had been sought via a letter dated 14th June 2024 from the Chief Judge’s office.

The letter, addressed to EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, was signed by the Special Assistant to the Chief Judge, Joshua Ibrahim AJI, Esq.

“You will find attached the copy of a letter by Counsel to the Defendant on the above subject matter, dated 10th June 2024.

“I am directed by His Lordship, the Honourable, the Chief Judge, to forward the letter to you for your response within 6 (six) days of receipt,” the letter read in part.

The former governor was supposed to appear in court on June 13, the last adjourned date but for the EFCC counsels’ decision to seek adjournment to June 27, having indicated that the previous date would not be convenient.

Adedipe SAN reminded the court that his appearance at the last hearing was accidental and that this would be seen from the court’s records.

He said, “After the proceeding on that day, and we gave him the report of what happened in court, I was made to understand that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the Honourable Chief Judge of the FHC requesting in substance that this matter be administratively transferred to the FHC Lokoja judicial division believed to have territorial jurisdiction.

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In the EFCC’s charge, the offence was said to have been committed when the former Governor was Governor of Kogi State.

Adedipe said, “The letter was received and the office of the Honourable Chief Judge of FHC did write to the prosecution team through Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on 14th June 2024, notifying him that the Honourable Chief Judge of FHC had activated the administrative process to that request whereof it was directed that he should provide a response to the request of counsel made on behalf of the defendant.”

He said the issue was no longer in the hands of the bar but the bench.

“After the last case, a letter was written. This issue is no longer in the hands of the bar but the bench. If the honourable chief judge has taken an initiative, I need to give him the necessary respect.”

The Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, disagreed, saying that the matter was for arraignment and that the former Governor’s counsel had, on June 13, undertaken to produce the defendant in court.

“The letter to the CJ doesn’t discharge the undertaken. It’s not a judicial decision,” he said.

“Since no reason has been offered by Adeola. Your lordship should treat this as professional misconduct and contempt of court,” the EFCC lawyer urged.

In his response, Adeola said he had already told the court that his appearance on June 13 was accidental.

“I only appeared in the matter that day when I noticed the senior advocate was in court contrary to the prior agreement.

“Because Mr Pinheiro sent a letter to Mr Wahab, the lead counsel for the defendant, saying that the set date won’t be convenient and it was decided that junior lawyers will be sent to court to take dates,” he argued.

But Pinheiro argued that since the defendant had not been produced despite the undertaking of two senior advocates of Nigeria, he would be moving an application of contempt against them.

Adeola, SAN cut in, saying that the EFCC counsels were trying to trade blames where none existed, and indicated his interest in withdrawing from the case, considering the posture of the EFCC counsels on the matter.

After arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned to July 17 for ruling and arraignment.

Court adjourns Yahaya Bello’s arraignment

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Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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1 hour ago

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December 29, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.

Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.

Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.

“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.

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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.

Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.

He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”

Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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2 days ago

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December 27, 2024

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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.

The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.

Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.

This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.

“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.

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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.

Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:

Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.

Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.

Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).

In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.

The application process opens on 27 December 2024 and will close on 2 January 2025. Interested candidates can apply via the official recruitment portal at https://recruitment.customs.gov.ng.

The NCS reiterated its commitment to a transparent recruitment process and encouraged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]

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Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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5 days ago

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December 24, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.

“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.

The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.

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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.

Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.

There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.

In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.

 

Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size

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