metro
EFCC begins fresh hunt as Yahaya Bello goes into hiding
EFCC begins fresh hunt as Yahaya Bello goes into hiding
The drama that unfolded on Wednesday between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, is yet to find a landing spot.
EFCC operatives surrounded the state government lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, where Bello was reportedly hiding, but failed to apprehend him.
Prior to the operation, Bello had claimed he was complying with the EFCC’s summons, asserting he had nothing to conceal.
However, sources indicate that he has since returned to the Kogi State Government House, where he had been hiding before his trip to Abuja.
After several hours of attempting to arrest him, EFCC officials expressed frustration at their inability to detain the former governor, suggesting that he is being protected by his successor, Governor Usman Ododo.
One anonymous source within the EFCC revealed, “If not for the current governor providing him cover, we would have executed the arrest. We are bound by the law and are cautious about the immunity enjoyed by Governor Ododo.”
The same strategies that allowed Bello to avoid capture previously were reportedly employed again.
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An insider from the Kogi government criticized the EFCC’s tactics, claiming that Bello was unfairly targeted despite his cooperation.
The EFCC had declared Bello wanted in April for allegedly evading multiple invitations related to investigations into a suspected N80.2 billion money laundering scheme.
Tensions escalated during a previous attempt to arrest him, which involved armed operatives and backup from police and security services.
Following that incident, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede reached out personally to Bello, offering to facilitate his interrogation at EFCC headquarters. However, Bello declined the offer, claiming concerns about potential media scrutiny.
On Wednesday morning, Bello’s media team issued a statement affirming his respect for legal processes, asserting his intention to clear his name. They emphasized that he has consistently cooperated with authorities.
In contrast, the EFCC promptly refuted claims that he was in their custody, reiterating his status as a wanted individual.
Internal discussions within the EFCC indicate that they are reevaluating their strategies to secure his arrest, though specific details remain undisclosed.
As this situation continues to develop, the EFCC appears determined to pursue its investigation into the former governor’s alleged financial misconduct.
EFCC begins fresh hunt as Yahaya Bello goes into hiding
metro
Court strikes out Bobrisky’s fundamental rights suit against EFCC
Court strikes out Bobrisky’s fundamental rights suit against EFCC
Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a fundamental rights suit instituted against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju (a.k.a Bobrisky) alleging breach of his rights by the Commission and seeking N200million damages.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, November 28, 2024, Justice Owoeye held that Bobrisky’s claims of encroachment of his rights lacked merit with no credible evidence to justify the reliefs he sought from the court.
One of the reliefs sought was an “ an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents” from harassing, declaring him wanted, arresting or detaining him “whether by themselves, their officers, servants, agents…”.
In another relief, Bobrisky prayed the court to award the sum of N200million against the EFCC as damages he allegedly suffered from the activities of the Commission regarding his arrest and trial.
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After evaluating all the reliefs he sought, Justice Owoeye ruled that “having evaluated the evidence placed before this Court by the Applicant, it is evident that the Applicant has failed to provide credible evidence to justify the award of the declaratory and injunctive reliefs sought by him”.
The judge further stated that, “in the final analysis, I hold the claims of violation of fundamental rights against the 1st and 2nd Respondents were not made out of the affidavit evidence placed before this Court. The claim of the Applicant against the 1st to the 2nd Respondents hereby lacks merit and is liable to be dismissed. It is accordingly dismissed”. The judge also refused to award any damage against the EFCC.
Bobrisky had dragged both the EFCC and the National Assembly before the court and all the reliefs he sought were thrown out. He was originally arrested by the EFCC on April 4, 2024 by the Commission for Naira abuse. His arrest eventually led to his six months conviction by Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on April 12, 2024.
Court strikes out Bobrisky’s fundamental rights suit against EFCC
metro
Police arrest 5 suspected trans-border arms dealers, recover 5 Israeli rifles, others
Police arrest 5 suspected trans-border arms dealers, recover 5 Israeli rifles, others
Operatives of the Nigerian Police have arrested 5 suspected trans-border arms dealers during a major operation in Zamfara State.
A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects were arrested on 18th November, 2024, with several arms recovered from them.
The statement reads : “The Nigeria Police Force in its unyielding resolution and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, continues to work tirelessly to prevent and combat all forms of crime and criminality.
These relentless efforts are paying off, as the Force has successfully made the arrest of five (5) suspects involved in trans-border gun running. The suspects identified as Adamu Noma ‘m’, Matthew Audu ‘m’, Andrew Poyi ‘m’, Aminu Sani ‘m’, and Aminu Talha ‘m’ were apprehended by the operatives of the FID-IRT on the 18th of November, 2024 in Zamfara State.
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Upon arrest and conducted search, 10 locally fabricated Ak-47 rifles, 5 Isreali Ak-47 rifles, 1 revolver pistol, 1 pump action rifle, 20 rounds of Ak-47 ammunition, and 1 welding machine for fabrication of rifles were recovered from the suspect.
These feats, and several more recorded by police operatives across the country are indications of the steadfastness and commitment of the current police leadership to decimate and subdue criminal activities and insecurity in general in the country.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM., has re-echoed his directive to operatives of the Force, particularly, tactical units, to mop up every illegal arms and ammunition, and see to the total dismantling of local manufacturers of illicit arms and ammunition and dangerous weapons by all means. ”
Police arrest 5 suspected trans-border arms dealers, recover 5 Israeli rifles, others
metro
Army releases investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo
Army releases investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo
The Nigerian Army has released investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo.
According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), this development followed an intense media campaign advocating for his release.
In a social media post on Friday, FIJ revealed that the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had detained its founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ wrote.
In its response, the Nigerian Army, through the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, stated that Soyombo was arrested at an illegal bunkering site.
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Confirming Soyombo’s release on Friday evening, FIJ in a post via X said: “We can confirm that our founder @fisayosoyombo has now been released by @HQNigerianArmy, following the intense media campaign you all mounted.
“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in “illegal oil bunkering”. FIJ will also address this statement appropriately.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of ‘Fisayo Soyombo in view of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention. We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release.”
Army releases investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo
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