News

N2.1bn fraud: Malami, Falana, Magu fail to testify for Maina

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2021

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Femi Falana (SAN) and others failed to attend court on Wednesday at the resumed proceedings in the trial of former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina.

Maina and his firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd, are being prosecuted before a Federal High Court in Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on money laundering charge involving about N2.1billion.

The court had on March 8, 2021, at the instance of Maina’s lawyer, issued witness summons on Malami, Falana, the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and seven others to appear between March 9 and 11 and testify as witnesses of the first defendant (Maina).

The court also invited M. Mustapha, Director of Compliance at the Central Bank of Nigeria; Ibrahim Kaigama of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS); Chief Kenneth Amabem of Central Business District, Abuja; G.T. Idris and Hassan Salihu of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC); and Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Wakil (retd).

None of those invited attended the resumed proceedings on Wednesday.

Maina’s lawyer, Sani Katu (SAN). also did not inform the court that any of the subpoenaed witnesses was in court. Instead, he applied orally to withdraw from the case.

He was silent on why he sought to withdraw. Had his application been granted, Katu would have been the fifth defence lawyer to withdraw since the case started.

Those who earlier withdrew are Joe Gadzama (SAN), Adeola Adedipe, Francis Oronsaye and Anayo Adibe.

When Katu applied to withdraw on Wednesday, lawyer to the EFCC, Farouk Abdullah objected, arguing that the defence lawyer failed to comply with Section 349(8) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Section 349(8) of ACJA states: “Where a legal practitioner intends to disengage from a matter, he shall notify the court, not less than three days before the date fixed for hearing and such notice shall be served on the court and all parties.”

Ruling, Justice Okon Abang rejected Katu’s claim that he had discussed his withdrawal, off record, with the prosecution lawyer.

He described Katu’s request to withdraw as one “done in bad faith”.

“His application to withdraw is to compound issues and to hold the court to ransom. In any event, from the record from the court, a notice has not been filed before the court.

“If a law requires that notice should be filed, it should be filed. It is not a sentimental issue but an issue of law which cannot be overlooked.

“The obvious lapses on his part cannot move the court to grant this application. The application to withdraw legal representation and cause confusion in the matter lacks merit and is accordingly refused,” Justice Abang said.

He also rejected Katu’s further request for adjournment to enable him to file a formal application for withdrawal. The judge then ordered the first defendant to produce his second witness.

Rather than call his next witness, Katu told the court that his planned witness, Charles Enakaeno, was involved in an accident and could not attend court.

Katu sought a further adjournment, relying on Section 396 of the ACJA, a request Abdullah did not oppose.

Ruling, Justice Abang expressed displeasure that Maina failed to assemble his witnesses on time.

News

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

IGP orders withdrawal of police attached to Yahaya Bello

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has withdrawn all police officers attached to former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello.

This is contained in a police wireless message obtained on Friday.

The document with reference number: “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/ 34 read, “IG has ordered the withdrawal of all policemen attached to His Excellency and former Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has also placed Bello on its watchlist after he evaded arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80 billion financial crime.

The notice to this effect comes a few hours after the EFCC declared the former Governor wanted.

Bello is being wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt practices while in office as Kogi Governor.

News

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

Published

9 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on Information & Strategy

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

The internet users has bombarded the twitter page (X) of the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga over his comment on former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who resisted arrest by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall EFCC declared the former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted for alleged misappropriation of funds while in office. The development has been attracting mixed reactions from members of the public, and one of those who reacted was the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

On Thursday, the EFCC had declared Yahaya Bello wanted in connection with an alleged case of money laundering to the tune of about 80 billion naira.

Sharing a photo of the former governor online, the anti-graft agency said that anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact them.

Tinubu’s aide under fire over comment on Yahaya Bello arrest

News

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

Published

13 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Updated: More trouble for Yahaya Bello as Immigration places him on watch list

The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.

The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.

This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.

The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.

The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.

Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”