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EFCC Kicks As Yahaya Bello Seeks Court’s Permission To Travel Abroad

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, fixed July 21 to rule on an application the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, filed to be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Bello, who is facing a 19-count money laundering charge, in his application dated June 20, begged the court to release his international passport which was seized as part of his bail conditions, to enable him to visit a hospital in the United Kingdom, UK.

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Addressing the court through his team of lawyers led by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Prof. Joseph Daudu, SAN, the defendant said he was referred to the foreign hospital by a cardiologist.

Praying the court to exercise its discretion in his favour, Bello said he never travelled outside the country for the eight years he served as the governor of Kogi.

He pledged to travel within the court’s vacation period and return to the country for the continuation of his trial.

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READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests Bauchi Accountant General Over Alleged N70bn Fraud

“My lord, this is a harmless and non-political issue that borders on the health of the defendant who is ready and willing to face his trial.

“He has never been late to court. The little misunderstanding that happened before this trial began was politically motivated. If permitted to travel, he will return before the end of August and the court can also set a date.

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“This is a criminal trial, not a political witch-hunt,” Daudu, SAN, pleaded.

However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, opposed the application which it said amounted to an abuse of court process.

According to the prosecution counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, though the defendant claimed he was suffering from hypertension and hypercalcemia or low potassium, no evidence was adduced to show that it is a life-threatening situation.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Try Me In Kogi, Yahaya Bello Writes Court

The prosecution argued that there are well-equipped hospitals in the country that could effectively treat the ailments.

EFCC’s counsel told the court that Bello claimed that he built ultra-modern hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities in Kogi while he was governor.

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This defendant insisted that the hospitals were built to curb medical tourism,” the prosecution counsel added as he faulted the medical report which he said did not disclose the qualification of the doctor that signed it.

More so, EFCC told the court that the defendant is facing serious allegations that have international dimensions, insisting he could be arrested by the Interpol once he leaves the shores of Nigeria.

This defendant is already on the red notice. The EFCC sent a letter to the Interpol when he was playing games with the prosecution and he was placed on the red list.

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“He doesn’t know what is awaiting him there. He can be Hushpuppied to the US or UAE. That is a risk because it will affect this trial,” the prosecution counsel added.

Aside from noting that those who stood surety for the defendant were not served with the application, EFCC alleged that the former governor filed the same application before an Abuja high court, where he is facing another charge.

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After he had listened to both parties, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter for ruling.

Meanwhile, a mild drama played out in the court after the fourth witness, Mr. Mshelia Arhyel Bata, who is a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank, refuted the allegation that he was harassed by security operatives attached to the former governor.

Pinheiro, SAN, had shortly after the case was called up, informed the court that the witness was accosted by one of the security men, even as he demanded an investigation.

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READ ALSO:EFCC Withdraws Appeal Against Former Kogi Gov, Bello

My lord, the witness told me that this is not the first time. A situation where a witness is harassed in a criminal case amounts to interference,” the prosecution counsel insisted.

Responding, Bello’s lawyer, Daudu, SAN, promised to investigate the issue and report back to the court.

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However, shortly before the case was adjourned, the witness sought permission of the court to speak.

He told the court that, contrary to the claim of the prosecution counsel, he was neither harassed nor attacked by any security operative.

My lord, I want to put it on record that no one harassed or intimidated me. I only had a minor altercation with someone which had nothing to do with the defendant,” the witness added.

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READ ALSO:Appeal Court Stops Yahaya Bello’s Contempt Proceedings Against EFCC

Answering questions under cross-examination, the PW-4, further told the court that Bello’s name did not feature as a beneficiary in all the withdrawals that were made from accounts belonging to Kogi state.

Justice Nwite adjourned the case to July 3 and 4 for the continuation of cross-examination of the witness.

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Bello, who piloted the affairs of Kogi state from 2016 to 2024, is facing trial over his alleged complicity in an N80.2 billion fraud.

EFCC alleged that he used five proxies to acquire 13 choice properties in highbrow areas of Abuja and Dubai.

It told the court that the properties were acquired with the proceeds of crime.

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Besides, the anti-graft agency alleged that the former governor attempted to conceal over N3bn by handing same to proxies to keep for him.

It further told the court that the defendant wired over $700, 000 to an account he maintained with a bank in the United States of America, USA, in breach of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

The ex-governor pleaded not guilty to the charge, even as he was released on bail by the court, pending the determination of allegations against him.

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Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

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Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

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“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

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Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

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The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

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He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends 67 Dukes

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“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed. 

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“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

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Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

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Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

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According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

READ ALSO: EFCC Orders Arrest Of Dismissed Officer On Lege Miami’s Show

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According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

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“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

READ ALSO: Things To Know About Procurement Fraud As A Nigerian – EFCC

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

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“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

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READ ALSO: EFCC Recovers Funds Lost To CBEX Fraud, Forfeiture Process Underway — Olukoyede

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

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“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.

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