Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:

“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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

on

By

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Advertisement

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

on

By

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Advertisement

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

READ ALSO:2027: You Will Lose 80% Of Northern Muslim Votes If…, APC Forum Warns Tinubu

Advertisement

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

Advertisement

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

READ ALSO:Monarch’s Suspension Sparks Crisis In Delta

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Advertisement

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

Advertisement

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

on

By

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Advertisement

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns On Recalled U.S. Supplements

Advertisement

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Uncovers Warehouse Loaded With Explosive Chemicals In Kano

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

Advertisement

The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

READ ALSO:NAFDAC Warns Against VDM’s Inciting Video

Advertisement

Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version