Metro

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

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2024

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who was absent for his scheduled arraignment and plea bargain, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Thursday, wrote the court a letter that he would prefer to be tried in his state.

Bello, in the letter he wrote through his team of lawyers led by Abdulwahab Mohammed, claimed that only the Kogi High Court in Lokoja has the territorial jurisdiction to preside over the allegations that were brought against him.

Adeola Adedipe, one of the lawyers in Bello’s team, told the court about the letter.

Addressing the court, Adedipe said after the close of the last sitting, he reported back to his team what transpired in court and he was informed that a letter had been written on behalf of the defendant to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

“Requesting in substance, that this matter be administratively transferred to the Federal High Court, Lokoja Judicial Division, which we believe has territorial jurisdiction to handle this matter.

“That letter was received at the Chief Judge’s Chambers and the office of the honourable CJ. We wrote the prosecution team through Mr Iseoluwa Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on June 13, notifying him that administrative steps had been activated, whereof he was directed to provide a response to the request for transfer of the matter,” Adedipe said.

He, however, noted that he wasn’t aware that there had been a response by the prosecution team in compliance with the directive of the CJ.

“We are also not in receipt of any decision that has been made on this request by the CJ,” he said.

He further added that they have filed an affidavit to this effect and attached two documents referencing the same.

He told the court that he isn’t urging anything from the court at the moment although his duty is to the court.

He added that he just wanted to present the facts as they were.

The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinhero, asked the court to compel the defence lawyer to say why the defendant was not in court, despite an undertaking he made on June 13, to ensure his presence in court for his scheduled arraignment which has been adjourned multiple times.

Pinehero contended that the letter to the CJ did not discharge the undertaking made by Bello’s counsel at the previous sitting.

He said a situation where a petition is forwarded against a judge to the National Judicial Council, does not stop proceedings on cases pending before the judge.

He said the court should invite Bello’s counsels to show cause why they should not be dealt with for contemptuous conduct.

He urged the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, to dismiss the tales of the defence lawyer as “dilatory and a further attempt to treat this court with scorn.”

Bello is facing charges bordering on money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about N80.2bn brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Metro

Edo State Security Network Members In Police Net Over Alleged Murder

Published

9 mins ago

June 30, 2024

Editor

The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested some members of the Edo State Security Network, ESSN, in connection with the death of one Omobude.

The Commissioner of Police in the State, Funsho Adegboye, made this known to newsmen in Benin.

Adegboye said the members of the State’s Security Network were invited by one Hassan Haladu during a fight with the deceased.

He said the ESSN, on arriving at the scene of the fighting, tied the deceased who later died as a result of suffocation.

He added that on receiving the information, the operatives of the Ikpoba Hill Divisional Headquarters stormed the scene and arrested six suspects.

The commissioner said the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at Our Clinic Hospital for autopsy while an investigation has commenced.

Adegboye also disclosed the arrest of one Akhere Solomon, an alleged serial killer, who had participated in the recent secret cult-related killings in the state.

He said the suspect was arrested following an investigation into a case of alleged murder reported to the command by one Samuel.

The commissioner stated that the complainant had petitioned the command of the alleged shooting to death of his brother by hoodlums suspected to be cultists.

He explained that as a result of the petition, the operatives of the command swung into action and arrested the suspect who confessed to being a member of the Eiye secret cult confraternity, and had participated in the recent secret cult killings in the state.
He said efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members.

Metro

UPDATED: 30 Killed, 100 Injured In Suicide Attacks At Borno Wedding, Funeral

Published

17 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

No fewer than 30 persons died, with over 100 injured when suicide bombers attacked wedding and funeral ceremonies in Borno state.

The First Class Emir of Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, on Saturday, confirmed that multiple suicide attacks were carried out at various locations, including a wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town.

The coordinated incidents, which took place in the afternoon, caused pandemonium as people scamper for safety.

Reliable sources said: “More than 30 innocent civilians were killed, while over 100 sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Many of the victims have been evacuated to Maiduguri for medical attention.”

Woman and two children

Confirming the incident to Vanguard exclusively, the royal father, Timta, said, “The entire Gwoza council area is in serious mourning following multiple suicide attacks on our community.

“The first suicide attack was masterminded by an unidentified woman. She sneaked in with two children into a wedding reception of a popular young man in Gwoza. Then she detonated her Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, killing herself and many people.

“Few minutes after, another suicide bomber sneaked into a burial ceremony nearby and detonated IEDs. And as i am talking to you right now, the third explosion just occurred a few minutes ago with more casualties.

“At least, over 100 people were injured, and most of them who sustained serious injuries have been rushed to Maiduguri with military escort for proper medical attention.

“This is just a preliminary confirmation, as details of the casualties are still yet unknown. But I will keep you posted on any developments,” the Emir stated.

Reacting to the incidents, a member representing Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa federal constituency, Ahmed Usman Jaha a.k.a Babawo, sympathized with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the multiple attacks.

He prayed Allah to grant the souls of the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus. Also, he wished those who sustained injuries quick recovery.

Gwoza, a town in southern Borno borders the Cameroun Republic.

It was hitherto declared Boko Haram territory. It was captured by insurgents with hundreds of people killed before it was later liberated by troops

Metro

PHOTOS: Drama As Couple Take Wedding Vows Inside Lagos Airport

Published

18 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Editor

Airport users were on Saturday astonished as a couple, Olamide Agboola, and Abiodun Alli, took their wedding vows at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II (MMA2).

The terminal is operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd. (BASL).

Traveling across Quang Binh to stunning cinematic locations

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the barricaded section of the departure area, for the wedding, accommodated only about 50 guests.

Mr Kola Bamigboye, the Chief Operating Officer, BASL, told NAN that the wedding, which was first of its kind at the airport, was to tell the world that MMA2 was more than a terminal.

He hoped that with the successful wedding ceremony, more people would like to wedding at airports.