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Alleged Money Laundering: Yahaya Bello Begs Court to spare his landed Property

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A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has appealed to Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to spare him the possession of a landed property in the Maitama district as one of the conditions for bail.

Bello made the plea on Thursday, December 19, 2024, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN. He argued that obtaining Certificates of Occupancy and other title documents for properties in Maitama is challenging due to the peculiarities of the area.

“My Lord, most people who may be willing to stand as sureties are reluctant to part with their original title documents.

Moreover, many buildings in Maitama are corporate establishments like Transcorp Hilton, NCC among others. Therefore, we are pleading with this honourable court to consider other highbrow areas such as Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, and others when granting bail to our client,” he said.

Earlier, Daudu informed the court that the matter was slated for the hearing of Bello’s bail application. Explaining, he told the court, “We filed our application yesterday, December 18, 2024, and the prosecution served a counter-affidavit the same day.

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“We intend to focus on the trial, and for that, we need unrestricted access to the defendant to ensure he is fully prepared.

The charges against him are bailable. Moreover, there are critical documents that only he can access. My Lord, the second and third defendants have already been granted bail, and if not for procedural delays, my client would have been granted bail as well,” he said.

In response, counsel for the prosecution, Olukayode Eniton SAN, did not oppose the bail application.

“I confirm that the learned senior counsel, Daudu, has been in communication with the prosecution team. Based on the assurance that the defendant will stand trial, barring unforeseen circumstances, we are willing to defer to your lordship’s discretion regarding the terms and conditions of bail,” he said.

In her ruling, Justice Anenih granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum. The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro.

The judge also ordered Bello to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court registrar. She further directed that he remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre, Kuje, until his bail conditions are met.

Two other defendants standing trial alongside Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had their bail conditions varied. The judge reduced their bail sum from N300m to N200m and further ordered that they could get landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court that had the same values as the bail sum.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Oricha and Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion.

Justice Anenih adjourned hearing on the substantive suit till January 29, 2024

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Breaking:Kano Deputy Governor Resigns

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Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo Former Kano state Deputy Governor

 

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has announced the resignation of the Deputy Governor of Kano State Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, stating that the decision was formally communicated to the public in a press release issued on Friday and signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed.

According to the statement, the resignation was taken “in the overall interest of the people and the stability of governance” in the state, with the movement noting that recent developments had significantly limited the Deputy Governor’s ability to fully discharge the responsibilities of the office.

The movement also addressed the ongoing issues involving the Kano State House of Assembly, emphasizing that the Deputy Governor’s decision to step down should not be interpreted as an admission of any allegations raised against him, and insisting that he continues to maintain his innocence.

Describing the move as one of “statesmanship,” the statement said the resignation was intended to reduce political tension and prevent further disruptions to governance and development efforts in Kano State, while demonstrating a commitment to peace and political maturity.

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The Kwankwasiyya Movement further disclosed that the former Deputy Governor plans to redirect his focus toward strengthening the movement’s internal structures and strategies, particularly as political actors begin positioning ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The statement added that this renewed engagement would involve rebuilding party frameworks and pursuing strategic realignments aimed at promoting what it described as people-oriented leadership, social justice, and sustainable development.

The movement called on its supporters and residents of Kano State to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to democratic principles, assuring the public that additional details regarding the resignation would be communicated in due course, according to the spokesperson.

 

Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo the Deputy Governor has been enmeshed in a political battle with his boss Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf since the Governor defected to the All Progressives Congress without the blessing of the NNPP National leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

 

Recently the Kano state House of Assembly has issued Impeachment notice on Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo over allegation of corruption.

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Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, Mother of Former Kaduna Governor, Passes Away

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, the mother of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has died.

According to family sources, she passed away on Friday afternoon. While details surrounding her death remain unclear at this time, the family has since confirmed the sad event.

The announcement was made public by her grandson, Bello El-Rufai, in a statement shared on Facebook. The statement read:

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“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. From Allah SWT we came and to Him we shall all return.

I would like to inform the public of the demise of my grandmother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, who passed away a few hours ago.

She is the biological mother of our father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. We are grateful for the life she lived and pray that Allah SWT bless her gentle soul.

May He bless the souls of the parents we have lost. On behalf of our family, we seek your prayers. Thank you.”

The family is expected to release further details regarding funeral arrangements in due course.

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ASUU Threatens Nationwide Shutdown

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has warned the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately implement the newly approved salary structure for university lecturers or face a possible nationwide shutdown of public universities.

The union issued a four-day ultimatum on Thursday, with its president, Christopher Piwuna, saying failure to act within the deadline would trigger a strong response.

Speaking at Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State, Piwuna said the government must begin payment under the new salary arrangement without further delay.

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“We have issued a four-day ultimatum from today to the federal government to commence payment of the newly approved salary structure. Failure to comply will attract a strong response from the union,” he said.

The warning comes months after ASUU and the federal government signed a renegotiated agreement in January, aimed at resolving long-standing disputes and preventing the recurring strikes that have plagued Nigeria’s university system.

At the heart of the agreement is a revised salary structure designed to improve lecturers’ welfare and finally address issues stemming from the controversial 2009 FG-ASUU pact, which remained largely unimplemented for years.

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