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Update : Yahaya Bello, in Another Fraud as EFCC files fresh N110 billion corruption charges against him
The fresh case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, adding to a pending N80 billion money laundering case against him.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh corruption charges against former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, who is still being wanted for an earlier money laundering case.
EFCC accuses Mr Bello in the fresh case of dishonestly diverting more than N110 billion from the Kogi State Government’s treasury while he was governor for eight years.
The fresh case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. It adds to the legal troubles of Mr Bello, who has been elusive, shunning summons regarding an earlier money laundering case involving alleged diversion of more than N80 billion pending against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Federal High Court Headquarters, Abuja
The new case has 16 counts, with two other persons – Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu – charged as co-defendants.
The charges include criminal breach of trust involving alleged diversion of more than N110 billion entrusted in Mr Bello’s care as Kogi State governor. The anti-graft agency said Mr Bello and his co-defendants diverted this fund in 2016, his first year in office.
It also alleged in various counts that Mr Bello dishonestly acquired for himself properties located in choice areas of Abuja and one in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with funds he allegedly diverted from the state government’s treasury.
For instance, the commission said the former Kogi State governor took N100 million from the government’s treasury to buy himself a property at 1160 Cadastral Zone C03, Gwarimpa II, Abuja, in 2021.
It alleged he bought another property at 35, Danubi Street, Maitama, Abuja, for himself with N950 million belonging to the state in 2023.
He allegedly bought another one at 2, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja, with N920 million belonging to the state in 2020.
In another count, the commission alleged that Mr Bello took N100 million from the Kogi State Government to buy himself a property known as Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
The fresh case significantly raises the stakes in EFCC’s efforts to bring Mr Bello to court, with the former governor continuing fighting hard to stave off trial.
EFCC’s move to prosecute Mr Bello has been marked by dramas both within and outside the courtroom. This includes a recent controversial surrender by Mr Bello, which the EFCC curiously rejected, followed by a shootout during a failed arrest attempt by the agency’s operatives at the Kogi State Government Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
In April, a similar spectacle unfolded when EFCC operatives attempted to apprehend him at his residence in Abuja. At the time, police officers attached to the house obstructed the EFCC operatives’ bid to arrest him based on a court order. The standoff between the two sides had continued until Mr Bello’s successor, Governor Usman Ododo, suddenly emerged in his official convoy, aiding his escape. Mr Bello snubbed the trial court the following day, prompting the EFCC to declare him wanted.
He has skipped subsequent scheduled arraignment sittings at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Wednesday marked the seventh occasion he snubbed the court since the EFCC’s initial attempt to arraign him on the N80 billion money laundering charges in April.
To halt the trial, Mr Bello has pursued various legal avenues. He wrote to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to transfer the case from Abuja to Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. He filed a series of applications, urging the trial judge, Emeka Nwite, to stop the trial. He filed a fundamental human rights case and a contempt case at the Kogi State High Court. He also filed appeals at the Court of Appeal in Abuja to stop the trial. All of these efforts failed, with the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirming the EFCC’s authority to prosecute him and ordering him to surrender to the Federal High Court for arraignment in its judgements delivered in July and August.
Despite these rulings, Mr Bello once again failed to appear in court for his re-scheduled arraignment on Wednesday, with his lawyer citing a new appeal filed at the Supreme Court challenging the Court of Appeal’s judgement.
Properties he allegedly bought dishonestly with Kogi State’s funds and amount are as alleged in the new case are as follows:
1. Block 18 (337) flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja
Acquired in 2016: N60 million
2. No 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja
Renovated in 2017: N310,443,450.
3. No 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 at No. 13 Citiscape Sharriff Plaza, Abuja
Acquired in 2020: N66 million
4. No 2934A, Cadastral Zone A06, also known as No 1, Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.
Acquired in 2020: N550 million
5. No 2, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja
Acquired in 2020: N100 million
6. Property known as No 1058, measuring about 1450.77sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2, also known as No 2, Durban Street, Abuja
Acquired in 2021: N650 million
7. No 1160, Cadastral Zone CO3, Gwarimpa II District, Abuja
Acquired in 2021: N100 million in 2021
8. Property located at Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa, located at Plot 160, Municipality No 345 7562, Sky View Building No. 401, Floor4, Dubai UAE
Acquired in 2022: Dhs 5,698,888 (UAE dirham)
9. Block D, Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja
Acquired in 2022: N170 million
10. No A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja
Acquired in 2020: N100 million
11. No. 1773, Guzape District, Abuja
Acquired in 2018: N100 million
12. No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja
Acquired in 2023: N950 million
The fresh 16 counts that were filed against Mr Bello and his two co-defendants below.
In 2016 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court agreed amongst yourselves to cause to be done an illegal act to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of the total sum of N110, 446, 470, 089.00 (One Hundred and Ten Billion, Four Hundred and Forty six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Eighty Nine Naira) entrusted to you.
In 2023, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N950,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 35 Danube Street, Maitama District, Abuja.
In 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1160 Cadastral Zone CO3,Gwarimpa II District, Abuja.
In 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N920,000,000.00 (Nine Hundred and Twenty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2 Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
In 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N170,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as Block D Manzini Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
In 2018 , in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1773 Guzape District, Abuja.
In 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: A02/176 Block 488B, Lome Street, Wuse 1, Abuja.
In 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N66,000,000.00 (Sixty Six Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 739 Aminu Kano Crescent, wuse 2 at No. 13 Citiscape Sharriff Plaza, Abuja.
In 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N550,000,000.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 2934A Cadastral Zone A06 also known as No.1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama District, Abuja.
In 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N650,000,000.00 (Six Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as No: 1058, Measuring about 1450.77sqm in Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 also Known as NO.2 Durban Street Abuja.
In 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of Five Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Eight Dirhams for the acquisition of a property located at Hotel Apartment Community: Burj Khalifa, lying, being and situate at Plot 160, Municipality NO 345 7562, Sky View Building No.401, Floor4, Dubai U.A.E.
In 2016, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N60,000,000.00 (Sixty Million Naira) for the acquisition of a property known as Block 18 (337) flat B Gwelo Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
In 2017, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly used the total sum of N310,443,450.00 (Three Hundred and Ten Million, Four Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, four Hundred and fifty Naira) to tastefully renovate a property known as No: 9 Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
In 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.
In 2021, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst having dominion over the state’s treasury, dishonestly sent the total sum of $556,265.00 (Five Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Five United State Dollars) to account No. 4266644272 Domiciled with TD Bank, United State of America.
Between 2017 and 2018, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had under your control the total sum of N677, 848,000 (Six Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Naira) unlawfully obtained from BESPOQUE BUSINESS SOLUTION LIMITED.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in Osun State.
Adeyemi, who had been the subject of an intensive manhunt by security agencies, was apprehended following intelligence-led operations weeks after investigations into allegations about the purported federal agency’s activities.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the suspect was arrested without incident by a team of IRT operatives and has been moved into police custody for further interrogation.
He confirmed the arrest while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja.
His arrest followed days of coordinated efforts by security operatives, who had earlier raided his family residence while tracking his whereabouts. Reports indicated that investigators questioned his family members during the search for the suspect.
Adeyemi came into national prominence after controversy erupted over the operations of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an organisation widely described by government officials as having no legal backing or official recognition.
The controversy deepened following allegations that the suspect claimed close links with top government officials and allegedly used the platform to project influence in government circles.
Oyo police rescue abducted farmer after joint security operation
The matter also generated public attention after claims surfaced that huge sums of money were exchanged in connection with promises of government appointments. Those allegations remain under investigation and have not been proven in court.
The Presidency had earlier distanced itself from the activities of the organisation, while the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied any connection with the group or its activities, maintaining that neither the office nor the Presidency authorised the operations of the PFIPC.
Police investigators are expected to interrogate Adeyemi on the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of the organisation, the authenticity of documents allegedly used in its activities, and claims that some individuals were deceived into believing it was an official government body.
Investigators are also expected to determine whether other suspects were involved in the alleged scheme and whether additional offences, including impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, forgery and conspiracy, may have been committed.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the arrest or announce possible charges against the suspect. Demographics
The arrest is, however, expected to advance investigations into one of the most controversial cases involving the alleged use of a non-existent government agency to project influence within the Presidency.
Adeyemi is expected to remain in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations and possible arraignment before a competent court.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised an Islamic State West Africa Province cameraman and recovered video materials indicating the presence of three foreign facilitators, including a Palestinian Arab identified as a trainer and a Moroccan Arab serving as a medical doctor for the terrorist group in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, the operational success was recorded on Saturday following a failed infiltration attempt by members of ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Goni said the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position and loot cholera medical supplies.
The statement read, “Troops of 19 Brigade, Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have decisively foiled an attempted infiltration by ISWAP terrorists into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers and forcing them to retreat in disarray.
“The successful defence of the location further demonstrates the vigilance, combat readiness and operational effectiveness of troops who continue to deny terrorist elements freedom of action across the North East Theatre.”
The failed attack, he said, occurred at about 10:20 p.m. on July 11, 2026, when the terrorists attempted to exploit the cover of darkness to breach the troops’ position.
“Alert troops swiftly detected the hostile movement and responded with coordinated and overwhelming firepower, compelling the terrorists to abandon their mission of looting cholera medical supplies and withdraw in confusion after suffering severe losses,” Goni said.
According to him, the attempted looting further lends credence to recent intelligence reports of a cholera outbreak within terrorist enclaves, as well as reports of the execution of some affected members by the group.
“The neutralisation of a terrorist cameraman during the failed assault led to the recovery of a Sony camcorder containing highly sensitive recordings of terrorist activities, including operational footage and propaganda materials.
“Preliminary forensic analysis of the last available video recorded prior to the attack indicates that the operation was coordinated by four senior ISWAP commanders (Qai’ds), alongside three foreign terrorist facilitators. They include a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, assessed to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, a medical doctor serving within the terrorist network; and another Arab operative whose identity is yet to be established,” he added.
He said the presence and active involvement of the foreign nationals further reinforced intelligence assessments that ISWAP continued to benefit from external support, specialist expertise and transnational terrorist linkages.
“Following the successful engagement, troops immediately dominated the area and conducted exploitation operations to ascertain the full extent of the terrorists’ losses,” he added.
The Army spokesman said troops recovered the Sony camcorder, several rounds of PKT and 7.62mm Special ammunition, terrorist uniforms and other combat items during the operation.
He further stated that initial analysis of post-engagement satellite imagery revealed terrorists evacuating the bodies of some of their neutralised fighters during their withdrawal.
“This has since been corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, which confirmed that the terrorists suffered heavy casualties, with many others sustaining gunshot wounds during the engagement,” he said.
According to him, two soldiers sustained gunshot wounds during the firefight and were promptly evacuated by air for advanced medical care, adding that both personnel remained in stable condition.
“The failed infiltration attempt represents yet another significant operational setback for ISWAP and caps a costly weekend for the terrorist group following sustained offensive operations and intensified military pressure across the North East Theatre,” he said.
He added that the outcome underscored the increasing difficulty the terrorists faced in executing coordinated attacks against highly alert and combat-ready troops while further degrading their combat capability, morale and freedom of action.
“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in sustaining offensive operations, protecting vulnerable communities and dismantling terrorist networks until lasting peace and security are fully restored across the North East,” he assured.
Eight kidnappers arrested
Ibadan, Oyo State – Nigerian security agencies have successfully rescued a group of kidnapped pupils and teachers following a coordinated operation in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Photos circulating after the operation show the rescued victims gathered in a rural forest location alongside security personnel shortly after they regained their freedom.
According to available information, the victims were abducted by suspected kidnappers before security operatives launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission. The operation, carried out through coordinated efforts by security agencies, led to the safe recovery of the pupils and their teachers.
The rescued victims have since been reunited with security officials and are expected to undergo medical examinations and trauma counselling before being reunited with their families.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether any arrests were made during the operation or if a ransom was paid. However, investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The successful rescue has been welcomed by residents of the area, who commended the swift response of the security agencies while calling for increased security around schools and rural communities to prevent similar incidents.
The incident once again highlights the persistent security challenges facing some parts of the country, particularly the threat of school-related kidnappings, which have raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders.
Security agencies have assured the public that efforts are continuing to track down the perpetrators and strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
Further official details are expected as the authorities provide updates on the operation.
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