news
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.
Results from the 30 local government areas in the 2026 Osun State governorship election show that Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party (AP) recorded victories in 19 councils, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), who won 11 local government areas.
The local government results indicate that Adeleke polled a cumulative 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji secured 444,815 votes across the state.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Najeem Salaam, garnered 17,180 votes from the 30 local government areas.
Adeleke won Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade, Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Aiyedire, Egbedore, Aiyedaade and Ejigbo local government areas.
Oyebamiji emerged victorious in Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakunmosa West, Irewole, Atakunmosa East, Isokan, Ola Oluwa, Ife South and Olorunda local government areas.
Based on the collated local government results, Adeleke leads with victories in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while the APC candidate secured 11 councils.
Accord won 19 out of the 30 LGAs: (Boluwaduro, Ede South, Ife North, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Orolu, Osogbo, Oriade,
Odo-Otin, Ife East, Ifelodun, Iwo, Ede North, Ila, Aiyedire, Egbedore, Aiyedaade, Ejigbo)
APC won the remaining 11 LGAs (Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun, Obokun, Atakunmosa West, Irewole, Atakunmosa East, Isokan, Ola Oluwa, Ife South, Olorunda).
Here are the Osun 2026 Governorship Election Results of the 30 LGAs: GeographicReference
Boluwaduro LG
Accord: 7,118 votes
APC: 7,050 votes
ADC: 179 votes
Ede South LG
Accord: 26,188 votes
APC: 6,219 votes
ADC: 390 votes
Ife North LG
Accord: 13,879 votes
APC: 9,613 votes
ADC: 333 votes
Ilesa West LG
Accord: 16,196 votes
APC: 12,756 votes
ADC: 673 votes
Ifedayo LG
Accord: 7,427 votes
APC: 6,836 votes
ADC: 115 votes
Ilesa East LG
APC: 16,208 votes
Accord: 12,280 votes
ADC: 504 votes
Ife Central LG
Accord: 21,171 votes
APC: 15,913 votes
ADC: 747 votes
Boripe LG
APC: 19,963 votes
Accord: 12,448 votes
ADC: 379 votes
Irepodun LG
APC: 15,713 votes
Accord: 14,504 votes
ADC: 249 votes
Obokun LG
APC: 16,120 votes
Accord: 12,023 votes
ADC: 205 votes
Orolu LG
Accord: 12,352 votes
APC: 10,622 votes
ADC: 236 votes
Osogbo LG
Accord: 36,480 votes
APC: 30,474 votes
ADC: 1,503 votes
Oriade LG
Accord: 21,343 votes
APC: 14,863 votes
ADC: 423 votes
Odo-Otin LG
Accord: 18,003 votes
APC: 15,435 votes
ADC: 377 votes
Ife East LG
Accord: 27,201 votes
APC: 18,600 votes
ADC: 935 votes
Ifelodun LG
Accord: 21,107 votes
APC: 18,396 votes
ADC: 509 votes
Atakunmosa West LG
APC: 10,037 votes
Accord: 7,479 votes
ADC: 213 votes
Iwo LG
Accord: 27,085 votes
APC: 19,660 votes
ADC: 588 votes
Ede North LG
Accord: 35,427 votes
APC: 10,283 votes
ADC: 307 votes
Ila LG
Accord: 16,211 votes
APC: 12,934 votes
ADC: 259 votes
Irewole LG
APC: 29,972
Accord: 10,934 votes
ADC: 275 votes
Aiyedire LG
Accord: 11,073 votes
APC: 9,910 votes
ADC: 148 votes
Atakunmosa East LG
Discover more
Nigeria News Subscription
Politics News Updates
Executive Branch
City & Local Guides
Business News Analysis
Nigerian Economic Updates
APC: 9,936
Accord: 7,872 votes
ADC: 333 votes
Egbedore LG
Accord: 19,278 votes
APC: 11,194 votes
ADC: 363 votes
Aiyedaade LG
Accord: 16,681 votes
APC: 15,719 votes
ADC: 331 votes
Isokan LG
APC: 14,063 votes
Accord: 13,765 votes
ADC: 384 votes
Ola Oluwa LG
APC: 10,782 votes
Accord: 10,063 votes
ADC: 213 votes
Ife South
APC: 14,678 votes
Accord: 13,507 votes
ADC: 290 votes
Ejigbo LG
Accord: 18,458 votes
APC: 16,195 votes
ADC: 5,053 votes
Olorunda LG
APC: 24,671 votes
Accord: 23,514 votes
ADC: 666 votes.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a Federal Government delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to represent Nigeria at the maiden Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference in Toronto, Canada.
The delegation includes Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal.
The conference, themed “Invest Nigeria, Thrive Abroad,” is scheduled to hold from August 12 to 15 in Toronto.
The development was announced in a statement issued by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, on X on Friday.
According to the statement, members of the delegation also include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Representatives of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Revenue Service, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Export Promotion Council and the National Information Technology Development Agency are also expected to participate.
The statement said Canadian officials expected at the conference include President of the Treasury Board of Canada, Shafqat Ali; Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham McGregor; Ontario lawmaker Deepak Anand; Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown; Councillor Rod Power; and Ontario Minister of Women and Economic Opportunities, Charmaine Williams.
How to become next Miss Nigeria
Quoting the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the statement said, “The calibre of officials attending the conference demonstrates President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation between Nigeria and Canada through trade, investment and diaspora engagement.”
It further quoted Dabiri-Erewa as saying the event “is more than a conference” and is designed as “an outcome-driven investment platform” that will connect international investors with “investment-ready” opportunities across key sectors of Nigeria’s economy while strengthening bilateral economic relations between the two countries.
According to the statement, the conference is being organised by NiDCOM in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, the Canadian High Commission in Abuja and other stakeholders.
It said discussions will focus on agriculture, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, healthcare and the digital economy.
Newsthumb reports that the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Economic Conference is the first investment-focused forum organised by the Federal Government through NiDCOM to promote economic partnerships between Nigeria and its diaspora community.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest recipients of diaspora remittances, with annual inflows amounting to billions of dollars.
…says action could undermine public confidence in electoral process
…insists anti-graft agencies must remain independent but avoid actions suggesting political interference
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action, just days before the state’s governorship election, could create the impression of federal interference in the electoral process.
The President said although he respects the constitutional independence of the anti-graft agency and had no prior knowledge of its action, he was compelled to intervene in the overriding public interest to preserve public confidence in the credibility and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process. NigerianBusiness Coverage
The EFCC had on Wednesday froze the accounts of the Osun State Government, placing a Post No Debit (PND), on its First Bank account, alleging fraudulent handling of N11 billion ecology funds, intervention funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
However, in a personally signed statement issued from the State House, Abuja, President Tinubu disclosed that the EFCC had obtained the court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
He said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the development, explaining that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President, regardless of whether he authorised them.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action.
“This is so because every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action”, the President said.
Tinubu reiterated his long-standing policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their statutory responsibilities without political interference, stressing that he had deliberately refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies since assuming office.
He said, “since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference.
“I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law”, he said.
The President maintained that institutions established by law should be allowed to exercise their powers independently and without requiring presidential approval for routine operational decisions.
However, he said the circumstances surrounding the EFCC’s action required presidential intervention because of the proximity of the Osun governorship election.
“As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers.
“While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene”, he said.
The President warned that no action by any federal agency should create the perception that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship poll.
“Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election”, he stated.
Tinubu said preserving public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process was paramount, adding that he was duty-bound to act in the national interest.
“Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process”, he said.
The President consequently directed the anti-graft agency to immediately reverse its legal action against the Osun State Government.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard”, Tinubu declared.
-
news6 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle6 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health5 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle5 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
news1 year agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board
-
health6 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
entertainment2 years agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’
-
health6 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19