Tag: Usman Ododo

Gov Ododo extends olive branch to opposition in Kogi

Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi on Friday called on the opposition parties to join him in the quest to develop and take the state to an enviable height.

Ododo made the call in a statement by his Media Aide, Ismaila Isah in Lokoja, in reaction to Thursday’s Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed him as the duly elected Governor in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election.

The Appeal Court had on Thursday upheld the May 27 decision of the Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the election of Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the duly elected Governor of Kogi.

Ododo scored 446,237 votes, which represented the majority of lawful votes cast in the Nov. 11, 2023 polls.

The Appeal Court in a unanimous decision dismissed all grounds of appeals filed by candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Action Alliance (AA) and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for being incompetent and for lacking in merit.

“I hereby call on all opposition politicians in the state to join me in advancing the development of the state to an amiable height for the good of all citizens.

“This is because the judgement of the Appeal Court reaffirms the fact that the Nov.11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi was free, fair, peaceful and credible.

“By the grace of God, our administration has become the symbol of peace and unity in our state and we are committed to serving our people on the basis of equity and inclusion.

“I thank the judiciary for staying true to its independence with this judgement of the Appellate Court that has reaffirmed the earlier decision of the Tribunal. This is a clear testament that the mandate freely given to us by the people of Kogi was done in the best interest of our state, ” he said.

Ododo also thanked God for seeing him through the phases of the court processes and equally thanked the people of Kogi for their support.

He also appreciated the judiciary for the swift and expeditious handling of the appeal.

According to him, the court has again demonstrated that the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state cannot be upturned by persons, who may not agree with the will of God and the majority of the people of Kogi.

The Governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring that the judiciary remained truly independent and transparent as the last hope of the common man in the country.

July 13, 2024
Ododo’s Appeal Court victory excites Kogi Govt

The Kogi Government has described Gov. Usman Ododo’s electoral victory at the Court of Appeal as a huge leap forward.

Information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo told newsmen on Thursday in Lokoja that the victory had affirmed Ododo as the people’s choice.

The SDP and Murtala Ajaka, its candidate in the Kogi Governorship contest, had sued INEC, Ododo and the APC to challenge Ododo’s victory.

The State Election Petition Tribunal, after hearing all sides, dismissed the petition.

Not satisfied, SDP and Ajaka appealed the judgement of the tribunal before the appellate court.

The three-member panel of Justices, in a judgment, agreed with the state election tribunal that the SDP and its governorship candidate, Ajaka, failed to prove all the allegations in their petition beyond reasonable doubt.

An excited Fanwo, while reacting to the judgment, said it represented “echoes of the indisputable victory of our governor at the poll”.

“Ododo will remain unwavering in his faith in the judiciary.

“Today’s judgement represents echoes of our victory on Nov. 11, 2023. We campaigned and worked hard to reassure the people that our party is the most reliable to take the state forward.

“Nov. 11 will continue to be remembered in Kogi as the day that the citizens resolved to speak with one voice, birthing a resounding victory for the incumbent Governor.

“Today’s verdict has offered another great opportunity for those who lost at the poll and in the courts to join the Governor in moving the state forward,” he said .

He said that the court case did not slow down governance as the Governor had continued to “roll up his sleeves and deliver democracy dividends to the people”.

According to him, the jubilation that greeted the verdict affirming the victory is a demonstration of the triumph of the people’s will.

The Commissioner urged the people to continue to support Ododo’s bid to make Kogi a “confluence of excellence”.

UPDATED- Appeal Court affirms Ododo’s election victory, dismisses SDP, AA, PRP’s appeals

The Court of Appeal, Abuja on Thursday, affirmed Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Kogi.

A three-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, held that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, failed to prove the allegations contained in their appeal beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

The Appeal Court equally dismissed the appeals filed by Action Alliance (AA) and its governorship candidate, Olayinka Braimoh; and that of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its governorship candidate, Dr Abdullahi Bayawo, challenging Ododo’s victory.

Justice Otisi, while delivering judgment on SDP and Ajaka”s appeal, agreed with the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Abuja.

The judge said the tribunal was right to have expunged the evidence of the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1) called by the petitioners on the ground that the evidence tendered by the witness was a documentary hearsay.

She said witnesses, whether subpoenaed or normal, are supposed to front-load their witness statements on oath as required by law.

“The order of the tribunal expunging the evidence of the PW-1 cannot be voided.

“The law grants the lower court power to expunge inadmissible evidence brought before it,” she said.

The judge held that the petitioners’ witnesses were incompetent because their statements did not accompany the petition in line with the electoral laws

She agreed with the tribunal that there were inconsistencies in the case of the appellants.

According to her, the allegation of forgery of document that Ododo submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is a pre-election matter which is handled by the Federal High Court and not the tribunal.

The said action, Justice Otisi held, happened before the conduct of the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election in the state and as such, cannot be legislated upon by the lower tribunal.

The judge also held that allegation of forgery of document ought to be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“This, the appellants failed to do as required by law.

“Affidavit of lost attached to Form EC8 by the 2nd defendant (Ododo) is by no means a certificate.

“I see no reason to disturb the decision of the lower tribunal on the petition as the appellants have failed to prove their allegations contained in their petition”, the appellate court held.

Justice Otisi subsequently resolved all the issues raised in the appeal against the appellants.

“This appeal failed and it is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit.

“There is no order as to cost, parties are to bear their respective cost”, Justice Otisi held.

The tribunal had, on May 27, affirmed the victory of Gov. Ododo of APC in the Nov. 11, 2023 Kogi governorship poll.

The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition was bereft of substance and accordingly dismissed it.

The tribunal held that SDP and Ajaka failed to prove the allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the petition.

The panel, in a unanimous, decision held that all the witness evidence filed before it were incompetent and full of inconsistencies.

It also agreed with the submissions of the respondents that the allegations of forgery raised in the petition were pre-election matter, which ought to have been raised 14 days after the documents were submitted to INEC.

Kogi had, on Nov. 11, 2023, held its off-cycle election in which Ododo of the APC emerged winner, beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.

July 12, 2024
Kogi extends tenure of LG caretaker chairmen

Kogi House of Assembly on Friday approved the extension of the tenure of the 21 Local Government Areas Transition Committee Chairmen in the state by six months.

This followed a request by Gov Usman Ododo, seeking approval of the Assembly to extend the tenure of the chairmen, which was expected to end on July 8.

Ododo in a letter to assembly, said that the state could not conduct local government election at this time due to paucity of funds, the high wage bill among other pressing needs.

He expressed the hope that before the expiration of the extended tenure in Jan. 8, 2025, the state government would have successfully conducted the LG polls.

The speaker, Mr Umar Yusuf, who read the governor’s letter, sought the contributions from members of the house, who unanimously granted the governor’s request.

Yusuf commended his colleagues for seeing reasons with the governor, whom he said meant well for the growth and development of the state.

The speaker, thereafter, announced the resolution of the house at plenary for the approval of six months tenure extension for the 21 LGAs transition committee chairmen.

“By this resolution today, July 5, 2024, the state house of assembly has extended the tenure of transition committee chairmen by another six months,” he declared.

The speaker, however, charged the 21 transition committee chairmen to be good ambassadors of their respective local government areas by initiating people oriented policies and programmes.

He said: “As TC chairmen, you should note that in the next six months, you will be here again for submission of your reports to this assembly.”

July 6, 2024
Ododo signs 7 bills into law

Gov. Usman Ododo on Thursday signed seven bills into law with a charge to the residents to embrace the new laws and be law abiding to move Kogi forward.

The seven bills signed into law include: A Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi Local Government Service Commission Law 2014 and for other matters connected therewith, 2024.

A Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, 1998 and other matters connected therewith, 2024.

A Law to establish the Kogi Electricity Market and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission to Regulate Electricity Generation, Transmission, System Operation Distribution, Supply and Promote Access to Electricity in the State through increased Private Sector Investments or Public Private Partnership in Grid, Multi-Grid and other Off-grid Electricity Option using Renewable and Non-renewable Fuel Sources in the State and other Purposes Connected Therewith, 2024.

A Law to Establish the Kogi State Anti Corruption Agency and other matters connected therewith, 2024 and Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law, 2024.

The Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency Law, 2024 and the Kogi State Urban Planning Law, 2024.

Ododo, who signed the bills in his office at the Government House, Lokoja, described the laws as people’s laws.

He explained that his assent to the bills were in line with his promise to lead with transparency, accountability and fear of God.

“I believe that the new set of laws will serve as catalyst for the rapid social and economic development of Kogi State as they deal directly with critical aspects of the lives of the people.

“These laws combined together can be referred to as the people’s Acts. All the laws have direct bearing in the lives of our people and this is the reason why we are here.

“Let it be known that under my administration, nobody is above the law.

“This is in line with my promise to lead with the fear of God and to ensure that our resources work for the people of the state,” Ododo assured.

He, however, urge the people of the state, especially those in positions of authority to embrace the new laws and be familiar with their provisions.

June 21, 2024
Ajaka vs Ojoko: Kogi tribunal picks May 27 to deliver judgment

The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has picked May 27 to deliver judgment in the petition filed by Murtala Ajaka the Social Democratic Party (SDP) against the election victory of Governor Usman Ododo.

Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu led three man panel announced the date on Thursday in Abuja in a message communicated to counsel to the parties through its secretary, David Mike, and made available to newsmen.

Recall that the Kogi state gubernatorial election was held on the 11th of November, 2023 and the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ododo was declared winner by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) beating his closest rival, Ajaka of the SDP with a wide margin.

Ajaka, dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, had filed a petition before the tribunal, challenging Ododo’s victory.

The case, which commenced in December 2023, came to its highest point on May 13 when SDP, Ajaka, APC, Ododo and INEC adopted their final written addresses, after which the tribunal reserved judgement in the petition.

The APC and Ododo had prayed the tribunal to dismiss Ajaka and SDP’s petition in its totality, claiming that it lacks merit.

INEC, Ododo and the APC had, through their lawyers; Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, respectively, had told the tribunal so while adopting their final written addresses and presenting their arguments against the petition.

May 23, 2024
We will win war against criminality – Ododo

Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, says the state is committed to win the war against criminals, and enemies of peace and progress.

Th governor stated this in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, on Saturday in Lokoja.

Ododo was quoted as saying that: “My administration is rising to the challenge of defeating the torrent of criminality waged against our dear state in the last one month.

“We believe that the torrent of attacks on insurgents, bandits and kidnappers in the North-East has dislodged them and many of them are now trying to find their feet in the North-Central.

“All the same, Kogi government is deploying an iron-cast approach to safeguarding the state from the fangs of these criminals “.

He said the recent rescue of 21 out of the 24 kidnapped students of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), was a clear testament that Kogi would be ruthless against criminals in the state.

The government, he said, on Saturday received heart-warming reports of the rescue of two kidnapped women from Yagba West and Yagba East Local Government Areas of the state.

Ododo said the government had also secured the release of scores of kidnapped victims who were not even residents of the state but kidnapped in their various states and taken to the forests.

He added that: “We are still searching frantically for the three remaining CUSTECH students yet to be rescued.

“This is because every citizen’s life is important to the government.

“Consequently, I have approved the immediate employment of thousands of local hunters across the 21 local government areas of the state.

“Their immediate task is going after the criminals and taking the fight to their camps and hideouts, which is already yielding positive results.

“Also, the Joint Forces of the army, police, DSS, NSCDC, Metropolitan Response Squad and hunters group are currently carrying our simultaneous operations in Lokoja as well as across the three senatorial districts, including our border communities.”

Ododo disclosed that he had silently declared war on criminals in the state, deployed resources and forces to ensure that enemies of the people are defeated.

The governor also expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his support and encouragement to make Kogi a crime free state.

Accordong to him, his administration is working hard to protect everyone, adding that the criminals were learning in a hard way that Kogi would not be a ground for their criminal trade.

“The criminals are rattled and they won’t escape justice as this government has put everything into winning this war against criminality.

“Therefore, we urge residents to also play their part by volunteering intelligence to security agencies for the effective security of our dear state”.

May 19, 2024
JUST IN: Some varsity students kidnapped by gunmen have been rescued- Kogi govt

Some of the abducted students of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Okene in Kogi State, have been rescued, the state government has confirmed.

In a statement on Sunday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, said the students were rescued safely by local hunters and other security agents.

He, however, did not disclose the exact number of students rescued.

The Commissioner said that the local vigilante men and security agents engaged the kidnappers in a fierce shootout and the kidnappers succumbed to superior firepower and escaped with gun wounds.

According to him, the kidnappers left the kidnapped students who also ran in different directions to avoid being caught in the fire exchange.

He also disclosed that the rescued students and many other kidnapped victims have been taken to a medical facility for proper attention.

Fanwo said that security agents are currently combing the forests to ensure all the students still in captivity are found and brought home safely.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner stated that in the sporadic gun battle to rescue the students, a local hunter and a DSS operative sustained injuries but they are currently receiving medical attention.

“We commend our local hunters and all the conventional security agents for their bravery and gallantry. Of special commendation is the DSS for acting on credible intelligence to coordinate a fearless confrontation on the outlaws.

“The security agencies have once again demonstrated why Kogi State will remain an uncomfortable place for bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements.

“The success recorded so far is a clear testament of the readiness of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to ensure adequate and uncompromising security for the people of Kogi State.

“We urge residents to report anyone with gun wounds found in their communities to law enforcement agents,” the statement read in part.

The students who were abducted on Friday were said to be in the class to read in preparation for the first-semester examination scheduled for Monday, May 13 when the kidnappers struck.

The gunmen were said to have entered the classrooms on Thursday night and started shooting sporadically into the air while an unspecified number of students were whisked away.

May 12, 2024
Ondo APC guber primary: Amid protest, Ododo announces Aiyedatiwa winner
Amidst protest over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primay election in Ondo State, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa was early on Monday morning declared winner.

The Chairman of the party’s Primary Election Committee for Ondo State and Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo said that Aiyedatiwa having satisfied the requirement of the law and scored the highest vote was the winner.

171,922 members of the party were revalidated to vote in 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state.

Ododo said that Aiyedatiwa polled 48,569 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Mr Mayowa Akinfolarin, who had 15,343 out of 95,178 valid votes counted.

Mr Olusola Oke, SAN, was placed third with 14,195 votes.

According to the chairman of the election committee, Aiyedatiwa won in 16 out of the 18 local government areas of the state while Oke won in one.

He said that there was no voting in Ifedore Local Government Area as a result of widespread violence and threat to life.

Ododo appreciated all party members who participated in the exercise for their courage and perseverance, describing the primary election as peaceful.

He said that the real work had just begun, adding that the aspirants and their supporters should not allow the results of the primary election to divide them.

According to him, there is no reason to abandon the party.

The chairman asked the party members to be in unity in order to come out more united and stronger in the subsequent political contests.

The party adopted the direct mode for the conduct of the primary which held on Saturday.

However, due to some irregularities a rerun was ordered on Sunday in the 13 wards in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

Earlier, some of the aspirants criticized the conduct of the primary election alleging violence and none arrival of materials and officials in some wards.

There was also a protest on Sunday by supporters of some of the aspirants at the APC secretariat in Akure, who called for the cancellation of the exercise.

Other aspirants that participated in the primary are: Mr Isaac Kekemeke, Mr Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Mr Olugbenga Edema , Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim, Mr Diran Iyantan; Prof. Dayo Faduyile, Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele.

Others are Mrs Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Mr Adewale Akinterinwa; Mr Olusola Oke, Mr Ohunyeye Felix; Mr Morayo Lebi, Mrs Judith Omogoroye and Mr Jimi Odimayo.

See results of Ondo APC governorship primary election below:
1. Lucky Aiyedatiwa: 48,569
2. Wale Akinterinwa: 1,952
3. ⁠Olusola Oke: 14,915
4. ⁠Mayowa Akinfolarin: 15,343
5. ⁠Jimoh Ibrahim: 9,456
6. ⁠Isaacs Kekemeke: 1,045
7. ⁠Gbenga Edema: 395
8. ⁠Ohunyeye Olamide Felix: 424
9. Jimi Odimayo: 490
10. ⁠Olusoji Adewale Ehinlanwo: 492
11. ⁠Morayo Lebi: 290
12. ⁠Diran Iyantan: 348
13. ⁠Francis Faduyile: 353
14. ⁠Ifeoluwa Oyedele: 462
15. ⁠Funmilayo Adekojo: 529
16. ⁠Funke Omogoroye Judith: 115
- Total registered voters: 171,922
- Total accredited voters: 95,178
- Total valid votes: 95,178
- Number of LGAs: 18
Note: while Aiyedatiwa won in 16 LGAs, Olusola Oke won 1 LGA. The election was cancelled in Ifedore LGA.
April 22, 2024
Bello’s arrest: What Gov Ododo did is criminal – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The warning is coming after the EFCC on Wednesday made an attempt to arrest the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello but met a brick wall of resistance.

The EFCC operatives had on Wednesday mounted surveillance around the home of Bello on No 9 Benghazi Street ,Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, apparently to effect his arrest.

The EFCC operatives retreated shortly after the sitting Governor of Kogi, Usman Ododo, who paid Bello a visit departed around 4.30 pm.

It was, however, not clear whether Ododo, who had arrived the premises of Bello with his convoy around 2.30 pm went away with the former governor or left him behind.

The EFCC has said Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“Culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years,” the EFCC said in a statement.

The statement further reads: “This warning becomes necessary against the background of the increasing tendency by persons and groups under investigation by the Commission to take the laws into their hands by recruiting thugs to obstruct lawful operations of the EFCC.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order. Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions”.

Bello vs EFCC: Confusion as 2 High Courts issue contrasting orders

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered that a warrant be issued to the EFCC for the immediate arrest of Bello.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on EFCC’s ex-parte motion, held that after listening to the submission of commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, and reading the affidavit in support of the motion, including the exhibits and written address, he was inclined to grant the application.

Earlier, a High Court sitting in Lokoja on Wednesday, restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining and prosecuting Bello.

Justice I. A. Jamil, who gave the order in a two-hour judgment delivered in suit no HCL/68/M/2020, held that infringing on Bello’s fundamental human rights “is null and void”.

The judge, who dismissed the commission’s application challenging the jurisdiction of the court, said: “By this order, the EFCC is hereby restrained from arresting, detaining and prosecuting the applicant.

“This is a definite order following the earlier interim injunction given.”

However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Nwite on Wednesday, the judge ordered that a warrant be issued to the commission for Bello’s immediate arrest.

He also directed that the former governor be produced before the court on April 18 for arraignment.

“It is hereby ordered as follows:

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing and/or issuing a warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.

“That case is adjourned to 18th day of April, 2024 for arraignment,” he declared.

The EFCC, in the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024 dated April 16 and filed April 17, sought six orders.

These include “an order granting leave to the complainant/applicant to effect service of the charge together with the proof of evidence on the defendant by substituted means to wit; by pasting the charge at the last known address of the defendant within the jurisdiction of this honourable court being: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

“An order directing and/or issuing an arrest warrant for the immediate arrest of the defendant for the purpose of bringing him before this honourable court for arraignment.”

In the alternative, the anti-graft agency sought an order issuing and directing the publishing of a public summons requiring/ commanding the defendant to appear before the court on a named date, among others.

The conflicting orders came after the EFCC had appealed against the initial order, and the appeal was scheduled for hearing on April 22 in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024 between EFCC and Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

The Yahaya Bello Media Office had, in a statement signed by Onogwu Mohammed, alerted the nation to a siege on the former Governor’s Abuja residence.

Alleged N80.2billion Money Laundering: EFCC Arraigns Yahaya Bello April 18

Meanwhile, the EFCC will on Thursday, April 18, 2024 (today) arraign Bello before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

He will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite alongside three other suspects, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80, 246, 470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).

Bello’s arraignment is coming on the heels of a warrant of arrest and enrolment order granted the EFCC by the court on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

Count one of the charges reads: That you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu( Still at large), sometime, in February, 2016, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to convert the total sum of N80, 246,470, 088.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eight Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended”.

Count 17 of the charges read: “That you Yahaya Bello between 26th July 2021 to 6th April 2022 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided E-Traders International Limited to conceal the aggregate sum of N3, 081, 804,654.00 (Three Billion, Eighty One Million Eight Hundred and Four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Four Naira) in account number 1451458080 domiciled in Access BankPlc, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Count 18 of the charges reads: “That you Yahaya Adoza Bello sometime in November 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly procured E-Traders international Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330.00 (Five Hundred and Seventy Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Dollars) to account number 4266644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to wit, criminal breach of trust and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15( 3) of the same Act”.

The Commission’s attempt to execute the Warrant of Arrest lawfully obtained against Bello met stiff resistance on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. The security cordon around the former governor’s residence in Abuja was breached by the current Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo who ensured that the suspect was spirited away in his official vehicle. As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation, waiting for his arraignment on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

It is needful to state that Bello is not above the law and would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

April 18, 2024
Kogi tribunal: Ododo, APC to open defence April 15 as SDP closes case

Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will, on April 15, open their defence at the state’s governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja against the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka.

The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, fixed the date on Friday after SDP and Ajaka, the petitioners, who had initially said they had 400 witnesses, closed their case after calling 25 witnesses.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is also expected to open its defence in the matter with two witnesses.

It would be recalled that the SDP and its governorship candidate in the Nov. 11, 2023 poll, are challenging Gov. Ododo’s victory in the election.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

When the case was called on Friday, INEC, Ododo and APC’s lawyers opposed the move by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, to lead the witness, Edidiong Udoh, a Digital Forensic Expert, in evidence.

Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Alex Iziyon, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, who appeared for INEC, governor and APC, respectively, argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.

They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.

But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.

He, however, admitted that the report was served on the respondents a few minutes to the proceedings.

The lawyer, therefore, prayed the tribunal to allow him to lead Udoh in evidence and stand down the matter for 30 minutes for the respondents to study the report.

Udoh, who described himself as a digital forensic expert living in Port Harcourt in Rivers, begged the tribunal to allow him amend Paragraph 7, Line 3 of his statement on oath, which he submitted on Jan. 12, before adopting it.

“The particular words that I used were not proper. I said, ‘There was some very suspicious software.’ I apply to change it to ‘there was no suspicious software used,’” he prayed.

But Agabi, Iziyon and Ukala disagreed with Udoh’s oral application.

“If this kind of amendment is permissible, then there is no kind of amendment that cannot be permissible,” Agabi said.

The judge asked them to reserve their objections for their final written addresses.

Iziyon and Ukala, who backed Agabi’s submission, agreed to raise the objection at the appropriate time.

While giving evidence, Udoh said he had 12 certificates in support of his qualifications.

And when Okutepa sought to tender the certificates of the witness as exhibits, the respondents’ lawyers objected.

They queried why the counsel only sought to tender photocopies of the certificates without supporting the documents with the originals.

The witness responded that he forgot to come with the original certificates.

“The originals were mistakenly left in my office in Port Harcourt but I have them,” Udoh said.

Although the tribunal refused to admit the photocopies, the petitioners’ lawyer pleaded, insisting that the certificates were personal documents and that they could be admitted.

Justice Birnin-Kudu admitted the documents and urged the counsel for the respondents to reserve their objections till the final written addresses.

While being cross-examined, the witness was asked if he was the only one that worked on the report, and he said seven other experts worked on it with him.

His attention was drawn to the fact that he did not signify the names of these experts in the report and that their signatures were not also included.

Udoh responded that his name and signature were on the report because he was the team leader.

“Eight of us conducted the analysis. As digital forensic experts, our qualifications are identical.

“I signed the report as the team lead. The reason I did not include their name is because I was the team lead,” he said.

The witness was also asked if he knew the meaning of BVAS Machine and what it contained.

He said BVAS were supposed to contain information on accredited voters and registered voters and any other information.

The respondents’ counsel asked if such information included Form EC8A and he said, “yes, it may include it.”

The respondents’ lawyer then asked if all the snap shots of BVAS Machine that were included in his report contained Form EC8A.

Udoh said the snap shots were only for accredited voters and registered voters.

The INEC guideline provides what BVAS should contain and Form EC8A is one of it.

When asked if he examined the ballot papers and if his findings on the ballot papers were contained in his report, he responded in the negative.

He, however, confirmed that INEC gave him the voters register but that he could not remember the number given to him.

A major discrepancy observed during the hearing was that figures reflected in the witness’ report conflicted with the figures contained in SDP’s petition.

But he said he did not depend on the petition to write his report.

The witness, who was said to have used the word, dactylography, in his report was asked if he knew its meaning.

Udoh said he knew the meaning as an expert in fingerprint.

His attention was then brought to his curriculum vitae, as tendered, which did not contain the certification in dactylography.

When asked if he knew that there was a certificate for experts in dactylography, he said he didn’t know.

April 6, 2024