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Tag: Yahaya Bello

  • Kogi APC screens suspended guber aspirant after Yahaya Bello’s intervention

    Kogi APC screens suspended guber aspirant after Yahaya Bello’s intervention

    The Leadership of the  APC in Kogi has finally screened Alhaji Murtala Yakubu-Ajaka, a frontline governorship aspirant after his purported suspension by the party on Thursday.

    Also screened by the party were the State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja and Sen. Smart Adeyemi, all anxious to lead the people of Kogi come Jan. 27, 2024.

    Yakubu-Ajaka ‘s screening was made possible after Gov.  Yahaya Bello waded into the crisis.

    He was suspended for alleged anti-party activities, which the governor frowned at.

    Bello, being the leader of the party in Kogi, warned against bickerings that could undermine the peace and unity  the APC had been known for, under his leadership.

    He had directed all aspirants in the forthcoming governorship primaries in the state to focus on their strengths in wooing party members and refrain from divisive tendencies in the interest of the party.

    Yakubu-Ajaka from Kogi East is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the  APC.

    Shortly after his screening, Yakubu-Ajaka described his purported suspension as an “avoidable distraction” and thanked  the governor for his fatherly role at solving the matter.

    “I will rather remain focused so as to emerge victorious in the forthcoming APC primary election scheduled for April 10.

    “All I want is for all members of the party,  especially my supporters across the state to remain calm, because in a political contest of this nature, there is room for clash of interests.

    “By the grace of God,  everything legitimate will be done to ensure a well deserving victory for me at the forthcoming primary election, ” he assured.

    20 people from different political parties are jostling for the number one seat in Kogi after Bello’s exit on  Jan. 27, 2024.

  • Why I cut off roads to Natasha Akpoti’s constituency – Yahaya Bello

    Why I cut off roads to Natasha Akpoti’s constituency – Yahaya Bello

    Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has opened up on digging up and cutting off the roads to certain communities in the State.

    Report says Bello had engaged a construction firm to cut off the roads to frustrate elections in certain communities by preventing the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agents and other stakeholders from accessing the senatorial district during the Saturday presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Operatives of the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday intercepted workers of a Chinese construction firm, CCECC, allegedly engaged by Bello to cut off roads leading to Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    The road leads to the Senatorial district of a Peoples Democratic Party senatorial candidate in the state, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

    Appearing on Arise TV on Friday evening, Bello admitted cutting off the road but cited security reasons.

    Speaking on his relationship with Mrs. Uduaghan, Bello said, “I usually avoid talking about her simply because she’s my sister and my subject and I’m bound to provide a level playing ground for everyone to carry out the electioneering process as free as possible and I’ve always provided that.

    “Honestly, if you ask me today why she continues to mention my name probably she has not said the truth, why? My name is so sweet in her mouth.

    “She goes to bed and dreams it’s Yahaya Bello. If she has any issues with her husband and friends, it’s Yahaya Bello. Anything that goes right or wrong with her it’s Yahaya Bello. ”

    On the reason he dug up the road, the Governor added, “So, did I dig some entering and exit roads, yes, I did. I did that because as the chief security officer, I must take every step to protect the lives and property of all at all times.

    “Every day, I continue to come up with security measures and improve on it to secure the lives of the people. I study to move ahead of criminals at all times. In 2019 some people were killed and mainly they were our supporters even a day before the 2019 general elections.

    “We realised that these criminals did not fly in but moved through the roads and we identified some of these roads. Then comes 2023 and there are indications that these criminals were coming.

    “Long before the election, we had mapped out those roads all across Kogi central and other places. All these attacks that were carried out and people killed, these were the roads they passed through.

    “And there are other roads people pass through. Those dug roads served as escape routes.

    “So what we did was to dig up those roads so that if you commit a crime and try to escape, we’ll catch you. I chose good timing as well because that is when they usually come to commit crimes during the electioneering campaign. We are aware of the machineries that were brought in from different parts of the country.”

  • N3bn fraud: Court returns Gov. Yahaya Bello’s nephew to prison

    N3bn fraud: Court returns Gov. Yahaya Bello’s nephew to prison

    Ali Bello, a nephew of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Monday, was returned to prison by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Bello is facing trial over his alleged complicity in a N3 billion fraud and answering 18 counts which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred against him and three others.

    Some of the counts against them, read, “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adauda, Yakubu Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, and Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in June 2020 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court procured E-Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3,081,804,654.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18(a), 15(20)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

    “That you, Ali Bello, Abba Adauda, and Rashida Bello (at large) sometime in November, 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, 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.”

    Other defendants in the case are Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and Iyada Sadat.

    At the resumed proceedings on Monday, Ahmed Raji, SAN, told the court that the anti-graft agency served him with a counter-affidavit towards the close of work last Friday.

    N3bn fraud: Court returns Gov. Yahaya Bello's nephew to prison

    Though the EFCC, through its lawyer, Mr M.K. Hussein, confirmed the development, Justice Egwuatu noted that the process was not in the court’s file.

    It was discovered that the process was forwarded to another court.

    As a result, Justice Egwuatu deferred hearing of the bail applications and the EFCC’s counter-affidavit till Tuesday.

    He ordered that the defendants should be returned back to prison custody.

    Earlier, trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had on February 8, remanded the defendants in Kuje prison after they pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The defendants, through their lawyer, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, prayed the court to release them on bail pending the hearing and determination of the case against them contending that the charge contained bailable offenses.

    Opposing the bail application on the premise, the EFCC argued that the defendants posed a flight risk and requested a trial date as well as time to file a counter-affidavit in opposition to the defendant’s bail request.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the charge against the defendants bordered on conspiracy, fraud criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3,081,804,654.00.

  • Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew remanded in prison

    Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew remanded in prison

    Mr Ali Bello, a nephew of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has been remanded in a correctional centre over charges bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Bello before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    He was docked alongside Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat, Rashida Bello (at large) on 18-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N3.081 billion.

    Accordingt to the EFCC, Bello, Adaudu, Adabenege, Sadat and Rashida (at large) sometime in June, 2020 in Abuja procured E-Traders International Limited to retain the aggregate sum of N3.081 billion, which sum they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity.

    Similarly, the defendants sometime in November, 2021 in Abuja procured E-Traders International Limited to transfer the aggregate sum of $570,330 to account number no; 426-6644272 domiciled in TD Bank, United States of America, which sum they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful activity to with: criminal misappropriation, and 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.

    According to the antigraft agency, the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges preferred against them.

    In view of their pleas, Prosecuting Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to give a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case.

    However, defence counsel, Ahmed Raji SAN, prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.

    Justice Egwuatu adjourned the case till 13 February, 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application.

  • Ajaokuta Steel coy ready for concession – President Buhari

    Ajaokuta Steel coy ready for concession – President Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the Ajaokuta Steel company is ready for concession.

    President Buhari said the Ajaokuta Steel Complex will generate 1.6 billion dollars annually and provide 500,000 estimated jobs for Nigerian youths.

    Buhari made the disclosure at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, which he also inaugurated as part of his one-day state visit in Okene, Kogi on Thursday.

    The President also spoke of the determination of his administration to position Kogi as an industrial hub as well as a solid mineral power base.

    He explained how the Federal Government achieved the resolution of all legal entanglements that had bogged down the progress of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    According to him, the project stands to benefit the people of the state immensely.

    “No other single project holds the key to unlocking this vast potential as much as the Ajaokuta Steel Complex which we inherited as a long moribund complex strangulating under a tangle of local and international commercial disputes.

    “I am glad to report that as we begin to round off in office, we can genuinely say that our administration has rescued Ajaokuta from all legal disabilities.

    ”It is now ready for concessioning to a private investor with the right profiles to put it to work for Nigeria in general and Kogi in particular.

    ”The process has cost this Federal Government over 400million dollars so far, but I consider it money well spent as we move closer to achieving our objective of transforming Kogi State into Nigeria’s iron and steel powerhouse,” he said.

    Buhari added: “The benefits of getting Ajaokuta Steel Complex working again are numerous. It would provide over 500,000 estimated jobs and more than $1.6 billion in annual income to the Nigerian economy.

    ”Nigerians can rest assured that I remain committed to seeing this process to a logical conclusion before the end of my tenure in office.”

    The president said that Kogi also stood to benefit in diverse ways when the 614 km (384 mile) AKK gas pipeline which traversed the state commence operations in 2023.

    He also affirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had delivered on the promises its to Nigerians at all levels.

    He said Gov. Yahaya Bello had performed creditably in his two terms as governor of the state.

    “We are an administration that prides ourselves in the fulfillment of our electoral promises to the Nigerian people, at both national and sub-national levels.

    ”This is why I am glad that we have an impressive array of legacy projects through your own state government as proof of our stewardship of Kogi.

    “The APC Administration has indelible footprints in Kogi,” he said.

    The president cited some of the projects executed by the federal government in the state to include; the Itakpe to Okene bypass, the Obajana to Kabba concrete road and the Itakpe to Warri railway service, among others.

    The Obajana – Kabba Concrete Road was built by Dangote Industries Limited under ‘roads for taxes initiate’ (Executive Order 7).

    “I am very pleased to be here today to commission several projects executed by the administration of His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello,” he said.

    He commended the governor for rising up to the occasion in many sectors especially security.

    ”We are proud of him and I encourage the people of Kogi State to continue to support him and his team as they are working hard to ensure peace, security and development in the state.”

    Projects inaugurated by the president included, the Reference Hospital Okene, which boast of the first ever hyperbaric treatment chamber in Nigeria and the fleet of ambulances attached to it and the new Ohinoyi’s Palace at Okene.

    Others were the Ganaja Junction Flyover and interchange at Lokoja; the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja; the Muhammadu Buhari Square (Civic Centre) at Lokoja; and a fleet of high – tech security vehicles to combat crimes and criminalities.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Gov. Yahaya Bello thanked the president for showing leadership and for the various programmes and interventions which had positively impacted on the state and its people.

    These, the governor said, included the Itakpe – Warri Rail Line which he noted, had brought relief to travellers and business owners in the state.

    Bello informed Buhari that the projects inaugurated were in response to his commitment to serve.

    He stated that since his swearing – in on 27th January, 2016, his administration constituted a multi-sectoral committee that went round the nooks and crannies of the State, identifying the needs of the people.

    “This document has been our guide,” he stated.

    While acknowledging the commitment of Buhari toward the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, the governor thanked the president for his unrelenting interest in the project.

    Bello also stated that his administration had cordial relationship with the traditional institution in the state, stating that the new Ohinoyi’s Palace being commissioned by President Buhari was a testimony to this.

    Earlier, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ibrahim Ado, represented by the Ohi of Okengwe, Alhaji Mohammed Anage, on behalf of the traditional rulers of the Central Senatorial Zone of the State, thanked Buhari for his support to Bello’s administration.

    He also commended the president for being the first sitting President of Nigeria to visit Kogi on a working visit.

  • Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew in trouble over alleged N10.3b fraud

    Gov Yahaya Bello’s nephew in trouble over alleged N10.3b fraud

    Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, remanded Aliyu Bello, a nephew to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello and one Dauda Sulaiman in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

    They were remanded upon arraignment alongside one Abdulsalami Hudu, Cahier of Kogi State House Administration ( now at large) on a 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering

    Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing a sum of N10, 270,556,800 (Ten Billion, Two Hundred and Seventy Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-six Thousand Eight Hundred Naira), from the Kogi State treasury, which they delivered to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada in Abuja to keep or change to foreign currencies for personal gains.

    One of the charges reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE)between January and December, 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court procured RABIU USMAN TAFADA to take possession of the total sum of N5,865,756,800 (Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Sixty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: criminal misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

    Another count reads: “That you, ALI BELLO, DAUDA SULEIMAN AND ABDULSALAMI HUDU (NOW AT LARGE) between January and December 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided RABIU USMAN TAFADA to retain the total sum of N2,509,650,000.00 (Two Billion Five Hundred and Nine Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand), which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: Criminal Misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State Government and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (a) 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

    They however pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

    In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

    Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, informed the court of his application for the bail of the defendants.

    Justice Omotosho admitted the defendants to bail in the sum One Billion Naira each and two sureties who are to provide a bond of N2billion each and have a landed property valued at N500 million. The title of the properties shall be registered with the chief registrar of the Court.

    Each of the sureties and the defendants shall submit their bank statements and international passports to the chief registrar of the Court.

    The sureties must also produce an affidavit of means and evidence of tax clearance for at least 3 years.

    The judge thereafter sent the defendants to Kuje Correctional centre, Abuja pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till February 6, 2023 for hearing.

  • Why I’ve not been following Tinubu’s campaign train – Yahaya Bello

    Why I’ve not been following Tinubu’s campaign train – Yahaya Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has revealed why he has not joined the Tinubu/Shetima campaign train of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Despite Bello’s appointment as the Youth Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the governor has not been active in the activities of the campaign.

    He spoke with Seyi Tinubu during his visit to his office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital on Thursday.

    Seyi had led the PCC National Youth Mobilisation Directorate to the Lord Lugard House in Lokoja, to mobilize supports for his father.

    “I am with Asiwaju (Tinubu). I am doing some underground work for the success of Asiwaju as President and for the APC, that is why I have not been following the campaign train up and down. I may not be following Asiwaju up and down, but what I’m doing is far above what the eye can see.

    “Come 2023, we will record a landslide victory,” he expressed confidence.

    Gov Bello described Seyi Tinubu as his my “junior brother”, saying “I am the first born of Asiwaju.”

  • I remain transparent in managing state resources – Yahaya Bello

    I remain transparent in managing state resources – Yahaya Bello

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Monday said his administration remained transparent and accountable in managing the state’s resources.

    The governor stated this when he received members of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji Study Group, at the  Government House, Lokoja.

    Bello said he remained transparent in managing the state’s resources by opening up the books of income and expenditure to the people.

    According to him, people are able to trace government expenditure to his activities, through the transparent allocation of state resources, making them better informed of the happenings.

    Bello emphasised that he had been able to manage the state resources equitably; the reason for his administration’s giant strides.

    The governor said he had reduced youths’ restiveness by bringing in a large poll of the younger generation of youths and women into his administration, which had helped greatly in reducing tension and acrimony.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to be sincere in leadership, with no pecuniary interest other than the people, and assured that his administration would leave the state better than he met it in 2016.

    He noted that he inherited a state largely divided along ethnic and other mundane lines but the people were now more united than ever.

    He said his administration had dealt a heavy blow on insecurity and other maladministration associated with governance.

    The governor described the team’s visit to Kogi as timely and very important, saying it was a better place to learn, particularly with a lot of human and natural resources that abound the state,

    Earlier, Air Vice Marshall Oluwarotimi Tuwase, Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, said the team was in Kogi to have first-hand information about the state.

    He said the team wanted to know about the state’s economic growth, income, employment status, poverty, inequality, riches, agriculture, and overall transformation.

    The commandant commended the governor’s efforts toward the advancement of the socio-economic development of the people.

    He said the theme of the study tour, ”Youths Unemployment and National Security in Nigeria”, would enable the team to make recommendations as it related to youth empowerment.

    He particularly praised the achievements of the governor on youths’ employment, education, health, agriculture, funding governance, infrastructure, human capital development, entrepreneurship, youths engagement, and security.

    He described the feat as what made the state a place for learning by the study team.

    He said the college was established to train members of the armed forces,  particularly the middle class.

    He added that the tour was aimed at preparing the officers toward handling greater tasks and to familiarise the students with socio economic issues affecting the state.

    He stressed that the tour would also expose the students to the realities on the ground and compare them with what they had been told about the state.

    This, he said, would enable the students to understand the challenges of the state compared to other states and in writing their research paper toward ensuring adequate security in the state.

    He sympathised with the state over the recent flood and commended the governor’s efforts that ensured a quick response in mitigating the effect.

  • 2023: INEC warns APC, PDP, others against flouting campaign expenses laws

    2023: INEC warns APC, PDP, others against flouting campaign expenses laws

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties ahead of the 2023 elections not to flout campaign expenses laws.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) issued the warning on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja, stressing that defaulters would be sanctioned severely.

    Bello said the commission was putting all efforts in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections in the FCT.

    “We have to observe campaign expenditure, this is very important and it is for political parties. We will host political parties in a conference to lecture them on political campaigns and spending during campaigns because there are lots of rules and guidelines guiding their campaign expenditures.

    “I wish to inform you that there are laws and ethics governing our monitoring of political parties and these are guided by the Electoral Act, Police Act, INEC’s regulations and guidelines among others.

    “There is a code of conduct for media regulations as well as for political parties they provide sanctions in the event of a breach,” he said.

    Bello, therefore ,advised all political parties , partners and those who will partake in the elections including the press to take note of the provisions .

    He said this would help to avoid breaching electoral rules and regulations.

    Bello said listed some of the rules to include “no violence ,no use of any physical force during political campaigns and no political campaign should be conducted inside the premises of religious organisations.”

    He added that no political campaign should be based on ethnicity, or religious persuasions and political parties should avoid hate speech.

  • Kogi joins oil producing state, gets derivation allocation

    Kogi joins oil producing state, gets derivation allocation

    Kogi State has finally joined the league of oil producing states in Nigeria as it received the first derivation allocation from the Federation Account.

    Mr Kingsley Fanwo, Information Commissioner, disclosed this shortly after the State Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Kogi.

    Fanwo said that Gov Yahaya Bello, who dropped the cheering news during the meeting, assured residents of his administration’s determination to continue to record more wins for the state.

    “It’s on record that this administration has recorded many giant strides in various sectors covering the thematic areas of our governor’s New Direction Blueprint.

    “This new breakthrough in the “derivation allocation will no doubt make us do more for our people.

    “On breaking the news, our governor said he was so elated to announce to the good people of Kogi State that the administration has received our first derivation allocation as an Oil Producing State.”

    “This announcement is in line with the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, for which we have received many awards

    “We worked hard to make this history. But we wouldn’t have achieved it without the support of our people, who stood resolutely with us to make this see the light of the day.

    “We also wish to express our gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership roles as well as the RMAFC for making this a reality, ” he stated.

    The Commissioner further said that Bello restated his promise to the people that he would ensure that the resources worked for them.

    ” We will build more schools, hospitals and construct more roads. We will empower our youth and women. Under my watch, we will ensure security.”

    While noting that the allocation came at a time the State Government was building legacy projects across the state, the governor pledged to ensure “judicious use of the derivation allocation”.

    “Our governor has once again proved that he is a goal getter with the tenacious manner he defended the interest of the state to be listed as an Oil Producing State, ” the Commissioner said.