Category Nigeria News

The 10th prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has maintained that the former governor’s name is not linked to transactions before the court.

The witness, Mahmoud Abdulazeez, a staffer of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, had, during his examination-in-chief, identified Exhibit 42 as the Irrevocable Power of Attorney between Dantata and Sawoe and Azab Real Estate Limited.

He also identified Exhibit 43 as a deed of assignment between Dantata and Azab Real Estate Limited.

This was after Justice Emeka Nwite admitted the two exhibits after a short ruling on the admissibility of the documents.

During his cross-examination by the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, the witness said the document, marked as Exhibit 43, did not state the value of the property in question.

Abdulazeez also noted that he had worked as an accountant for over 25 years.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court Dismisses Aiyedatiwa’s Challenge To Re-Election Eligibility

He admitted that, in his years of experience, he had not received documents that did not contain the value of the property being sold.

The witness also told the court that, during the perfection of the transaction, Bello was not a participant nor did he see him anywhere near their office.

Earlier, Justice Emeka Nwite had ruled that the documents sought to be tendered by the EFCC, which the defendant’s counsel objected to, were admissible.

The defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had raised an objection on the admissibility of two documents – an irrevocable power of attorney and a deed of assignment.

The judge said the central question was whether the documents sought to be tendered were admissible in accordance with Sections 108, 102, and 104 of the Evidence Act.

He said he agreed with the defendant’s counsel that the documents sought to be tendered were public documents in line with Section 102, which must satisfy Section 104 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

He, however, added that the prosecution had argued that the documents sought to be tendered were not for a civil case but a criminal trial.

The court also agreed with the prosecution that the purpose of tendering the documents was to establish the existence of a transaction and not to prove title to the land or property.

Other Witnesses

The prosecution counsel then called the 11th witness, James Igbakule, with regard to a property on Plot 1058, Cadastral Zone A08, Wuse 2 District, Abuja.

The witness, a legal practitioner, told the court that the payment for the said property was made in three tranches.

He added that it was one Shehu Bello that contacted him after his client, SFC Foods Limited, approached him to sell the property.

He said, shortly after the conclusion of transactions, he was invited by one Mohammed at the EFCC, who said the agency was investigating a matter and that his name had featured prominently.

During cross-examination, the 11th witness also said he was seeing former Governor Bello for the first time and that he never had any business with him.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also called a 12th prosecution witness, Jemilu Abdullahi, a Bureau De Change operator.

He confirmed that he knew some of the companies that had been mentioned in the course of the trial but said that his transactions were mainly with Keyless Nature Limited and Ejadams Essence Limited.

He also confirmed transactions, in multiples of ₦10 million, by one Abba Adaudu.

After a brief recess, the defendant’s counsel said he had filed an application for the red alert issued before the defendant’s appearance in court to be removed.

Daudu SAN argued that granting the relief to travel without taking away the red notice was like giving something with one hand and taking it from the other hand.

He said this after Pinheiro observed that their application to vacate the earlier order granting the defendant permission to travel abroad was for his own good.

Justice Emeka Nwite, however, said he would need to look at the issues critically before giving a ruling.

Ten people, including two healthcare workers, have died from Lassa fever complications in Benue state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Peter Ogwuche, disclosed this during a press briefing in Makurdi, while speaking on the containment measures.

He said the state had recorded 52 confirmed cases out of the 315 suspected cases reported.

According to him, 14 patients of the 52 cases are healthcare workers, out of which six are medical doctors.

“Since the Lassa Fever outbreak, 10 mortalities have been recorded from the 52 confirmed cases, while 315 suspected cases were reported,” Ogwuche said.

“The high number of health workers infected with Lassa fever leaves room for improvement, as 14 medical personnel have been infected.

“Six of the health workers infected are medical doctors, one pharmacist, four nurses, two health extension workers, and a potter. A surveillance team has been deployed to all 23 local government areas, but Makurdi, Guma, Buruku, and Okpokwu, which have active cases, are being closely monitored,” he added.

READ ALSO: We Will Reduce Lassa Fever Incidence In 10 Years – NCDC DG

Earlier, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NSDC) reiterated its plans to reduce the incidence of Lassa fever to an appreciable level within the next 10 years.

NCDC Director-General, Jide Idris, said that vaccine development for Lassa fever takes time.

“We would reduce the incidence of Lassa fever to an appreciable level in the next 10 years. I said that because developing a vaccine for Lassa fever takes a long time,” he said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on February 23.

Noting that the death rate remains high and that efforts are underway to bring it down to less than 10 per cent, Idris said a group of experts was working on vaccine development in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders from parts of Africa and outside the continent.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family.

It is an animal-borne, acute viral illness spread by the common African rat, also known as the Mastomys rat species.

It is endemic in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

‎‎The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the security agency will reclaim communities currently threatened by terrorists.

‎‎Disu gave the assurance during an operational visit to the Kwara State Police Command in Ilorin, where he met stakeholders to review strategies against insecurity.

“I know what is happening in Kwara State because I was here last month, where I spent a month.

‎‎“I led the team that cleared the bandits in our forest last month. So I know the problems being faced in the state and am here to thank you for all you have been doing to ensure the state is safe,” the IGP said.

‎“All of you sitting here have been wonderful. Thank you, and may the Almighty continue to be with you. ‎At the same time, I want to beg you for more cooperation. ‎These criminals cannot chase us out of our hometowns. We are the owners of the towns and will not allow that to happen, or will we allow that to happen?

‎“‎We have to take back our homes. We have to take back our communities, and that is why I am here to tell you that all of us will work together to take back our communities,” he added.

READ ALSO: Bandits kidnap Four In Fresh Attack On Kwara Community

‎‎Disu further assured the people of Kwara State of improved security with renewed vigour from the officers and men of the police.

‎He urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies, stressing that collective action remained vital to tackling insecurity nationwide.

‎‎Earlier, the police boss paid a visit to the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, where he held a closed-door meeting with him.

‎‎Addressing journalists afterwards, the IGP thanked the governor for the support being rendered to the police in combating crimes in the state.

Woro Attack

Kwara is one of the North-Central states affected by banditry.

Other states include Kogi, Benue, and Niger.

Despite repeated assurances by the federal and state governments, gunmen have continued to launch attacks on communities, killing residents, kidnapping for ransom, and displaying many people.

In February, gunmen stormed the community of Woro, killing over 75 people.

The killings in Kwara marked the deadliest attack recorded in the region in recent months.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as “cowardly and barbaric”, saying the gunmen targeted villagers who had rejected attempts to impose hardline rule.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that it remains fully exposed to international commodity markets, including crude oil prices, freight charges, insurance, and financing costs.

READ ALSO: Again, Dangote Refinery Hikes Petrol To ₦1,175/litre, Diesel To ₦1,620/Litre — Report

It is explained that volatility in global oil markets is increasing operational costs.



The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, who spoke at a presser on Monday, explained that although Nigeria introduced a crude-for-naira arrangement to enable local refineries to purchase crude oil in the local currency, the pricing of the commodity remained tied to international benchmarks.

As a result, the refinery still buys Nigerian crude at global market prices and does not benefit from discounted supply.

The impact of global volatility has been evident in the sharp rise in crude prices, which surged from the mid-$60 range to nearly $120 per barrel within a week, reflecting heightened uncertainty across international energy markets.

Shipping costs, Bird said, have also increased significantly.

“Freight costs have surged dramatically, with tanker costs rising from about $800,000 to roughly $3.5 million per shipment in the current market environment,” the company stated on its X handle.

He, however, said that despite the cost pressures, the Dangote refinery continues to operate at its full nameplate capacity of about 650,000 barrels per day, with the potential to increase output to around 700,000 barrels per day.

Fuel Hike

The refinery revised its ex-depot prices, increasing the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre, while Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, has been raised to ₦1,620 per litre.

The latest revision marked the fourth consecutive price review in less than two weeks amid global market volatility, according to a report by Petroleumprice.ng.

Quoting industry sources, the report noted that the new pricing template has been communicated to marketers, following earlier adjustments this month.

Under the revised structure, the ₦1,175 per litre petrol price reflects a significant jump from the previous ₦995 per litre, while diesel has surged sharply from its prior ₦1,430 per litre level, underlining the continued upward trend in domestic fuel pricing.

The increases coincide with a sharp rise in international crude oil benchmarks as of 1:00 pm WAT: BRENT CRUDE: $102.8 (+10.91%) and WTI CRUDE: $101.0 (+11.08%) due to the Middle East energy crisis.

Global Turbulence

The current turbulence in energy markets has been intensified by escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have disrupted global commerce and energy flows.

Tensions in the Middle East have affected shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic corridor that carries roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments.

Security threats linked to the conflict have forced some vessels to avoid the route, slowing tanker traffic and pushing up global shipping and insurance costs.

The conflict has also triggered a sharp rise in global energy prices and increased volatility in international financial markets, with analysts warning that a prolonged crisis could disrupt major oil and gas supply routes.

In addition, some energy facilities in the Gulf region have reportedly halted operations due to security concerns, further tightening supply and contributing to the surge in energy prices across global markets.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan as a wake-up call and an opportunity for members of the party to look inward and salvage the situation in order to move forward.

Speaking at his residence in Abuja on Monday shortly after visiting the Kwali Area Council as part of his thank-you tour, Wike said anyone who truly loves the party should not take the matter to the Supreme Court, as doing so would only prolong the internal crisis within the party.

“We Have Fought, Let Us Now Drop Personal Interest,” the minister said.

“If you are a lover of the party, you will not go to the Supreme Court. But if that is what they want, we are always ready.”

On the PDP convention, Wike reiterated that March 29 and 30, the dates earlier announced by the caretaker committee, remain unchanged, with preparations already in top gear.

The FCT Minister further disclosed that approval has been secured to host the convention at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Appeal Court Affirms Judgment Barring INEC From Validating PDP Convention

“We have gotten the approval of the National Sports Commission to conduct the convention at the Velodrome. We have started preparing for it, and it will hold by the grace of God,” he added.

Channels Television reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by the PDP against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned by the party in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.

In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.

The court held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have delivered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

The Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case on the grounds that the issues involved were solely the internal affairs of the party.

The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi (the right) to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing, as it claimed in its appeal.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Confirming this in a statement on Monday, the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, said the defection followed his principal’s consultation with stakeholders in the state.

“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state,” the statement read.

“After careful consideration, and in the over riding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.

“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.”

READ ALSO: Adamawa Gov Fintiri Defects To APC

He also reiterated the governor’s commitment to security the North-Western state, arguing that it has become necessary to “align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”

According to Anka, the “final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders.”

He commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party for their cooperation, adding that the “present political realities and the unresolved crisis within the party have made it necessary to take this bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”

“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.”

It is unclear why the governor decided to pitch his tent with the APC.

Lawal, 60, is one of the few governors who is seeking re-election in the 2027 general polls.

The decision follows Monday’s judgement by the Court of Appeal which upheld an earlier ruling of a High Court barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from validating the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.

Channels Television had earlier reported that the governor was weighing his political options due to the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level and was awaiting the outcome of the Appeal Court ruling before making a final decision.

Lawal’s defection now brings the total number of APC governors now to 31.

Last week, Adawama State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, announced his decision to join the ruling party.

The governor said he moved with all his cabinet members, appointees, and elected local government chairmen.

He said that his decision was made in the interest of the people of Adamawa State and national unity, emphasising the need for stronger alignment with the Federal Government to advance development priorities.

The Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, had on Wednesday resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside 14 other lawmakers.