Tag: Yahaya Bello

Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agnese, has defended former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, asserting that he will emerge stronger from the ongoing money laundering allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Agbese stood in solidarity with Bello, describing the trial as a test of a patriot’s resilience rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

In an address to journalists and supporters gathered after Thursday’s court proceedings, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency described Bello as a leader of unblemished integrity.

“Yahaya Bello is one Nigerian who cannot and will never steal a dime from the public purse,” he declared emphatically.

“I have known Yahaya for over two decades, and I can vouch for his character as a patriot, a nationalist, and a man wholly dedicated to the progress of his people.

“This is not a trial of a corrupt politician; it is the trial of a patriot who left Lugard House [Kogi State Government House] poorer than he entered it, having poured his heart and resources into transforming Kogi State.”

Agbese emphasised the former Covernor’s selflessness and commitment to public service.

“In my over 20 years of knowing Yahaya Bello, I have seen a man who consistently placed the welfare of his people above personal gain,” he said.

“When he assumed office in 2016, Kogi was grappling with infrastructural decay, insecurity, and economic stagnation.

“Bello changed that narrative through bold reforms, youth empowerment programs, and massive investments in roads, healthcare, and education. He didn’t amass wealth for himself; instead, he left office with a leaner pocket but a richer legacy of service. Nigerians must recognize that what we are witnessing is a politically orchestrated attempt to tarnish the image of a man who dared to prioritize governance over personal enrichment.”

The lawmaker urged Nigerians to look beyond the EFCC’s allegations, which he described as “a smokescreen designed to distract from Bello’s transformative achievements.”

He highlighted Bello’s tenure as one marked by fiscal discipline and transparency. “Under Bello’s watch, Kogi State saw unprecedented development,” Agbese noted.

Read Also: Transactions in Kogi govt’s accounts violated no regulations – Witness in Yahaya Bello’s trial

“From the construction of the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre to the establishment of the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba, Bello’s projects were tangible and people-centered. He introduced free education policies, empowered women and youths, and tackled insecurity head-on, making Kogi safer.

“These are not the actions of a man who loots public funds. I am confident that when the dust settles, Yahaya Bello will walk out of this trial not just vindicated but stronger, with his reputation as a patriot intact.”

Agbese also called on Nigerians to critically evaluate the motives behind the EFCC’s pursuit. “This case is less about accountability and more about settling political scores,” he asserted.

“Bello’s rising profile as a young, dynamic leader who delivered results made him a target for those who feel threatened by his influence.

“Nigerians should ask: why is a man who left office without a single personal mansion or offshore account being hounded? The answer lies in the politics of envy and vendetta. But truth is resilient, and Yahaya Bello’s truth will prevail.”

“Yahaya Bello represents the hope of a new generation of leaders who prioritize service over self,” Agbese concluded.

“This trial will only strengthen his resolve and amplify his voice as a champion of the people. Nigerians should stand with him, for in defending Bello, we defend the very idea of patriotic governance.”

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of ex-governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others has claimed that the transactions carried out in accounts belonging to the state government violated no known banking regulations.

The witness, Mrs. Abimbola Williams, who is a Compliance Officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), featured as the third prosecution witness.

Bello is being prosecuted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He is being prosecuted with Umar Oricha (Director General, Kogi State Government House) and Abdulsalami Hudu (an Accountant with the state government).

The EFCC is, in the 16-count charge, alleging criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110.4 billion.

Under cross-examination by the lawyer to Bello, Joseph Daudu, Williams said she was not the relationship or account manager of the Kogi Government House account.

She added that the account is domiciled in Lokoja (the capital of Kogi State), while she works in Abuja.

The witness said the banks do not enquire from customers the purpose for which they were making cash withdrawals, but that such a question could be asked when making transfers, and the relationship with the beneficiary in cases of high-volume transactions.

Mrs. Williams said that as a compliance officer, her duties involve protecting the integrity of her employer from legal penalties, reputational damage, and financial losses.

Read Also: Appeal Court restores EFCC’s interim forfeiture order on Yahaya Bello’s alleged properties

She said no withdrawal went beyond N10 million in all the transactions presented before the court, adding that she has worked with UBA for 19 years.

The witness, who said she was familiar with the duties of a cashier, which she said included paying cash and receiving cash, added that a customer could withdraw his/her money as much as he/she prefer as long as the mandate is correct.

The witness told the court that she had not met Bello in person before and that she had equally not met or had business dealings with Oricha.

Under cross-examination by lawyer to Hudu, A. M. Aliyu (SAN), the witness was handed a bank statement which reflected the various withdrawals made.

She stated that the narration on the credit entry in the statement was the governor’s security fund, adding that it was a credit entry of N100 million, in two tranches of N50 million each.

On whether she could state that the funds were not used for security purposes, the witness said: “My Lord, I am not privy to the details of the transaction and cannot categorically answer that question.”

Earlier, while being led in evidence by the lawyer for the prosecution, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), Mrs. Williams was handed documents relating to the account of the Kogi State Government House.

The lawyer took the witness through the documents from which she narrated how withdrawals were allegedly made by Hudu.

She said cheque transactions totalling 64 at N10million per transaction, amounting to N640 million, were allegedly made within six days (between 31st July and 6th August, 2019) by Hudu.

She added that she was not in a position to know why the withdrawals were made.

She also confirmed transfers, in tranches, by one Bello Abdullateef, on July 5, 2019, but noted, on cross-examination, that her bank did not breach any regulations in allowing the withdrawals or transfers.

The prosecution also called in its fourth witness, Jesutomi Akanni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank.

The prosecution tendered a 13-page statement of accounts from 2016 to 2024 and some other documents through the witness.

The witness gave details of some transactions in the account, following which the defence lawyers cross-examined the witness.

The prosecution called its fifth witness, Victoria Oluwafemi, who, like Akanni, was a subpoenaed witness from Polaris Bank.

Earlier, Daudu informed the court about his client’s pending application, challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

He urged the court to hear the application, a request Pinheiro objected to, arguing that it was not ripe for hearing.

Hearing in the case, before Justice Maryanne Anenih resumes on Thursday.

The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on Wednesday reinstated the interim forfeiture order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over 14 properties allegedly linked to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

In a unanimous decision delivered virtually, the appellate court set aside an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court, which had struck out the EFCC’s case based on the constitutional immunity granted to a sitting governor.

Justice Yargata Nimpar, delivering the lead judgment, with Justices Danlami Senchi and Paul Bassi concurring, ruled that the trial court erred by invoking Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to halt the proceedings.

She held that immunity does not shield property suspected to be proceeds of crime from investigation or preservation.

“The trial court erred in striking out the case rather than determining whether the properties should be finally forfeited,” Justice Nimpar stated.

The EFCC had obtained the interim forfeiture order from Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, allowing it to temporarily seize the 14 properties located in Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The agency alleged that the assets were purchased with proceeds of unlawful activity and filed an ex parte motion seeking their forfeiture.

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The court had also ordered the EFCC to publish the forfeiture notice in two national newspapers, inviting any interested party to show why the properties should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

Governor Bello, through his legal team, opposed the order, arguing that the properties were acquired before he assumed office and could not have been funded by state resources.

He also invoked Section 308 of the Constitution, claiming immunity from civil and criminal proceedings, and further argued that the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, could not apply retrospectively.

His lawyers also cited a subsisting order of a Kogi State High Court restraining the EFCC from investigating the state’s accounts, and questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos, noting that the properties were located outside Lagos, and that Bello resides in Lokoja.

However, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), leading Bilkisu Buhari-Bala and Hanatu Kofanaisa, urged the appellate court to uphold the agency’s statutory mandate.

He argued that no Nigerian court had barred the commission from investigating suspected economic crimes and maintained that the luxury properties—including an apartment in the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai—were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with illicit funds.

The EFCC also sought the interim forfeiture of an additional N400 million linked to the same investigation.

Justice Oweibo had originally sided with Bello, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction and striking out the case based on the governor’s immunity. But the EFCC appealed the decision.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal dismissed Bello’s preliminary objection, held that the immunity clause did not apply to property preservation proceedings, and ordered the EFCC to proceed with the final forfeiture hearing.

Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has married a fourth wife, Hiqma, in a ceremony held over the weekend in Abuja.

The private event was attended by close friends and family members. 

Confirmation of the marriage came through an Instagram post by Bello’s third wife, Hafiza Yahaya Bello, who publicly welcomed Hiqma to the family.

“Our family just got a little bigger and more loving,” she wrote, expressing gratitude and praying for peace and blessings in their home.

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Bello, who governed Kogi State from 2016 to 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), was previously married to Amina Oyiza Bello, Rashida Yahaya Bello and Hafiza Bello.

Known for his low-profile personal life, Bello has largely kept his family affairs out of the spotlight. His latest marriage adds a new chapter to his private life following the conclusion of his gubernatorial tenure.

He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.