News

Council Boss Accused of Disrupting APC Amuwo Odofin Primaries with Thugs

Published

6 years ago

October 5, 2018

Eric

Thugs allegedly loyal to the Chairman of Amuwo Local Government chairman, Comrade Valentine Buraimoh, were said to have allegedly disrupted primary elections on Thursday as the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to elect flag bearers for the Senatorial and House of Representatives elections for 2019.

Recounting his ordeal, one of the victims of the attack and Chairman, House Committee on Legislative matters, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Hon. Adewunmi Ogunshina, a counselor representing Ward K, stated that a staff of the local government who functions as clerical staff, Mr. Peter Okoli, was the one who brought in ‘hoodlums’ to the voting centre, and even made them to ‘cast votes unlawfully’ while not allowing others to cast theirs.

Hear him: “We were waiting to cast our votes when a clerical officer, Peter Okoli, brough inn hoodlums who cast their votes even unlawfully and prevented others of casting theirs. When we tried to protest, they turned on us, punching my personal assistant, Mrs Ijeoma Mouzie repeatedly. My wife was also beaten and hospitalised.

Hon Ogunshina

“They went ahead to beat members of the public who were recording the activities even as the Police who were there to prevent unlawful occurrence looked the other way and did nothing.

“But the police shocked everyone when they arrested those who were recording what was happening instead of the hoodlums that were terrorising everyone. Innocent people were arrested and taken to CIB Panti for doing next to nothing.”

Hon. Ogunshina thereby called on the Commissioner of Police and the state and federal government to look into the matter and ensure that justice is served and those who have committed offence be punished.

Investigation reveals that the council boss, Comrade Buraimoh, prefers the emergence of Hon. Risikat Adegeye among the APC aspirants for the House of Representatives for Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, and had used every means to get her the ticket.

Agbaje

It was also said that the thugs led by one Ikomodina, who is also the head of National Union of Road Workers in Mile 2, unleashed more attacks in A ward of Amuwo Odofin LG. Unconfirmed report suggests that one of the victims, who sustained machete cuts died in the hospital a day after.

When The Boss contacted The Area E Commander, FESTAC, ACP Yusuf and DCO, FESTAC Police Station, SP Onyeagwu Akandu, on phone for updates on the matter, both men declined comments instructing our correspondent to come to the station for details. Also calls put through to the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, and DCP Mohammed Ali of the Operations Unit, were not answered.

Efforts also made to speak with the local government chairman, Comrade Buraimoh, proved abortive as he did not pick his calls even as his phone rang out.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

7 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that 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.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“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,” the statement added.