News

Darius Ishaku VS Police: Middle Belt Forum condemns police for invading Taraba Gov’s residence

Published

5 years ago

June 25, 2019

Eric

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has condemned in strong terms the reported invasion and forced entry into the Abuja residence of the Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Ishaku Dickson, by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Nigeria Police Force, who allegedly forced entry into the governor’s residence led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, allegedly claimed that they had a warrant from the Special Investigation Panel of the Presidency to raid the house and conduct a search.

MBF National President, Dr. Nitrous Pogu in a statement he issued said, “The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, hereby condemns the reported invasion and forced entry into the Abuja residence of the Governor of Taraba state, Arc. Darius Ishaku Dickson by men of the Nigeria Police Force, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police who allegedly claimed they had a warrant from the Special Investigation Panel of the Presidency to raid the house and conduct a search.

“It is most unfortunate and regrettable that our cherished democracy and rule of law is under siege by agents of government that should serve as custodians of same.”

The statement regretted that the raid on the governor’s residence reminded Nigerians of last year’s invasion of the National Assembly’s Senate chamber and the carting away of the mace in the full glare of the police and the Department of State Service (DSS) personnel.

The forum noted, “The unwarranted siege on the residences of the then President of the 8th Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Senator Dino Melaye, respectively by operatives of the Nigeria Police, the shameful raiding of the residences of judges, among many such lawless misconducts by security agencies, attest to the fact that our democracy is under serious threats and calls for concern.

“As a Forum, we are not in any way opposed to the legitimate discharge of duty by the police or any other security agents, but we insist that they carry out their functions within the confines of the law.

“The impunity, lawlessness and daring manner with which the said police operatives forcibly entered and conducted their unwarranted search, and in view of the fact that the invading police operatives claimed to be acting on orders from the Presidency is indicative of the fact that Governor Dickson and indeed, other governors and leaders, targeted for daring to challenge the actions or inactions of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government regarding incessant killings in our rural communities, the wanton destruction of farmlands and property, the sacking of indigenous farming communities from their ancestral lands and occupation of same by Fulani herdsmen terrorists in pursuit of an agenda now popularly referred to as ‘fulanization’ are worthy of condemnation.

“We also view this invasion as a desperate ploy to implicate the governor by surreptitiously depositing some incriminating material in his premises in the pretext of searching his house.

“Let it be known that the Middle Belt Forum will vehemently resist any attempt by the Buhari-led government or any of its agencies to deliberately implicate Governor Dickson of any criminal act. We will also hold the federal government responsible should anything happen to him. God forbid!”

The forum called on the police authorities to thoroughly investigate the invasion with a view to identifying the culprits for necessary action.

“We also call on the national security establishment to take necessary action to protect the governor and members of his family, including his officials, before it becomes too late,” the forum advised.

The MBF also called on the youth of the region not to avail themselves to be used by enemies of the people to attack one another.

“We should rather unite against these people who attack and kill our people unprovoked, dispossessing them of their ancestral lands and occupying same. We should always remember our motto: ‘Our people, our land, our heritage’,” the forum observed.

News

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

Published

15 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.