News

I’ve Not Withdrawn from Ogun Guber Race – Otunba Ashiru

Published

6 years ago

June 4, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Ogun East consensus candidate for the 2019 Ogun State Governorship election and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, has reacted to the rumours making the rounds that he has withdrawn from the race to Ogun government house in 2019.

Otunba Ashiru expressed his opinion in a statement signed by his Media Consultant, Mr. Tayo Mabeweje.

The statement noted that the rumours emanated from Ashiru’s absence from at the recently held congress, saying his absence was as a result of ‘circumstances beyond his control’. It also noted that the report was unfounded, callous and nothing but rumour from the pit of hell.

Full text of the press release:

Our attention has been drawn to a report in a section of the media that the APC consensus candidate for Ogun East, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru has withdrawn from the 2019 gubernatorial race. We hereby debunk such report as unfounded, callous and nothing but rumour from the pit of hell.

The absence of Otunba Ashiru at the recently held party congress was as a result of some circumstances beyond his control and this does not in any way suggest that he was persuaded not to attend the congress. Otunba Ashiru is a national delegate of the party and will, by the special grace of God, attend the forthcoming national convention of the party.

It is a report aimed at distracting the forward moving train of the Ijebu/Remo Agenda and the growing popularity and acceptance of its consensus candidate, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru who has been garnering overwhelming support since the process started.

In as much as we know those behind the wicked lies and their antecedents, we would therefore not join issues with disillusioned, lazy politicians whose stock-in-trade is peddling rumour and mudslinging. Instead of playing by the rules and accepting the reality of the times, they chose to sit in comfort of their room spinning tissues of lies all in a bid to score cheap political points.

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru has never at anytime discussed with anyone to have been persuaded to drop the mandate given to him the by the APC leadership from the senatorial district. He remains committed to run in the gubernatorial primaries and, with the support of good people or Ogun State, win the 2019 gubernatorial election on the platform of the party.

To this end, we urged the all the supporters of Otunba Ashiru to remain steadfast and work assiduously to the emergence of the people’s choice, as we appeal to antagonists to desist from their ways and tow the right path. Ogun State belongs to all of us and together we shall consolidate the gains of the present Administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, CON, FCA.and take it to the enviable pedestal of our dreams.

Tayo Mabeweje,

Media Consultant to OBA

News

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

Published

1 hour 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

19 hours 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

21 hours 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.