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Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Narrates How Maitama Property Was Bought With ₦550m

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Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

Alleged ₦80.2bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Narrates How Maitama Property Was Bought With ₦550m

A Prosecution Witness, PW14, Shehu Bello, on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Spring Close, Maitama, was purchased for ₦550 million and paid for in United States dollars cash in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Bello on an alleged money laundering amounting to ₦80,246,470,088.88.

Testifying under examination-in-chief by prosecution counsel, Olukayode Enitan, SAN, Bello, a real estate agent and commodity trader, said the transaction was carried out on behalf of his client, Dr. Faruk Bello.

“We agreed ₦550 million, but it was paid in U.S. dollars in cash. I was also paid my commission in cash,” he said.

The witness further disclosed that he facilitated the purchase of another property for the same client at Lome Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, for ₦105 million, which was paid via bank transfer to the seller.

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Bello also told the court that he had previous business dealings with Ali Bello, describing him as a friend. “Ali Bello is my friend. We have done some businesses together in the past—commodity and property business,” he said.

He revealed that he sold his personal property located at Plot 1773, Guzape District, Abuja, to Ali Bello for ₦68 million, having earlier purchased it for ₦63 million.

He also stated that he assisted in sourcing a buyer for another property in Guzape on behalf of Ali Bello.

While the prosecution sought to tender the extra-judicial statement of the witness made to the EFCC, the defence counsel J.B Daudu SAN, objected, describing it as a cautionary statement and therefore inadmissible. In a bid to avoid delay in proceedings, the prosecution withdrew the document and proceeded.

Earlier in the proceedings, the prosecution had called PW13, Baba Isa Usman Baffa, an estate surveyor and facility manager, who testified on a property transaction at Plot 739, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, also known as Cityscape Shariff Plaza.

Baffa told the court that Ali Bello purchased a shop in the plaza, stating that: “He paid an initial deposit of ₦40 million and later paid the balance of ₦26 million, including agency fees. A receipt was issued to him, and he was allocated Shop B13.”

He added that the payment was made into the account of Shariff Plaza Management and Facility Company and confirmed under cross-examination that the buyer took possession of the property. The witness was thereafter discharged.

Also testifying earlier was PW12, Jamilu Abdullahi, a Bureau de Change operator, who was cross-examined on his previous testimony before another court regarding a $300,000 transaction allegedly conducted for school fees payment to the American International School.

When asked whether he still stood by the earlier testimony, the witness said: “My Lord, the answer is a little more than yes or no. When I explain, I will then answer.”

Kwara Ex-Governor Ahmed

Fraud

The prosecution, through its lead Counsel Kemi Pinheiro SAN, objected to the defence’s insistence on a direct answer, arguing that the witness should be allowed to explain. “He cannot be confined… there’s no law that compels him to answer a question. A witness can keep mute. Muteness is an answer,” he said.

The witness, however, stated that he could not fully recall the details, noting that “it has been a long time.” He also confirmed that E-traders was his company and denied any suggestion that he feared being charged by the EFCC for operating an unlicensed Bureau de Change. “I am a licensed Bureau de Change operator “, he said.

He was subsequently discharged.

Justice Nwite thereafter adjourned the matter till May 7, 2026, for continuation of trial.

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ICPC Sensitised The Staff Of NDLEA, Kogi Command

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NDLEA

ICPC Sensitised The Staff Of NDLEA, Kogi Command

In a renewed push to curb corruption across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Kogi State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) sensitised the staff of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kogi Command.

The enlightenment campaign was designed to enlighten the drug law enforcement officials on the nature and impact of corruption, its debilitating effect on the Nigerian state, and to secure their active support in tackling the menace while enforcing drug laws in Nigeria.

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The ICPC team, led by Mr Mannir Muhammad, was received by the Kogi State Commandant of NDLEA, Mr Mustapha Yahuza, while the sentisation paper was presented by Mr Dauda Iliya, an Assistant Chief Superintendent from the ICPC’s Public Education Department.

It drew participants into the core mandates of the Commission: Investigations and Prosecution, System Studies and Review, as well as Education and Public Enlightenment. Key highlights included offences and penalties as contained in the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the role of citizens in fighting corruption, and specific forms of corruption within the NDLEA alongside practical measures to curb them.

The Commission’s anti-corruption strategy, deployed to achieve its mandate, was also outlined.

These strategies encompass: Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units in MDAs; Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management; System Studies and Review; Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation; Public Enlightenment and Education; Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Initiative; Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs; and the National Values Curriculum, amongst others.

NDLEA

NDLEA

The presentation prompted several questions from NDLEA staff, including the differences between the ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the legal consequences of virement, and whether the ICPC is empowered only to investigate public officials – all of which were duly answered.

In his vote of thanks, the second-in-command, Mr Taiwo Abiodun, expressed gratitude to the ICPC for affording the Command’s staff the opportunity to better understand the Federal Government’s current anti-corruption drive, as well as how to operate strictly within the ambit of the law.

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EFCC Arraigns Man For Issuance Of N16.5m Dud Cheque

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EFCC

EFCC Arraigns Man For Issuance Of N16.5m Dud Cheque

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Oluwabusayo Ekundayo before Justice A.S. Adepoju of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Gwagwalada, Abuja for issuance of dud cheque to the tune of N16, 650,000 (Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).

He is being prosecuted on a two-count charge.

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Count one reads: “That you Oluwabusayo Ekundayo sometime in 2022 in Abuja, within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being the CEO/Chairman of Orion Surgical and Satures, did obtain from one Clara Onwumere the sum of N4,650,000.00 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), by means of cheque which when presented within three months, would be dishonoured on the ground that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1(1)(b) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(1)(b)(i) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you Oluwabusayo Ekundayo within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being the CEO/Chairman of Orion Surgical and Satures, did obtain credit from one Clara Onwumere in the sum of N12,000,000.00 (Twelve Million Naira only)

EFCC

EFCC

Which when presented within three months, would be dishonoured on the ground that no sufficient funds were standing to the credit of the account upon which the cheque was drawn and you thereby committed an offence contrary Section 1(1) (b) and punishable under Section 1(1)(b) of Dishonoured Cheque (Offences) Act 2004 and punishable under section 1(1) (b) (i) of the same Act.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, prompting prosecution counsel, Joyce Audu to request a trial date.

Trial has since commenced in the matter.

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Nigeria Advances Diaspora Engagement, Migration Governance At IMRF 2026 In New York

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Diaspora

Nigeria Advances Diaspora Engagement, Migration Governance At IMRF 2026 In New York

The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening protection for its citizens abroad while strategically harnessing diaspora contributions for national development.

He made this known while serving as Co-Chair of Roundtable 3 on Diaspora Engagement at the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026), held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States.

The Minister noted that Nigeria’s diaspora remains a critical partner in driving inclusive growth, contributing significantly through remittances, investment, skills transfer, and innovation. He emphasized that the Federal Government is actively repositioning its engagement strategy to better integrate diaspora contributions into national development frameworks.

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According to the Honourable Minister, “platforms such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit and diaspora-focused financial instruments are being leveraged to promote investment and facilitate skills transfer.”
He explained that, these initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that diaspora engagement translates into measurable socio-economic outcomes.

Dr. Doro further stated that “these efforts reflect a strategic shift towards recognizing diaspora communities not merely as beneficiaries of protection systems, but as active partners in development.”
He added that, Nigeria’s experience, alongside those of other countries, provides valuable entry points for strengthening systems, improving coordination, and scaling impact across migration governance frameworks.

The Minister underscored the importance of moving beyond fragmented approaches to humanitarian and migration interventions, calling for more coordinated, systems-driven responses. “This roundtable provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can collectively strengthen preventive protection mechanisms, deepen partnerships, and adopt innovative approaches that bridge policy commitments with practical implementation,” he said.

He also urged stakeholders to engage actively in shaping forward-looking solutions, noting that “As we begin our discussions, it is important to share concrete experiences, identify scalable solutions, and contribute to building a more proactive, inclusive, and development-oriented migration system.”

The Honourable Minister reiterated that Nigeria’s position aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritizes inclusive growth, strengthened global partnerships, and expanded opportunities for all Nigerians, including those in the diaspora.

Diaspora

Diaspora

He concluded by expressing optimism for the outcomes of the Forum, stating that Nigeria remains committed to building a more inclusive, coordinated, and development-driven migration system that safeguards its citizens and maximizes the potential of its diaspora for national transformation.

The International Migration Review Forum (IMRF 2026) is held from May 5–8, it is a primary intergovernmental platform for reviewing progress on the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).

The Forum brings together Heads of State, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, and the private sector to advance global cooperation on migration and adopt a Progress Declaration to guide future actions.

Signed:
Janet MCDickson Director, Press and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction

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