DE@TH OF A 22-YEAR OLD NIGERIAN: Solidarity By South African As 3 More Suspects Arraigned

DE@TH OF A 22-YEAR OLD NIGERIAN: Solidarity by South African as 3 more suspects arraigned. Abuja, Feb. 16, 2026: Sequel to the ki1ling of 22-year-old Nigerian e-hailing driver, Isaac Satlet in Pretoria South Africa, three more suspects were on Monday arraigned in court.

It will be recalled that Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) had on Sunday demanded for justice and arrest as well as prosecution of those involved.

Nigerians and South Africans on Monday trooped out in large numbers in solidarity as they welcomed the arraignment of three South African suspects at the Pretoria Central Magistrate Court in connection with the gruesome murder of the Nigerian driver.

Those arraigned before the Court were Dikeledi Mphela (female) Gotseone Machidi and McClaren Mushwana.
A fourth suspect had reportedly just voluntarily turned himself in.

In solidarity with Nigerians, South African trooped outside the court and jubilated over the arrest and arraignment of the suspects.

NiDCOM

Dabiri-Erewa had expressed worry over the increasing rate of criminality and killings of Nigerians in South Africa.

Satlet, a student set to graduate next month, was remembered as hardworking and ambitious, with plans to further his studies in Canada.

E-signed
Abdur-Rahman Balogun mnipr
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols NIDCOM, Abuja.

Witness Links Fund Transfers To Ali Bello, Co-defendant In Alleged ₦10bn Kogi Fraud

Witness links fund transfers to Ali Bello, Co-defendant in alleged ₦10bn Kogi fraud. The trial of Ali Bello, Chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja continued on Monday, February 16, 2026, with the 17th Prosecution Witness, PW17, Ahmed Audu Abubakar, linking Bello with funds from Kogi State Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ali Bello, a nephew of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, alongside Dauda Sulaiman, on a 16-count amended charge bordering on alleged misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of ₦10,270,556,800.00.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness, an investigator with the EFCC, identified Exhibit F as a document recovered in the course of investigation that contains details of inflows and outflows of funds.

In response to prosecution counsel’s enquiry on $91,000.00 outflow, dated February 5, 2021, the witness disclosed that the amount was paid to “Oga Ali,” a reference to the first defendant, Ali Bello.

On February 6, 2021, the witness identified an outflow of ₦150,000.00, released to “Presido.”

He further explained that “Rashido” referred to one Abdulrasheed, who came from Lokoja to transport money, stating that ₦150 million was moved from Lokoja to the bureau de change operator.

The witness also identified entries, dated February 19, 2021, showing an endorsement of ₦10 million paid to Ali Bello and ₦500,000.00 to Daud. He clarified that “Alhaji Ali” also refers to the first defendant, while “Daud” refers to the second defendant, Dauda Sulaiman.

On investigation findings relating to account number 1000688500 belonging to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with transfers of ₦80 million and ₦20 million, the witness testified that the payments were for Plot 1060, located in Gwarimpa,Abuja, made by the company. The ₦100 million total he said, was paid to Dantata and Sawoe and reflected in Exhibit F.

“There were 10 entries of ₦10 million each, making a total of ₦100 million. The source is Maigari Murtala, an ally of the first defendant and a contact with the Bureau de Change operator,” he said.

The irrevocable power of attorney for the said property was subsequently tendered in evidence by the prosecution, marked Exhibit Q.

The prosecution counsel’s attempt to tender the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, dated November 29, 30; December 1, 10, 11 and 12, 2022 for the first defendant, and November 30 and December 1, 2022 for the second defendant was objected to by counsel to the first and second defendants on the alleged ground that their admissibility did not comply with Section 15(4) and Section 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, particularly with regards to the voluntariness of audio-visual recording of statements.

Fraud

After listening to arguments from both sides, Justice Omotosho ruled for immediate commencement of trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements, with PW17 testifying as the first prosecution witness in the sub-trial.

In his testimony, the witness identified the statements of the defendants and affirmed that they were voluntarily made.

“In EFCC, we have a standard. No threats, no promises, and statements were taken in the presence of their counsel, with Z.E. Abbas being the most present,” he said.

Following the proceedings in the sub-trial, the statements were admitted in evidence, as there was no further objection from counsel.

Counsel to the first and second defendants cross-examined the witness. With the exhaustion of their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness from the witness box and adjourned the matter till February 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.

ADC Slams Wike Over “War” Threat, Says Nigerians Will Decide, February 21st Polls

ADC slams Wike over “war” threat, says Nigerians will decide, February 21st polls. -Vows to Resist Any Attempt to Subvert Voters’ Will
-Says Threats Reveal Government’s Fear.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has strongly condemned remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing his declaration of “war” against anti-Tinubu candidates as reckless and inflammatory.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the party warned that such rhetoric could deepen political tensions and undermine democratic stability, insisting that it is the Nigerian people, not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or any minister, who will determine the outcome of the February 21, 2026 elections.

The ADC accused Wike and the All Progressives Congress, APC, of attempting to intimidate voters, arguing that such tactics reflect their fear and growing unpopularity, and vowed to resist any effort to subvert the will of Nigerians through all lawful and constitutional means.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has taken note of the deeply troubling statement credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as reported by several news outlets.

We consider the Minister’s declaration of “war” against so-called anti-Tinubu candidates not only irresponsible, but dangerous in the current fragile atmosphere of our nation. At a time when Nigerians are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, insecurity, and deep political distrust, the last thing the country needs is inflammatory rhetoric from those entrusted with public office.

The ADC states unequivocally, Minister Wike should not add to the crisis in the country.

Nigeria is not a battlefield for political vendettas, it is a constitutional democracy. The sovereign will rests with the Nigerian people, not with any President, not with any Minister, and certainly not with those who mistake access to state power for ownership of the nation.

We remind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Wike, and all officials of this administration that Nigerians cannot and will not be intimidated. Attempts to threaten or coerce voters into political submission only advertise their fear. They betray Wike, Tinubu and the APC’s anxiety about popular support and reveal how deeply disconnected and unpopular this government has become in the eyes of many citizens.

ADC

If Wike, the APC and its leaders are confident in their performance, they should submit themselves humbly to the verdict of the electorate.

The ADC will not sit idly by and watch political actors truncate our democracy. Any attempt, overt or covert, to subvert the will of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders will be firmly resisted through every means at our disposal. We are prepared to mobilize democratic institutions, civil society partners, and the Nigerian people themselves in defense of the sanctity of the ballot.

No declaration of “war,” no abuse of office, and no political theatrics can override the sovereign voice of the electorate. Our democracy was hard-earned. It will not be surrendered to intimidation by actors like Wike and his paymaster.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress