Crime
Yahaya Bello Seeks Court’s Permission For UK Medical Trip: ‘N80.2bn Fraud’
Yahaya Bello Seeks Court’s Permission For UK Medical Trip: ‘N80.2bn Fraud’
Yahaya Bello seeks court’s permission for UK medical trip: ‘N80.2bn fraud’. Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi, is seeking the permission of a federal high court in Abuja to travel abroad for medical examination.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion.
At the resumed court session on Friday, Joseph Daudu, counsel to Bello, moved the application dated June 20.
Addressing the court, Daudu said the former governor was referred to a hospital in the United Kingdom (UK) by a cardiologist, noting that Bello has not travelled outside Nigeria throughout his eight-year tenure in Kogi.
The lawyer said Bello has pledged to travel within the court’s vacation period and return to the country for the continuation of his trial.
“My lord, this is a harmless and non-political issue that borders on the health of the defendant who is ready and willing to face his trial,” he said.
“He has never been late to court. The little misunderstanding that happened before this trial began was politically motivated. If permitted to travel, he will return before the end of August, and the court can also set a date.
“This is a criminal trial, not a political witch-hunt.”
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the application, describing it as an abuse of court process.
Kemi Pinheiro, prosecution counsel, said the defendant cited hypertension and hypercalcemia or low potassium but failed to provide evidence that the condition was life-threatening.
The prosecution argued that there are well-equipped hospitals in the country that could effectively treat the ailments.
The EFCC counsel told the court that Bello claimed that he built ultra-modern hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities in Kogi state while he was the governor.
“This defendant insisted that the hospitals were built to curb medical tourism,” Pinhero said.
The EFCC lawyer told the court that Bello is facing serious allegations that have international dimensions, noting that he could be arrested by Interpol outside the shores of Nigeria.
“This defendant is already on the red notice. The EFCC sent a letter to Interpol when he was playing games with the prosecution, and he was placed on the red list,” he added.
“He doesn’t know what is awaiting him there. He can be Hushpuppied to the US or UAE. That is a risk because it will affect this trial.”
He noted that the former governor filed the same application before a federal capital territory (FCT) high court where he is facing another charge.
Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, fixed July 27 to rule on the application.
Meanwhile, earlier at the court session, a mild drama unfolded when the fourth prosecution witness, Mshelia Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, denied claims that he was harassed by security personnel attached to Bello.
Pinhero had informed the court shortly after the case was called, alleging that the witness had been confronted by one of the security operatives attached to the defendant.
Yahaya Bello Seeks Court’s Permission For UK Medical Trip
“My lord, the witness told me that this is not the first time. A situation where a witness is harassed in a criminal case amounts to interference,” Pinheiro told the court, urging an investigation into the incident.
In response, Daudu assured the court that the defence team would look into the matter and report back.
However, before the matter was adjourned, the witness sought the court’s permission to speak and clarified that he had not been harassed.
“My lord, I want to put it on record that no one harassed or intimidated me. I only had a minor altercation with someone which had nothing to do with the defendant,” Bata told the court.
Navy Dismantles Illegal Refining Capacity, Destroys Site With 3 Storage Tanks in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy, through FOB BONNY, has dismantled an illegal refining site discovered in Promise Land Community along Nanabie Creek, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, further denying criminal operators the infrastructure required to process stolen crude oil.
Eereporter.com
The site was discovered on 30 September 2026 following credible intelligence and comprised one large cooking pot and 3 large storage tanks intended for illegal refining activities. On 2 October 2026, the Commanding Officer, FOB BONNY, Captain SMC Umeh, led a team to the location, where the illegal refining site and associated equipment were destroyed in accordance with established regulations.
The intervention represents a further disruption of illegal refining capacity within the Bonny area, particularly by removing infrastructure that could be used to process and store stolen crude oil. It also follows recent operations by FOB BONNY under Operation DELTA SENTINEL that uncovered substantial volumes of suspected stolen crude oil and associated illegal refining infrastructure within its Area of Operations
Oil
The Nigerian Navy has continued to strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the area to prevent the establishment or reactivation of illegal refining sites and deny criminal operators the infrastructure required to sustain crude oil theft and related activities.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
Nigerian Police Foil Bandit Attack in Sokoto, Recover Rocket Launchers
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled an attempted bandit attack on Tsabre community in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items abandoned by the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
The incident occurred around 1am on Friday when the armed men reportedly invaded the village and opened sporadic gunfire, causing panic among residents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa, upon receiving a distress call, immediately mobilised tactical teams, including operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit, to confront the attackers.
According to him, the police engaged the bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest.
“The tactical teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Due to the superior firepower and tactical positioning of the police operatives, the bandits were overpowered and forced to escape into the nearby forest with their casualties,” Rufa’i said.
He added that the police subsequently combed the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.
Other items recovered included a Techno keypad phone without a battery, a touch light, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the officers for their swift response and courage during the operation.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Police
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
The CP further appealed to residents to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical attention to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to track the fleeing attackers.
Eereporter.com
Navy Rescues 2 Kidnapped Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines in Akwa Ibom
The Nigerian Navy has rescued 2 kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against sea robbery and kidnapping in the Ibeno general area of Akwa Ibom State on 30 September 2026.
Eereporter.com
The operation followed credible information on the activities of suspected sea robbers and kidnappers targeting fishermen and forcibly taking away fishing boats and outboard engines. In response, the Nigerian Navy Ship JUBILEE Maritime Quick Response Team, Ibeno, swiftly mobilised to the area to counter the threat.
During the operation, the naval team encountered 2 boats suspected to be operated by the criminals, prompting the occupants to flee into adjoining creeks. In the ensuing pursuit, the suspects abandoned one of the boats containing several stolen outboard engines and the 2 kidnapped victims, who were immediately rescued by the naval team and escorted to safety. The recovered outboard engines were secured for verification and further necessary action, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The successful operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to Search and Rescue (SAR), the protection of lives and the security of legitimate maritime activities across Nigeria’s waters. Through its network of ships, bases, surveillance systems, maritime quick response teams and other operational elements, the Nigerian Navy continues to maintain a presence across the maritime domain, enabling timely responses to distress situations and emerging security threats.
Navy
The operation also demonstrates the importance of credible intelligence and community support in enhancing maritime security. The Nigerian Navy therefore encourages coastal communities, fishermen and other maritime stakeholders to continue providing timely information that could assist in preventing criminal activities and responding rapidly to persons in distress.
The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain and will continue to sustain proactive patrols, Search and Rescue operations, and intelligence-driven interventions aimed at protecting lives and property while denying criminal elements freedom of action in the nation’s waterways.
Eereporter.com
-
Crime1 year agoKogi Assembly Considers Law To Regulate Rent, Establish Control Board: Tenancy Law
-
News2 years agoAtiku Reveals Why He Failed To Pick Wike As Running Mate In 2023
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New Territorial Chairman, Exco
-
Crime2 years agoFederal High Court Jails 2 For Vandalizing Transformer, Telecom Mast In Kogi
-
News2 years agoThe Apostolic Church Gets New National President, Executive
-
Akwa Ibom2 years agoUmo Eno Commences Payment Of 80,000 Naira Minimum Wage With Arrears
-
News2 years agoSenator Natasha Returns To Senate With Husband Amid Seat Dispute
-
Economy1 year agoKiyosaki: Is Tinubu’s Government Afraid Of Ibrahim Traore?