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EFCC Advised to Follow Due Process in Its Case Against Yahaya Bello

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EFCC Advised to Follow Due Process in Its Case Against Yahaya Bello

By: Michael Mike

Amidst the legal fireworks on the warrant of arrest on former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, and the restraining order issued by the Kogi State High Court, a coalition of anti-corruption groups led by the Anti-Corruption and Research-Based Data Initiative (ARDI) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to follow due process in the prosecution of the former governor.

Bello is under investigation over alleged embezzlement of N80.2 billion.

On Tuesday, a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the EFCC to serve the money laundering charges against the former governor through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed.

Nwite, relying on section 382(4) and (5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), also ordered Mr Mohammed, having announced an unconditional appearance for the former governor, to accept service on behalf of the defendant.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, the publicity director of the Anti-corruption and Research-based Initiative (ARDI), Mr Nwabueze Anyanwu, who led a coalition of CSOs, said the groups had, over the last few weeks, followed with keen interest the current impasse between the EFCC and Bello, which culminated in the raid on his private residence in Abuja.

He said the Coalition’s “concern hinges on the need for both parties to work within the ambit of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to avoid subjecting the War on Corruption in this country to further odium in the eyes of right-thinking people, as well as do our bit to avert the ongoing and needless overheating of our polity.”

The coalition claimed that the anti-graft agency has not extended to Bello the customary investigation to visit her offices for the purposes of assisting her in any investigations

It stressed that it could not also find evidence anywhere, no matter how remote, where the Commission has asserted that she did extend such an invitation to him.

Ozugbi said the coalition knows that the Commission would usually send an invitation letter, and often several reminders, to a respondent in any petition before even seeking warrants of arrest, and certainly long before taking drastic actions like the raid it conducted last Thursday.

He added: “The attempt by officers of the EFCC to arrest Alhaji Yahaya Bello is in flagrant disregard of a subsisting court order that comprehensively bars her from doing so based on a determination that their actions in the entire circumstances of the case amount to actual and threatened breach of all of his fundamental human rights

“The EFCC is currently at the Appeal Court to challenge that subsisting order of the High Court of Kogi State and the Appellate Court has insisted that parties should maintain the status quo pending determination of the appeal. We are convinced that the EFCC has breached both the principles of the sanctity of court orders and the pendency of suits by her subsequent actions.

“This informs our conclusion that the EFCC’s raid on Yahaya Bello’s Residence at No. 9 Benghazi Street, Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, is in disobedience of subsisting orders of courts and practice procedure, making it both regrettable and an aberration under the Rule of Law.”

It further recalled that EFCC, under the leadership of Abdul Rasheed Bawa, had previously accused Bello of hiding the sum of $20 billion as bail-out money due to Kogi State in a Sterling Bank account and for his own aggrandisement and personal enrichment

It said that from 2022, when it first became breaking news at the instance of the EFCC, till today, the agency could not substantiate that particular allegation against Bello in any court of law with the same energy with which it tried and found him guilty of it in the media.
“The sundry allegations of embezzlement of a whopping sum of N80.2bn by EFCC against Alhaji Yahaya Bello is poorly presented and appear to be politically motivated

“The EFCC, under the leadership of Abdul Rasheed Bawa (former Chairman of the Commission), had previously accused Alhaji Yahaya Bello of hiding a whooping sum of N20billion being bail-out money due to Kogi State in a Sterling Bank account, and for his own aggrandisement and personal enrichment

“From 2022, when it first became breaking news at the instance of the EFCC, till today, the agency could not substantiate that particular allegation against Alhaji Yahaya Bello in any court of law with the same energy with which it tried and found him guilty of it in the media. As it is, those allegations seem to have evaporated with the exit of Bawa as chairman, while new allegations have surfaced under the newest leadership.

“The EFCC originally alleged that the N80.2bn embezzlement occurred in September 2015, except that will put the alleged offence several months before Alhaji Yahaya Bello assumed office for the first time as Kogi State Governor, having not been an official or servant of the Kogi State Government in any capacity prior to then.

“Perhaps, confronted with the incongruity of that accusation, the Commission later amended the date to February 2016, that is, just 3 weeks after he assumed office, and by which time the records show that his administration was yet to collect its first federal allocation. The Anti-Corruption Coalition will really appreciate deeper insight from the Anti-Corruption agency on the mechanics of these charges.

“The inconsistencies in the allegations by the EFCC against Alhaji Yahaya Bello clearly show that the allegations lack substance. Moreover, the EFCC has continued a sensational media trial of Alhaji Yahaya Bello with media releases in a staccato fashion that call to question how they serve the interests of justice in the matter.”

EFCC Advised to Follow Due Process in Its Case Against Yahaya Bello

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Education

Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria

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Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Potiskum chapter, Malam Mohammed Sambo Adamu, has called on the federal and state governments to provide intervention to private schools in the country.

Mohammed, who is also the Director and Proprietor of Women Day Academy Potiskum, made the call today during the celebration of 2025 National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Day at St. Peters Academy and College Potiskum, Yobe State.

The Director of Women Day Academy further said the private schools are in need of intervention from the government in order to develop our school infrastructures and other things.

He revealed that over 70 schools are here today for celebrating Napps Day and drawing the attention of the Yobe State Government Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to come and intervene in the Napps, particularly because there are young schools that used to come up. 

“We need maximum cooperation and other things that will develop the schools in the Potiskum local government and its environment, including the grants and other things for rehabilitation and maintaining the schools,” the chairman added.

The chairman appreciates the effort of all people that extend their support to private schools and also appreciates the effort of all parents as well as the proprietors and directors of various schools that give us maximum cooperation to organize such programs.

Chairman NAPPS seeks intervention for private schools in Nigeria

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Political turmoil in Madagascar, Cameroon underscores rising threat to democracy in Africa

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Political turmoil in Madagascar, Cameroon underscores rising threat to democracy in Africa

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent coup in Madagascar and the disputed presidential election in Cameroon have once again drawn global attention to the growing fragility of democracy across Africa, amid worsening governance crises, corruption, and insecurity.

In Madagascar, soldiers of the elite Corps d’Administration des Personnel et des Services des Armées Terrestres (CAPSAT) on Oct. 11 staged a coup in the capital, Antananarivo, toppling President Andry Rajoelina’s government after weeks of military defections and anti-government protests.

The mutiny, led by Colonel Michael Randriannirina, followed mounting grievances over corruption, poor governance, and the lack of essential public services such as electricity and potable water. CAPSAT had previously played a decisive role in the 2009 coup that first brought Rajoelina to power.

Reports indicate that the president fled the country aboard a French military plane and has since released a statement claiming he remains the legitimate leader of Madagascar.

In the aftermath, the country’s top court ordered the junta to organize elections within 60 days. However, the new military leadership has announced plans to remain in power for two years before holding fresh polls, a move that has heightened tensions and uncertainty.

The international community has reacted cautiously. The African Union and Western governments have called for restraint and the immediate restoration of constitutional order. France, the former colonial power, has suspended all flights to Madagascar, while the United States advised its citizens to shelter in place. The United Nations has also expressed deep concern, urging respect for democracy and human rights.

Meanwhile, in Cameroon, political tension has escalated following the Oct. 12 presidential election, in which President Paul Biya, 92, sought an eighth term in office.

The main opposition candidate has declared victory and urged Biya to concede defeat “in the interest of truth and democracy.” However, the government has cautioned that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce official results.

Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned that any unauthorized declaration of results would amount to treason.

The election, observers say, has been marred by reports of irregularities, vote-buying, and intimidation. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC) continues to dominate the political landscape, having won all 70 senatorial seats in the March 2025 elections.

The opposition has accused the government of manipulating the electoral process, while insecurity persists in the Anglophone regions, where government forces and separatists continue to clash. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread displacement, restricted civil society activity, and human rights violations.

Analysts say the unfolding crises in Madagascar and Cameroon underscore a broader continental challenge, the steady erosion of democratic norms and resurgence of military interventions in Africa.

“The lack of a unified and firm response to coups has emboldened would-be coup leaders across the continent,” one regional security analyst told Zagazola.

Madagascar now joins a growing list of African nations under military rule, including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Chad, and Sudan. Experts warn that this trend threatens to undo decades of democratic progress and could destabilize already fragile regions.

“The combination of corruption, bad governance, and economic hardship has created a fertile ground for military intervention,” another observer noted, adding that militaries often justify coups as efforts to “restore stability” but tend to prolong transitions indefinitely.

External influences, including geopolitical rivalries and inconsistent responses from international organizations, have further complicated efforts to safeguard democratic governance.

The twin crises in Madagascar and Cameroon highlight the urgent need for African leaders to strengthen governance systems, promote accountability, and improve service delivery to regain public trust.

Failure to address these underlying issues, experts warn, could trigger further unrest, protests, or even coups in other parts of the continent.

“The future of democracy in countries like Madagascar and Cameroon hangs in the balance,” an African Union diplomat told Zagazola. “Without decisive leadership, these nations risk sliding deeper into instability.”

The African Union, regional blocs, and international partners are now under pressure to take coordinated action to deter future coups and support credible democratic transitions.

Africa’s path to stability depends on transparent governance, respect for the rule of law, and inclusive development, the true foundations of peace and democratic resilience.

Political turmoil in Madagascar, Cameroon underscores rising threat to democracy in Africa

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Military

Troops repel bandits in Taraba, recover arms and uniforms

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Troops repel bandits in Taraba, recover arms and uniforms

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Army troops have repelled an attack by armed bandits and recovered weapons and other items during a clearance operation in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the operation, codenamed Operation Lafiyan Nakowa, was conducted on Tuesday morning following credible intelligence on the hideouts of the criminals around Badekoshi, Fajul, Kurmi, and Dampar villages.

The troops made contact with the bandits at Badekoshi, forcing them to retreat towards Fajul. They were pursued into the nearby forest, where the soldiers overpowered them with superior firepower.

During the exploitation, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one magazine, a round of 7.62mm special ammunition, five blank cartridges, two fragmental jackets, two camouflage uniforms, and one Jincheng motorcycle suspected to have been stolen during a previous attack in Tapga.

The troops have since returned safely to their base in Dampar.

The general security situation within the area of operation was said to be calm but unpredictable, while troop morale and fighting efficiency remain high.

Troops repel bandits in Taraba, recover arms and uniforms

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