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EFCC Dismisses Yahaya Bello’s Assassination Claim, Urges Ex-Governor to Face Trial
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims by former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, alleging an assassination attempt linked to the agency’s efforts to arrest him.
The anti-graft agency described the claim as “preposterous” and an attempt to distract from the ongoing money laundering case against him.
In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, the EFCC expressed frustration over what it called “irresponsible and rascally efforts” by Bello to derail his trial.
The former governor faces an 18-count charge of money laundering amounting to N80.2 billion but has yet to take his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The EFCC criticised Bello for avoiding the court proceedings while alleging persecution and staging his supposed surrender to the Commission on September 18.
Despite this, the agency insisted that only his presence in court, as mandated by Justice Nwite, would demonstrate his commitment to the legal process.
The Commission stated, “Yahaya Bello should be more interested in clearing his name than playing the victim and crying persecution, where none exists.”
Bello’s claim that EFCC agents attempted to assassinate him during a raid at the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge was labelled as scaremongering and an unprecedented attempt to scandalize the Commission.
The EFCC maintained that such allegations were meant to manipulate public sentiment and divert attention from the charges against him.
Despite the ex-governor’s antics, the EFCC remains determined to pursue the case in court, where it plans to present the evidence it has gathered.
The statement also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to holding all public officials accountable, emphasising that corruption fights back but will not derail its efforts.
“Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy, or acts of brigandage,” the EFCC said.
The agency reiterated that it has already arraigned three former ministers, two ex-governors, and numerous high-profile individuals this year, and more would follow in due course.
While pledging to maintain its integrity, the EFCC urged Nigerians to exercise caution in responding to media reports about its operations, reminding the public that harbouring a criminal suspect is also a punishable offence.
The First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno is dead.
The state government made the announcement of her passing away at dawn on Friday.
The statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, said that the State 1st Lady died following a yet undisclosed illness.
Ememobong’s statement tagged “Unexpected Sunset” read, “It is with heavy hearts that we (Akwa Ibom Government) announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs Patience Umo Eno, following an illness.
“She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September,, in the presence of her family.
“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.
“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary.”
The statement added, “In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”
The Senate on Thursday at plenary passed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N288 billion.
This followed the adoption of the harmonised report of the Joint Committees on the FCTA and FCT Area Councils.
The report was presented by the Joint Committee Chairman, Sen.Mohammed Bomai (APC-Yobe).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that the FCT Supplementary Budget proposal, which was presented on Monday during plenary, had a total of N288 billion as revenue proposed and N288 billion as expenditure.
Bomai, while presenting the report of the committee said the committee critically examined the sources of the revenue of the proposed supplementary budget.
According to him, the committee also critically examined the proposed expenditures, which include overhead and capital and agreed with the proposed amendment.
Bomai said the capital component of the proposed supplementary revenue amounts to 89.21 per cent, while that of the overhead was only 10 per cent.
He urged the Senate to consider and pass the recommendations of the committee on the 2024 FCT supplementary appropriation bill.
Senate referred it to the committee of supply to do clause-by-clause consideration of the FCT supplementary appropriation bill and thereafter approved the supplementary budget.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over Thursday’s plenary after the approval, commended the joint committee for expeditious processing of the bill.
He also commended the FCT Minister Mr Nyesom Wike for his frantic efforts at internal revenue generation and infrastructure development in the FCT.
He urged other appointees of government to emulate the efforts of the FCT minister on revenue generation for the development of the FCT and the nation in general.
The Senate at plenary on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Mrs Olukemi Iyantan as Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), representing Ondo State.
Iyantan confirmation is a sequel to the adoption of the recommendation of the report of the Committee on National Identity Card and National Population.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP- Bauchi Central) said that the recommendation for her appointment was based on her credentials made available to the committee.
Ningi said that the nominee deserved the appointment and should be confirmed by the Senate, given her pedigree and public service record.
The Senate accordingly resolved into a committee of the whole for clause-by-clause consideration and confirmation of the appointment of Iyantan as Commissioner of the National Population Commission from Ondo State.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over the plenary urged her to join other commissioners and chairman of NPC to advance the commission forward.
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