Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) bid to arraign Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, without his legal representation.

Bello faces a 19-count charge related to alleged involvement in an N80.2 billion fraud. The case was set for his plea before Justice Emeka Nwite, but none of his defense lawyers were present in court.

EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, argued that Bello’s physical presence was sufficient for the arraignment, even in the absence of his legal team. However, Justice Nwite dismissed the argument, citing a violation of the defendant’s right to fair hearing.

The judge stated that compelling Bello to enter a plea without his defense counsel would be unjust. He stressed that the absence of the legal team resulted from their lack of notice about the case’s schedule.

“It is my view that the interest of justice will be met by putting the defense counsel on notice about this abridgement of time,” Justice Nwite ruled. He added that proceeding without Bello’s lawyers would breach procedural fairness and undermine the integrity of the court process.

The arraignment was adjourned to December 13, 2024, with instructions for a hearing notice to be issued to Bello’s legal team. Meanwhile, the court ordered that Bello remain in EFCC custody until the next court date as investigations into the alleged fraud continue.

The charges against Bello include embezzlement, financial mismanagement, and abuse of office involving the large-scale diversion of state funds during his tenure.

The case has drawn significant public attention due to the scale of the alleged fraud and its potential impact on anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.

Legal experts and observers have emphasized the importance of upholding justice and fairness in such high-profile cases. The December hearing is expected to be a key moment in the proceedings.

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has earned over N40 billion processing visas for Nigerian nationals between June 2023 and June 2024.

Marc Owen, director of visa, status, and information services at UK Visas and Immigration, disclosed that at least 225,000 visa applications from Nigeria were processed during the period. He spoke at the launch of Africa’s largest UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Lagos.

“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories, and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants,” Owen was quoted as saying by the British High Commission in Lagos.

“I’m delighted to be here in person as we celebrate this important moment together with our customers and partners,” he added.

Although Owen did not provide exact figures for visa applications, an analysis based on the UK’s six-month standard visitor fee of $150 and the 225,000 applications cited as the least figure shows the UK generated over $34 million from processing. At an average exchange rate of N1,200 to $1 between June 2023 and June 2024, this amounts to over N40 billion.

Visa application fees are non-refundable, even if the application is unsuccessful.

Earlier in 2024, data from the British government revealed that Nigeria was among five countries with increased study visa rejection rates in the second half of 2023.

In Q4 2022, one in 31 Nigerian applications was rejected, while in Q4 2023, the rejection rate rose to one in eight. Other countries with high rejection rates included Vietnam, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia, though at smaller volumes.

India recorded higher declined application numbers than Nigeria. For Nigerians, study visa issuances dropped by 63 percent compared to the final three months of 2022.

The increase in rejections coincided with stricter UK immigration policies, including changes to dependent visa rules and adjustments to the graduate route post-study work visa, which fueled negative sentiments in both countries.

As UK visa restrictions tightened, many Nigerians turned to the United States for opportunities.

During the 2023/2024 academic year, Nigeria ranked as the seventh largest source of international students globally and the highest in Africa, with 20,029 students enrolled in the US. This represented a 13.5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

A Federal High Court in Gombe has sentenced two police officers and one immigration operative to seven years imprisonment each for their involvement in a N1.6 million employment scam.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the police officers, Yusuf Abdulkarim Bature and Musa Philip, on a two-count charge of obtaining by false pretences and intent to defraud. Nasiru Mohammed, the immigration officer, was charged with one count of obtaining by false pretences.

According to the charge sheet, Bature and Philip, while serving as officers of the Nigerian Police Force, defrauded one Asabe Hamed of N970,000 in 2022 under the guise of securing her a job, a claim they knew to be false. Similarly, Mohammed, an officer of the Nigerian Immigration Service, was accused of collecting N670,000 from Abdul Rahman Abubakar and Akwalo Adamu on the pretext of securing them employment within the agency.

The offences were said to contravene Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The three defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

Delivering judgment, Justice T.G. Ringing sentenced each of the defendants to seven years imprisonment or an alternative fine of N50,000. The court also ordered them to refund the total sum of N1,640,000 to their victims and sign an undertaking to maintain good behaviour.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a two-day state visit to France, marking the first official visit by a Nigerian leader to the country in over two decades.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Tinubu at the historic Invalides memorial complex in Paris. The visit aims to bolster economic cooperation between France and Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, as France seeks to strengthen its ties with English-speaking African countries following recent challenges with former allies on the continent.

The reception featured a formal ceremony, with both national anthems played and Tinubu inspecting a guard of honour in the courtyard of the iconic Parisian landmark.

Macron, who has advocated for a “renewal” of France-Africa relations since his election in 2017, views the visit as an opportunity to deepen the already vibrant ties between the two nations.

“The trip is an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria,” the French presidency stated.

Expressing his gratitude, Tinubu shared a message on social media, saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my friend, President Macron, for the gracious welcome this splendid morning at the start of my state visit to France. Nigeria and France have a rich history of collaboration across various sectors. I am eager to engage in our bilateral discussions and explore new avenues for partnership that can benefit both nations.”

The visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to strengthen economic partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has criticized the federal government’s tax system, alleging that it has yielded little to no results despite over 60 taxes and levies being collected nationwide.

Oyedele made the statement during Wednesday’s Senate plenary session.

“The fiscal system we have today inhibits growth, as more than 60 taxes and levies are collected from across the country but nothing to show for it,” Oyedele said.

He highlighted the need for urgent reforms, stating that the current system forces businesses to pay taxes even when operating at a loss, which discourages investment and economic growth.

“We do not want to tax capital or poverty but investment. We are beginning to lose our tax base to other countries. This is why it is urgent to reform the tax system,” he added.

Following his remarks, the Senate deferred its questions, opting to invite Oyedele’s team on the next legislative day for further clarifications on the proposed tax reforms before reaching a resolution.

Oyedele’s comments came amid a heated session in the Senate, sparked by the entry of Zacch Adedeji, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and consultants into the chamber.

The lawmakers suspended their rules to allow Adedeji and the consultants to explain the contents of the proposed Tax Reform Bill. However, their entry was initially met with resistance from some senators, causing a brief uproar.

Oyedele is spearheading efforts to advance the controversial Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Bill, which aims to overhaul the nation’s tax system and improve efficiency.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Oluyomi Omobolanle Bombata, popularly known as Bobo Chicago, for allegedly orchestrating a $2.8 million fraud scheme targeting companies and individuals.

Bombata was apprehended on November 20 in Illinois, Chicago, and faces multiple charges, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.

According to the FBI, Bombata’s fraudulent operations primarily targeted Nigerians in the Houston metropolitan area. After drawing the attention of law enforcement, he fled to Chicago to evade capture.

Investigators revealed that over $300,000 of the stolen funds were traced to a popular liquor store, which was allegedly used as part of a larger scheme to launder money and obscure its origins. Bombata reportedly moved funds through various accounts and businesses to cover up the criminal activities.

Known for his lavish lifestyle, Bombata often operated under the alias “Bola Flexx,” flaunting his wealth publicly. However, federal agents have uncovered substantial evidence linking him to a series of fraudulent activities designed to defraud businesses and individuals.

In addition to Bombata, a co-conspirator has also been arrested and is currently in custody as authorities widen their investigation into the criminal network.

The FBI’s investigation, which tracked Bombata’s financial activities over an extended period, uncovered a sophisticated scheme that deceived victims out of large sums of money. His arrest has raised concerns about the prevalence of financial crimes among members of the Nigerian diaspora.

Bombata is expected to be transferred to Oklahoma to face further charges as investigations continue. Law enforcement agencies are working to identify additional suspects and uncover the full extent of the operation.

This case highlights the growing global reach of financial fraud and the challenges faced by authorities in combating money laundering and wire fraud. It also underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and cooperation in tackling organized financial crime worldwide.

The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly arrested Dr. Fabian Ihekweme, a former commissioner and outspoken critic of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Ihekweme was allegedly detained at his Abuja residence on Wednesday in the presence of his wife and children. He was subsequently transported to Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju condemned the arrest on Thursday, describing it as an assault on free speech. In a statement on social media, Adeyanju claimed Ihekweme’s criticism of Governor Uzodimma was the reason for his detention.

“Dr. Fabian Ihekweme was abducted by policemen yesterday in front of his wife and children at their Abuja home and taken to Owerri. His crime: criticizing Hope Uzodimma, Imo State governor,” Adeyanju wrote.

Adeyanju further accused the government of using repressive tactics to silence dissent, warning of the implications for democracy in Nigeria.

The arrest has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights activists and political commentators, who allege a growing trend of using state security forces to suppress opposition voices. Critics have accused the Uzodimma administration of leveraging its authority to intimidate detractors.

As of now, the Nigeria Police Force has not released an official statement regarding former commissioner Ihekweme’s arrest or provided details of any charges against him.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed Inspector Edith Uduma for allegedly collecting a bribe to conceal a rape case involving Sergeant Abraham Uzuobo.

Uzuobo was accused of raping a 17-year-old female suspect detained at the South-Ibie Police Station in Edo State. The suspect was in custody for allegedly receiving stolen property.

In October, a video surfaced on social media showing Uzuobo hurriedly wearing his trousers while the female suspect lay on a chair in a room at the police station. In the video, Uzuobo was seen confronting a female officer recording the incident.

Uduma, identified as the officer recording the video, was the charge room officer (CRO) on duty at the time. Instead of reporting the incident, Uduma allegedly involved her husband, Inspector Ibrahim Mohammed, in demanding a bribe from Uzuobo.

According to Muyiwa Adejobi, NPF spokesperson, Uduma and her husband initially demanded ₦1 million from Uzuobo to suppress the case. Uzuobo reportedly paid ₦45,000 in cash, but after refusing further payments, the couple reported the incident to the divisional police officer (DPO) and shared the video online.

Adejobi confirmed that disciplinary actions were taken against all parties involved. Uzuobo has been dismissed, prosecuted, and is currently in prison awaiting trial. Uduma was dismissed from the force, while her husband was demoted to the rank of sergeant.

Adejobi also addressed allegations made by Uduma following her dismissal. He emphasized that thorough investigations provided irrefutable evidence of her misconduct, including failure to report the incident, attempts to conceal it, extortion, and compromising the justice process for personal gain.

“The dismissal of former Inspector Edith Uduma was necessary and justified,” Adejobi said in a statement. “Her actions violated the ethical standards of the police force.”

The House of Representatives has confirmed Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

The confirmation followed the presentation of a report by Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the Committee on Defence, during Thursday’s plenary session.

Oluyede had been screened on Wednesday by the joint committee on army and defence before the report was submitted to the lower legislative chamber.

Details Later…

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on Wednesday on a 16-count charge of alleged money laundering.

The former governor pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Details later……