***Tells President Tinubu to caution the anti-graft agency

Immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has sounded the alarm over what he described as the illegal invasion of his Anuja residence by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

Bello raised the the concern in a statement from his media office on the action of the anti-graft

He said Nigeria is not a lawless country, pointing out that there is a subsisting order of a state high court in Lokoja, restraining the EFCC from arresting him pending the final determination of a suite he filed against the commission.
However, the EFCC, in breach of the court order sent its operatives to Bello’ private house in Abuja with intention to arrest him.
The statement reads in part,   “About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.

”This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

“The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.

“The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.

“Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.

“Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello , seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!

” It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.

“We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.
“A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.

“Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.

“We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.

” It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.

”This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has barricaded the residence of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Abuja.

It was gathered that the operatives of the agency have taken positions around his Abuja home located at Benghazi Street, in the Wuse Zone 4 area of the city.

The EFCC operatives reportedly blocked the roads leading in and out of the street, causing vehicular traffic around the area.

The EFCC recently named the former Kogi governor in an amended charge filed against Alli Bello.

Alli, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, the incumbent governor of the state, and one Daudu Suleiman are the two defendants in the 17-count amended charge the Antigraft agency had claimed

The agency alleged that the suspects diverted about N84, 062,406,089.88. belonging to the state in September 2015 — about four months before Bello assumed office as governor of Kogi.
The state government however faulted the charge describing it as “ridiculous” and “laughable”. According to the Government, it was impossible, as the former governor was not yet in a position to access or misappropriate state funds at the said time.

Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has performed the ground breaking for the construction of Zuba Relief Market In the Gwagwalada Area Council under Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
Special adviser on media to the minister Austine Elemue in a statement quoted the minister at the event to indicated that the ceremony is a confirmation of the administration’s commitment to the provision of critical infrastructures to residents, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
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She described the ground breaking was a bold step by the FCT Administration through the Gwagwalada Area Council towards reducing the burden on funding through budgetary allocations.

Explaining further she said, the Zuba Modern Market was awarded to Khuntex Engineering Company Limited in December 2021, on a Public Private Partnership agreement, to redevelop the market to a modern market. 

According to her the agreement was for the Area Council to provide unencumbered land and Khuntex to fund the construction 100 percent.

“To solve the protracted funding issue, the Gwagwalada Area Council decided to explore private sector funding options as we are witnessing today which leverages the utilisation of private sector in exchange for land as a resource for the redevelopement of the Zuba Modern Market, amongst other Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) initiatives”.

While emphasising the importance of robust market infrastructure in rural areas, the minister noted that rural markets serve as the lifeline of countless communities, providing a platform for farmers and artisans to sell their produce and goods.

Mahmoud assured that through collaboration, the rural markets are equipped with modern facilities that would not only enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains, but also empower rural entrepreneurs to access larger markets and attain better prices for their products.

She said; “the redevelopment of this Zuba modern market under public-private partnerships fosters economic resilience and social inclusion.

“It generates employment opportunities, enhances income levels, and promotes skill development among rural youth”.

In his remarks, the chairmen and chief executive of Khuntex Engineering Company Ltd. Engr. Dayo Jigan, assured that the first phase of the project would be completed in 10 months, as a mark of unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit of two dynamic forces.

He, however, expressed his appreciation to the administration, for their leadership foresight in initiating the remodeling of Zuba modern market.

He described the partnership as a labour of love and dedication.

On his part, the chairman of Gwagwalada Area Councils, Hon. Abubakar Giri, identified the Zuba modern market as one of the major markets that would boost the revenue base of Gwagwalada Area Council. 

He promised that other abandoned markets within the area council would be revived, even as he called on the contractor to complete the construction work within the stipulated period.

Recall that the 618 Zuba modern market will consists of mixed units of open/lock up shops, warehouses, eatery, banking hall, restaurant, police post, fire station, public toilet, bus loading bay as well as other amenities in line with global standard.