"Spare me landed property in Maitama for bail" Yahaya Bello begs court

 

Former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello, has appealed to Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, to spare him the possession of a landed property in the Maitama district as one of the conditions for bail. 

Bello made the plea on Thursday, December 19, 2024, through his counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN. 

He argued that obtaining Certificates of Occupancy and other title documents for properties in Maitama is challenging due to the peculiarities of the area. 

"My Lord, most people who may be willing to stand as sureties are reluctant to part with their original title documents. Moreover, many buildings in Maitama are corporate establishments like Transcorp Hilton, NCC among others. Therefore, we are pleading with this honourable court to consider other highbrow areas such as Asokoro, Wuse 2, Guzape, and others when granting bail to our client," he said. 

Earlier, Daudu informed the court that the matter was slated for the hearing of Bello's bail application.  Explaining, he told the court, "We filed our application yesterday, December 18, 2024, and the prosecution served a counter-affidavit the same day.  "We intend to focus on the trial, and for that, we need unrestricted access to the defendant to ensure he is fully prepared. The charges against him are bailable. Moreover, there are critical documents that only he can access. My Lord, the second and third defendants have already been granted bail, and if not for procedural delays, my client would have been granted bail as well," he said.  

In response, counsel for the prosecution, Olukayode Eniton SAN, did not oppose the bail application. 

"I confirm that the learned senior counsel, Daudu, has been in communication with the prosecution team. Based on the assurance that the defendant will stand trial, barring unforeseen circumstances, we are willing to defer to your lordship's discretion regarding the terms and conditions of bail," he said. 

In her ruling, Justice Anenih granted Bello bail in the sum of N500 million with three sureties in like sum. The sureties must be notable Nigerians with landed property in Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro. 

The judge also ordered Bello to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court registrar. She further directed that he remain in  the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre, Kuje, until his bail conditions are met. 

Two other defendants standing trial alongside Bello, Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu had their bail conditions varied.  The judge reduced their bail sum from N300m to N200m and further ordered that they could get landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court that had the same values as the bail sum. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside  Oricha and Hudu on a 16-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of  N110.4 billion. 

Justice Anenih adjourned hearing on the substantive suit till January 29, 2024.

Nigerian man found d3ad in a river three weeks after going missing in UK

 

The family of a 27-year-old dad-of-two, Nathaniel Favour Enemona, who was found dead in the River Roch in Greater Manchester almost three weeks after going missing, have paid tribute to him. 

He was reported missing from the Roch Valley area at around 9am on Sunday, November 24.

Members of the community in Heywood pulled together in efforts to help find Nathaniel, while police searched the River Roch on a number of occasions. 

Tragically, his body was pulled from the water on Saturday, December 14, before he was identified on Sunday.

In a statement issued through Greater Manchester Police, Nathaniel's family said: “Nathaniel was a loving man and daddy, he was the most loving and caring husband and dad who always put his family first.

"A good friend to all and a keen singer song writer. Favour will be eternally missed and will never leave our hearts.

"We ask for time and peace to process the tragic loss we feel as a family. We want to take this opportunity to thank the people of Heywood for the outpouring of love and support they have shown.

Police said at the weekend that Nathaniel's death was not being treated as suspicious. 

An inquest is expected to take place at a later date.

Speaking previously to the Manchester Evening News, Nathaniel's wife Eunice said he had left his phone at home when he told her he was going to the shops on November 24. 

He left their home in Heywood at around 8.30am, before a dog walker said they saw him in a 'sleepy state' a short time later, sitting on a wall beside the river - which was fast-flowing following Storm Bert. 

When she returned, Nathaniel had vanished, but his slider-style footwear had been left behind. 

The walker recognised Nathaniel, who regularly visited the beauty spot near the Heywood Waterfall, and immediately rang the police.

 

 

42-year-old man d!es after collapsing at work in Lagos

A 42-year-old man, Kareem Hammed has d!ed after collapsing while on duty at his workplace in Lagos State.

 

Hammed, who worked for Fortune Security Company in Onipanu, Lagos State, was rushed to the General Hospital in Odeda in Ogun State for urgent medical care where he was later confirmed d3ad.

The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, said that the incident occurred on December 18, 2024, around 5:30 PM. 

 

The PPRO explained that the incident was reported by one Adejumobi Adetunji, a co-worker of the deceased, at the Odeda division of the command.

 

She said that the Divisional Police Officer in Odeda received information about his death at approximately 6:20 AM on Thursday. 

 

“A 52-year-old man named Adejumobi Adetunji, who works for Fortune Security Company in Onipanu, Lagos State, reported at the station that a 42-year-old man named Kareem Hammed, who lived in Alagbado, Lagos State, collapsed while on duty," she stated. 

 

"They both worked for the same security company. This incident happened on December 18, 2024, around 5:30 PM, after Kareem had been treated for malaria fever and discharged from the hospital just a week prior. 

 

“He was rushed to the General Hospital in Odeda for urgent care, but unfortunately, the doctor on duty confirmed his death in the early hours of the following day.”

 

Odutola noted that the body has been deposited at the Odeda General Hospital morgue for an autopsy, and the Odeda Division Police Officer has begun a preliminary investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding the death.  

Defamation case: If dem no release Dele on bail Tomorrow, we are going to go Ballistic with the information we have on Afe Babalola- Charley Boy warns

Veteran entertainer, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy has warned that if activist, Dele Farotimi, is not granted bail by tomorrow, December 20, informations about Are Afe Babalola will be released.

It was reported that Farotimi was arraigned on December 4 for allegedly publishing a book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System' where he alleged that Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the Supreme Court. 

Farotimi pleaded not guilty to all the sixteen count charges and was then remanded in prison custody and has been in prison since then.

Apparently upset by the Farotimi's continuous detention, Charly Boy, wrote

‘’WARNING:

If dem no release Dele on bail Tomorrow, we are going to go Ballistic with the information we have on Are Babalola.

We won't be playing dis time. Enough of dis Nonsense.

Dia Father's.''

South African man brutally k!lls his girlfriend, posts photo of her lifeless body on Facebook and video justifying the m8rder

A South African man, Sbusiso Lawrence has sparked outrage after k!lling his ex-girlfriend, Nontobeko Cele and sharing a photo of her lifeless body riddled with stab wounds on Facebook.

He filmed himself with his face covered in blood, confessing to the m8rder. 

The disturbing material went viral late on Tuesday night, 17 December 2024.

The incident reportedly happened in Durban on the same day. 

The photo shows her lying on her back and facing up, with what appears to be stab wounds on her neck. Her clothing is soaked in blood.

In his confession, the killer seemingly justifies his actions, saying the woman had toyed with him and got pregnant for another man while they were still involved. 

He claims he accepted her child as if it were his own, taking care of them. But, in a twist, the woman ended their relationship.

Watch the video below 

 

 

Truck suffers brake failure and k!lls female pedestrian in Lagos

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been confirmed de@d after a fully loaded Howo tipper truck lost control and rammed into her while she stood by the road at the Iyana Ishasi U-turn inward Mile 2 today December 17.

Preliminary investigations by the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency shows that the Howo truck, in an ill-fated attempt to navigate through traffic at an excessive speed, suffered a catastrophic brake failure, resulting in a complete loss of vehicular control. The out-of-control vehicle tragically veered off its path and struck an innocent pedestrian walking along the roadside, causing instantaneous fatality.

Swift intervention from Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officials, in collaboration with LASTMA operatives, ensured effective management of the incident. Security reinforcement was promptly provided by officers from the Ishasi Police Division to facilitate the ongoing rescue operation.

Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, praying for divine fortitude to withstand this irreplaceable loss.

In his admonition, Mr. Bakare-Oki reiterated the imperative for all motorists to uphold safety-consciousness at all times. He underscored the critical need for meticulous vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to traffic regulations to avert such avoidable tragedies.

 

FG announces free train rides for Nigerians from Dec 20 to Jan 5

The Federal Government has announced a free train ride for any Nigerian citizen wishing to travel to celebrate the Christmas festivities.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the announcement on Monday, December 16, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting.

He noted that the free train ride will commence from 20th December, 2024, and end on 5th January, 2025.

According to Idris, Nigerians can access the train rides on all the routes where train services are currently being rendered.

Man be@ts Toyota Corolla driver for bashing his G-Wagon in Lagos

 

A man was caught on video assaulting a Toyota Corolla driver in Lagos after his G-Wagon was bashed while in traffic.

In the viral video, the enraged man was seen punching the driver and attempting to drag him out of his car.

The incident, which highlights Lagos' notorious traffic altercations, sparked reactions online after being shared by an X user, @chude__.

“De guy jam this man G-Wagon... the man begin lace am some punches, Lagos is wild!” the caption read.

Watch the video below…

 

I didn’t send anybody to beg Afe Babalola - Dele Farotimi

 

Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has stated that he did not ask anyone to plead with Afe Babalola (SAN). 

Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ekiti State for a defamation suit filed against him by the legal icon regarding his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

Recall that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and a close ally of Dele Farotimi, Peter Obi, recently paid a visit to Afe Babalola, and it was alleged that the visit was to plead with Babalola on Farotimi's behalf.

Speaking to Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Temokun, a lawyer for Dele Farotimi, stated that during a prison visit on Friday, December 13, Farotimi denied asking Peter Obi to appeal to Afe Babalola or seek an out-of-court settlement.

“I visited Mr Dele Farotimi in a correctional service in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday afternoon. The events of the recent days, the visit of Mr Peter Obi, the (2023) presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to Aare Afe Babalola; his visit to Mr Dele Farotimi, created some lack of clarity. People are not so clear about some things. People are not clear about what is going on. It is based on this that I had to visit him yesterday, and we sat together and had a good discussion.

After Peter Obi left Ekiti, the news that filtered through the town to the issue of the conditions for release, the issue of apology, the issue of whether Mr Dele Farotimi can do this or that to come out.

I told him (Farotimi): the reason why I am here is to confirm from you, ‘What do you think should be done?’ The visit of Mr Peter Obi to you in person and the subsequent visit to Aare Afe Babalola: What do you know about it? What is your message to Aare Afe Babalola? What is your message to the people outside? What is also your message to me as part of your legal team?

He (Farotimi) said if anybody who is very familiar with his antecedents, with his principles, with his philosophy over time should join anybody to believe that in a matter where he had written a book that he had published and that had been in circulation, that if anybody, somebody who has a brain should join others to believe that he has sent anybody to beg anybody, he said he will be so disappointed in that person.

He told me categorically that even you, Tope, if you join anybody to believe that I could beg anybody or that I have sent anybody to beg anybody, I will be so disappointed in you.”

Temokun stated that Farotimi remains in high spirits and views the truth as his only weapon in the struggle.

EFCC arrests 792 foreigners over romance, investment scam in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 792 foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scams, marking the largest such operation in the commission’s history.

The commission in a statement released aid among those arrested are 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, two Khazartans, one Pakistani, and one Indonesian. The agency said the suspects were apprehended in a surprise operation at their hideout, a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building, located at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The EFCC revealed that the operation was the result of actionable intelligence and months of surveillance on the activities of the syndicate. It said the investigation confirmed that the foreigners used the building, which appeared to be a legitimate corporate office, to train Nigerian accomplices on how to execute romance and investment scams. They also used Nigerian identities to carry out their fraudulent schemes.

The facility, equipped with high-end desktop computers, contained several floors dedicated to criminal activities. On the fifth floor, investigators seized 500 SIM cards of local telecom providers, which were acquired for illicit purposes.

According to the EFCC, the foreign suspects recruited Nigerian accomplices to target victims primarily in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and various European countries through phishing schemes. 

‘’The Nigerian operatives were given desktop computers and mobile devices, creating fake profiles to engage victims in fraudulent romantic and business conversations. 

These accomplices communicated with victims using WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram, often pretending to be business professionals or romantic partners. The scammers encouraged victims to register on a fake online investment platform, www.yooto.com, where they were required to pay activation fees starting at $35 to open an account.''

The EFCC’s successful operation marks a significant blow to the international syndicate involved in these scams.