National
Court Summons Yahaya Bello Over ‘N110.4bn Fraud’ Case

By Abubakar Yunusa
A high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons to Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi state.
In the summons issued on Thursday, Maryanne Anenih, presiding judge, ordered Bello to appear before the court on October 24 to be arraigned on a 16-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charge borders on alleged criminal breach of trust to the tune of N110,446,470,089, contrary to sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under section 312 of same law.
Anenih ordered the EFCC to publish the summons in a national newspaper.
She also ordered the EFCC to paste copies of the summons on Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous places on the premises of the court.
The EFCC had brought the application before the court claiming that they have been unable to serve Bello with the charge marked CR/778/24 and filed on September 25.
The former governor is to stand trial on this fresh 16-count charge alongside two officials of the Kogi state government — Abdulsalami Hudu and Umar Oricha.
The defendants were alleged to have used funds from the Kogi state treasury to acquire properties in highbrow areas within the FCT and in Dubai, according to the charge sheet seen by TheCable.
National
Judge, Father Disown Lawyer Representing Hadiza In Tanimu Turaki Case

A courtroom drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja as Justice Ekwo openly dismissed the legitimacy of Barrister Pius Sunday Okeoma, who was representing the petitioner in the case involving former Minister of Special Duties, Kabir Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
During a court session, Justice Ekwo declared that Okeoma had no recognised standing in the case, as he had neither filed an appearance nor signed any documents related to the proceedings.
The judge’s remarks followed Okeoma’s previous attempt on 24 March to have the case transferred from its initial court, citing a lack of confidence in the judiciary.
On 28 March, Justice Ekwo firmly addressed Okeoma, stating, “As far as I am concerned, we do not know you in this court, and you have never appeared or filed any case here. This makes it illegal for you to be present.”
The judge subsequently referred the lawyer to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for further action.
The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly from the Arewa Renaissance Group, which has raised concerns about the investigation’s integrity.
The group alleged possible collusion between investigating police officers and the petitioner, questioning the rapid pace at which the case was handled and the apparent lack of a fair hearing.
In a further twist, the father of the petitioner, Hadiza, publicly disowned Okeoma’s involvement, stating that his signature had been used in legal filings without his consent. He has since demanded that the lawyer withdraw from the case.
The Arewa Renaissance Group, through its coordinator, Usman Abba, has urged the Inspector General of Police to take decisive action.
The group has called for the immediate removal of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the gender unit at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, citing poor investigative procedures, conspiracy, and defiance of an earlier directive from the IGP.
The directive had instructed that the case be transferred to the Department of Force Intelligence, a move that was allegedly ignored.
The unfolding controversy continues to generate debate over the handling of high-profile cases and the transparency of Nigeria’s judicial process.
News
Shiites, Security Operatives Clash During ‘Freedom For Palestine’ Protest In Abuja

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, clashed with security operatives during a protest in Abuja on Friday.
The demonstration, which took place around Banex Junction in Wuse 2, saw protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine”.
Tensions escalated when some protesters reportedly began throwing stones at security operatives. In response, security personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd. The exact number of casualties remains unclear.
Some videos circulating on social media show the protesters marching through Wuse 2, while eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as security operatives moved in to break up the gathering.
Efforts to reach Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) police command, for comment were unsuccessful.
However, a statement by Sidi Munir Sokoto, spokesperson for the IMN, described the security response as “abuse of power”.
He claimed that as many as five protesters may have been killed, though the exact number of casualties and arrests remains unverified.
“This is yet another tragic incident where security forces have abused their power by targeting innocent civilians who were merely exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement reads.
“As at the time of writing this article, we could not confirm the exact number of those killed, injured and arrested, however from the information we reliably obtained from eyewitnesses the figure of those killed is around 5 people or thereabout. Nevertheless, we will update the public in due course.
“We call on relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. The freedom to peaceful assembly is an inalienable constitutional right that must not be violated.”
The IMN has held several demonstrations in Nigeria, often met with resistance from security operatives.
The latest protest adds to a series of confrontations between the group and law enforcement agencies.
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News
Eid-el-Fitr: Sultan asks Muslims to watch for crescent moon on Saturday

Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has asked Muslims in the country to look out for the new moon of Shawwal 1446 AH on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Friday, Sambo Junaidu, chairman advisory committee on religious affairs, sultanate council, Sokoto, said anyone who sights the new moon should communicate to the appropriate authorities.
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Saturday, March 29, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1446 AH, shall be the day to look for the new crescent of Shawwal 1446 AH,” the statement reads.
“Muslims are encouraged to look for the new moon and report any sightings to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
Junaidu quoted the sultan as praying for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon all the Muslims as they fulfill their religious obligations.
“The sighting of the new moon should be reported through the following numbers for onward communication to the sultan; 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 0803 5965322, 08099945903,” the statement added.
The moon sighting in Shawwal marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr celebration.