***Bello leaves EFCC without interogation

The Economic ane Financial ctimes Commisaion has discredited reports that the immediate past Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello is in its custody .
Head, Media and Publicity of the anti graft agency, Dele Oyewale in a terse statement on Wednesday indicated that Media reports earlier in the day that a former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello is in the holding facility of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is incorrect. “The Commission wishes to state that Bello is not in its custody. Bello, already declared wanted by the Commission for alleged N80.2billion money laundering charges, remains wanted with a subsisting warrant for his arrest.
Bello’s media team had sent out a statement earlier indicating that the former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello had turned himself in to
honor the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Their statement confirmed that the former Governor appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
In another twist, indications emerged that Bello, who had initially claimed to have voluntarily honoured the commission’s invitation, was trailed and arrested by EFCC operatives in Lokoja at midnight.

In yet another twist, Bello’s Director of Media, Ohiare Michael said, “Earlier today, we reported the voluntary visit of former Governor of Kogi State, HE Alh. Yahaya Bello to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to honour the Commission’s invitation.
“In the statement, we reiterated the former Governor’s great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, and stressed that, all the while, he only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.
“The EFCC did not, however, interrogate him as officials told him he could leave. We don’t know what this means yet. As we write, HE Alhaji Yahaya Bello has left the EFCC office. He was accompanied there by the Governor of Kogi State, HE Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“Recall that the case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. The former Governor decided to honour the invitation to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear. “

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has honored the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, following allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities during his tenure.
Bello’s media team in a statement confirmed that he appeared before the EFCC after consulting with his family, legal team, and political allies.
The former governor had been declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged money laundering and corrupt enrichment amounting to N80.2 billion.

The statement reads: “The former Governor, who has great respect for the rule of law and constituted authority, had, all the while, only sought the enforcement of his fundamental rights in order to ensure due process.

“The case has been before a competent court of jurisdiction, and Alhaji Yahaya Bello had been duly represented by his legal team at every hearing. It is important for the former Governor to now honour the invitation of the EFCC to clear his name as he has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.

“The former Governor believes firmly in the efforts of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to place Nigeria on the path of sustainable economic development; and supports the fight against corruption in the country.

“It is on record that he was the first Governor of Kogi State to put in place an anti-corruption mechanism to check graft and ensure that the resources of the State work for the people of the State.

“He was accompanied to the EFCC Headquarters by high profile Nigerians.

“It is our hope that the Commission will be as professional as necessary and respect his fundamental rights as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Details of his engagement with the operatives of the Anti-Graft Agency will be disclosed later.”

***vow to resist with last drop of their blood

Samuel Eleojo Jalingo

Five communities in Gassol District of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State have protested against the seizure of their farm lands by Sen. Sanusi Dagash.

Mallam Hudu Kashimu, laeader of the protesters on Friday in Gassol said that the communities would resist the land grab arrangement ochastrated by Senator Dagash with the last drop of their blood.

The protesters who were armed with assorted pla cards with different inscriptions, such as ” Dagash stop land grad in our community ” we rather die than relinquishing our land” and others vowed to resist any attempt to seize their land.

Adamu recalled that the late Emir of Muri, Umaru Abba Tukur granted the request for a peace of land to former Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr Shuaibu Bukar for his personal use during his official visit to Gassol the site of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) in 1984.

He said that about 200 hectres of land close to the location of the UBRBDA was allocated to the former minister by the late village head of Serdinde on the directive of the former district head of Gassol.

According to Kashimu, after the death of the former Minister, his family thereafter sold the said land to Senator Sanusi Dagash, a former Senator from Borno State.

Adamu further disclosed that Dagash secretly obtained a Certificate of Occupancy on the land without the knowledge and consent of the real owners thereby claiming 5,000 hectres against 200 hectres granted to the late Minister.

He said that the affected communities petitioned the matter to former Gov. Darius Ishaku who after thorough investigation, ordered for the revocation of the land.

According to the spokesman, after the revocation Dagash in company of his wife went to pleaded with Gov. Ishaku to give him a little portion of the land for his farming business..

He further disclosed that former Gov. Ishaku allegedly obliged and directed the Surveyor General of the state to allocate a portion of land to the former Minister not exceeding 200 hectres.

He said that it was surprising that after Ishaku had left the office as Governor that Dagash went to court seeking the reinstatement of his 5,000 hectres.

He therefore, appealed to the governor to study the history of the Land matter properly and intervane in the matter with the view to claiming back their lands.

Kashimu said that the communities were completely agrarians and don’t have any land to fall back to if the was forcefully seized.

He mentioned the affected communities to include; Wurbo, Kwatantaru, Sendirde Natride and DINYAWO who are all peasant farmers and inherited the land from their forefathers.

The protesters vowed not to relinquish the land to Senator Sanusi Dagash until the last child of the communities was killed.

When contacted, Alhaji Idris Chiroma, Emir of Gassol said that he would remain impatial in the matter, especially as he was a father to all.
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Chiroma who spoke to newsmen through Alhaji Usman Umar, Secretary of the Gassol traditional Council, appeald to the agitators to remain calm especially as the matter was still in court.///.