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EFCC Grants Bail to Two Kogi Officials, wants Yahaya Bello’s Fraud Case adjurned

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, in a fraud case involving former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. The case, centered on charges of fraud totaling N101.4 billion, has been adjourned until November 27, 2024, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

At the hearing before Justice Maryann Anenih, EFCC Counsel Jamiu Agoro requested an adjournment, noting that the 30-day compliance period for Bello’s summons, issued on October 3, had not yet expired. Agoro explained that the November 20 court date was inconvenient for the prosecution, and that seeking an arrest warrant would be premature as Bello still had a few days to respond to the summons.

Both the second and third defendants’ legal representatives supported the adjournment request.
Following this, Justice Anenih approved the EFCC’s request, extending the deadline for Bello’s appearance and authorizing service of the hearing notice to be sent to his last known address.

In a parallel development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama ordered a hearing notice to be posted at Bello’s residence on Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, and on the court’s notice board.
This step follows multiple missed court appearances by Bello since the public summons was issued, urging him to appear for arraignment on 16 counts related to the alleged fraud.

Justice Anenih emphasized the importance of due process, setting November 27, 2024, as the final date for Bello’s court appearance. This case has drawn attention to the EFCC’s efforts to enforce accountability among high-profile figures in Nigeria amidst allegations of large-scale financial mismanagement.

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Alleged Fraud, Land Grabbing by Rebecca Omokamo: Falana Chambers Petitions EFCC, ICPC

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Legal powerhouse, Falana and Falana Chambers, has filed petitions with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Rebecca Omokamo Godwin Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu Ishaqu Aliyu, and her firm, Homadil Realty Limited.
The allegations include financial fraud, forgery of documents, and illegal land grabbing involving Plot 4022 in Guzape, Abuja.
The petitions, made on behalf of the Yesufu family, accuse Mrs. Omokamo and her associates of conspiracy, forgery, and fraudulent acquisition of funds.
The legal battle dates back to 2014 when Mrs. Omokamo allegedly purchased the disputed land but subsequently lost its title documents.
The Yesufu family claims ownership and has been in protracted legal and investigative disputes over the land.
In a related incident in May 2024, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, Emmanuel Agbo, investigating the case, was summoned by the police after communications with Mrs. Omokamo.
She denied the allegations in conversations but later accused the EFCC of harassment in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu. Mrs. Omokamo claimed EFCC interference in what she called a civil matter, further alleging the unjust detention of her husband and staff.
However, subsequent investigations by the EFCC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) reportedly uncovered extensive fraudulent dealings tied to Mrs. Omokamo.
The findings led to separate petitions to the ICPC, prompting further investigations into alleged forgery of land titles and fraudulent sales involving multiple properties, including a 2.3-hectare plot in Katampe District, Abuja.
Efforts to resolve the matter amicably, including appeals by Mrs. Omokamo’s husband and traditional rulers to the Yesufu family, reportedly failed. Allegations emerged that Mrs. Omokamo had sold the Katampe property to over 60 victims using forged documents.

Her purported resistance to settlement and her legal maneuvers to block investigations drew criticism.
In October 2024, Mrs. Omokamo filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent further investigations by the EFCC and ICPC. Simultaneously, her husband reportedly sought forgiveness from the Yesufu family, a move seen as contradictory given Mrs. Omokamo’s legal actions.
The Yesufu family, represented by Falana and Falana Chambers, has called for the prosecution of Mrs. Omokamo, her husband, and their accomplices.
They also requested investigation reports to aid civil proceedings. Meanwhile, the company’s secretary, Mr. Kolawole James Olowokere, recently withdrew his

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Osun Governor grants Christmas Clemency to chicken, egg thieves on death row

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In a bid to mark the 2024 Christmas season with acts of compassion, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has granted clemency to Segun Olowookere and Sunday Morakinyo.
They were sentenced to death in 2014 for robbery-related offenses committed in 2010.
The duo, aged 17 at the time, had been convicted of stealing two fowls, eggs, and mobile phones from individuals in Okuku, Osun State.
Despite the minor theft, the court had sentenced them to death by hanging in 2014, sparking nationwide outrage over the severity of the punishment.

Ademola Adeleke


They were granted a prerogative of mercy alongside 51 other convicts who had varying levels of sentences in correctional centres in Osun, by the governor.
The governor’s decision, made on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, highlighted a broader push for prison reforms and justice review in the state.

Governor Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated that the clemency alignsled with constitutional powers and the spirit of the season.

“This exercise of mercy follows the recommendations made by the State Advisory Council and underscores the administration’s commitment to fairness and humanity,” Rasheed said in a statement.

The letter of commutation, dated December 24, 2024, has been officially acknowledged by prison authorities.

The governor’s move has sparked debates over Nigeria’s judicial process, with human rights advocates praising the decision as a step toward addressing sentencing disparities and prison decongestion.

The case of Olowookere and Morakinyo, sentenced as teenagers, drew public attention due to the severity of their punishment relative to the crime.
Their release is expected to reignite discussions on justice reforms and youth rehabilitation programs.

In his address, Governor Adeleke emphasized the importance of second chances and pledged to continue reviewing cases deserving of mercy while balancing justice with compassion.

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Human Rights Lawyer, Dele Farotimi regains Freedom, says he is innocent of defamation claims

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Dele Farotimi

After meeting his bail conditions, prominent human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has regained his freedom from the correctional center in Ekiti State.
Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning, following last week’s ruling by a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti, which granted him bail on the condition of a ₦30 million bond, two sureties (one of whom must own property), submission of his passport, and a ban on granting media interviews.
Addressing journalists shortly after his release, Farotimi reaffirmed his commitment to truth and denied ever spreading falsehoods against anyone.

“It is not ever an easy journey when you are fighting evil,” Farotimi said. “But before I started this work, God told me that the truth is enough. It is the only weapon with which you can slay the monster called Nigeria. I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will say I don’t know.”
Farotimi’s legal troubles began following the release of his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, on July 2, 2024.
In the 116-page publication, Farotimi alleged that some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including Aare Afe Babalola, had engaged in judicial corruption by influencing Supreme Court Justices.

Babalola subsequently accused Farotimi of defamation, leading to his arrest at his Lagos office on December 3 by operatives attached to the Ekiti State Police Command. Farotimi was transported to Ekiti State, where he faced defamation and cyberbullying charges.
In addition to the defamation claims brought by Babalola’s legal team, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed 12 more charges against Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ekiti on December 6, 2024.
Farotimi maintained that his book reflected facts and insights into Nigeria’s justice system, adding that his work was aimed at reforming rather than attacking the legal profession.
“It is the truth that will set this country free,” Farotimi said, vowing to continue his advocacy for justice and fairness despite the legal battles.

The case is expected to proceed in January 2025, with prosecutors set to present additional evidence. Meanwhile, Farotimi’s legal team is reportedly considering a motion to quash the charges.
Farotimi’s arrest and detention have drawn public outrage, with many civil society organizations condemning what they describe as an attempt to silence dissent.

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