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Alleged N80.2bn Fraud: Yahaya Bello Paid Children’s School Fees in Dollars, in Advance

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The Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Nicholas Ojehomon in the trial of a former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, narrated before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, how the defendant paid his children’s school fees in dollars and in advance until their graduation.

The witness, an internal auditor in the American International School, Abuja , AISA, who stated that though he didn’t know Yahaya Bello in person, said he was aware that he was a parent to children enrolled in the school.

“I did not know the defendant personally, but I am aware that he is a parent of children enrolled in our school,” he said. Upon reviewing the school’s admission letters, the witness identified the defendant’s children as Zayan Bello, Zara Bello, Farid Bello, Na’ima Bello, and Nana Fatima Bello. He also confirmed that each child was admitted in different academic years. His examination of Exhibit 12, which is the agreement for prepaid tuition fees, revealed that Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin had contacted the school in 2021 to pay the children’s fees in advance until their graduation.

Prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN tendered a set of documents in evidence that included certified copies of the AISA admission letters to the defendant’s children, a contractual agreement for prepaid tuition until graduation, teller copies of payments, email correspondences between Ali Bello, Yahaya Bello’s cousin and the school, as well as statements of account from TD Bank USA and the American International School. There was no objection from the defence counsel, and the court admitted the documents as exhibits.

When asked about the payments made, the witness confirmed that significant sums were paid for each child. According to him, Farid Bello’s fees amounted to $90,074, Zara Bello’s to $87,470, Na’ima Bello’s to $26,241, and Nana Bello’s to $18,707.

The prosecution also presented Exhibit 17, a letter from the American International School to the EFCC requesting a valid account number for the refund of the fees. The document indicated two amounts: $845,082.84 and $750,910.84, with the latter sum earmarked for a refund to the EFCC. Exhibit 18, which is a letter from the EFCC to AISA, showed that the refund was to be made in a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.

Earlier, the Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, Williams Abimbola, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), who testified under subpoena presented documents, including a statement of account belonging to the Kogi State Government House. The statement, marked as Exhibit 8, showed a total credit of N53.56 billion and a total debit of N53.55 billion between January 2019 and December 2020.

During cross-examination, the PW2 confirmed that several N10 million withdrawals were made in favour of one Abdulsalam Hudu on December 12, 2018. She further stated that the transactions were done using cheques, processed over the counter.

The prosecution counsel, during re-examination of PW2, clarified that Exhibit 2P1, being the certificate of compliance, was signed on behalf of Edward Bamanga, being the relevant bank official, thus confirming the authenticity of the financial documents. “All records presented are verifiable and were duly obtained in line with legal procedures,” the prosecution counsel stated.

The defence counsel J.B. Daudu, SAN, bickered that the witness as an Abuja-based compliance officer of UBA could scrutinize an account, domiciled in Lokoja Branch of her bank.

Justice Nwite adjourned the matter till Friday, March 7, 2025 for continuation of trial.

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BREAKING: Police take over PDP Secretariat in Abuja

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As tension continues to mount over the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, which is expected to hold on Monday, armed policemen have taken over its secretariat.

According to an official of the party who spoke to newsmen, the police were deployed to stop the proposed NEC Expanded Caucus Meeting.

Though some staff members of the party were initially allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police, they were later sent out.

At the time of filing this report, journalists were also asked to leave the premises of the secretariat, while some policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

Details shortly…

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Police arrest suspected cultist during meeting, recover firearm in Ogun

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Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have arrested a suspected member of the Eiye Confraternity, Ismail Afolabi, at Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

The suspect was arrested following credible intelligence received by the police that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a secret meeting with the intention to carry out criminal activities.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirming the arrest to DAILY POST on Sunday, said the suspect was apprehended while attempting to flee.

Odutola stated that he was found in possession of a cross bag containing a loaded cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun and live ammunition.

She said, “On Friday, June 27, 2025, at about 05:30 pm , the Ogun State Police Command received credible intelligence that members of the Eiye Confraternity were holding a clandestine meeting with suspected criminal intent at the Saje Area of Car Wash, Abeokuta.

“Operatives from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit swiftly mobilized to the scene. On arrival, one suspect, Ismail Afolabi ‘m’, was found in possession of a cross-body bag containing a cut-to-size double-barrel shotgun loaded with live ammunition.”

The spokesperson noted that preliminary investigations have commenced, and efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices.

The Command restated its commitment to eradicating cult-related violence and maintaining peace and order in the state.

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Suspected gunmen kidnap man in Benue

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Gunmen have kidnapped a middle-aged man, Ortese Tarlumun Joseph, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, after shooting at his family during an attempted escape.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed the incident in a post on X on Sunday.

He said the abduction happened on Friday, June 27, around 6:00 p.m. near Tomanyiin Main Village in Nzorov district.

Sources told Makama that Ortese was returning from the farm with his wife and son when two armed men came out of the bush and ordered them to lie down.

“Out of fear, the family tried to run, and the gunmen fired two gunshots.

“Mrs. Ortese said she later heard her husband calling for help but could not find him. It was later discovered that the attackers had taken him away,” Makama wrote

The family’s Toyota Corolla was found at the scene.

Security personnel launched a search operation shortly after the incident, but neither the kidnappers nor the victim had been found at the time of reporting.

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