EFCC VS YAHYA BELLO: CSO’S CALL FOR ADHERENCE TO RULE OF LAW

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

Anti-corruption civil society organisations have reiterated their call for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to uphold the rule of law and avoid politicising its anti-corruption mandate.

They expressed concerns over the handling of allegations against Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, suggesting potential risks to his safety if detained by the EFCC.

During a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, the activists highlighted the importance of impartiality in the pursuit of justice and criticised the EFCC’s failure to comply with court orders.

They emphasised the need for due process and raised questions about the validity of charges filed against Bello in light of the court’s directives.

Debo Adeniran, the chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), led the discussion, stressing the obligation to oppose injustice regardless of personal affiliations.

He underscored the principle of equality before the law and urged adherence to legal procedures in all cases.

The activists urged the EFCC to focus on the technical aspects of their cases and avoid unnecessary confrontations.

The activists called for a reevaluation of the EFCC’s handling of the case and emphasised the need for judicial remedies to address any errors committed.

They said, “In the current matter between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, our position remains that the due processes of law be followed to the letter and unconditionally.

“As you may have noticed recently, more prominent Nigerians, including legal luminaries and politically exposed persons, are coming out to speak truth to power on this matter of arrogant disobedience to lawful court orders.

“Let us reiterate the fact that the EFCC could still have achieved its objective of prosecuting Yahaya Bello simply by following the due processes of law and even might have achieved more but for its decision to act ultra vires. We need not go into the details of that again as it is already in the public domain in large volumes.”

Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie Allegedly Re-Arrested Over Alleged Refusal To Pay Lawyer Who Secured Her Bail (Video)

Published

2 days ago

February 4, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Angela Okorie, the Nigerian actress, has reportedly been re-arrested over allegations that she refused to pay the lawyer who secured her bail from Suleja Prison.

Angela was re-arrested at the Suleja prison on Tuesday, immediately she was released on bail.

This came less than an hour after actor Stanley Ontop raised the alarm over an alleged plan to re-arrest the actress after release on Tuesday.

Speaking in a video on Instagram, actress Doris Ogala who said she is already on her way to the police station, stated that the actress was re-arrested by an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, for refusing to pay the N5 million agreed fee to secure her bail.

Doris said; “You see, one thing is for someone to cut their clothes according to their size. Angela has been arrested again. As a matter of fact, I’m going to the police station now. You see, when Angela was arrested by Mercy, she called a friend of her or village person. I don’t know how they relate. To help her get a SAN.

“And the SAN charged them N5 million. I think the SAN was the one who even facilitated the bail and all that. Now when Angela knew that they have granted her bail according to the lady, Angela started saying that she didn’t ask her to get a SAN and she wasn’t going to pay the money, and meanwhile this lady has deposited.”

Recall that Angela, who was granted bail on Friday after her arrest by Mercy Johnson over alleged defamation, regained her freedom few minutes ago after perfecting her bail conditions.

Watch Doris Ogala speak

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I Can Decide To Revoke The Land Allocated To Onitsha Main Market And Build A School On It” — Gov Soludo

Published

7 days ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has warned that he has the power to revoke the land allocated to Onitsha Main Market and use it for public purposes, including building a school. According to Soludo, this action would be taken in the interest of the public and is backed by the Land Use Act.

The governor made this statement during a meeting with leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), emphasizing that the law empowers him to revoke market lands across the state for overriding public interest.

Soludo stated that the government could compensate original landowners and that affected parties could challenge the compensation amount in court, but not the revocation itself.

The governor’s warning comes amid tensions between the state government and market traders, with Soludo insisting on reopening the market despite a sit-at-home order imposed by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB Declares South-East Shutdown On Monday Over Onitsha Market Closure, Demands Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Published

7 days ago

January 30, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The group insisted that the sit-at-home was a peaceful form of civil disobedience and denied claims that it amounted to economic sabotage or criminality.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced a Biafra-wide solidarity lockdown scheduled for Monday, February 2, across the South-East, in protest against the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and to demand the immediate release of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement issued on Friday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the planned shutdown of economic and public activities in the region was a voluntary act of solidarity with traders in Onitsha, following the Anambra State government’s decision to shut the main market for one week.

The group also blasted Governor Chukwuma Soludo for threatening for further closures, revocation of land allocations, demolitions, and other sanctions against traders.

IPOB described the market closure as “economic warfare” against the people of the region, alleging that the action was intended to suppress continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home protest demanding Kanu’s release.

The group insisted that the sit-at-home was a peaceful form of civil disobedience and denied claims that it amounted to economic sabotage or criminality.

According to the statement, the solidarity lockdown is not an enforcement action but a collective response by residents angered by what IPOB called punitive measures against traders whose livelihoods depend on the Onitsha Main Market, widely regarded as one of the largest markets in Africa.

The group called on traders, transport operators, banks, schools, civil servants, and other sectors across Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, and other parts of the former Eastern Region to remain indoors and suspend activities on the day of the protest.

IPOB reiterated its commitment to non-violence and urged supporters to remain law-abiding and avoid confrontations.

The group warned against what it described as possible “false flag operations” aimed at discrediting its cause.

It maintained that its agitation is focused on dialogue and a referendum on Biafran self-determination.

The group further accused the Anambra State governor of acting against the interests of traders and residents, insisting that any action against Onitsha traders amounted to an attack on all Biafrans.

Governor Soludo on Monday announced the temporary closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week over traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home earlier ordered by IPOB.