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Yahaya Bello innocent until proven guilty by court – EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

The Commission stated that Bello’s trial is still ongoing and that it is the responsibility of the court, not the EFCC, to determine his guilt or innocence.

Speaking on Monday, while appearing on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwuajeren, explained that criminal prosecution in Nigeria takes time and involves the presentation of evidence and witnesses before the court.

He said the EFCC is currently prosecuting the case by presenting witnesses and evidence, stressing that the outcome will be decided solely by the court.

Uwuajeren noted that under the Nigerian Constitution, any person standing trial is presumed innocent until proven guilty, adding that Bello’s status within his political party has nothing to do with the charges filed against him.

According to him, the EFCC has no interest in party politics and is only focused on faithfully prosecuting the charges before the court.

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served for both the prosecution and the defence, stating that nothing has gone amiss in the handling of the case.

He said: “One thing we need to understand how criminal prosecution works in Nigeria. It takes some time before you prove some of these challenges in court. Like, as I speak to you, the trial is still ongoing before the courts.

“We are presenting witnesses, we have presented evidence. It is not the commission that is going to decide the matter. It’s the court that will decide the matter. All we need to do is to follow the prosecution how is going on in the court, and ensure at the end of the day, both the prosecution and the defense get justice.

“But having said that, Yaya Bello, as we speak, is under trial, but the Constitution presumes that anyone who is under trial to be innocent until that case is proven. So whatever is happening to him within his party, that is the party affairs. It has nothing to do with the EFCC. It has nothing to do with the charge that we are filed before the court.

“So the responsibility that we owe Nigeria is to be faithful to the charges that we have filed against him in the court, and we are prosecuting those charges religiously. Nothing has happened, nothing has gone amiss in terms of that and we are committed to doing that.

“In terms of Yaya Bello, whatever the party does to him, that is the party’s business. EFCC is not a political party. We are not interested in politics. EFCC is a law enforcement organization, and we are enforcing the law, so to speak.”

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Thugs attack Edo ADC secretariat, 24 hours after Jarret Tenebe, APC chairman’s threat

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Hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, again attacked the Edo State secretariat.

Ekwutosblog reports that the incident allegedly occurred a few minutes after the state leadership of the party received Barrister Olumide Akpata.

Akpata was received by Mr. Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Senator Roland Owie, Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor, among others.

A Facebook user identified as Hon. Shedrach Udugbai shared the incident on her wall.

In a viral video, Udugbai showed how several vehicles were destroyed and a woman assaulted by the suspected thugs. The video also showed several plastic chairs used at the event vandalized.

According to him, the ADC secretariat in Edo was attacked by suspected APC thugs minutes after Peter Obi left the secretariat. They reportedly came in unnumbered vehicles, wearing masks and carrying guns.

“The thugs shot one woman in the neck, and she is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. They beat up another man and broke his head. Many were left injured.

“Monday Okpebholo, who is the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, cannot pretend to be unaware of what is happening.

“So ADC cannot gather again in Edo State. This is shameful. We will not be intimidated. We will not be cornered,” he said.

He alleged that the thugs also went to Chief John Odigie Oyegun’s house to attack vehicles there following the ADC secretariat incident.

The property destroyed by the suspected political thugs was clearly visible.

Ekwutosblog  recalls that the ADC secretariat was previously attacked on February 5, 2026, about 20 days ago, by suspected political thugs who made a failed attempt to set the party’s building ablaze.

Ekwutosblog  also recalls that the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, had on Monday, February 23, 2026, during the commissioning of 54 construction equipment for 18 local government chairmen in the state by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, warned ADC not to campaign in the state or obstruct the state governor, Monday Okpebholo.

Tenebe said the warning was not a threat but advice.

“I advised the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) not to come into Edo State as the governor is working and the state is not for other political parties. I urge opposition parties not to constitute obstacles to development.

“I want to send a message to that party, ADC. Please, our governor is working. We are happy with what we are seeing. Edo State people are happy, everybody is happy. It is a warning and not a threat. If they like, they should take it, and if they like, let them not take it. If they try to be an obstacle to the promises we made or the number of votes we are going to give to Mr. President, if they try to stand in our way, we will deal with them accordingly,” he stated.

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Six Adamawa PDP lawmakers dump party

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Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Adamawa State House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the party.

This brings to seven the number of party members in the Assembly who have left the party in the last two days after Abubakar Abdullahi opened the gate on Monday, February 23.

Those who announced their resignation on Monday include the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Buba Jidjiwa, representing Jada and Mbulo Constituency; Kefas Kalvin, representing Toungo Constituency; and Bulus Geoffrey, representing Leko and Koma Constituency.

Haruna Jilantikiri, representing Madagali Constituency; Kefas Emmanuel, representing Song Constituency, and Ahmed Jingi Bele representing Maiha Constituency are the other three.

The resignations are coming amid rising speculation that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is on his way to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

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Owerri Zone Gets Wake-Up Call from Governor Uzodimma: Unity is Key to 2027 Governorship Bid – Success Opara

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At the recent meeting between political leaders of Owerri Zone (Imo East) and Governor Hope Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri, one thing stood out clearly, 2027 is not going to be business as usual.

The Governor made it clear that while the Charter of Equity is important, it should not be seen as an automatic ticket. Strategy, unity, and pragmatism must come first.

He openly acknowledged that Owerri Zone deserves a fair chance, just like other zones in the state. That statement alone is commendable. But he also gave very important advice: Don’t divide yourselves with multiple candidates. Don’t create confusion within the zone. Present one strong, credible, and electable candidate.

This is where the real work begins. Owerri Zone must learn from the past. If the leaders truly want 2027 to be different, they must put personal ambition aside and think about the collective interest of the zone and the future of Imo State. The opportunity is there. The support is declared.

The responsibility now lies with Owerri Zone. Owerri Zone deserves a chance. But they must also prove they are ready for it.

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