All Progressives Congress (APC) Stalwart Isaac Onuh and a former Ambassador to Botswana has faulted the trial of former Kogi Gov. Yahaya Bello over corruption charges.In a news conference on Friday in Lokoja, Onuh described Bello’s trial as an “unfortunate witchhunt”.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has, on Thursday, asked a Federal High court in Abuja to begin the trial of Bello in his absence.

The anti-graft agency has also filed a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80 billion. But Onuh alleged that the anti-corruption agency was harassing and intimidating the ex-governor.He said that Bello deserved to be respected by government agencies, including EFCC, having served the state for eight years.He alleged that the EFCC had yet to provide ample evidence to substantiate its allegations of financial impropriety against Bello.He noted that Kogi was governed by laws made by the state House of Assembly which established the state anti-corruption commission that consistently gave clean bill to Bello during his administration.But the EFCC insisted that it asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of Bello in absentia, arguing that his non-appearance in court for arraignment should not be allowed to frustrate his trial.The EFCC through its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also urged the court to enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of Bello.According to EFCC, Bello is facing trial on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.It notes that the court had summoned him for arraignment six consecutive times.Pinheiro noted that the former governor’s refusal to appear for his arraignment was malicious and that the court should not demonstrate helplessness by not trying him in absentia.(NAN)

The Nigeria Police command in Ebonyi said it arrested no fewer than 177 suspected criminals for various offences in the month of October, 2024. The Command noted that four out of the 177 suspects were alleged to be involved in human organ harvesting and ritual killings. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) disclosed this in a news conference in Abakaliki on Friday.

Ukandu explained that officers and men of the command arrested a total of 177 suspects which includes 162 males and 15 females. “92 suspects among them have been charged to court, while others would be arraigned once investigations are completed. “On behalf of the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi Command, CP Anthonia Uche-Anya, I want to warmly welcome you to this press conference “I am here to update you on the Command’s achievements within October 2024 and our relentless efforts to combat crimes and ensure a safe and prosperous environment for socio-economic growth in the State. “The command has employed strategic steps through increased stakeholders engagement to help bring crimes to the barest minimum. “Through this approach, we have been able to reduce the incidences of violent crimes, while operatives of the command are not relenting in our efforts to make the state safe for all. “During the month under review, the command arrested 162 males and 15 females, totalling 177 suspects for various offences. 92 suspects have already been charged in court, while others will be arraigned once investigations are complete,” Ukandu explained. On the alleged organ harvesting and ritual killings, the Command’s Spokesman said that on October 11, Mrs Blessing Chikezie reported to the command of her missing husband, Mr Idenyi Chikezie, who left home on September 9 for a business trip to Lagos. “Command operatives from the Anti-kidnapping unit, through a painstaking investigation and credible intelligence, arrested one Innocent Elebe and Eze Elechi; they made useful statements, which led the police to arrest Obinna Nwanguru and Oda Peter. “They confessed to killing Chikezie Idenyi, Chibu Odii and Eze Fabian on different dates while trying to extract their blood/ organs to use it to cure a cognitively impaired person (Down syndrome). “Operatives of the command have recovered the corpses of Chikezie Idenyi and Chibu Odii while effort is ongoing to recover the remains of the third victim,” Ukandu stated. Some other suspects were arrested for kidnappings, murder, robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. (NAN)

The Abia Government has commenced the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Cash Transfer (RHCT) for 25,000 poor and vulnerable persons from the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.The Programme Manager in charge of the disbursement in Abia, Mrs Adanna Oke, told newsmen in Umuahia, that the disbursement of the fund started on Tuesday at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

She said that no fewer than 800 beneficiaries from Isiala Ngwa North LGA received their debit cards for cash withdrawal on the first day. She said that beneficiaries from Isialangwa Ngwa North, Umuahia North and Aba South LGAs had so far received theirs, adding that the disbursement was programmed to last for two weeks.She also said that the beneficiaries would cash the first two tranches at once after getting their cards and use the same card to withdraw the third tranche in their communities.Oke described the programme as a Federal Government’s initative, in collaboration with the World Bank and State Governments.She said, “This programme is called Renewed Hope Cash Transfer. It used to be House Hold Uplifting Programme.“It is a programme where we supervise the disbursement of stipends to the beneficiaries across the state.“It is going on simultaneously across the country, but we are responsible for beneficiaries in Abia.”According to her, the list of the beneficiaries was compiled from a social register from National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Abuja.“We have the social register, where the names of beneficiaries were sent from NCTO, Abuja to the states.“The NCTO is responsible for generating the names.“It also has a State Operating and Coordinating Unit that is responsible for going into the communities to collect relevant data.“The information they gathered from people will determine the category the respondents will be placed.“The data helps the World Bank to decide if a person is actually poor and vulnerable or not,” Oke also said.She commended Gov. Alex Otti for supporting the programme and assisting Abia indigenes to get their fair share of the RHCT.“We are grateful for the gift of good governance and we can only pray to God to strengthen the governor.“We also thank him for all the support we are getting at the state Cash Transfer Unit.“We also thank the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Blessing Felix, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Intervention, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, who is also the Focal Person for National Social Investment Programme in the state, for their support”.Also speaking in an interview, the commissioner urged the beneficiaries to invest their stipends in businesses that would improve their livelihoods.“I came to actually meet with the beneficiaries, where they are receiving their money to improve their livelihoods.“All of them have a debit card assigned to them by the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Initative.“I’m very happy to see the large turn out of people today to receive their cards.“It is hoped that the money will provide a lot of support to the beneficiaries, who need financial assistance.“It is a three tranche programme. This is the first two tranches.“There will be another one before another set of beneficiaries will be selected,” Felix said.Some of the beneficiaries, including Blessing Alozie and Monica Mba, who confirmed the receipt of their debit cards, appreciated the Federal Government’s kind gesture and promised to invest the fund in their petty businesses. (NAN)