Security operatives have Arrested Mr Bashir Hadeija, over treason, subversive activities, gun-running and transnational crimes.

A Nigerian who specialises in money laundering and other transnational crimes was over the weekend arrested for treason, subversive activities against the Nigerian government, Trans-border gun-running, heist, and other Transnational crimes.

The man whose name was given as one Bashir Hadeja was arrested by the Nigerian police following intelligence reports on smuggling large catches of weapons along with bars of gold believed to have been stolen from the Central Bank of Libya.

Bashir Hadeja, who traded dangerous weapons along with gold as cover-up, was also accused of being involved in aiding terrorism and other forms of criminality in the northern states of Nigeria along with his sponsors, including a serving PDP Governor in one of the North Western States, among other politicians of both Northern and Southern extractions.

Responding to sustained interrogations by security, the suspect also confessed to sponsoring a large number of youths who participated in the just concluded #EndBadGovernance Protests in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa and Abuja.

The suspect also confessed to being involved in schemes that involved the blackmailing of politicians and government officials.

He also confessed to sponsoring the attack on Jigawa state APC headquarters.

The suspect was also found with increminating documents of impersonation, including tracking documents of high profile personalities and an international passport of the Republic of Vanuatu, which will expire on the 14th of September, 2030.

During the investigation, a video showing the suspect displaying bars of gold carrying Gaddafi’s statue worth one tone believed to have been stolen from the Libyan Central Bank was also seen.

The suspect is currently cooperating on the investigation, opening up to name his sponsors and other allies, including a former director of the Department of State Security Service, DSS.

On Thursday, a woman joined the nationwide protest against the current hardship in Nigeria, crying out against the pervasive hunger. With an empty pot on her head, she became the center of attention among hundreds of protesters in Lagos.

Teary-eyed, she openly lamented the severe hunger she is experiencing, drawing many to her poignant demonstration. In Yoruba, she cried out, “Ebi o, ebi o,” which means “hunger, hunger,” as tears streamed down her face.

The protests, planned for Thursday, have erupted across Nigeria. In some states, demonstrators have taken to the streets to voice their grievances about the country’s hardships, while in others, major roads remain deserted.

Former Governor Yahaya Bello demand Transfer of his case to Federal High Court lokoja,  where the offences are alleged to have been committed pursuant to section 45 of the federal high court Establishment Act and supreme Court decisions on the subject matter.

The former Governor accused EFCC of forum shopping contrary to law. He stated that he is not above the law but he can not sit idle while efcc violate the law as to the proper venue of his trial as specified in Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act and the settled law on the matter by the Supreme Court

The immediate past governor of Kogi state,  has also, asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to transfer his trial in alleged money laundering to Lokoja.

Bello said that he preferred to be arraigned in Lokoja, being the place the alleged money laundering offence was committed.

At a resumed sitting on Thursday, Bello, represented by his counsel, Adeola Adedipe SAN, informed Justice Emeka Nwite that a letter requesting for the transfer of the trial had already been delivered to the Chief Judge for his administrative decision.

Specifically, Adedipe said the request for Lokoja was due to the fact that the Federal High Court has territorial jurisdiction to hear the matter in Lokoja.

Adedipe said that the legal team of the former Kogi Governor was still awaiting the response of the Chief Judge on the request for transfer of the case to Lokoja.

“Although the letter requesting for transfer of this matter to Lokoja, was written by Yahaya Bello’s lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, I am however under obligation to draw the attention of this honourable court to the issue, Adedipe said.

Adedipe said the Prosecution had been notified and their opinion had been sought via a letter dated 14th June, 2024 from the Chief Judge’s office.

The letter, addressed to EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, was signed by the Special Assistant to the Chief Judge, Joshua Ibrahim AJI, Esq.

“You will find attached the copy of a letter by Counsel to the Defendant on the above subject matter, dated 10th June, 2024.

“I am directed by His Lordship, the Honourable, the Chief Judge, to forward the letter to you for your response within 6 (six) days of receipt,” the letter read in part.

However, the request for transfer was vehemently opposed by the EFCC lead counsel, Dr Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who described the request as an attempt to frustrate the trial.

The EFCC lawyer pleaded with Justice Nwite to hold Adeola Adedipe SAN and Abdulwahab Mohammed SAN, responsible for their inability to produce their client in court, despite the undertakings they made.

The EFCC lawyer also requested that the two SANs be cited for contempt of court.

Meanwhile, the court has fixed July 17, 2024 for arraignment of the former Governor and ruling on the request of EFCC to cite the SANs for contempt.