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Kogi Ex-Governor Bello Begins Fresh Bail Battle at FCT High Court

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is set to begin a new legal battle for bail at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Bello, who is facing charges of alleged breach of public trust brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was initially denied bail by a Federal High Court. The court had ruled that his application was premature because it was filed before his arraignment and prior to his surrendering to the EFCC.
Despite the initial setback, Bello, through his lead counsel, Joseph Bodunde Daudu SAN, filed a fresh bail application, which is scheduled for hearing today. The new application argues that the charges against Bello are bailable offenses, and the law presumes his innocence until proven otherwise. In the application, Bello has promised to comply with any bail conditions set by the court, attend all court hearings, and not interfere with the EFCC’s investigation or witnesses.
The EFCC is not expected to object to the bail application, given Bello’s surrender to the authorities and his conduct in court. The case has already seen him granted a N500 million bail at the Federal High Court. Kemi Pinheiro SAN will represent the EFCC in the proceedings.
Bello is facing a significant legal challenge, including a N110 billion money laundering case brought against him by the EFCC. Justice Maryann Anenih, who had earlier rejected his first bail application, has scheduled hearings for January 29-30 and February 25-27, 2025, for the money laundering case.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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