Court adjourns To March 3, 9 For Continuation Of Trial THE Seventh Prosecution Witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the ongoing alleged money laundering trial against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has maintained that the name of the former governor did not appear, either as beneficiary in all documents, or as signatory to any of the Exhibits before the court. While being cross-examined before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Thursday, the witness, Olomotane Egoro, subpoenaed from Access Bank, also admitted that no transaction in Exhibit 33(8) mentioned the name:…
Author: Farouk Abbas
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AN FCT High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Robert Orya, to a cumulative 490 years’ imprisonment over a massive ₦2.4 billion fraud. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice F.E. Messiri on Thursday handed down the sentence after finding Orya guilty on 49 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and diversion of public funds. The court sentenced the former bank chief to 10 years’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences to run consecutively, bringing the total jail term to 490 years. The prosecution was brought…
THE 16th Fulani Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, has reiterated the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s governance architecture, insisting that constitutional provisions are not required for him to offer counsel to elected leaders on issues affecting the nation. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief monitored by News Point Nigeria, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said his authority to advise the President or state governors flows naturally from his position as a traditional ruler and leader of the people, not from constitutional endorsement. “I don’t need the Constitution to tell…
A SENIOR Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu and Counsel to the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, said at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, that Bello was facing political trial and not money laundering charges. He said this on Wednesday at the ongoing money laundering case instituted against Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Daudu’s clarification followed the remarks in the open court by EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro SAN, that what happened in the mode of payments by Local Government Areas in Kogi state was stealing by disguise. He said this…
A JUDICIAL commission of inquiry set up by the Sokoto State Government has alleged that more than ₦117 billion was misappropriated during the eight-year administration of former governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, citing widespread financial irregularities, abuse of office and persistent violations of procurement and financial regulations. News Point Nigeria reports that the commission submitted its report to the state government on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of months of investigations into the conduct of the previous administration. Presenting the findings, the chairman of the commission, Hon. Justice Mu’azu Abdulkadir Pindiga (retd.), said the inquiry uncovered extensive non-compliance with due process, breaches…
FORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has held a private, closed-door meeting with Senator Abdulaziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and current senator representing Zamfara West, in Abuja. Credible sources confirmed to News Point Nigeria that the meeting took place at Atiku’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory. The engagement was held away from public view, with no access granted to journalists. Neither Atiku nor Yari addressed the media after the meeting, and no official statement was issued regarding the purpose or outcome of the talks as of the time of filing this report. Despite the silence, the development…
THE ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to quell speculation of internal disunity and high-profile defections with the reappearance of its former National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, in preparations for the party’s 2026 National Convention. News Point Nigeria reports that the APC on Monday unveiled a 73-member Central Coordination Committee for the convention, scheduled for March 2026, with Adamu listed among its members, an inclusion that has sparked widespread political interest. Adamu’s return is significant, coming against the backdrop of his 2023 declaration that he was withdrawing from partisan politics, citing what he described as an “allergy” to political…
THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised alarm over what it describes as widespread and disturbing reports that civil servants and government workers across several states are being coerced into registering for the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ongoing nationwide e-registration exercise. In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria over the weekend, the opposition party accused the ruling APC of attempting to force public servants to trade their constitutional rights for job security, career progression, and continued access to livelihoods, a move the ADC warned poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy. The statement, signed by the ADC’s National Publicity…
THE Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has hinted that he may soon formally join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing himself as being “in transition” politically and expressing strong support for President Bola Tinubu and his administration. General Musa made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics monitored by News Point Nigeria, where he spoke candidly about his evolving political outlook following his retirement from active military service. Responding to a question on whether he now considers himself a politician, the former Chief of Defence Staff said he had not fully crossed over yet…
THE second batch of no fewer than 705 Nigerian refugees has voluntarily returned to Borno State after being repatriated from Cameroon to the Banki border community in the Bama Local Government Area of the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the state government’s repatriation exercise is part of a coordinated resettlement drive in insurgency-affected border communities. The returning refugees, comprising 85 households, were formally seen off in Maroua by the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Midjiyawa Bakari, on Thursday. Their arrivals on Friday mark continued progress in efforts to repatriate 3,000 citizens displaced by the 16-year Boko Haram insurgency,…
A FORMER governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been granted permission by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to travel to Saudi Arabia to perform the 2026 lesser Hajj. News Point Nigeria reports that in granting the application, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Bello’s international passport, which has been in the custody of the court, be temporarily released to him. The former governor is currently standing trial before the court over alleged misappropriation of funds, in a case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The application for permission to travel was personally deposed to by…
THE Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has publicly called on the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, to resign from office if he can no longer align politically with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. News Point Nigeria reports that Waiya made the call during a live programme on Muhasa Radio, while responding to questions surrounding reports that the deputy governor has chosen to remain loyal to the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by former Kano State governor and NNPP national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, despite Governor Yusuf’s recent political realignment. According to the commissioner, political divergence…
JUSTICE Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court High, has fixed fresh ten days to conclude trial in the corruption charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, on naira redesign. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Anenih fixed the days following the consensus by counsel to the Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), and counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN). The fixed dates are February 3 and 10, April 1 and 2, May 11, 12, 13 and 14 as well as June 9 and 10th during…
OPERATIVES of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested six suspected cybercriminals for allegedly hacking into the systems of a Nigerian telecommunications company and diverting airtime and mobile data valued at approximately ₦7.7 billion. The arrest was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who said the suspects unlawfully accessed the core infrastructure of the telecom firm to perpetrate the large-scale fraud. According to the police, the suspects were identified as Ahmad Bala, Karibu Mohammed Shehu, Umar Habib, Obinna Ananaba, Ibrahim Shehu, and Masa’ud Sa’ad. Adejobi disclosed…
THE Progressive Governors Forum under the leadership of Hope Uzodimma IS currently meeting behind closed doors at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja. News Point Nigeria reports that those in attendance include Governors Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi). Others include Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom). However, Governors Dikko Radda (Katsina), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe) were absent. They sent their deputies to represent them at the meeting. The agenda of the meeting is unknown as…
THE Presidency has played down concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health following a brief stumble during a ceremonial reception in Ankara, Türkiye, on Tuesday, assuring Nigerians that the President is in good condition and that his state visit is proceeding as scheduled. News Point Nigeria reports that the reassurance was given by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, who provided an update via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. According to Dare, President Tinubu moved seamlessly from the ceremonial welcome to his scheduled bilateral engagements with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other top…
THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations, with several of the affected personnel now set to face trial before military judicial panels. News Point Nigeria reports that the confirmation was made on Monday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, who disclosed that the investigative panel constituted by the military authorities has concluded its assignment. According to Maj.-Gen. Uba, the panel’s findings revealed that a number of the officers have serious cases to answer, necessitating further disciplinary and judicial action in line…
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports suggesting that Vice President Kashim Shettima might be replaced as Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the 2027 elections. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, addressed the speculation on Channels Television’s Politics Today monitored by News Point Nigeria on Monday. Asked about calls within and outside the party for a balanced 2027 ticket, Morka said the party remains focused on governance rather than premature election speculation. “A few hours ago today, I put out a statement to dismiss some of the rumours swirling around this question regarding the possible replacement of the Vice…
THE political landscape in Kano State has been thrown into fresh turmoil following a wave of high-profile resignations from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration, including the resignation of Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, son of former governor and NNPP leader Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. News Point Nigeria reports that Mustapha Kwankwaso, who served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, announced his resignation on Monday, stepping down both from his cabinet position and his membership of the Kano State Executive Council. In a resignation statement, Mustapha said the decision was taken with a “heavy heart,” while expressing gratitude to Governor Yusuf for…
KANO State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine members of the House of Representatives. News Point Nigeria reports that the governor announced the decision at a political event held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano on Monday. Addressing party leaders, lawmakers and supporters at the event, Governor Yusuf said the decision followed extensive consultations with elected representatives and key stakeholders across the state. “After wide consultation, 22 out of 24 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and nine out…