Kogi Reporters

EFCC Opposes Yahaya Bello’s Bid for Medical Trip Abroad, Court Sets Ruling for July 21

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly opposed an application by former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, seeking permission to travel overseas for medical treatment amid his ongoing ₦80.2 billion money laundering trial.

During proceedings on Thursday, June 27, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, Bello’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), J.B. Daudu, asked the court to consider the health needs of the former governor. The defence submitted a 22-paragraph affidavit—reportedly backed by a medical report and a letter from a consultant cardiologist—stating that Bello urgently needs treatment not available locally.

Daudu told the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, that the application was made under Section 173(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and the court’s inherent powers. He emphasized that the release of Bello’s passport, surrendered under his bail terms, was the primary request, insisting that the former governor is not a flight risk and has not left the country in over eight years.

However, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, vehemently opposed the motion, calling it an abuse of court process. Pinheiro pointed out that Bello had filed similar applications across different courts, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, creating procedural confusion.

Raising five key objections, the prosecution argued that the motion was flawed, particularly because Bello’s sureties were not consulted or included—potentially jeopardizing their

Nigeria Intensifies Efforts to Revive Ajaokuta Steel with Strategic China Partnership

In a renewed bid to breathe life into Nigeria’s dormant steel sector, top government officials have held strategic talks with executives of Sino Steel, one of China’s leading industrial conglomerates. The discussions, which took place as part of broader efforts to industrialise under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, centred on the long-stalled revitalisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The Nigerian delegation was led by Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe. The meeting focused on technical assessments, operational strategies, and financing models necessary to return Ajaokuta Steel to full-scale productivity.

Originally built to produce 1.9 million tonnes of steel annually—with the potential to scale up to 5 million tonnes—the Ajaokuta facility is viewed as a linchpin for Nigeria’s industrial transformation. Key sectors like construction, automotive manufacturing, and heavy machinery could significantly benefit from its revival.

Tegbe characterised the meeting as a “decisive and solutions-driven dialogue,” underscoring the alignment between Nigeria’s industrial goals and China’s technical capabilities. Sino Steel signalled strong interest in the partnership and committed to dispatching a technical team to Nigeria soon for an on-ground viability assessment of the steel plant.

Following the evaluation, Sino Steel is expected to submit a detailed proposal that includes a phased plan for modernising the facility and boosting output. Minister Audu stressed that the Federal Government is fully committed to transforming the steel sector from a long-standing aspiration into a real economic engine.

He highlighted the importance of collaborating with reputable international firms like Sino Steel to deliver a globally competitive steel industry.

This latest development adds to a series of high-level engagements between Nigerian and Chinese stakeholders, reinforcing both nations’ shared vision for deepening cooperation in infrastructure, industrialisation, and technology transfer.

About 200 people, including five soldiers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and children, were reportedly killed in a fresh attack by suspected terrorist herdsmen on Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

Breaking.
Kogi governorship election: Court reserves judgment.

The kogi state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday has reserved judgement.

Justice Birnin-Kudu after taking arguments from all parties, reserved judgment in the petition.

He announced that a date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

Recall that SDP and Ajaka had approached the tribunal to challenge Ododo’s victory in the November. 11, 2023, Kogi governorship elections.