Headlines

How I received over N1bn from Ali Bello for renovation of houses -EFCC witness

The Eyewitness Reporter

The trial of Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman before Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, continued on Monday, July 15, 2024, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) presenting its seventh Prosecution Witness, PW7.The EFCC is prosecuting Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.

The PW7, Aminu Rabiu, a businessman with Falala Construction and Interior Decoration Company, Abuja, who was led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that he received money for the renovation of Ali Bello’s houses from various people in cash installments totaling more than N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira).

He stated that the money was for the renovation of the former Kogi State governor’s houses located in various parts of Abuja and Kogi State.

Narrating how he met the former governor, the PW7 informed the court that he met Yahya Bello through his wife Amina Yahya Bello, since 2009. “Yes, I know the immediate past governor of Kogi State, his name is Alhaji Yahya Bello. I knew him through his wife, Amina Yahya Bello sometime in 2009.”

He told the court that he knew Ali Bello and Dauda Sulaiman.

When asked by Oyedepo who the properties in question belong to, the PW7 stated that the properties belong to the former governor, Yahya Bello. Oyedepo asked: “The properties in Jabi, No 9 Benghazi, No 9 Sabi street Zone Four, No 1 Ikogosi Maitama and the house in GRA OKENE, who owns the properties?” The witness said “Yahya Bello.”

He said the house he renovated in Life Camp belongs to Yahya Bello. “You mentioned Life camp, whose house are you referring to?”

His response, “Yahya Bello,”

“Your reference to Benghazi, whose house are you referring to,”

“It belongs to Yahya Bello.”

The PW7 told the court that the money was paid in cash installments and the least he received was Eight Million Naira from various people who made the payment for Yahya Bello at No 9 Benghazi street and sometimes in life Camp in Ali Bello’s house.

Narrating the circumstances for the work and payment for the properties, the witness stated that he renovated the house at No 9 Benghazi Street, Abuja.

“No 9 Benghazi, I renovated the house, furnishing and furniture. I was paid about Three Hundred and something Million Naira, they paid me by cash, installment.”

“At Jabi, I did renovations, finishing and polishing, I was paid around Two Hundred Million Naira, in cash installments.”

“Life camp, yes, I did furnishing and polishing. I can’t remember but it is around Two Hundred Million Naira in cash.”

The witness informed the court that he is operating a bank account by which he receives money through his company’s name: Falala Construction, “I have a bank account with Zenith Bank through which I receive money in my company’s name: Falala”, he said.

While in Kogi state, the witness told the court that it was his company that demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge in the state and was paid more than Six Hundred Million Naira.

“I did one job for the state government. I demolished and rebuilt the Presidential Lodge, I was paid around Six Hundred and something Million Naira and there is a variation of above One Hundred Million. The state government paid into my account”, he said.

“I also worked in Kogi state, Okene. I did the renovation, I remodeled the house and the finishing. It was around Five Hundred Million Naira, (N500,000,000.00). They paid me in cash. They were made in Abuja.”

Thereafter, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to July 16, 2024, for continuation of trial.

Customs

Tinubu celebrates Adeniyi on his 59th birthday

–lists his achievements

Funso OLOJO

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined millions of well wishers across the globe to celebrate Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi as he turns 59 years on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.

In his birthday message made available through his Special Adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu lauded the innovative and inspiring leadership of Adeniyi which he noted has impacted greatly on the image and performance of the service.

While listing the achievements of the customs in terms of revenue generation, trade facilitation, automation and digitization of the service, anti- smuggling activities as well as bolstered staff morale under the dexterious guidance of Adeniyi, President Tinubu wished him divine wisdom, robust health, and continued strength as he serves the nation.

“Under his guidance, the agency has witnessed significant progress through the steady digitalisation and automation of its operations, a renewed commitment to professionalism, and an uplift in officers’ morale, enhancing high performance.

“His leadership has enabled the NCS to surpass revenue targets substantially and bolstered trade facilitation, yielding widespread positive effects on the national economy.

“President Tinubu applauds the innovative anti-smuggling strategies initiated by the Customs Chief.

“These strategies encompass equipping the youth with new skills for alternative livelihood opportunities, fostering engagements with traditional institutions, and nurturing a culture of effective communication and mutual respect.

“The President recognises the Comptroller-General’s other notable achievements, including the remarkable seizures of arms and ammunition and the revitalisation of the Comptroller-General’s Annual Conference, which aims to assess and enhance the agency’s operations.

“President Tinubu affirms that Adeniyi’s extensive experience of over 30 years in service and adaptability to change has greatly enriched the Customs Service.

“The President offers prayers for divine wisdom, robust health, and continued strength for Comptroller-General Adeniyi as he serves the nation.

Headlines

EFCC discovers Yahoo training school in Benin city

-arrests 25 students undergoing training in cybercrimes

Funso OLOJO

The operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has on Thursday January 16th, 2025, uncovered a Yahoo academy in Benin city, Edo State, where young Nigerians are undergoing training in the act of internet fraud.

During the raid, the anti- graft agency arrested 25 suspected internet fraudsters in the cybercrimes training centre

The suspects’ arrest at their hideout was triggered by credible intelligence that indicated the apartment being used as a yahoo academy or training school for internet-related fraud and other fraudulent activities.

Items recovered from the suspects include six exotic cars, laptops and phones.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Customs

Onyeka, Tin Can CAC, set to pursue revenue generation aggressively

— vows to surpass 1 trillion naira revenue record

Funso OLOJO

The Area Controller of the Tin Can island command of the Nigeria customs service, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has set an ambitious goal of meeting and surpassing the one trillion naira revenue mark achieved last year by his predecessor, ACG Dera Nnadi.

It would be recalled that the command was given a revenue target of N1.4 trillion in 2024 while it realized a little about N1.226 trillion ,an unprecedented record that was never achieved in the history of the command.

Meanwhile, Comptroller Onyeka, has vowed to sustain the revenue momentum as he would aggressively pursue revenue collection.

Speaking while playing host to the Executive council of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) which paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Friday, January 17th, 2025, the Customs chief disclosed his strategy to carry out his assignment.

According to him, he would facilitate legitimate trade, ensure 100 percent examination of all imports while he would energise his men and officers to key into his vision.

“I’ll facilitate trade, but it has to be legitimate trade. That’s what I feel I should do in the strict sense.

“You know, I’m coming from the aspect of revenue. So, it is my prayer and my hope to meet my target and surpass it.

“But principally, what I am going to fight is the ability to do this job without examination.

“I have appealed to my officers, whatever it is they have to do, let them see the containers, once we’ve examined them, everything should be on cruise control because if you examine, you’ll now know if it’s supposed to go out or not.

“I’ve involved Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, I’ve involved Valuation Unit, I’ve spoken to all relevant Units and it’s my prayer, by the grace of God, that all of us will be on the same page to make sure that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is brought to fruition” he noted.

He was full of gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , for the confidence reposed in him and vowed never to disappoint him.

“I also appreciate the fact that our indefatigable Comptroller General Of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi to whom I’m very grateful.

“He needs to be made to know that he didn’t make any mistake for him to have brought me here.

“I am very grateful to him and his management team, and I need to make him proud” he enthused.

Comptroller Onyeka also vowed to build on the foundation that has been laid by his predecessor, Assistant Comptroller General Dera Nnadi.

“In anti-smuggling, he did well. In revenue generation, he did superbly well, same goes for infrastructure development.

“His Public Relations was top-notch, which I’m going to leverage.

“He was fortunate to have what I consider a very fantastic rapport with the media because that’s his background. I intend to leverage that. I intend to do better in that aspect” he added.

Earlier, in his address, the President of MARAN, Mr Godfrey Bivbere expressed the willingness of the association to partner with the CAC and the Command to achieve the target ahead of the command.

He reiterated the firm resolution of the association to accord Comptroller Onyeka the same support accorded to his predecessor.