By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has condemned the violent disruption of its lawful party activities in Borno State, affirming that the inauguration of the state’s Transitional Committee and Membership Registration Committees with Mallam Kashim Imam as its chairman, was fully authorised by the party’s National Working Committee.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the actions of individuals who disrupted the exercise as inconsistent with ADC values and called on the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to act professionally and impartially to investigate the reported violent attacks on ADC members, and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to place on record that the inauguration of the Borno State Transitional Committee and the Membership Registration Committees had been carried out in full compliance with the guidelines and authorisations issued by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

The ADC therefore condemns in the strongest terms the conduct of certain individuals who, while claiming to be members of the party, engaged in violent and disruptive actions aimed at frustrating lawful party exercise. Such actions run contrary to the ADC Constitution, its values, and its long-standing commitment to internal democracy and orderly political engagement.

The ADC is a law-abiding political party governed by clear rules and institutional processes. The party will therefore not permit its internal affairs to be hijacked by persons acting without mandate or by those pursuing narrow personal interests to the detriment of party unity and stability.
The party also urges law enforcement authorities to take serious note of the reported violent attacks against ADC members in Borno State and to pursue thorough investigations with a view to identifying and prosecuting all those responsible. Political violence must not be normalised or excused under any circumstance.
The ADC remains firmly committed to peaceful political organisation, internal democracy, and the rule of law, and will take all necessary internal and legal measures to protect its members, its processes, and the integrity of the party.

Signed,

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)

https://x.com/bolajiadc/status/2012208925316087847?s=46&t=Kizl0ONgfpwUQ-n70TaqhQ

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr David Ajoda has told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT in Abuja that Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue (KSIRS) paid sum of N1, 164,929,569 as commission to a Tax Consultant within eight months.

He revealed that the sum was paid between January to August 2019 when Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) engaged the Tax Consultant

The witness who testified on Friday at the ongoing trial of former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello and two others on alleged corruption also revealed that a sum of N952. 4M was withdrawn by the Tax Consultant from his account with Sterling Bank within the same 8 months leaving a balance of N212, 525, 569 in the account.

The multiple withdrawals were said to have been carried out by one Phillip Unar.

Ajoda, a Compliance Officer with Sterling Bank testified for EFCC in the prosecution of Yahaya Bello, Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu in the corruption charges.

The witness who was led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Professor Kemi Pinheiro SAN however admitted not knowing details of the tax consultancy business between Kogi State Internal Revenue Service and the Consultant.

Ajoda who tendered account details of the Tax Consultant and admitted by the Court said that withdrawals from the account of the tax consultant was in the same pattern.

Prior to engagement of the tax consultant by the Kogi tax board, the witness told Justice Maryann Anenih that the tax onsultant has over N2M in the account adding that credit inflows into the account rose immediately the tax consultancy business took off.

Under cross examination by Joseph Daudu SAN, counsel to Yahaya Bello and Umar Shuaib Oricha, the witness admitted that the name “Kogi State Government” did not feature in the bank transactions.

He also admitted that bank account belongs to customer and that such customers can make withdrawals unhindered as long as such withdrawals are within the stilulated laws.

The witness admitted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations permitted N5M maximum withdrawal for individuals while corporate entity is N10M maximum per withdrawal.

He said that the tax consultant did not breach CBN regulations in the multiple withdrawals, hence, no report of suspicion was made against the tax consultant.

The banker also admitted that Yahaya Bello’s name and his co-defendants did not feature in the bank statement as beneficiaries of any of the withdrawals.

He also admitted that there is a difference between Kogi state government and Kogi State Internal Revenue Service adding that the two are separate entities.

Meanwhile, Justice Maryann Anenih has shifted further hearing till February 10.

SILGA Chairman Urges Fallen Heroes Sacrifice Not To Be In Vain

Executive Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Hon. Target Isaiah Segibo has called on Nigerians not to allow the sacrifices of the nation’s gallant soldiers be in vain, urging for continued support for the Federal Government, Bayelsa State and security agencies in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other forms of crime and criminality threatening national peace,unity, security and development.

Honourable Target Isaiah Segibo stated this in his address during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held yesterday at Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
He described the Armed Forces Remembrance Day as a significant national event holding on February fifteenth of every year to commemorate and honour the selfless patriotism, courage and sacrifices of Nigerian soldiers who lost their lives during the first and second world war,the Nigeria civil war as well as other foreign peace keeping operations.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ayebaitari Easterday, the Southern Ijaw Council Chairman extolled the bravery and dedication of the fallen heroes and heroines, noting that the victims paid the supreme price to safeguard the political and economic freedom of Nigeria,unity and territorial integrity of the nation.
Honourable Segibo expressed his administration’s assurances and commitment to the welfare of surviving veterans,and called on the Federal,States, Local Governments and multinationals including the organized private sector to engage the experience of the veteran soldiers in community peace-building and resolution of avertable conflicts.

Honourable Segibo reminded the people of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area that war is very fatal, describing it as a bad business no matter how justified it could be painted.
He called on the people not to quickly forget the painful factors that led to the Nigeria civil war which include mindless egocentric pursuit for personal interest without wider consideration to how such personal gains could affect the lives and future of others.
Segibo traced other factors as claims for racial, ethnic and religious, superiority by a section of the country who perceive others as inferior.

He therefore advocated the need to jealousy guard and protect the unity of the nation which was fought and won at a great cost by the fallen heroes.

High point of the event was the launch of the Appeal Emblem and laying of wreath by Honourable Target Isaiah Segibo, Vice Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Chapter of Nigeria Legion-Peter Gbo,Platoon Commander in charge of Nun River-Captain Usman Zakari Dikko,Police Area Commander in charge of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area -Assistat Commissioner of Police-Isaac Seibokuro, Divisional Police Officer in charge of Oporoma Division -Supritendent Agbalaiko Godwin and Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Traditional Rulers Council -His Royal Highness Darius Job David.

Dignatories from all walks of life including the Leader-Mr. Edward Oweila and members of Southern Ijaw Legislative Assembly, Chairmen of Rural Development Authorities in the Local Government Area, Divisional Police Officers, traditional rulers, Supervisors in Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Captains of Industries,Chiefs , Elders and opinion leaders of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area as well as youth and women groups graced the event.