A former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has been summoned to appear before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of criminal breach of trust and possession of unlawfully acquired property.

The summons, issued by Justice Maryann E. Anenih, alleged that Bello committed the offences between 2016 and 2023.

The summons, dated October 3, 2024, was made public in a Friday post from the X handle of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission.

According to the court documents, Bello is accused of violating Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963, which deals with criminal breach of trust and is punishable under Section 312.

He is also charged under Section 319A, for allegedly possessing property suspected to have been obtained through unlawful means.

The summons, which was made public, read partly:

“A complaint has been made on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that you, Yahaya Adoza Bello, sometimes within the year 2016 up until 2023… did commit offences to wit: criminal breach of trust… and having possession or control of property reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.”

Bello is expected to appear before “High Court No. 3, Maitama, on November 14, 2024, at 9.am.”

The EFCC had earlier declared the former governor wanted.

Recently, the commission filed fresh charges against the wanted former governor, accusing him of N110bn fraud.

The EFCC had initially filed 19 charges against Bello, along with his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Suliman, and Abdulsalam Hudu, for money laundering offences amounting to N80,246,470,088.88.

However, in the fresh 16 charges dated September 25, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the total sum of the same money laundering offences rose to N110,446,470,89.00.

Last month, he visited the headquarters of the anti-graft commission in Abuja alongside the current governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, but he was not interrogated.

The EFCC later referred to his visit as part of a strategic game plan.

“That is enough to convince Nigerians that his presence at the EFCC on the 18th of September was more of a stunt, not really that he wanted to abide by the rule of law,” EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, made this assertion during an interview on Arise TV The Morning Show.

Also, in September, there was a move made by the EFCC to arrest him, which was futile.

Ogun State police command on Thursday said that its officers attached to Igbeba Division, Ijebu-Ode has arrested five suspects who allegedly specialised in the burglary of shops, stealing of amour cables, and vandalisation of transformers within Ijebu-Ode and its environs.

Those arrested were 32-year-old Emmanuel also known as Ozon living at Emurin Ijebu Ode, Samuel Sunday Idoko aged 39 from Iwesi Street, Ijebu Ode, 21-year-old Tolulope Ilesanmi from No4, Ilepa Street, Ilese Ijebu, 29-year-old Sanusi Daniel from Epe, Lagos State, and Ogunkoya Victor aged 20 from Ijagun Road, Ijebu Ode

The spokesperson of the state police command, Superintendent of Police, Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists on Thursday.

Odutola said officers at the division said that there had been complaints from victims of shop burglary who were still counting their losses due to items stolen from an electronic shop sometime in September and several other similar incidents in October.

She said that the police had also been inundated with complaints, ranging from stealing of cables, vandalisation of transformers, and theft of property from houses after the residents had gone to work.

Odutola said “However, on the 4th of October, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, the police at Igbeba Police Station received information regarding a member of a syndicate involved in burglarising shops and stealing AMOR cable wires from transformers in Ijebu Ode and surrounding areas.

“These suspected burglars who had been evading arrest were identified and spotted at the Ijebu Ilese Toll Gate.

“Acting on this information, a team of detectives promptly responded and apprehended the first suspect, Emmanuel M., also known as “Ozon,” a 32-year-old resident of Emurin Ijebu Ode.

“During questioning, Emmanuel confessed to being part of the burglary syndicate and provided information that led to the arrest of a second suspect, Samuel Sunday Idoko, a 39-year-old from Iwesi Street, Ijebu Ode. The third suspect is Tolulope Ilesanmi, a 21-year-old from No. 4 Ilepa Street, Ilese Ijebu. The fourth suspect, Sanusi Daniel, is a 29-year-old living near a primary school in Epe, Lagos, and the fifth suspect is Ogunkoya Victor, also known as “Emo,” a 20-year-old from Gloria School, Iyana Cele, Ijagun Road, Ijebu Ode.”

These suspects were said to have allegedly confessed to breaking into the electronics store owned by Anayo Sunday James at Bobadara Junction, Igbeba Road, Ijebu Ode, on February 20, 2024, as well as stealing AMOR cable wires from transformers on Igbeba Road and other locations in Ijebu Ode.

The police revealed that during a search of Idoko’s residence, burglary tools including an iron cutter, drilling machine, cutting machine, hammer, screwdriver, and iron chisel were found in his residence

The suspects are said to be currently undergoing further interrogation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives and recover additional stolen items.

The two Vice Presidents of the Living Faith Church, aka, Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye and Bishop Thomas Arema, will retire next after serving for over four and three decades under Bishop David Oyedepo.

This retirement is aligned with the church’s operational manual, The Mandate, which recently revised the retirement age from 60 to 55.

Bishop Abioye is currently 63, while Bishop Aremu is 67.

The new law therefore means only Oyedepo can remain in his position for life.

Future leaders will also be permitted to serve one or two terms of seven years each, subject to the Board of Trustees’ approval.

Bishop Abioye’s farewell service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, in Durumi, Abuja, while Bishop Aremu’s service will take place at LFC Basorun in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a suit challenging the hike in electricity tariff, saying it was an abuse of court process.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, had dragged eleven distribution companies (DisCos) before the court over the increasing electricity tariff for Band A customers.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, October 10, the court held that the suit was without due regard to the provisions of Section 51 of the Electricity Act 2023. This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

“The court considered the arguments adduced by the parties and delivered a well-considered judgment on 7 October 2024 by ruling that MAN’s suit was an abuse of court process being premature and without due regard to the provisions of section 51 of the Electricity Act 2023.

The court also held that MAN’s case disclosed no reasonable cause of action and that by having not exhausted the internal mechanism of resolution of disputes, the suit was not instituted with due process of law and consequently struck out the case,” NERC said.

MAN is yet to react to the court ruling.

Recall that NERC had on April 3 approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

The Federal government has said with the new curriculum set to be rolled out for Basic and Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria, every student must graduate with at least two skills.

The Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman stated this at the 68th National Council on Education (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday, October 10. He said the new curriculum is designed to incorporate knowledge, skills and values, especially with a special focus on skills, so that students, when they graduate, will have skills that they can connect with the economy and have a productive life.

He explained that today, they share a common challenge that the country’s educational curriculum is all in danger of becoming obsolete as technology is disrupting every industry, including education.

“A well-designed and effective curriculum determines a sustainable development, quality, and the relevance of education. This is the main reason why this administration places priority on the institutionalisation of curriculum development in the overall context of education,” he said

The ministry, according to him, is implementing the Education Transformation Agenda of Mr. President designed to comprehensively overhaul the education sector to ensure quality learning, skill development, access and equity.

Prof Mamman reaffirmed that the government has the primary responsibility of protecting and ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels for all learners.

“The government, therefore, is committed to observing all relevant international protocols, conventions and treaties for the protection of our learners, teachers, learning institutions and facilities from attack and any other instrument on education, which the country has domesticated. “

Janice Combs, 84 the mother of Sean “Diddy” Combs, was heckled by a crowd as she arrived with the rapper’s children for his hearing over a host of s£x trafficking and racketeering charges.

Janice looked sombre in oversized glasses and a fur coat, as she clutched onto a supporter’s arm as they walked to the courthouse on Thursday, October 10.

She had previously shown support for her son, declaring “he’s not a monster”.

But as a crowd heckled her outside the court, they were heard saying, “Janice, your son is a predator.

“Your son is a predator and he deserves to be locked up.”

Just moments before the session commenced, Diddy’s children entered, clinging to one another while navigating through the crowd.

The rapper was arrested on September 17 in Manhattan and is being kept behind bars in a Brooklyn facility.

Rafael Nadal on Thursday announced he will retire after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending a career that brought 22 Grand Slam titles, global respect, and inspired epic, iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

“I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially,” Nadal said in a video on social media.

“It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But in this life everything has a beginning and an end.”

The 38-year-old Spaniard is set to end his two decades as a professional with 92 titles and prize money alone of $135 million.

He dominated the French Open where he won 14 of his majors, his first arriving just days after his 19th birthday in 2005, his last in 2022 making him the event’s oldest champion.

On the famous crushed brick of Roland Garros, he lost just three times in 115 matches.

He was also a four-time champion at the US Open and a two-time winner at the Australian Open, his first triumph coming in 2009; his second 13 years later.

Nadal also won Wimbledon twice, in 2008 and 2010 despite grass considered to be the surface most likely to expose any shortcomings in his game.

His five-set victory over Roger Federer in the 2008 championship match, which ended in almost complete darkness at the All England Club, is widely regarded as the greatest Slam final ever played.

Nadal claimed a career Golden Slam when he took Olympic Games gold in 2008. For good measure, he also won five Davis Cups.

Nadal was a five-time year-end world number one and never left the top 10 from 2005 until March this year.

In total, he spent 209 weeks in top spot and between 2004 and 2022, won at least one title every year.

In his long rivalry with close friend Federer, who retired last year, he enjoyed a 24-16 edge. Nadal surpassed Federer’s mark of 20 majors in Australia last year.

He and Djokovic, the all-time leader with 24 men’s Grand Slam titles, met 60 times with the Serb just ahead by two.

An underpowered Nadal was swept aside by Djokovic in straight sets in their final meeting at this year’s Paris Olympics.

Despite his record-breaking career, Nadal was plagued by injuries, a painful by-product of his all-action, brutal-hitting style.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to commit to improving mental health awareness.

In a message commemorating World Mental Health Day, the First Lady of Nigeria encouraged individuals to seek medical help and counselling early.

This year’s theme is: “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace.”

The First Lady noted that emotions bottled up can lead to mental health issues.

She said: “Today I join the rest of the world to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Day.

“This year’s theme ‘It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’ is timely especially in times like this when most people feel dissatisfied at the workplace for several reasons, that could affect one’s mental wellbeing.

“Emotions bottled up is the beginning of mental health issues and challenges that confront individuals.

“If there were no fears of stigmatization, people would tend to speak openly about their struggles, thus leading to early diagnosis thereby improving recovery outcomes.

“With love and support, mental health issues will be drastically reduced within and outside the workplace.

“Let us all commit to improving mental health awareness and enjoin individuals to seek medical help and counselling early.

“Please be your brother’s keeper for a safer society.”

Four youths have been nabbed by the Police for allegedly terrorizing a community in the Adamawa State capital, Yola.

The suspects are charged with making life difficult for residents of Jambutu in Yola North Local Government Area.

The Adamawa State Police Command said in a press release signed by its spokesman, Suleiman Nguroje, that the suspects – Sadiq Usman, 20, Abba Ibrahim, 18, Abdul Jibrin, 20, and Labaran Muhammed, 20 – were apprehended about at Geriyo Junction, a place notorious for night and daylight robberies.

The Police said the suspects were found with dangerous weapons, including a dagger and a knife, and were also smoking dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

“These arrests followed several complaints of robbery and theft from communities in the area,” the Police stated, adding that the suspects are currently in custody for further investigations.

A senior secondary school student of Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi-Akoko, Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Habib Salau, has been killed after she was stabbed to death.

Habib was stabbed on Wednesday by another female student of the school, Sandra, when they engaged in a scuffle.

According to sources, the incident happened shortly after closing hours outside the school premises.

One of the sources who craved anonymity stated that upon her arrest, Sandra confessed that the knife she used to stab Salau was gotten through a student of Ajiroke Technical School.

Meanwhile, the deceased’s body has been deposited at the mortuary of the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko.

The Commissioner for Police in the state, Abayomi Oladipo, confirmed that the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, adding that a diligent investigation would be conducted.

The Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Katsina Area Command, Mr Abba Aji-Idris, has called on students to appreciate the negative impact of smuggling on the nation’s economy.

Students from Government Pilot Secondary School and Umaru Musa Yar’adua University were on a visit to Aji-Idris in his office on Thursday in Katsina.

Aji-Idris said that the revenue generated by the Service immensely benefits the students and the entire country, adding that students are stakeholders in the campaign against smuggling in the country.

He said that the engagement with the students would strengthen community relations efforts of the Service and complement the government’s anti-smuggling efforts.

According to him, by engaging the students, the NCS aims to promote a better understanding of its role in securing Nigeria’s borders and fostering economic growth.

The comptroller also enlightened the students on the NCS procedures, history, laws, mandates, and jurisdiction.

He commended the people of the state for their hospitality and cooperation with the Service since he assumed duty.

The Vice Principal of the school, Malam Mas’udu Saeed, commended the comptroller for prioritising community engagement.

He said that the commitment was a clear understanding of the essence of community relations and corporate social responsibility.

The president of the students association of the university, Mubarak Musa, appreciated and commended the comptroller for his warm reception and enlightenment.

Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor, Adeboye Taofiq Ewenla, who was sacked by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for allegedly demanding a N30 million bribe, has denied his involvement.

According to Ewenla, who admitted to demanding the money, the fund was not meant for him but to be paid into the coffers of the state government.

The Special Assistant was on Wednesday dismissed from his position by Aiyedatiwa following a leaked phone conversation when he demanded that some timber traders in the state should pay the sum of N30 million before they will be allowed to operate in the forest reserves.

“Before they can operate, they have to pay a certain amount to government coffers. The money being talked about is meant for the government. It is not to be paid into my personal account.

“All I was committed to was trying to put sanity into the job. All my activities are directed to increasing the internally generated revenue of the state government.

“I accept the decision of Mr. Governor, who appointed me and deemed it fit to relieve me. It is however important to make this clarification for official reasons.”

The Swiss Federation has donated €1.2 million to the Borno State Flood Disaster Relief Fund to provide much-needed support to the victims of the flood disaster in Borno.

The Swiss ambassador to Nigeria announced the donation, Nicolas Lang, who led a delegation of the Swiss Embassy on a sympathy visit to the government house in Maiduguri.

Nicolas Martin-Achard, the senior humanitarian adviser, and Florent Geel, the senior political adviser at the Swiss embassy, accompanied Mr Lang.

Mr Lang said Switzerland had supported the Borno Model in 2023 with about $700,000.

“This contribution has been fully implemented in due time and purpose. The Borno Model is a programme for the mass exit of armed Boko Haram insurgents and civilians trapped in the lines of conflict.

“These donations in 2023 and 2024 demonstrate Switzerland’s continued support and solidarity with the Borno state government and the people of Borno affected by the crises,” said Mr Lang.

Governor Babagana Zulum thanked Lang and his team for taking time out of their busy to pay the sympathy visit to Borno and the Swiss federal government for the generous donation to the affected flood victims.

Flood waters displaced more than one million people in and around Maiduguri, which serves as the hub for responding to the humanitarian crisis in the northeast, one of the worst floods.

Rapidly rising waters engulfed thousands of homes after a dam burst following a weekend of torrential rain.

Fuel queues have resurfaced across Lagos following an increase in petrol prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) and other marketers.

Many filling stations, including those along Ikorodu Road, Ikeja and Bariga, have temporarily closed due to the price hike.

Pump prices at NNPCL stations had risen to N998 per litre while other marketers were charging even more.

Northwest filling stations are now selling at N1,000, Hyden Petroleum at N1,100 and NIPCO at N1,050.

This marks the third price increase in two months, following the start of petrol purchases from the Dangote Oil Refinery on the outskirts of Lagos.

NNPC Ltd. has raised petrol prices from N855 per litre to N998 in Lagos, with prices reaching N1,003 in North-Eastern states.

On September 3, the fuel price rose from N568 in Lagos, the lowest at that time, and N617 in other regions to a minimum of N855.

Ayodele Oni, an energy lawyer, suggested that the government could foster competition by promoting the establishment of modular refineries and revamping existing national facilities.

Mr Oni, also a partner at Bloomfield Law Practice, said that increased competition among refiners could lead to better prices for consumers.

To stabilise exchange rate fluctuations, Mr Oni recommended that the government partially defend the Naira with foreign exchange in the short term.

For the long term, he called for policies that encourage exports and foreign direct investment to boost dollar inflows.

Mr Oni also advised diversifying the economy into manufacturing and agriculture to reduce import costs.

He proposed exploring alternative fuel sources such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and suggested that citizens take advantage of government incentives for CNG vehicle conversion.

Mr Oni, therefore, urged the government to introduce mass transit systems to reduce the impact of fuel price fluctuations on the populace.

According to him, Nigeria is now operating under a deregulated regime, where prices are influenced by market forces, including exchange rates.

He attributed the recent price increases largely to the rising dollar exchange rate against the naira, as the petroleum sector operates in a dollarised market.

He expressed hope that the crude-for-Naira arrangement between NNPC and the Dangote Refinery would help stabilise the naira against the dollar and alleviate pricing pressures.

Access Bank has announced the postponement of its planned system upgrade, which was initially set to begin on Saturday, October 12.

In an email sent to its customers, the bank said a new date for the upgrade would be communicated in due course.

The bank also reiterated its commitment to improving customer experience through enhanced service functionality.

Access Bank also assured customers that all banking services remain fully operational during this period and urged them to disregard any speculative reports regarding the upgrade.

“We wish to inform our valued customer that the previously announced system upgrade, initially scheduled to begin on Saturday, October 12, has been postponed. A new date for the upgrade will be communicated in due course.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the upgrade enhances the functionality of our services and delivers an improved banking experience.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period and encourage you to disregard any speculative reports regarding the upgrade. Please be assured that all services remain fully operational, and we will keep you updated with further information,” the statement read.

Access bank on Tuesday, announced that it will temporarily shut services for a system upgrade aimed at optimising its offerings to customers.

The bank stated that the upgrade will take place in phases, starting on Saturday, October 12, at 10 pm and ending on Sunday, October 13, at 6:30 am.

A Turkish national carrier was forced to make an emergency landing in New York, as a pilot died after collapsing mid-flight, the airline said on Wednesday.

According to the airline spokesman Yahya Ustun, who wrote on X, formerly Twitter, the plane had taken off from Seattle, the western US coastal city on Tuesday evening.

“The pilot of our Airbus 350… flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight.

“After an unsuccessful attempt to give first aid, the flight crew of another pilot and a co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing,” he wrote.

Ustun added that the 59-year-old pilot had worked for the Airlines since 2007, and had passed a medical examination in March, which gave no indication of any health problems.

The Mediterranean Knights of Libya have arrived Nigeria ahead of Friday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo Township stadium.

In a post on X, the Libyan players were pictured on arrival at the Murtala International Airport in Lagos.

From the Lagos airport they will connect a flight to Uyo, where the match will be played.

Meanwhile, all the invited players of the Super Eagles have arrived except Victor Osimhen who is injured.

This is the second time Libya will come up against the Super Eagles in the AFCON qualifiers.

Both teams were in the same group during the qualifiers for the 2019 AFCON hekd in Egypt.

In the first leg in Uyo, the Eagles won 4-0 and won the return leg 3-2.

Libya’s only win against the Eagles was in the 2004 LG invitational tournament, recording a 2-1 win.

The High Court of South Africa, Northern Cape Division, sitting in Upington, adjourned the trial of a 35-year-old Nigerian national, Emmanuel Chidi Okafor, who allegedly stabbed a South African police officer to death during an argument.

The spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape Division, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, in a statement on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, said the trial had to be stopped after the accused informed the Judge that he was no longer happy with his Legal Aid-appointed representative.

“The accused is facing a charge of murder, attempted murder, and the Contravention of Sections 1,22(12) and 22(14) of the Refugees Act. He is accused of killing an off-duty member of the South African Police Service,” the statement read.

The State’s case emanates from an incident on 08 January 2020, when Okafor had a verbal altercation with his neighbour, Ryno Renee van Wyk.

Okafor and van Wyk lived as neighbours in the small farming town of Keimoes, near the town of Upington in the Northern Cape.

On the fateful day, Police Officer Stefano Nico Visagie and other people were visiting van Wyk and drinking.

It is alleged that Okafor who was also in his house drinking and smoking with his friends informed them that he was going to kill everyone who was in the van Wyk household.

During the trial, the court heard through witnesses, that during the night when everyone was sleeping in the van Wyk household, the accused entered the house through a door that was unlocked, armed with a sharp object and stabbed the deceased, Constable Stefano Nico Visagie who was sleeping on the floor.

The court heard, that after the accused had killed the officer, he continued with his merciless rampage by attacking van Wyk, whom he stabbed in his upper leg.

During the tussle for the weapon between van Wyk and Okafor, the accused was also injured in the process.

Other people who were sleeping in the house heard the victim screaming and one of the people attacked the accused with a spade, and van Wyk managed to escape. The accused began attacking other people, but they also managed to escape.

It is alleged that the accused returned to his home, where he took some of his belongings before running away.

The weapon that was used by the accused was later found in a lorry that had given the accused a lift.

It is believed the weapon fell from his trousers during transit. Through intelligence-driven and multi-disciplinary investigations led by the Investigating Officer, the accused was traced and arrested in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.

He was brought back to the Northern Cape, where he was remanded in custody and is expected to be incarcerated until the conclusion of the matter.

The trial was ongoing, and it was about to be concluded before the accused fired his legal representations, therefore the matter will only be heard on 28 October 2024.

The preliminary date is for the accused to hear if Legal Aid will be able to appoint a new legal practitioner to represent him until the trial is concluded.

On that date, the State, led by Senior State Advocate, Jaques Rosenburg and the defence will also have an opportunity to agree on a suitable date for the matter to continue.

The absence of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday stalled the ruling in a fresh bail application filed by the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan.

The matter, which was fixed for ruling on Mr Gambaryan’s bail request, could not proceed as Mr Nwite was said to have gone for a seminar at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

The ruling was subsequently fixed for October 11.

EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, had, on September 4, vehemently opposed the bail application moved by Mark Mordi on Mr Gambaryan’s behalf.

Mr Iheanacho, who argued that the Binance executive was being given the best medical treatment by the Nigerian Correctional Service, alleged that Mr Gambaryan once rejected the medical intervention by the State House Clinic in Abuja.

The lawyer drew the court’s attention to the State House Clinic’s medical report.

He stated that even though Mr Gambaryan’s ill health was not as bad as it was being portrayed, the report showed that the defendant was dissatisfied with the medical attention being offered and rejected it.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer urged the court to dismiss the fresh application.

He explained that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, wrote to the management of the NCoS, requesting Mr Gambaryan’s medical records.

He said that a response from the NCoS was received by the NSA on August 29 with the attached report of Nizamiye Hospital, among others.

According to him, the report indicated that Mr Gambaryan has been receiving adequate medical care from the NCoS and has been taken to several hospitals, including the State House Clinic.

Mr Iheanacho insisted that NCoS could take Mr Gambaryan to any hospital in Nigeria, adding that surgeons cannot force surgery on the defendant without his consent.

He said Mr Gambaryan “cannot suddenly become sick,” as is allegedly commonplace with some suspects facing trial.

Earlier, Mr Mordi had asked the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms or for six weeks based on ill health.

He argued that though the EFCC purportedly denied Mr Gambaryan had a serious health issue, the exhibits, including the medical reports, showed that he needed medical care.

The lawyer argued that Mr Gambaryan’s health challenge cannot be adequately managed in Nigeria.

Kenya’s Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi, said on Wednesday that the Senate would next week debate whether to dismiss Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after the national assembly voted to impeach him.

Lawmakers voted by 281 to 44 late on Tuesday to impeach Mr Gachagua, with one abstention. That was far more than the two-thirds majority needed to carry the motion to the Senate.

Mr Kingi said the Senate would investigate the allegations on October 16 and 17, and if at least two-thirds of the Senate vote to uphold the impeachment, Mr Gachagua would be dismissed.

Mr Gachagua has denied all 11 charges against him, which include enriching himself and stirring ethnic hatred. He called the impeachment process a “theatre of the absurd.”

His rift with President William Ruto, whom he backed in a 2022 election, spilt into the open after deadly protests this year against proposed tax increases and the cost of living.

Mr Ruto has not commented publicly on the impeachment proceedings.

Mr Gachagua outraged many in Mr Ruto’s coalition for likening the government to a company and suggesting that those who voted for the coalition had first claim on public-sector jobs and development projects.

The push to impeach Mr Gachagua has divided Kenyans, with some saying that parliament should focus on the economy instead of politics and others calling for both Mr Ruto and his deputy to quit.

“They should both be removed. After two years, there has been no positive effect. We have had more crises. They came as a package, so they should leave as a package,’’ said Melissa Kagondu, who sells beauty products.

A Nairobi-based analyst, Robert Shaw, told Reuters that the impeachment would add to concerns about Kenya’s economic stability after protests in June and July.

He said, “It is bound to get worse, if I was an investor, I would be looking at how to consolidate my position ready for a storm.’’