News
₦1.1bn Kogi Commission Payment Lawful, Witness Tells Court
By Comfort Olayinka
A prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, that a tax consultant engaged by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) acted within Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulations in withdrawing over ₦952 million paid as commission.
Testifying in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and two others over alleged corruption, Mr David Ajoda, a Compliance Officer with Sterling Bank, disclosed that KSIRS paid a total sum of ₦1,164,929,569 to the tax consultant between January and August 2019.
Ajoda said that within the same eight-month period, ₦952.4 million was withdrawn from the consultant’s Sterling Bank account, leaving a balance of ₦212,525,569. According to him, the withdrawals were carried out in multiple tranches by one Phillip Unar and followed a consistent pattern.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), the witness tendered the consultant’s bank account records, which were admitted by the court. He noted that prior to the consultancy engagement, the account balance stood at just over ₦2 million, adding that inflows rose sharply once the tax consultancy arrangement commenced.
However, Ajoda admitted that he had no knowledge of the specific terms or scope of the tax consultancy agreement between KSIRS and the consultant.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the witness confirmed that the name “Kogi State Government” did not appear in the bank transactions and that the account belonged solely to the consultant, who was legally entitled to make withdrawals in line with existing laws.
He further told the court that CBN regulations permit maximum cash withdrawals of ₦5 million per transaction for individuals and ₦10 million for corporate entities, stressing that the consultant’s withdrawals did not breach these limits. Consequently, he said, no suspicious transaction report was filed against the account.
Ajoda also confirmed that neither Yahaya Bello nor his co-defendants—Umar Shuaib Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—featured as beneficiaries of any withdrawals from the account. He added that KSIRS is a distinct entity from the Kogi State Government.
Justice Maryann Anenih subsequently adjourned further hearing in the matter to February 10.
News
Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows
Joel Ajayi
The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.
He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.
According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.
“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.
The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.
“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.
Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.
He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.
He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.
According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.
Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.
He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.
We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.
He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.
Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.
He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.
“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”
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