RUSSIA UNLEASHES MASSIVE DRONE AND MISSILE BARRAGE ON KYIV, INCLUDING RARE ORESHNIK HYPERSONIC STRIKE, KILLING AT LEAST FOUR AND INJURING DOZENS. (PHOTO).

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 Russia unleashes massive drone and missile barrage on Kyiv, including rare Oreshnik hypersonic strike, killing at least four and injuring dozens Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks in months on Kyiv and surrounding areas, unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles in an overnight barrage that killed at least four people and injured more than 80, Ukrainian officials said. Authorities reported widespread damage across the capital region, including destroyed residential buildings, damaged schools, and strikes on infrastructure as emergency crews worked through the night to extinguish fires and clear rubble. Officials said the assault included the use of an Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which was fired near the capital and marked only the third known deployment of the system in the war since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The missile, which is believed to have a long range and potential nuclear capability, was part of a larger wave of roughly 90 missiles and ...
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SUBPOENA DISPUTE STALLS EXAMINATION OF ACCESS BANK WITNESS IN ₦110.4BN KOGI FRAUD TRIAL. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE

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 Subpoena Dispute Stalls Examination of Access Bank Witness in ₦110.4bn Kogi Fraud Trial

 

Arguments over the examination of a subpoenaed prosecution witness in the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, stalled proceedings  before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal High Court, FCT, Abuja. 

 

 Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of an alleged ₦110.4 billion.

 

At the resumed proceedings, lead prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that the matter was for continuation of trial and that Prosecution Witness Ten (PW10), Olomotane Egoro, a Compliance Officer with Access Bank, who was under subpoena, was present in court.  Pinheiro subsequently sought to tender the application for the issuance of the subpoena, which was admitted in evidence and marked as Exhibit AE, there being no objection from defence counsel, P.B. Daudu, SAN, and Z.E. Abbas.

 

However, when the prosecution moved to examine the witness, P.B. Daudu, SAN, and   Z.E. Abbas objected, contending that the prosecution could not examine the witness on the basis of a mere application for subpoena, insisting that the subpoena itself ought to be produced and tendered before the witness could testify.

 

In response, Pinheiro argued that the subpoena formed part of the court’s record, having been issued pursuant to an order of court, and that the court was entitled to look at any process contained in its records. He further submitted that there was no statutory provision requiring the tendering of a subpoena before a witness subpoenaed by the court could give evidence, noting that there were a plethora of authorities supporting his position and describing the objection as “clearly untenable.”

 

Replying on points of law, Daudu maintained that it was the constitutional right of the defence to be fully carried along in the proceedings, stressing that the trial was a public one and not a secret trial, and that the defence was entitled to see and obtain a copy of the subpoena.

 

 Counsel to the third defendant, Abbas, also argued that the subpoena formed the basis of the witness’s appearance in court and that the defence was entitled to examine it before the trial could proceed, adding that the authorities cited by the prosecution were not applicable to the circumstances of the case.

 

Pinheiro, in a further response, described the objection as an attempt to delay the trial, an assertion Daudu refuted, stating that the defence was not in court to frustrate proceedings.

 

In her ruling, Justice Anineh held that, having considered the arguments of counsel, the subpoena could always be produced before the court.

 

 She consequently adjourned the matter to February 11 and 12, and March 11 and 12, 2026, for continuation of trial.

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