Lagos state government approved the sum of N44.8m for the clearing of vegetables within the Epe Mixed Development Scheme.

According to records from the state’s Public Procurement Agency (PPA), the project was awarded in May to M/S Obak Nigeria Enterprises by the Lagos State New Towns Development Authority.

Daily Trust had reported that Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been criticised over the approval of N7.5 million to replace liquid fragrance in his office and N3 billion to purchase rechargeable fans for the office of his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.

Actions that public affairs analysts have described as insensitive to the plight of the people, especially coming at a time the government was encouraging the citizens to endure the economic hardship in the land.

However, further checks revealed that some questionable spending was approved by the state government.


Tinubu’s Portraits

According to the document, N73.1m was approved for the production of the official portraits of President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Sanwo-Olu.

The project which was executed by the office of the Chief of Staff was awarded to Flolizvi Connect.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state, was sworn-in as President on May 29 after defeating his main rivals- Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.

Sanwo-Olu also started his second term tenure on the same date.

According to available information on the website of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, there are less than 150 MDAs in Lagos.

N80.8m Tokunbo vehicles; 400m on Charter plane

The office of the Chief of Staff also got approval of N80.8m on June 19 for the procurement of ten units of foreign used vehicles.

Daily Trust had earlier reported that the same office got approval of N440.75m for the purchase of a brand new Lexus LX 600 Bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicle.

The office also got N18.5 million for the supply and distribution of 2,000 Noiler chicken across the local government areas and wards in the state.

400m was approved for flying hour expenses on an ad-hoc charter plane.

N152 for Akiolu’s water, N581m for church renovation

The government also approved N152m for the restoration of water supply at Iduganran palace, the official residence of the Oba of Lagos.

Records also showed that the state approved N581m to renovate Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Oke-Popo area of the state.

By Abbah Modibbo


The recent incoherent and unsubstantiated outburst of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari bankrupted the Nigerian economy has exposed how unfit and unsuitable he is to occupy any high office in Nigeria, not to talk of being the National Security Adviser.

President Bola Ahmed Bola Tinubu must immediately fire Nuhu Ribadu for this sacrilege.

In the annals of Nigerian political history, it has never happened that a senior official of the rank of National Security Adviser will make such sacrilegious statement about a former President, especially when both the former President and the incumbent President belong to the same political party.

When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu proclaimed Nuhu Ribadu as his National Security Adviser not a few Nigerians felt this was a faux pas that would cost the President, the government and people of Nigeria dearly.

If there is any further proof of Nuhu Ribadu’s shallowness and emptiness, his recent reckless and irresponsible allegations against President Muhammadu Buhari has put paid to that.

Nuhu Ribadu is simply not a fit and proper person to occupy the office of National Security Adviser and he should be fired immediately before he puts the nation in real peril.

The question on everybody’s lip today after reading the sacrilegious statement credited to Nuhu Ribadu is whether he is speaking the mind of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If he is not, then he must be fired immediately by he President.

Nuhu Ribadu’s statement under reference has today polarized the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, more than ever.

Whatever may be Nuhu Ribadu’s mission, he has succeeded beyond even his own imagination.

He has sown the seed of discord between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has polarized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He has destroyed irretrievably the valiant efforts of the Chairman of the APC to mend the party. He has handed over to the opposition the weapon it needs to recover from its own internal crisis.

I have heard some commentators after reading Nuhu Ribadu’s allegations ask whether he is mentally stable or if he is truly a member of the APC or an agent provocateur.

The truth is that Nuhu Ribadu has dealt a serious blow to the unity and cohesion within the APC. He has wittingly or unwittingly ridiculed Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and created enmity not just between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but also between their supporters.

The only option left to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contain the situation and do some form of damage control is to immediately fire infantile Nuhu Ribadu.

SaharaReporters obtained the police signal from the IGP office on Saturday which said a “disturbing trend” that policemen who have attained 60 years of age or 35 years in service refused to quit.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered police formations and commands to extract a letter of retirement from police officers who are due for retirement but have refused to leave the service.

SaharaReporters obtained the police signal from the IGP office on Saturday which said a “disturbing trend” that policemen who have attained 60 years of age or 35 years in service refused to quit.

“Cooperation with other govt bodies x in compliance with the directive of the honourable chairman, Police service commission, the IGP directs you draw the attention of all members of the force to the emerging and disturbing trend in the Nigeria Police Force wherein officers upon attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age refuse to proceed on retirement.

“This is contrary to the provisions of the public service rule (PSR) 020810 i & ii which provides that the mandatory retirement age for all grades in the service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service no officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier all actions taken by the said officers for the nigeria police are null and void as a result of expiration of service duration accordingly you are to immediately extract a letter of voluntary retirement from such officers,” the signal said.

“The police authorities need to publish all officers that have violated their service retirement age,” a source in the IGP office noted.

Chelsea and Manchester City could be relegated from the Premier League following Everton’s 10-point deduction for breach of Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Everton were adjudged to have breached the Pemier League’s threshold, which allowed clubs to lose a maximum of £105 million ($130 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions. The commission that heard the case stated that the Tofees lost £124.5 million and “concluded that a sporting sanction in the form of a 10-point deduction should be imposed. That sanction has immediate effect.”

According to the Daily Mail, Stefan Borson, a former financial advisor to Manchester City, has argued that the sanction imposed on Everton has set a precedent that could see City and Chelsea relegated from the Premier League as both clubs face counts of FFP breaches.

City faces 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, and Chelsea could face scrutiny over alleged payments connected to former owner Roman Abramovich.

In a tweet, Borson argued that Everton’s 10-point deduction was harsh and that Chelsea and Manchester City should be worried.

His words: Without seeing the judgement/award -10 points for Everton feels harsh for a straightforward FFP [Financial Fair Play] breach to me.

‘But reinforces that sanctions against City [if proven] and now Chelsea [if charged and admitted on the off-books payments] will be potentially relegation inducing.

Borson added: ‘One thing is for sure, given the scale of this sporting sanction, Chelsea’s calculus [in my opinion] that they could breach PL P&S [Profit and Sustainability] and just take a fine as a cost of doing business, must be in urgent and immediate reconsideration.

‘The January window may be interesting. Even in the best case, they can no longer rely on being able to convince an Independent commission to accept their Covid and Sanctions allowances as exceptional adjustments [to the extent that was the plan].”

Only two other clubs have received points deductions in Premier League history.

A Kano based Hausa musician, Abdul Kamal has sued BBC Hausa Service for using his sound track in their popular program “Daga Bakin Mai Ita’” without his consent.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Bashir Ibrahim Umar told the court that the use of the sound track of his client without his consent by the BBC will diminish the future career of his client.

“As an upcoming musician, this will destroy his career as some people may think he (my client) is using the BBC’s track for cheap popularity”.

He added that “We want the court to make the BBC to pay him the sum of N120m as damages.”

Barrister Bashir pleaded with the court to restrain the defendant from continuous use of the track pending final determination of the case by the court.

In his response, counsel to BBC, Barrister Shakirudden Mosobalage told the court that his client bought the sound track from one company in Abuja.

He also prayed the court to give them time to be able to present some documents to support their argument.

His plea was later granted by the court.

The Presiding judge, Justice N.M. Inusa adjourned the case to 12th December, 2023 for further mention.

BY BUSOLA ARO


Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller general (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says waivers and concessions granted to investors by the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, former president, cost the country N1.3 trillion.

Adeniyi said customs would have generated more income for Nigeria’s consolidated revenue fund in 2023 without the waivers and concessions arrangements.

The CG said this at the national assembly on Wednesday during a public hearing on the 2024–2026 medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy by the senate joint committees.

Adeniyi, represented by Mba Musa, the deputy comptroller general, said “the NCS lost N1.3 trillion in 2023 due to waivers and concessions the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration granted to investors”.

The revelation led Sani Musa, the chairman of the joint committee, to request the senate to probe the waivers and concessions granted by the previous administration.

“By now we shouldn’t be talking about concession for cement manufacturers, we should not even be talking about sugar importation,” Sani Musa said.

“We should not deny ourselves the revenues that we should generate to make our economy vibrant. By now, we should be consolidating on waivers given to boost revenues.

“We would review the waivers and make our recommendations. By now, you (NCS) should be meeting up on your projected target if there are no waivers.”

The senate also quizzed the NCS on its modernisation project, known as e-customs.

During the hearing, the senators asked for the details of the agreement signed by the federal government on the modernisation of Nigerian customs.

In response, Adeniyi said the service does not have access to details of the $3.2 billion modernisation project agreement.

“We are not privy to details of modernisation agreement of the Nigeria Customs modernisation project,” he said.

In April, the federal executive council approved the customs’ modernisation project.

The approval was made despite a court order restraining the federal government from going on with the initiative.

One of the correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) assigned to cover the Presidential Villa in Abuja has narrated how he was abducted by gunmen.

The correspondent had mistakenly boarded a wrong vehicle at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, on the way home after an assignment.

The fear stricken Reporter, who is yet to recover from the trauma and has become generally afraid of everyone around her, tells his story below:

On the said day, I covered an assignment at the Presidential Villa. After the assignment, I filed my story and decided to go home. One of the Directors in the Villa offered to give the cameraman and I a ride to the Federal Secretariat where we could board commercial vehicles.

I live in the suburbs and had to get to the Finance junction to board a vehicle to Dantata bridge and thereon to my place. Time was 4.45 p.m. I was careful not to join the wrong vehicle in view of the many stories about the activities of kidnappers and “one chance” operators in Abuja.

So, I refused to board the first vehicle that stopped because it was totally new and its owner couldn’t have been so poor to begin to use it as a cab. I didn’t trust it. I boarded the second that came because the driver looked like a regular civil servant forced by the economic situation to pick passengers to augment his income. The passenger beside him looked like a banker that had just closed from work because he was well dressed, looked calm and wore an expensive perfume.

I told them I was going to Dantata bridge along Lugbe route. There was only one person at the back. He wore a black vest atop a military camouflage. He was just playing with his phone. When we moved from the Finance junction, we stopped at the Bolingo junction, near NAN headquarters, where there were many others waiting for vehicles to go to Lugbe.

A lady peeped and said she was going to Lugbe. The driver told her to pay N400, she offered to pay N200. But when they were discussing, the man seated beside me shouted on the driver and threatened to leave if the vehicle did not move. He ordered the lady to close the door. The driver quickly moved and started speeding.

At this point, I was uncomfortable. I became afraid and told them I wanted to go down; I told them I had forgotten something and wanted to go back to pick it. That was when they swung into action. The front seat passenger quickly adjusted his seat and pressed it down to block me from attempting to go out while the man beside me brought out his gun, pinned it on my forehead and ordered me to close my eyes. He pressed me down to his laps and ordered me to cooperate with them otherwise they would kill me. They blindfolded me and said they would waste me if I didn’t behave well. They asked me where I live and I told them. They warned me against lying to them.

At that time, I just started praying inside me. My body was shaking. I was dazed and confused. I started begging them not to harm me. They ransacked my bag and took everything. They took N375,000 a colleague gave me to help buy a gadget. They took my wristwatch and GTB ATM card.

They also took my laptop, phones, 200 dollars, headphones, power bank, the Villa tag, NAN Identity Card, some other monies and valuables. They said they had been trailing me from the Villa and were aware that I was from the particular assignment. I told them I am just one of the reporters deployed by NAN to cover the Villa. They said I should call my family to bring N13 million while I should bring N5 million.

I was so confused. So scared. I told them I am just a poor reporter and had nothing and no one. They scrolled through my phones and said I should call my contacts to bring money. I told them I only visit those people to pray for them.

They asked if I am ready to change my faith. I told them I would not. They said even at gun point? I said yes. They asked me what bloody civilians knew about security to even organise any seminar about it. They told me they were not “one chance” operators. They said they were soldiers with the two in front already dismissed from the service while the one beside me was still in service and currently in Abuja.

Those dismissed said they were kicked out in Sokoto and had come to Abuja for the Army General that sacked them, but did not meet him in his house. At that point, the journalist in me was curious to know why they were dismissed, but I couldn’t have asked them that ‘crazy’ question. They said they were forced into criminality because of the situation in the country and that Nigeria had turned them into criminals.

They tied my legs and said they would take me to Sokoto; they were discussing among themselves whether to throw me out of the speeding vehicle. They said they picked me because they thought I had money. And added that they wouldn’t have picked me if they knew I had nothing. I told them there was no money where I work. They showed me an Indian ring they could press on me and I would lose my memory Inside, I kept praying, while begging them not to harm me.

They collected the PIN of the GTB ATM card and withdrew everything. They took money that evening and continued in the morning of the next day as I was too traumatised to get GTB to block the account.

They took a total of N505,000 from the account. I was just sweating. And sucked up. I was just praying. One said they should waste me, one said I should be allowed to go. They kept moving round and round. Deep down in me, I believed that by God’s grace, they would not kill me.

After going to the ATM where they took the money, they said they would not kill me because of two reasons – my confidence in God and the fact that I did not betray or deny Him even at gunpoint, and the fact that I pray for people.

They kept moving and eventually dropped me somewhere. I think it was past 8.50 p.m. or so. I still don’t know which part of Abuja that is. After I left the vehicle, the driver, who appeared to be their commander, called me and gave me my Villa tag. And the Techno phone. I tried to use it to call my boss in the office, but the phone was not working. I don’t know what they did to it. It appeared to have been deactivated.

It was after I was able to get some people to reset it that I was able to put calls through. I still feel so scared. I still feel so afraid of everyone and everything. But I thank God that they did not kill me. I find it difficult to trust anything and anyone around me. Sometimes, I feel like taking to my heels to no where in particular. It was a traumatic experience. I try not to bring back the hard memories but they keep returning. It was a bad experience, really. But, I thank God that they did not kill me. (NAN)

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has listed six conditions that must be met for it to call off their ongoing indefinite strike.

It listed the six conditions in a series of posts via its official X handle (formerly known as Twitter).

The NLC said, first, Chinasa Nwaneri, A Special Adviser to the Imo Governor on Special Duties who allegedly led the attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero and other workers in the State must be arrested and prosecuted.

The union also said all police officers as well as thugs involved in the attack on the labour leader should be arrested, prosecuted and dismissed.

It also demanded the arrest, prosecution and dismissal of the Chief Security Officer in Imo State Government House simply identified as SP Shaba.

“He led, participated and provided cover for thugs to brutalise workers in Imo State,” the NLC alleged.

Another condition given by the labour union was the arrest, persecution and dismissal of an unnamed police area commander who it said supervised the brutalisation of the NLC president and other workers in the state.

The sixth condition for peace was that the former Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Ahmed Barde, must be investigated and prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the assault of the NLC chief.

“Our demands are simple. We want justice,” the group wrote in the X post.

On its website, the union in a post titled: “This strike is a protest against the emerging culture of state violence and impunity” demanded that the administration of President Bola Tinubu should nip in the bud the burgeoning culture of harassment, intimidation, violence and terror.

It said: “We would want Nigerians to not lend themselves to the “private matter” narrative being promoted by agents of government as it is intended to divert attention from the real issues.

“Even as no freedom can be greater than the personal liberty of an individual in a popular democracy, which was violently and viciously violated in Imo, what the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria are fighting through this strike action are serial acts of violence/assault and impunity committed against individuals and organisations by the Nigeria Police Force or under their watchful eye or supervision.

“We make haste to cite three instances here even as there are several others within the brief life of this government.”

The Nigerian government has revealed that 18 of the 177 passengers who were turned back by Saudi authorities on landing in Jeddah were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past.

The revelation came just as the House of Representatives yesterday, launched an investigation into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas to 264 Nigerian on arrival at Jeddah aboard Air Peace.

However, the federal government said the reason for withdrawing the visa from the 159 others was yet unknown.

The revelation by the federal government was contained in a signed statement yesterday, by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Francisca Omayuli.

The statement read: “The attention of the federal government has been drawn to media reports on the cancellation of the visas and subsequent deportation of passengers airlifted from Nigeria on Sunday, 12th November, 2023 to Saudi Arabia.

“According to reports received from the Nigerian Consulate in Jeddah, Air Peace Flight No. P4-752 airlifted 264 passengers from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport and landed at the King Abdulaziz International Airport – Hajj Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday, 13th November, 2023.

“It was on arrival at the Hajj Terminal that the Saudi Immigration authorities informed the passengers that their visas had been cancelled. Consequently, 177 passengers were made to return on the same flight back to Nigeria. While 87 passengers were cleared by immigration and allowed entry into Jeddah.

“The Saudi authorities are yet to give reasons for the cancellation of the visas, except for 18 of the passengers who were outrightly banned from Saudi Arabia for various offences committed in the past.

“Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners, who are willing to guard against a reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident.

“In this regard, investigation is ongoing in both Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The affected passengers are therefore, implored to keep calm, while the matter is being resolved.”

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the matter.

The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved at plenary yesterday, by Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, and four others.

Presenting the motion Nkemkanma recalled that Saudi Arabian authorities cancelled the visa of all the 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s major carrier, Air Peace on arrival at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on Monday, 13th November, 2023.

The lawmaker noted that all the passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System, (APPS), which was also monitored live by the Saudi Arabia authorities before the flight left Nigeria;

He expressed worry that the Nigerian Embassy in Jeddah, even the Saudi immigration personnel could not locate who authorised the cancellation of the visas, even when the APPS which was live between both countries was concluded and the airline was already airborne to Jeddah.

Nkemkanma, said upon the intervention of Nigerian Embassy in Saudi, the authorities were said to have reduced the number of passengers that would be returned back to Nigeria from 264 to 170;

He observed that Saudi Air had been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and that Air Peace had been receiving high patronage and as a Nigerian carrier since it started flight service to the Saudi at relatively lower fares, thereby helping Nigeria to conserve foreign exchange.

The lawmaker expressed concern that stakeholders in the sector have attributed the development to aero-politics, stating that it could be a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route.

He said the stakeholders were of the views that Nigerian carriers could actually be forced out of the route unless the government intervenes, probably using the principle of reciprocity;

Nkemkanma, pointed out that the action of Saudi authorities was an infringement on the letters and intendments of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia which is still in force;

He expressed worry that this unfortunate event and diplomatic slight on Nigeria happened even when the President Bola Tinubu is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

The House, therefore, condmned the embarrassing act of the cancellation of visas of 264 Nigerian on arrival at Saudi Arabia by the countries authorities on Monday, 13th November, 2023;

It urged the federal government of to as a matter of urgency take such diplomatic steps as might be necessary to protect the image of the nation, ensure the full implementation of the BASA, protect Nigerian national Carriers flying into Saudi Arabia and as well protect the Nigerian travelling public; and

It mandated the, “Committees on Foreign Affairs, Interior and Pilgrims Affairs to inquire into the immediate and remote circumstances surrounding the cancellation of already granted visas to 264 Nigerian on arrival at Jeddah aboard Air Peace and to report back within two weeks.”

Olamilekan Sanyaolu, the father of a 14-year-old boy, Mubarak, who was killed by a police stray bullet on November 4, 2021, at Command bus-stop in the Meiran area of Lagos State has welcomed a set of twins with his visually impaired wife, Abidemi.

PUNCH Online learnt that Abidemi gave birth to the newborn babies last week Tuesday.

The babies were christened on Tuesday, November 14, at their church in the Abule Egba area of the state.

The delivery, however, came barely three days after the couple commemorated two years of Mubarak’s death.

The late Mubarak, a vulcaniser apprentice and secondary school student, was hit by a bullet shot by a police officer attached to the Meiran Police Command while returning from his workshop. He died instantly after the bullet ripped his stomach open.

The incident happened while the officers were dispersing tricycle riders who were protesting the killing of their colleague by the police over a N100 bribe.

The mother who is currently blind told our correspondent that the birth of the twins was a consolation to the family after the death of their first child.

This is as the couple claimed they were still seeking justice for their deceased son.

The Federal Government is rolling out and implementing a new policy on expatriate quota that will largely ensure that Nigerians have better employment opportunities in the country.

Consequently, companies that will be focused to consummate the better employment deal, are wholly foreign, joint ventures, or indigenous companies, which engage the services of expatriates.

It was gathered that such companies cut across sectors such as construction, oil and gas, telecoms, manufacturing, and hospitality, among others.

Nigerian professionals are expected to be absorbed into the companies to take jobs for which they are qualified, in line with terms and conditions of the expatriate quota-enabled employment opportunities.

The policy, which details will be made known to the public in about a fortnight, will be implemented by the Ministry of Interior, in concert with the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS. There is, according to credible information, a robust private partnership component that will ensure the seamless execution of the policy.

The process leading to the take-off of the policy and the processes thereafter, as learnt, would not cost the federal government a kobo.

An official of the ministry said the policy was specifically targeted at the over 150,000 expatriates working in the country at the moment.

The official added that “as the number grows over time, they will be accommodated in the revenue-generation net.”

“While keeping close to his chest specific details of the forthcoming policy, he said the projection was that Nigeria, in the next twenty years, would have been well positioned to consistently attract into her revenue kitty about $1.5 billion annually from expatriates working in the country.

This revenue inflow is apart from the Personal Income Tax prescribed by the Personal Income Tax Act, PITA, cap P8 LFN, 2007, as amended, which forms the legal basis for taxation of employment income, including those earned by expatriates working in Nigeria.

The source further disclosed that the revenue could be more in the event that the companies failed to absorb qualified Nigerians into the particular jobs allotted to them (citizens).

Such defaulting companies, it was gathered, would be required to pay some prescribed levy in penalties.

”The move by government to secure Nigerian workers’ slots in the applicable companies is to discourage expatriates from doing jobs for which Nigerians are qualified and thus help to stem the tide of brain or talent drain.” , which has in recent times, partly manifested in the lingering exodus of Nigerians to foreign countries, a situation, which is popularly referred to as Japa, meaning take off. ”The other justification for the policy measure is the economic imperative to open more revenue streams and expand the revenue base of the country from which funding could be provided to develop the nation’s infrastructure projects which could have competed for the nation’s otherwise meagre resources,” the source said.

The federal government has disclosed that Nigerians are expected to pay between N300,000 and N600,000 to convert their petrol vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) Steering Committee, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi revealed this in an interview with Daily Trust after the official commissioning of CNG conversion centres and a demonstration of converted CNG vehicles in partnership with the private sector at the head office of Femadec Group, one of the partners in Lagos.

He also stated that the FG is also planning to establish 10,000 CNG vehicle conversion workshops in the near future.

Addressing the cost of conversion, Oluwagbemi explained that it may range between N300,000 and N600,000, depending on exchange rate compatibility.

He also mentioned that Nigeria aims to begin assembling and manufacturing CNG conversion kits, thereby creating further employment opportunities.

He added, “Currently, we are importing conversion kits, but under this initiative as a relief for Nigerians, the government is offering discounts on the immediate conversion cost and is considering flexible payment options as the committee continues to review the CNG initiative, offering more discounts and incentives.”

Additionally, the committee revealed that the initiative is expected to attract over $2 billion in investments into the Nigerian economy and create more than 250,000 employment opportunities for various professionals.

The Chief Executive Officer of Femadec Limited, Fola Akinola, expressed his anticipation for financing structures from banks through the federal government in addition to P-CNGi’s intervention to support the initiative.

Daniel Okafor, the second son to actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has debunked claims by Stella Okafor, the actor’s wife, that Jasmine, Mr. Ibu’s adopted child, hijacked his bank account.

Stella took to her Instagram page on Sunday to allege that Jasmine hijacked the bank account where money was donated for the ailing actor by well-meaning Nigerians.

Her post partly read, “I do not have access to the main Access bank account where people make donations. It is being secretly controlled by Jazmine yet she is cooking up all kinds of lies and propaganda against me to keep absolute control of that account. How she manipulated her way and took control of that account is a story for another day.”

PUNCH Online contacted Jasmine, who stated that she had no comment.

“I do not want to be involved with the online drama, at least not yet. I am more concerned for Daddy’s well-being,” she said.

Jasmine suggested that our correspondent speak with Mr. Ibu’s son, who introduced himself as Daniel Okafor.

“My name is Daniel Okafor; I am John Okafor’s second son.

“There is no truth in what Stella Maris has been sharing online. Jasmine does not have access to that account; I have access to it. I am the signatory to the account and my father’s next of kin.”

Daniel also disclosed that Stella Maris is his stepmother, refusing to share more details about his mother.

“She is my step mother. My mother is not around at the moment,” Daniel said.

By Peter Moses


Senate President Godswill Akpabio has described Nigeria’s legislature as the least misunderstood arm of government, saying the body has always been the subject of attacks and ridicule.

He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the 100th birthday colloquium in honour Senator Kunle Oyero, a member of the Senate in the Second Republic, representing Ogun Central.

The colloquium themed “Legislation in Nigeria: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” was organised by the Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys’ Association (AGSOBA).

The panel session moderated by a veteran journalist and former Presidential Spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, had Chief Akin Delano, SAN, Prof Idowu Adegbite, Prof Ademola Araoye and Prof Oluwole Akinbode, as discussants.

In his remarks, Akpabio said a number of Nigerians don’t even see the necessity of the legislature.

Represented by the Ogun Central Senator, Shuaib Afolabi Salis, the Senate President told critics of the National Assembly that if there was legislature in place in 2007, the country would have since had a life president.

“The one arm of government that people don’t really understand and it’s always a subject of ridicule and attack is the legislature. In fact, people sometimes don’t think the legislature is doing anything at all.

“But picture a situation where there was no legislature in 2007, there would have been a life president in Nigeria. Picture a situation in Nigeria where there was no legislature, a number of things would have gone wrong in Nigeria.

“Because people don’t understand the legislature, there is also a problem. Like someone puts it, Legislators are sometimes the victim of the system.

“I gave Dr Reuben Abati (a moderator at the event) a few examples. In the ninth legislature, there were some senators that even from afar, you could say they were doing what senators should do. They were moving motions, sponsoring bills and making the right interventions.

“In the chamber, roles of the legislature are three: making laws, oversight function and appropriation. Most of those senators were doing those things, but guess what? None of them returned back. This is because the metric of measuring the performance (of senators) by the people who vote is different from what the syllabus dictates.

“The syllabus will say as a legislator your role is to make law, perform oversight and make appropriation, those are the three things a legislator is expected to do. But any senator, any member of the National Assembly that confines himself to that will not get a return ticket even in his party.

“… because the metric of measuring the performance of legislators is the number of transformers…’Distinguished Senator, my wife has put to bed, ‘Distinguished Senator, my mother-in-law is dead’, ‘Distinguished Senator, I want to do a freedom ceremony from my apprenticeship,” among other requests are those of the things that people who truly vote, measure your performances with.”

He expressed worry that the elite have left the voting power to those “who do not understand the choices before them,” and asked them to take keen interest and participation in the election process.

Akpabio described Oyero as the last of Nigerian Senate’s living legend and assured him that the Red Chamber would continue to follow his footprints.

The AGSOBA Global President, Sunday Oduntan said the colloquium was meant to immortalize Oyero while alive, describing him as a blessing to the school and Nigeria.

Oduntan also unveiled planned construction of a bridge named “Senator Kunle Oyero Bridge”, in honour of the celebrant.

The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Femi Okunrounmu asked the current lawmakers in the country to emulate Oyero’s virtues for Nigeria to become a better place.

“The Senate of Senator Kunle Oyero’s days jealously guarded the principles of separation of powers between the executive and the legislature and would not tolerate any form of executive interference in matters that were constitutionally the province of the legislature.

“Many, like Senator Kunle Oyero, served with honour and integrity, with the welfare of their constituents and indeed, of the nation, foremost in their consciousness. They saw their primary duty as serving the people without counting the cost.

“It is my hope that many of our youths today, particularly those aspiring to enter politics, will take a cue from and seek to uphold the legacy which our celebrant of today has so honourably bequeathed to them. If they do, Nigeria can yet rise again!,” the elder statesman said.

A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit on Friday questioned the financial capacity of the central bank to clear $6 billion forex backlogs owed to banks, noting that CBN “lacks the firepower” to perform such activity.

It also claimed the central bank lacks the experience to conduct a foreign currency float leading to a negative outlook for the naira.

Recall that last week, the naira appreciated heavily following reports that the apex bank had begun clearing debts owed to banks. The apex bank’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, in a terse message sent to our correspondent confirmed this, noting, “CBN has started off setting the fx forwards backlog.”

But the EIU in its new country report for Nigeria noted that there would be continued currency losses due to the large size of the parallel market and the low foreign exchange reserve of the country, stressing that the authorities haven’t shown enough willingness to implement an orthodox monetary policy to address the issues weighing on the naira, such as severely negative short-term real interest rates.

It added that additional demand in the formal market will be met with constrained supply due to the recent decision to eliminate import limitations on 43 imported commodities.

The report read partly, “An unsupportive monetary policy implies that the naira will remain under pressure, and the CBN lacks the firepower to adequately supply the market or clear a backlog of foreign exchange orders, valued at over US$6bn, which will keep foreign investors unnerved.

“Official foreign reserves are reported at US$33bn, but up to one-third of the assets are encumbered, tied up in derivative contracts or loans. In the short to medium term, the official exchange rate will continue to be propped up by access restrictions, implying long lead times at the NFEM.

“However, we do not expect lasting commitment to a market-led naira, as the CBN lacks experience in conducting monetary policy under a float. High inflation and a continued spread with the parallel market will leave the exchange-rate regime unstable and result in periodic devaluations.

Fresh indications have emerged on why the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, may have suspended the impeachment plot against his successor and Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, investigation has revealed.

THISDAY gathered that Wike’s decision to halt the impeachment plot was to avert a possible exposure of the purported dossier of himself and the governor to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Before the electioneering, the EFCC had declared Fubara a wanted person, along with 58 others, over an alleged misuse of N435 billion.

It is believed that Fubara, who was the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), Governor’s Office, and later Accountant General of the state, could not have mismanaged the said amount without the knowledge or consent of Wike, who was the governor.

Fubara, before his election, was the governor, was the Accountant General of Rivers State.
He was said to have narrowly escaped EFCC’s arrest on many occasions, including in Abuja while submitting his governorship nomination form in the run-up to the general election, and also at the Port Harcourt airport.

Sources privy to the intrigues in the politics of the state revealed that Wike’s decision to handpick him was a strategic plan aimed at ensuring that the immunity that would cover him as governor would shield him from arrest and prosecution.

Wike’s camp is said to be concerned that once the governor is impeached, and arrested by the EFCC, he would expose all alleged suspicious financial transactions of the state government as the former Accountant General of the state under Wike’s administration.

“If the allegation against Fubara is true, there is no way that he could have mismanaged N435 billion without the consent of an active governor like Wike. Close watchers of the politics of the state suspect that a lot of public funds were channelled into Wike’s failed presidential ambition.

“Fubara was taking the bullet for Wike and it was in return that he earned the trust of the governor to make him the sole candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State. So, the peace accord, to most of us, was to avoid further exposure that could be detrimental to the political career of the former governor, now FCT minister.

“Though Wike is serving in an All Progressives Congress (APC) government, he may still be nursing further political ambition and any fight with Fubara may not be in his best interest,” one of the sources explained on condition of anonymity.

Also, it was gathered that the impeachment plan may have also been temporarily halted because of the ethnic colouration it assumed.
The state mainly comprises the upland populated by the Ikwerre people and the riverine people made up of the Ijaw people.
The current governor is of the Ijaw stock.

In addition to the ethnic colouration, President Bola Tinubu, and other governors were also said to have intervened.

The source added: “No doubt, the planned impeachment generated tension in the riverine areas where oil exploration is taking place and this would have affected the economy negatively. Most Ijaws believe that this is their time and therefore in one way or the other, they will try to resist the plot if Wike presses further. If the Ijaws feel that their interest is being jeopardised, oil production will suffer and the economy will be adversely affected.”

Since the return to civil rule, after the aborted Second Republic, only former governor Ada George, an Ijaw man from the Riverine area, had occupied the Bricks Building, the official seat of power in the state.

The ethnic slant manifested in the way the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of all Ijaw people, and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) reacted to the impeachment plot.

Both groups had slammed Wike, over his claim that he owns the political structure of Rivers State.

In a statement signed by the INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the group posited that the political structure in Rivers should not and cannot be anyone’s personal property, including Wike.

The INC said Wike inherited the political architecture from past governors of the state and should also pass the structure to his successor, stressing that he cannot lay claim to it anymore.

The group had also stated that the Ijaw people would stand for and by one of their own because no one had identified any wrongdoing or crime the governor had committed against the state.

“The Ijaw will stand for and by one of their own – His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, particularly because no one has identified a single wrong or crime he has committed against the state as a citizen and as governor to warrant an impeachment attempt or any form of attack.
“It is important to note that politics is just one of the vital components of a people’s culture. Therefore, we have no apologies for being politically conscious of the damning existential threat the case in point portends,” he added.

According to the group, Fubara had received accolades from all the tribes and sections of Rivers State and beyond as a technocrat with a robust sense of public service background.
“He is an open and kind-hearted gentleman and a very unassuming, humane, prudent manager of the meagre resources available to him,” the group added.

Chairman of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has described Nigeria as the world’s best kept secret in terms of investments and returns.

Addressing Saudi Arabia at an ongoing summit in the oil-rich nation, Africa’s richest man said Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, will be unearthed to the world as a foremost global investment haven.

“What I always say about Nigeria is that it is the world’s best kept secret in terms of investments and returns. We are also looking to ensure that our investments are a two-way process. Nigerian companies have a lot of value to add to the Saudi economy, and we look forward to working together in expanding our Nigerian operations as well.”

“The soon coming launch of the Nigeria-Saudi Business Council will be a huge opportunity for both countries to expand on what has been established here,” he said.

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister, Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, previewed how his country can further contribute to the soft infrastructural reforms needed to unlock game-changing quantum of foreign direct investment in Nigeria.

“We have signed an agreement with the World Economic Forum on the reform of the services sector in Africa. In developed economies, the services sector contributes enormously to GDP. But in the developing world, we tend to focus on goods.”

“So, we would like to make Nigeria the pilot country in this agreement with WEF to study Nigeria’s service challenges to make it seamless and make the supply chains across sectors streamlined and raised to international standard to enhance Nigeria’s economic and investment viability over the long-term,” he stated.

At the Investor Roundtable, dozens of Chief Executive Officers from several Saudi conglomerates specializing in construction, finance, new and traditional energy, healthcare, agriculture, electric power, mining, aviation, telecommunications, creative arts, and hospitality were present and made their exploratory pitches to President Tinubu on areas of tangible collaboration.

The Nigerian government delegation comprised of the Executive Governors of Bauchi, Niger and Katsina States; Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Minister of Budget & Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri.

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has paid N1.39 billion to 36,163 depositors of 110 closed microfinance banks and three primary mortgage banks.

According to the CEO of NDIC, Bello Hassan, this followed the recent revocation of some MFBs and PMBs licences by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), revealing that the payments of the statutory insured sums are still ongoing.

The NDIC boss explained that depositors with funds exceeding the insured limit would receive liquidation dividends after recovering debts and selling the closed banks’ physical assets.

Hassan disclosed this at the corporation’s ‘Special Day’ at the 2023 Lagos International Trade Fair on Thursday in Lagos.

Hassan said the corporation promptly commenced the liquidation of these banks and began disbursing insured sums to depositors within a record time of three days of the banks’ closure.

“In another development, the corporation is currently in the process of verifying and paying liquidation dividends to depositors and stakeholders of 20 banks in liquidation, including Allied Bank, Peak Merchant Bank, Commerce Bank, Continental Merchant Bank, Financial Merchant Bank, Fortune Bank, Gulf Bank, Hallmark Bank, Icon Merchant Bank, Liberty Bank, Nigeria Merchant Bank, North South Bank, Premier Commercial Bank, Prime Merchant Bank, Progress Bank, and Merchant Bank,” he said.

Hassan urged the public, especially traders and businesspeople, to keep their funds in licensed banks, advising them to avoid patronising wonder banks and Ponzi schemes. “The NDIC, in its efforts to boost depositors’ confidence in the financial landscape, has continued to address genuine cases of infractions and complaints in relation to their respective insured institutions,” said Mr Hassan.

Only 20 directors out of 85 initially invited to seat for promotion to the post of Permanent Secretary in the federal civil service have successfully scaled through the exercise.

The successful ones are expected to participate in the final stage of Information Communication Technology (ICT) test slated for today in Abuja.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), Dr. Folasade Yemi- Esan, disclosed this yesterday following release of the results. She explained that out of the 85 candidates, four of them did not show up for the examination, in what she alluded to fear.

Yemi- Esan said there was need to emphasize meritocracy and integrity of the selection process. “It should not be about the number of successful candidates but the quality of the candidates.”

According to her, President Bola Tinubu has by this exercise further assured that he is not pressured by any socio-political interest to compromise the present system of subjecting all candidates to various levels of assessment to test their competence.

Obinna Chima


One of the promises made by President Bola Tinubu on assumption of office was that his administration would cut down on the over-reliance on borrowing for public expenditure.
In fact, Tinubu said he was going to curtail government’s borrowing so as to reduce debt service burden on the country.

Besides, Tinubu told Nigerians that his “fuel subsidy is gone” pronouncement on May 29 would lead to significant savings and resource re-allocation for the country.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions,” he had said.

But many Nigerians were taken aback when last week the president sought the approval of the National Assembly for his government to access fresh external loans of $7.8 billion and €100 million as contained in the 2022 – 2024 borrowing plan of the federal government, despite having full knowledge of the country’s debt challenge.

The request for the fresh loans was contained in a letter the president sent to both chambers of the National Assembly, which was read at plenary by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Tinubu explained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under former President Muhammad Buhari had approved the loan facility on May 15, 2023, to finance infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, security and other sectors. He said African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank Group (WBG) had indicated interest to assist the country in mitigating the economic shocks and effects of recent reforms with a sum of $1 billion and $2 billion, respectively.

Tinubu said the foreign loans became necessary in order to bridge the financial gap and return the economic activities of the country to normalcy. He noted that if the loan request was granted, the funds would be used to develop infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, security and employment, as well as financial management reforms.

He said, “The project cuts across all sectors with specific emphasis on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, security and employment as well as financial management reforms, among others.”

However, the move has elicited reactions from Nigerians, considering that the country appears to be approaching a debt trap.
More so, since the president had informed Nigerians that about N1 trillion was saved from petrol subsidy removal, less than two months after the policy was scrapped, the expectation was that the savings would have increased significantly, with the funds deployed to address the issues he was seeking to borrow for.

With the country’s total public debt at N87.38 trillion at the end of the second quarter of 2023, the fresh loans the Tinubu administration seeks to raise would definitely elevate the number further.

The items listed on the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget, which was passed by the National Assembly last week, are also not encouraging, as they seem to show that the present administration has decided to continue on same path as the Buhari government, by getting into debts and ambitious recurrent expenditure. Indeed, considering the state of the country’s finances, many believe no government that means well for its citizens would be talking about spending N7.20 billion for electrical/mechanical installations, buildings and infrastructure at the president’s and vice president’s residences, offices, State House Auditorium, Presidential and Ministerial Airport Chalets.

And no serious government would plan to spend N1.96 billion on vehicle purchase for the Presidency and the First Lady’s office, and N59 million for maintenance of State House Lagos Complex and Guest Houses, among others, at a time when the administration is asking Nigerians to tighten their belts.

In place of vehicle importation that further depletes the country’s scarce forex, the federal government can take a leaf out of the Lagos State government’s book.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently, inaugurated a new vehicle assembly plant through a joint venture between the state government and CIG Motors – a Chinese automobile company. The facility will be jointly-run by the state government and its partner for the production of different classes of brand-new cars and already, 2,000 units of brand new GAC vehicles had been successfully assembled in the state, ahead of the formal opening of the facility.

Why didn’t Tinubu just for once show leadership by personal example and embrace made in Nigerian SUVs or cars?

Sure, this would have put our lawmakers in a difficult situation, and rather than opt for imported SUVs, they would have had no choice but to embrace locally assembled cars or SUVs. As a matter of government policy, it should be made mandatory for all public office holders patronise made in Nigeria products as an initial first stop to turning the economy away from import-dependent to home-grown.

This is an initiative that ought to be embraced by all levels of government in the country in order to reset Nigeria, create jobs and strengthen the naira.

Imagine how much foreign exchange would have been saved from this singular move. But we missed the opportunity yet again.
It is important to note that by securitising the country’s NLNG dividends, as reported a few days ago, the government is also mortgaging the future income streams of Nigerians.

Currently, the country is feeling the challenge of high debt service cost, with only a small fraction of its financial receipts always available for the much-needed investment in infrastructure.

The implication of the fresh borrowing is the potential of an imminent debt trap in which the country would neither be able to meet its debt service obligations nor meet its obligation to its over 200 million citizens through funding of capital and recurrent expenditure.
This comes with numerous other socio-economic consequences impacting on some of the key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty, hunger, health, education, as well as issues of social unrest, crime.

Clearly, if debt service cost continues to claim an increasingly large proportion of government revenue, fewer resources would be available to the government to meet its other obligations and fund infrastructure, a situation which could see the government deploying more of its borrowed funds to meet recurrent expenditure.

That is why, just like President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, recently demanded, the Tinubu administration should come clean on the amount it has saved through the removal of petrol subsidy.
Since the president made the announcement that N1 trillion was saved from petrol subsidy removal in July, nothing else has been said about the amount that had accrued so far, thereby fuelling speculation that petrol subsidy payment has returned.

Osifo, while speaking during a programme on Arise News Channel, demanded to know where the money saved since the removal of petrol subsidy had gone into. He explained that since the government announced that N1 trillion had been saved, there was no reason to continue to borrow.

Osifo said, “The President and Commander-in-Chief on his own came and said the country had saved N1 trillion. The federal government went everywhere to announce that if subsidy is removed, it’s going to save substantial money.”

He added, “We don’t expect them to go everywhere and start borrowing money. They told us they are going to save money. So where is the money that you have saved and how have they deployed this money?”

The Tinubu government must tell Nigerians about the savings from petrol subsidy removal. In addition, it has to work towards improving domestic revenue mobilisation, block leakages, improve tax efficiency, and unlock opportunities, especially, at the sub-national level. It also has to tackle crude oil theft.

There is also an urgent need for leadership at the federal and state levels to embark on fundamental and structural changes that would make them look more inward and save the country from a debt crisis.

Each of the 36 states has massive natural resources that remain relatively docile. Government at all levels must fast-track initiatives that would unlock the private sector-driven potential so as to stimulate the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Six manufacturing companies have suffered a combined loss of N166.3 billion in their nine months financial results for the period ended September 31, 2023.

The companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited are Nestle Nigeria, Cadbury Nigeria, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Nigerian Breweries, International Breweries and Champion Breweries.

LEADERSHIP reports that rising interest rates and naira devaluation have continued to impact negatively on the operations of the manufacturing sector.

The naira devaluation has led to increased operating costs for multinationals whose major costs, including finance costs, are denominated in foreign currencies.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) increased the monetary policy rate, also known as its benchmark interest rate, for the eighth consecutive time in July by 25 basis points to 18.75 percent.

This puts more pressure on the margins of FMCG companies already dealing with double-digit inflation rate and weak purchasing power of cash-strapped consumers.

Speaking on the development, an economist at BancTrust & Co, Omobola Adu said, “We are seeing the result of the naira devaluation which is affecting the financial performance of companies with foreign currency-denominated loans in their books.”

He said coupled with high-cost pressures, which are reducing people’s spending on discretionary items, FMCG firms’ challenges have worsened, saying that the impact of the FX devaluation made it worse.

Nigerian Breweries, in a statement signed by the company secretary/legal director, Uaboi Agbebaku, said a combination of foreign exchange losses due to the devaluation of the naira and higher interest costs resulted in the company’s net loss during the period.

On his part, deputy president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa, stated that “a lot of manufacturers are getting more money from banks at a higher interest because of the rising inflation.

“Manufacturers need more working capital because of the high cost of production in order to meet the same production capacity,” he added.

Former minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, recently said, “Finance is insufficient and the cost of funds in Nigeria is high, typically between 15 per cent and 20 per cent. Relative to its competitors, Nigeria has a remarkably low domestic credit to GDP ratio and the credit, too expensive due to a combination of factors including high treasury rates, high inflation, infrastructure deficit, inefficiencies, among others.

“Also, available tenures on credit facilities are too short and cannot be used for long-term competitive businesses. The short-term facilities in Nigeria are best suited for trading. There is no access to development finance including risk capital for infrastructure and yet the country needs about $1.5 trillion over ten years to close its current infrastructure deficit.”

He noted that there is also a shortage of dollars for the importation of intermediate inputs and machinery for manufacturers, saying “the cost is higher due to the exchange rate.

“If not well managed this could lead to the collapse of some industries and scarcity of products,” he warned.

According to him, Nigeria must review the legal framework for alternative financing sources such as private equity and venture capital funds, and development funds for infrastructure development.

“The country’s development financial institutions, such as the Development Bank of Nigeria (BOI), Bank of Agriculture and Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) are unable to meet the needs of Nigerians because they are grossly undercapitalized,” he added.

Also, president of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Francis Meshioye, called on the federal government to constitute a financial institution, a bank of manufacturing, whose sole mandate will be to offer financial services to operators in the real sector of the economy.

Meshioye stated that Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, as a catalyst for the nation’s economic growth, is rather too big to be without a bank specifically designed to take care of its financial interests and needs.

He insisted: “The government should make some funds available for the manufacturing sector and accessing such funds should not require the guarantee of the commercial banks since they are always reluctant to give such guarantee because they do not find it attractive to their business.

“But if a mechanism that will make it easier to access such funds is put in place, we are willing to work with the government to ensure that it works.”

Meshioye however noted that “while it is true that there is Bank of Industry (BOI), it cannot really serve the interest of the manufacturing sector effectively because the industry is big.

“We, therefore, need a manufacturing bank like we have Bank of Agriculture that will be dedicated solely for manufacturers,” he added.

By Abdulqudus Ogundapo

Etekemba Umoren, now appointed a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) from Akwa Ibom State.

In August 2018, Etekemba Umoren, now appointed a Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) from Akwa Ibom State, underwent what could best be described as an induction into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), video evidence confirming his strong tie to the ruling party and open partisanship has shown.

The event was overseen by the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was then the Senate Minority leader.

During the rally in Akwa Ibom State, Mr Akpabio welcomed Mr Umoren and other members of the state executive council of Udom Emmanuel, who are defecting to the APC in a show of loyalty to their principal, Mr Akpabio.

“From today have you accepted that Akwa Ibom State should become APC, and that old things have passed away?” Mr Akpabio asked Mr Umoren on stage as he handed him a broom, the emblem of the APC.

“If you say so, collect the broom, wave to the crowd here and tell them they’re in safe hands.”

Mr Umoren collected the broom, shook it vigorously to the crowd and chanted the party’s slogan. “APC! APC! Akwa Ibom, you are in safe hands,” he told the audience, still shaking the broom.

Illegal appointments

Five years later, in defilement of the constitution, President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Umoren a REC from Akwa Ibom despite the clear prohibition of appointing partisan persons to the electoral commission.

“A member of the Commission shall be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity,” Paragraph 14 (2), Item F, third schedule of the 1999 Constitution states.

The Senate led by Mr Akpabio, who inducted Mr Umoren into the party, upheld the illegality by confirming his appointment.

Another member of his party appointed into the commission is Isah Shaka, the REC from Edo State.

Meanwhile, two others are found to be long-time loyalists of Mr Tinubu and his Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

While Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the newly appointed Lagos REC had enjoyed Mr Tinubu’s political patronage, the newly appointed Rivers REC, Anugbum Onuoha, is a long-time ally and a relative of Mr Wike.


Poor attempt at denial

Despite the abundance of evidence that the illegally appointed REC from Akwa Ibom state is a member of the ruling APC, the party is attempting to sway public opinion by denying his membership.

Leading a group of party members to address a press conference on Sunday, Eseme Eyiboh, the spokesperson to Mr Akpabio claimed Mr Umoren was not a member of the ruling party.

Mr Eyiboh, who said he was speaking on behalf of the party leaders in Akwa Ibom State, noted that Mr Umoren appearing in APC regalia, does not automatically imply he was a member of the party.

He was silent about the video that showed Mr Umoren chanting the APC slogan as he brandished the party’s emblem, a broom, in public.

Mr Eyiboh claimed Mr Umoren was a bureaucrat and not a politician, adding that his service as a permanent secretary, chief of staff and then secretary to the state government was to the government and not to a political party.

He said: “The member of a political party must be not just a card-carrying member, he must be in financial standing with that political party. He must be among the registered members and prescription has nothing to do with uniform or mode of dressing.”

He added: “I have also seen that he wore the uniform of APC. The law is very strict and there is a plethora of Supreme Court cases on who is a member of a political party.

“For you to take an ordinary mode of dressing – the member of an organisation is not determined by their clothing by membership of that organisation. Every organisation has its criteria for its membership.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the APC in Akwa Ibom, Otoabasi Udo, said what Mr Eyiboh disclosed at the press briefing is the position of the APC in the state.

“He is an APC person. He is the spokesperson for the Senate President who is an APC member. What he is saying is not out of the position of the APC,” Mr Udo told PREMIUM TIMES.

As the Jim Obazee-led special investigative panel probing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wraps up its assignment, influential Nigerians fingered in various financial infractions are jostling to meet with President Bola Tinubu to secure a soft landing.

Top on the list are top importers, manufacturers and politically-exposed businessmen who are allegedly neck deep in foreign exchange round-tripping totalling over $5 billion.

It was gathered that presidential aides are blocking these persons from having access to Tinubu in order not to affect the investigation nor its outcome.

Reliable sources told Daily Sun that President Tinubu is not ready to listen because “he wants to cleanse the financial ecosystem and plant the economy on a success path.”

“Those fingered in any infractions will be made to face the full wrath of the law because there are no sacred cows. They’re part of the reasons the foreign exchange market is in disarray and efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy and confidence in the system.

“I know many of them are lobbying seriously to meet with President Tinubu to secure some sort of soft landing, including returning the FX and avoiding prosecution. The panel has uncovered a lot of things and many of these influential people are currently on the investigative dashboard of the panel. Their staff have been grilled and a lot has been uncovered. The full report will be ready any moment from now”, a source close to the panel told Daily Sun”.

It was also discovered that members of the investigative panel have been receiving threatening messages since they lifted the lid on various financial malfeasances of FX traffickers whose firms have also come under investigation.

In July, President Tinubu constituted a special investigative panel to probe the apex bank and other Government-owned businesses.

He directed the team to report directly to his office to insulate them from hurtful bureaucratic bottlenecks.

In September, the panel extended its dragnet to companies and establishments owned by top shots of the apex bank and board members.

While the companies were kept under wraps as investigations deepened, Daily Sun, however, gathered that some of them were believed to be used as conduits for anchor borrowers’ loans and foreign exchange rackets; as there are no commensurate investments on ground to justify the hefty facilities.

In the course of the investigation, former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and his deputies resigned and were replaced with a fresh team led by Dr. Yemi Cardoso.

In August, the apex bank released its Consolidated Financial Statements for the last seven years, making it the first time since 2015 that the apex bank will open its book available for public scrutiny.

Scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas also known as cooking gas has hit Lagos and some other states in the country.

The other affected states, according to findings by our correspondents are: Katsina, Sokoto, Delta, Kaduna and Kano.

The rise in price of the commodity has been noticed since late last month, causing a continuous rise in prices, The PUNCH has learnt.

The PUNCH had earlier reported how gas terminal owners increased price by 66 per cent in October alone. Price of 20 metric tons of cooking gas rose from N10m at the beginning of last month to N16 million as of late last month despite NLNG currently supplying 20MT of cooking gas to them at N9m.

Market survey carried out by The PUNCH over the weekend, revealed that 12.5kg of cooking gas now sells for between N13,500 and N14,000 at the black market.

Some of the traders informed The PUNCH that gas plant owners now sell to them at between N1100-N1200 per 1kg as they could not access enough quantity.

As of June, the price of 12.5kg was around N8, 700. In September price rose to N10, 200, and as of Saturday, price had again risen to between N13, 500-N14, 000.

In a chat with President, the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Oladapo Olatunbosun on Sunday, The PUNCH learnt that there is currently not enough cooking gas in Lagos state.

“In my own gas plant, I sell at N950 per 1kg. So, by all means, the masses should try not to patronise those that don’t have gas plants because they will also add their profit. Those people are also part of the problem we are facing in the country.

Our correspondent in Katsina also reported scarcity of cooking gas in the state.

According to findings, the scarcity was first observed about two weeks ago as several small retailers complained of non-availability. Investigation has also shown that a kilogram of cooking gas goes for nothing less than N1, 400 in the state. No official reason had been given for the scarcity.

Scarcity of cooking gas has also been noticed in Sokoto State metropolis in the last few days, leading to prices being increased indiscriminately.

Our correspondent in Kaduna reported that residents were spotted carrying their cylinders in search of the commodity as of Sunday. Findings showed that a retail price of 5 kilogram went for N5, 500.

In the neighbouring Kano state, our correspondent disclosed that the resurfacing of scarcity of cooking was noticed, as residents are engaging in panic buying of the commodity.


An investigation by The Punch showed that following the resurfacing of the scarcity, marketers have jerked up the prices as kilogram of cooking gas is now being sold at N850 in some filling stations while others sold it between N900 and N950 per kilogram.

However, long queue of buyers are now common feature at most of filling stations dispensing the commodity.

At other outlets (black market) the price is between N1,110 per kilo and N1200 per kilo.

In Delta State, investigations by our correspondent in Warri and Effurun metropolitan cities show that the price of cooking gas has shot up to N1,100 per kg as of Sunday, 5th November, 2023.

The commodity was selling at N800 per kg in October in the twin cities.

When questioned on the rationale for the price increase, a popular gas dealer in Warri identified as Mr. Igho, could not ascertain the cause.

When contacted, an official in the Public Communications Department of the Nigeria Gas Company, Warri, who sought for anonymity, because he was not authorized to speak with the press, declined to comment on the issue.

“It is not in my position to engage the press the way the new NNPCL is structured”, he simply told our correspondent.

Meanwhile reports from Abuja and Kwara showed that consumers are not experiencing scarcity though prices remain high.

In Abuja, a resident of Karu, in AMAC Area Council of Abuja, Roy, told our correspondent that while there was no scarcity of cooking gas in his vicinity, his experience was a mix of liquefied gas and pure gas, which no longer lasted as long as it used to.

“So for me, the problem I’m having is it liquefies. So insted of having the normal gas, you end up with like seventy percent gas, and thirty percent liquid that’s inside the cylinder, for whatever you buy.

So initially we were not even aware, until we noticed that when we shake the cylinder, it’s always leaving the liquefied part under. So it ends within like two or three weeks before the normal period when it should last”, he said.

Another resident, Sandra, told our correspondent that there was no scarcity of cooking gas, but noted that it had become expensive.

“I bought gas today at Abacha road in Mararaba. 12.5kg for N13,500. I wouldn’t say there is scarcity, just that it has become expensive”, she said.


Agreeing, another Kubwa resident, Cecilia, said, “It’s not scarce in my area, there’s just a price increase. I bought last Wednesday at N1000 per Kg. Plus it doesn’t last as long as it used to”.

Punch investigation in Kwara, however showed that the commodity is available in most of the filling stations.

A dealer operating an outlet at Gaa Odota in Ilorin identified as chief Sunday Oladele told Punch correspondent that gas was available at his outlet adding that a kilogram was being sold at N1,200.

“Cooking gas is available in Kwara state. I have it in my outlet which I sell at N1,200 per kg. We have not experienced scarcity in Kwara. There is also gas at Ogbomoso in Oyo state where I have another outlet and it is being sold at N1,100 per kg.

The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited currently supplies the market 70 per cent of the cooking gas being consumed in-country, according to Olatunbosun.

There are claims that Nigeria had the fastest growing LPG sector in the world with a projected LPG market size of $10bn, as the annual per capita consumption of LPG had risen from 1.8kilogramme in 2015 to 5kg in 2021. According to the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, domestic consumption of cooking gas exceeded 1 million MT in 2020. It said the consumption rate made 2020 the first year in the nation’s history when LPG consumption reached the 1 million MT thresholds.

Olabosun also told The PUNCH that prices of cooking gas would have further increased from N16m for 20MT to N18m were it not for the alarm raised by gas plants owners over rising prices.

“As a matter of fact, prices would have further exploded more than it is now if not for the noise that we have been making. But prices are beginning to reduce at standard gas plants. It shouldn’t be more than N1000 per 1kg, and it will continue to go down,” he added.

A source told The PUNCH on Sunday that the Federal Government had summoned the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over rising prices.

“The Federal Government summoned the NMDPRA in October and reinstated its mandate at bringing sanity to the market. So, all things being equal, prices of cooking gas would begin to come down any moment,” the source who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak on the matter told The Punch on Sunday.

Olatunbosun had in September warned that the price of 12.5kg could rise to N18,000 by December if the FG does not step in to checkmate the activities of the terminal owners.

“There is a ridiculous hike in gas prices going on right now, and I am afraid that if the federal government does not step in to checkmate the activities of these terminal owners, prices could reach as high as N18 million per metric ton by December. This means that a 12.5kg could go as high as N18,000,” he told The PUNCH.

According to him; terminal owners were “hiding under the guise of high foreign exchange to increase price to further increase the suffering of the masses,” he said, adding that there was no justification for the increment.

In response to The PUNCH, terminal owners however, debunked the allegations, and blamed the rising prices on forex and increasing prices of crude oil at the international market.

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed Promise Wosu, a former Chief Security Officer to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike as the new commander of Special Protection Unit tagged Base 6 in Rivers State, according to signals obtained by SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters gathered that Nwosu was deployed to head the special unit days after he was sacked as the CSO to the current Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

His sack may not be unconnected with the move by some members of the State House of Assembly allegedly acting on the directive of ex-Governor Wike to impeach Fubara.

The SPU which Nwosu now heads in Rivers was established in 2009 to fortify security around VIPS and diplomats.

Two other loyalists and former aides of the FCT minister in the police force were also deployed to head the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and ‘Operation Sting’.

They are Irikefe London Owen, a former Camp Commandant of Rivers Government House and Emmanuel Nwakanme.

Operation Sting was a special state security outfit launched by Wike in 2019 while governing the state.

According to sources, the move was to hijack all the security architecture in Rivers State in favour of the FCT Minister and easy impeachment of Governor Fubara

“Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of FCT had imposed the sacked CSO, Promise Wosu, Camp Commandant of Government House, Irikefe London and Emmanuel Nwakanma to head police tactical squads in Rivers State,” a senior police officer said in a message to SaharaReporters.

“This is to give way for easy impeachment of his successor Fubara. They are to head CTU, SPU and Operation Sting in Rivers State.”

A signal signed by AIG Olarewaju Yomi Oladimeji, Police Force Secretary and dated October 31st, 2023 also confirmed the posting of the senior officers to the various tactical units.

Last week, the political situation in Rivers became a full-blown crisis when the State House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Fubara who assumed office in May after Wike’s eight-year double terms.

The governor is being accused of acts of gross misconduct unbecoming of his office.

On Sunday night, a section of the assembly complex was gutted by fire.

There were speculations that the fire incident was orchestrated to prevent the lawmakers from initiating impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

The governor on Monday visited the assembly complex to inspect the level of damage but his convoy was shot at and teargassed by policemen.

President Bola Tinubu has since met with Fubara and Wike as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.

What action did you take at last?

When the date they gave me elapsed, I called him and his wife and told them that I was no longer interested. I told them I was going to get married to anyone that was serious. I told them to refund all my money. And my father was giving me pressure to remarry because he didn’t want me to die without remarrying, so, I accepted the man I remarried now.


Why didn’t you approach the court earlier than you did?

We started having problems when I told them to refund my money. At that point, my daughter and her husband blocked my number from accessing them via phone. I kept trying to call them but in vain. I later went to their house to check them. Getting to their house, I knocked at the gate and my daughter came out. After opening the gate, she went inside and came out few minutes later, wearing a nose mask. As she opened the gate, I was about going in while she wanted to go out of the house. I asked where she was going. I told her I came to see her but she said she was going to call her husband. I said she should call him on phone but she said she didn’t have airtime.

She insisted on going out but I ordered her to go inside. She pushed with force, insisting that she would go out. It was at that point that I held her and gave her a dirty slap. She started shouting that I came to kidnap her and people should save her. She said I was a kidnapper and I became scared because the people who came on rescue mission were armed with cutlasses, but luckily, they knew me as her mother because I was the one paying their house rent and buying them food. But she was running and shouting that I wanted to kidnap her. Some people started saying that maybe she was under the influence of a spirit. It was the people in the area that informed me of the location of her husband, so I traced him there and met him.

What happened after that?

I met him at Fodio Plaza with little children, most of who were orphans. I knew some of them, so, I asked them to leave. I asked why his number had not been going through and he confirmed to me that he had blocked my line. I asked if that was how he wanted to pay me back.

I told him to refund all the money he extorted from me and he said he didn’t like what I was doing to him, saying my wealth was an inheritance that he too would benefit from. I told him that he had no right to inherit my property and he said he was marrying my daughter so was like a son to me.

I told him that his charms had expired and he said he had nothing to give back to me. From there, I reported the matter at the National Human Rights Commission. I couldn’t control my tears. I was just imagining things within me.

Later, he invited the police to arrest me and I followed them to the station. While we were at the police station, my daughter came to join us. They asked if she knew me and she denied me. She told the police that she had never met me. She still called me a kidnapper at the police station. People wanted to flog her for denying me.

After listening to us, the police asked us to go and come back the following day. When we came the next day, they said it was a family issue, so we should go and settle it at home. From there, my daughter started crying and begging me to forgive her.

I gave him a total of what I spent, amounting to N5 million. He accepted to pay me my money.

After we had reached an agreement, he went to GRA police station to arrest and detain me. He insisted that the police should detain me. After I narrated my ordeal, the police told him that there was no reason to detain me. The police accompanied and got me a tricycle to take me home and they gave the tricycle rider a number to call if anybody stopped us on the way.

They asked us to come back the following day. When we went back to GRA police station, I narrated the story to the police; that was when police locked him up. Later, they said it was a family matter and we should go and settle it.

He later engaged a lawyer who was coming to beg me to forgive him and forfeit the money.

I later reported at the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and was directed to lodge a complaint at the Magistrate’s Court.


What is the status of your daughter’s marriage with him?

She called me a liar, even at the police station. She said I was lying against her husband. Even in the courtroom, she was solidly behind her husband. I presented my witnesses before the court while his wife was his witness.

After her husband was sentenced to prison, she left Minna for Yola. Her brothers called to inform me that she was in Yola. She asked her brothers to beg me to forgive her. I told them that I won’t forgive her until she told them the truth because she was the one that kept on convincing me that what her husband was saying were true.

I have no business with their marriage. If they still love each other, let them continue. If she is no longer interested, they should find a way out of it. I have no business with that.

Would you forgive your son-in-law if he begs for forgiveness?

I can only forgive him after he might have paid the N2million compensation the court asked him to pay me.

Is his wife the only child you have?

I have five children; she is the number five. The remaining four are in Yola with their father.

By.Abubakar Akote, Minna


He extorted me N5m using Buhari’s name

The mainstream and social media went agog recently when Daily Trust reported how the son-in-law of a 40-year-old Saudatu Aliyu deceived her into believing that he was contracting marriage between her and former President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview, Saudatu shared her experience with her daughter and son-in-law.


You recently won a court judgement against your son-in-law, Gambo Adamu, who deceitfully ‘contracted’ your marriage with ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. What really transpired?

I got to know Gambo Adamu while selling food at Kure Ultramodern Market. That was in 2016. He worked as a private security at the market. We became familiar because he was one of my regular customers.

I later brought my daughter from Yola, Adamawa State, to stay with me in Minna after I separated with my husband. But when I remarried, I wasn’t going to the shop regularly, so my daughter was running the restaurant for me. That was where and how they started a relationship. I didn’t know until when they had gone far.

When Gambo sent my sister’s daughter who visited us from Gombe to inform me of his intention to marry my daughter, I told him that there was no problem. I told him to meet the girl’s parents in Yola and seek their consent.

He later came to me to form a non-governmental organisation known as Youth Progressive Group. While we were discussing about the organisation I became seriously ill and spent months in the hospital. He started getting me traditional medicines, in addition to what my parents and younger brothers were getting for me. He went as far as travelling to his village to get me some traditional medicines. But at that time he was yet to get married to my daughter.

When I recovered, I went back to continue with my food business and we became closer.

One day, I took my daughter to Yola to discuss the marriage proposal with her father. Because of that we had a misunderstanding and I wanted to leave her in Yola with her father, but some people advised that I shouldn’t do that because she would become wayward. In fact, because of her father’s insistence that she would not be allowed to marry Gambo Adamu, she attempted to commit suicide. She wanted to take rat poison before she was saved. That was why people said I should take her back to Minna.

I brought her back to Minna and eventually, her father agreed and she got married to Gambo in 2018.

After the marriage, Gambo reminded me of the non-governmental organisation he asked me to set up. He said I would serve as its patron and sponsor while he would serve as chairman. I told him that I had never operated an NGO, so I had no idea of how to run any. He told me that whatever I spent would be documented and opportunities would come in future. I told him I was going to think about it and also seek advice from my brothers.

He also asked me to get him God-fearing people who would help him handle a contract for the sale of hajj seats to intending pilgrims. I told my younger brother and few other people in my area and invited them for a meeting with him so that he would explain to them better.

He said he was going to design membership forms to be filled by all the members of the NGO. He also said the forms would be given to them for free but as the patron and sponsor I would take the financial responsibility for the design and printing. I gave him N2,000 to design and print the forms. That was in 2017.

So, we started the NGO and meetings were held on Mondays. As we progressed, he asked us to start contributing N200 every Monday to run the organisation while late coming would attract N100. He later introduced N5,000 as monthly contributions. He also told me that we needed to start giving out charity to orphans and the less privileged, especially those who could not pay their house rents. That was when I developed full interest in the NGO so that we could help the needy.

After that, he said I needed to get the organisation registered somewhere at the Emir’s Palace, Minna. I gave him N6,000 for the registration. He also asked me to print posters, which cost me N18,500 for the first printing. I did another printing at the cost of over N20,000. That was how we continued.


How did the discussion of getting you married to former President Muhammadu Buhari begin?

One day, we visited hospitals and orphanage homes to help the sick and the needy. Before we went to those places, he said we should get a cameraman to take pictures and record videos for record purposes. It was after these visitations that he told me that he was going to take the video to Abuja to show to the federal government so that he could secure a contract for us. He requested for my passport photographs, which I gave him. Those photographs are still with him as I speak with you. He also collected my voter’s card, national identity card and my original secondary school certificates.

They are also still with him. He asked me to give him N50,000 for transport to go to Abuja and for hotel accommodation. I don’t know if he truly went to Abuja, but he told me he went along with his wife.

When they returned from Abuja, they came to me, saying that when government officials and members of the House of Representatives from Niger State and officials of some embassies watched the video, in the company of Buhari, who was still in power then, as well as Mohammed Umaru Bago, the current governor of Niger State, who was a House of Reps member from Niger State, and some other government officials, they said they liked me because I would be of help to them in mobilising votes during elections.

He advised that I should bring money to rent an office for the activities of the NGO with a signpost so that we could easily be traced. He also suggested that I needed to get him a befitting house as the chairman of the organisation, where he could comfortably receive guests. I gave him a huge amount of money to get a good house for himself and rent an office. Later, I gave him over N300,000 to renovate his house and do other things, including getting letterhead papers.

After renovating the house we rented, they said it would be sold because the owner had died. That was how I lost that money. He said we should rent another office and I gave him N120,000 to get a place in Dutsen-Kura. I also paid for his house, where he said he would receive guests from Abuja, including ex-President Buhari. He told me that visits by Buhari would always be secret, so we shouldn’t be taking them to hotels. That was when he told me that Buhari said he loved me and would love to take me as his wife.

I didn’t believe him until when I asked his wife (my daughter) and she swore by Allah and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that what her husband said was true, that she was present when ex-President Buhari said it. I couldn’t control my tears. My son-in-law later brought out a paper, alleging that it was a letter written by Buhari to me and read it to my hearing. He said Buhari requested for my personal pictures.


Why didn’t you seek advice before believing the purported proposal from former President Buhari?

They said it was a secret, so I shouldn’t tell anybody because if people or other women got to know about the proposal, they would get jealous and might kidnap me. They said I shouldn’t tell even my parents until the relationship became stronger. I worked with all they said. Two days after, they called to ask if I had accepted ex-President Buhari’s proposal. I said yes basically because he is a northerner and Fulani by tribe. Thereafter, he requested for my pictures, with a promise that he was going to give to them to Buhari. So I went to a photo studio and snapped different pictures, from which he selected the ones he would take to Buhari.

After collecting my pictures, he requested for N57,000 for transport and hotel accommodation. Two days after, he called me, saying he was still in Abuja and the money I gave them was not enough, so I should send more money for transport. I sent N7,000 again for transport back to Minna. When they came back, they told me they met Buhari at the Villa and he was happy. He gave me Buhari’s picture, saying the former president gave it to him. He also brought a letter from Buhari, which he read to me.

At that point, I asked if I would let my parents know of the proposal, but he said I should wait until Buhari visited me in Minna. He promised to let me know if Buhari gave him a date for his visit so that I would inform my parents. He also told me that the then Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum and Buhari himself had agreed to join my NGO. He later told me that Zulum wanted to take over as the chairman of the organisation, adding that he always had meetings with them.

On several occasions he collected money from me to go to Abuja to see ex-President Buhari. He also tasked me to prepare food – pounded yam, tuwon shinkafa, with cow head and cow tail pepper soup, fried chicken and soft drinks, saying that Buhari and his team were coming to Minna to have a meeting with him. At a point, my parents insisted in knowing where I was taking those foods to. In fact, my father wanted to stop me.


Did you for once demand to see Buhari?

Each time I finished preparing the food and dressed up to go and see Buhari with it, he would ask me to wait for him. He would come and collect the food himself or send his friends to come down and collect it from our house. He didn’t allow me to follow him with the food.

I spent a lot of money preparing the foods. He told me to take note of whatever I spent so that they would pay me back.

One day, he said Buhari was ready for the wedding and I should begin to buy wears, adding that the former president wouldn’t want an elaborate ceremony. He wanted the wedding fatiha done secretly.


Did you buy the wedding wears as he requested?

I bought seven different cloths (and co) for the wedding ceremony. I bought different foot-wears, which he collected to go and show the president for approval. He collected N50, 000 as transport fare for that journey also. And he told me he embarked on each journey with his wife. When he came back, he said Buhari said the cloths were okay and he was going to pay N100,000 as bride price. He gave me the N100, 000.

While I was eager to get the marriage contracted, I heard that he was leaving Minna for Kano on transfer. They didn’t even let me know that they were leaving Minna. But luckily for me, the day they were travelling, at the Niger State Transport Authority park at Tunga market, somebody saw them and called me, saying that my son-in-law was transferred to Kano and I didn’t inform her. I told her that I didn’t know. That was when I called him and he told me that it was an emergency and he was asked not to let anybody know about it. I prayed for them.

After they arrived Kano, my daughter called me, saying that a meeting was scheduled with Buhari’s representatives in Kano and I needed to be there. I travelled to join them in Kano for the meeting. I spent two weeks in Kano to meet with Buhari’s representatives to arrange for the wedding. At that meeting, a man dressed in northern traditional wears was introduced to me as Hadi Sirika, Buhari’s representative Buhari from Abuja. In fact, the man re-introduced himself to me and we had a discussion. He said four of them were billed to come from Abuja but others couldn’t make it. That was why he came alone. I spent a lot on refreshment because I did as my son in-law directed me to do. The Hadi Sirika promised to take my message to Buhari after our meeting.

I spent all my savings from my restaurant business on these movements. But while we were doing all these, I wasn’t comfortable; I was still in doubt and gripped with fear. I was wondering how former President Buhari did not see any woman to marry, except me.

He stayed in Kano for one year before moving back to Minna with his wife, saying he was brought back. They came back to Minna in 2019. He married my daughter in 2018.

When he returned to Minna, I was the one that paid for the house they rented in Dutsen-Kura at N120, 000. He asked me again to rent an office, which I did at the cost of N120,000, totalling N240,000. I bought office equipment, including plasma television, tables and chairs; they are all with him. In that house, they were later asked to vacate because the other tenants complained that they were bringing strange people to their house, even in the night; therefore, they didn’t trust them.

After that, he asked me to rent a house where I would stay with Buhari if he paid me a visit after our wedding. I rented a two-bedroom flat at the cost of N250,000 at the Moris Area.

He later told me that Buhari had confided in him that I would succeed Abba Kyari as his chief of staff. Then he said that since I was going to work in the Villa, government was going to check me to know what I had. I asked how they were going to do that and he said I should begin to save the profits I made from my business with him every day, with a promise that he was going to take record of them. I started giving him N8,000 and later increased it to N15,000 every day.

He also came to me, saying the federal government was going to give us a N300million loan, which I rejected. I told him I was not interested in any loan. He told me that it was Buhari that made that arrangement for me and it was a grant, which I didn’t need to pay back.

Did the wedding fatiha take place?

After I rented the two-bedroom flat where I was going to stay with Buhari at Moris Area, he brought a basket of big kola-nuts for me. I had never seen kola-nuts as big as those he brought for me. He also brought fried chicken wrapped in a nylon. He said my marriage had already been contracted with President Buhari in Abuja. It was on January 31, 2020. That was the day he said the marriage was contracted in Abuja without even informing me.

I angrily asked how he would contract my marriage without informing me to at least tell my parents. Even if I fell from a tree, I should be asked to get guardians to stand for me. He said Buhari didn’t want an elaborate ceremony and that was why he did it secretly. I said even if he didn’t want an elaborate ceremony he would have let my parents know and I needed to be informed too as a bride.

After waiting for close to three years, I insisted that I wanted to see my husband. I rented an apartment, bought cloths for the wedding but didn’t set my eyes on the groom.


Did he ever call anyone on phone to say that you should talk to Buhari?

He didn’t do that, even once. But sometimes he would be on phone and tell me that he was speaking with Buhari. And sometimes he would give me a time the former president wanted to talk to me, but that never happened. Sometimes he would deliberately delay me so that the time Buhari gave him would pass and he would blame me for missing the opportunity. It was later that I began to think it was a deliberate plan to extort me.

Do you think he used charms against you

There was a time he brought me three shirts and some charms. He said as someone who was going to stay in the Presidential Villa, I needed to fortify myself with charms because a lot of witch-hunting was going on there. He said the former president asked him to inform me to get prepared before relocating to the Villa. I told him I didn’t have time to go after fortune tellers to acquire charms and he said he was going to help me with some. I didn’t have time because I spent the whole day in the restaurant.

He brought three shirts and said I should give one out as charity to a fair in complexion woman and the second one to a black in complexion man. He said I should wear one until it became very dirty and I should then wash it and fetch the dirty water in a small bottle and bring for him. I did exactly as he directed. He also brought some medicines in a gallon, which he asked me to drink, saying that each time I wanted to take it I should hold my breath until I finished it. That was how I was drinking it. He also collected some of my cloths, saying they were going to organise special prayers and my cloths would be given out as charity. He also told me that he needed my blood to do some things. He asked me to go to hospital and ask them to draw my blood and pour it into a bottle and give me to bring for him. But when I went to a hospital, lab officials told me that it was against the rules of their job, so they didn’t do it. When I went back home, he said I should try another hospital but I didn’t go again even when he kept giving me pressure to go and get him my blood.

He later said he was nominated for a course in Lagos and he needed N125,000. I emptied my treasury and gave him the money.


With all these incidents, did you ever engage his wife (your daughter) in a discussion to tell you the truth?

In fact, if her husband brought any issue, I would call her to confirm it. And each time I called her, she would swear that all her husband said was true. My daughter connived with her husband to cheat me. I believed my daughter would not cheat me, that was why I kept trusting what her husband was telling me.

He later interviewed me to know what I liked and what I didn’t like and the countries I would love to visit, saying Buhari asked him to write them down and bring for him. While he was asking me questions, he was writing them down.

What happened to the house you rented to stay with your Buhari?

After one year, the first house I rented at Moris Area was due for renewal. I left there and rented a more befitting one at the Dutsen-Kura Area at the cost of N450,000. The new apartment I rented had guest rooms for Buhari’s entourage. The money I had with me was not even up to N450,000 to pay for the new apartment I wanted to rent, so I had to use the N100,000 he gave me as pride price to complete the rent fee.

For the money I told you I was giving to him from the proceeds of my business, he later told me that he deposited it into a bank account belonging to Buhari’s mother, Hajiya Amina.

Did you ever think that former President Buhari was coming to take you to Aso Rock Villa?

They gave me a date that Buhari was coming to take me to Abuja to stay with him. One year after, he said we should celebrate one-year wedding anniversary, so I insisted on seeing Buhari if truly my marriage was contracted. He insisted that a date had been fixed. He gave me May 29, 2021. I quickly informed my father and mother to get prepared to receive President Buhari as their guest. But we didn’t see him.

I told my son-in-law that if I didn’t see Buhari on May 29, 2021, I would accept marriage proposal from anyone because I couldn’t continue to wait because my father was giving me pressure to remarry. That date came and I didn’t see any Buhari coming to take me to his house.

All the profits I made from my business were extorted. All the records he claimed to have kept are still with him. He didn’t allow me access to them. The money he extorted from me was enough to build me houses and start something bigger.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is expected to allocate six million barrels of crude oil to Dangote Refinery in December 2023, TheCable understands.

Sources in the know informed TheCable that the move by the national company is pivotal towards boosting domestic refining and attaining energy security in the country.

The development comes as plans are being concluded for the signing of a sales and purchase agreement (SPA) between the national oil company and the refinery.

The formalisation of the agreement is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Insiders close to both parties told TheCable that the deal is purely on a commercial basis and without any recourse to discount, or selling at rock-bottom prices.

Section 109 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 stipulates domestic crude oil supply obligation to refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, as well as NNPC refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

The section also provides that the supply of crude oil to the domestic market shall be on a willing buyer and willing supplier basis.

In August 2021, the national oil company acquired a 20 percent minority equity stake in the Dangote Refinery.

The 650,000 bpd capacity refinery was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

Shortly before the inauguration of the refinery, the NNPC announced that it would supply 300,000 barrels of crude oil to the facility.

But in September, Devakumar Edwin, executive director of Dangote Group, said the national oil company would not be able to supply the refinery until November.

ADEFEMOLA AKINTADE


Aisha Rimi, recently appointed as CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) by President Bola Tinubu, has been previously indicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion of Lagos state government funds to the tune of N3 billion.

In 2018, EFCC lawyer Olamide Sadiq disclosed that the anti-graft agency was alerted to the dubious transfers after the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) traced suspicious “heavy inflows in excess of N3 billion from the Lagos state government Number Plate Production Authority” into the accounts of Rimi and Partners and Ekosina Investment Limited, both of which Ms Rimi was signatory.

She was the sole proprietor of the law firm.

“Investigations revealed that Aisha Rimi is the major partner in Rimi and Partners and she is also in control of Ekosina Investment Limited, a company seen to have received huge transfers from the Lagos state government Number Plate Production Authority,” Mr Sadiq said in 2018.

At the time, Ms Rimi’s husband, Folorunsho Coker, was the managing director of the Number Plate Authority and it was believed the government funds were diverted with his say-so, thereby making him the prime suspect in the matter and Ms Rimi may have been considered an accomplice in perpetrating the fraud.

Her two companies were listed as the second and third respondents in the suit filed by the EFCC.

The probe in 2018 prompted Mohammed Idris, judge at the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, to order that 10 Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) accounts which belonged to Ms Rimi and her shell companies be immediately frozen.

“From preliminary investigations by the commission, the second and third respondents were used to divert funds from the Lagos state government Number Plate Production Authority with the influence of Folorunsho Coker, who was the managing director of the Lagos state agency,” Mr Sadiq explained.

It is unclear whether the EFCC informed Mr Tinubu of the damning fraud charges against Ms Rimi before her NIPC appointment and whether the anti-graft agency concluded its investigation in 2018.

EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwajuren did not immediately return a request for comment on whether they shared their findings with Mr Tinubu.

The presidency also did not respond when asked whether Mr Tinubu was aware of the fraud allegations hanging over Ms Rimi before he appointed her CEO of NIPC.

However, it is not the first time corruption-tainted individuals have landed top jobs in Mr Tinubu’s government as Femi Gbajabiamila, whose law licence was terminated by the State Bar of Georgia in the United States over his corruption and ethical lapses, now serves as the president’s chief of staff.

Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan must pay compensation to his ex-wife after a court ruled on their divorce case and determined he is the biological father of their three children.

A court in Ghana ordered the 37-year-old to give Gifty Gyan a house in the UK, a house in Accra, a petrol station and two cars.

Gyan and his ex-wife have been embroiled in a legal battle for three years, with the couple’s divorce case dragged out following the footballer’s allegation of infidelity against Gifty Gyan and his claim that their three children may not be his.

OWERRI — THE brutalized National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero has been referred for opthalmic investigation and brain scan following the injuries he sustained when suspected hired thugs and the police descended on him during the botched rally protest in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Recall that the national leadership of the NLC had organised a protest rally in Owerri on Wednesday over the alleged insensitivity of the state government over the workers plight in the state.

Just as the rally was about to commence at the state council of the NLC and the Congress President got set to address the workers, thugs, who had cordoned the place before 6 am attacked him, tore his clothes and inflicted body injuries on him alongside some union leaders.

After pummeling him, he was whisked away by the police and heavily armed hooded men to the police facility.

The leadership of the NLC has accused the state government of being behind the attack which it claimed was supervised by the state Commissioner of Police.

An update on the attack of Comrade Ajaero from the NLC media unit indicated that he has been placed on a neck collar.

Benson Upah, head of information unit last night said: “Congress President, Joe Ajaero has been referred for ophthalmic investigation, a head/brain scan, a full body scan, and cervical spine therapy among other investigations.

“He is presently on a neck collar with wheals all over his skin.”

Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has budgeted N4 billion for the renovation of his official residence at Dodan Barrack in Lagos, and another N3 billion for the renovation of the Vice President’s official quarters in the state.

The amount was approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday and contained in the supplementary budget sent to the National Assembly for approval.

Mr Tinubu had on Tuesday requested the National Assembly to approve the N2.17 trillion supplementary budget.

In the supplementary budget, the president also proposed another N4 billion for the renovation of presidential quarters for the president, N4 billion for the construction of an office complex within the state house and N2.5 billion for the renovation of Aguda House – the official residence of the vice president located within the Aso Rock Villa.

Mr Tinubu also agreed to spend N3 billion on the acquisition, renovation, and rehabilitation of four EFCC fortified quarters as a state house complex at Mabushi and Guzape within the federal capital territory.

A review of the budget by PREMIUM TIMES shows that the administration is embarking on non-essential spending at a time when Mr Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to tighten their belts following the economic hardship and galloping inflation that followed the removal of subsidy on petroleum.

For instance, the official residences of the President and his vice in Lagos are rarely used.

The immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, used the official residence in Lagos less than four times throughout his two consecutive terms in office – 2015 to 2023.

Mr Buhari first visited Lagos on 21, May 2016 for a 2-day working visit. In that first official visit to the state, since he assumed office about a year after, the president spent the night in the state where he commissioned the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the constructed Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, among others.

In March 2018, the former president visited Lagos in another two-day working visit, where he attended the Colloquium organised to mark the 66th Birthday of Mr Tinubu who was then the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). During that visit, Mr Buhari performed the official flag-off ceremony for the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, Ibeju Lekki, among others.

In January this year, Mr Buhari visited Lagos for a two-dayL working visit where he cut the tape on many projects including the Imota Rice Mill, and Lekki Deep Sea Port among others.

He returned to the state in May for his last official visit as president where he commissioned the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote refinery located at the Lekki free zone near Lagos.

Unlike, Mr Buhari, who used his residence in Daura while on holiday in Katsina State, it’s not clear, too, if Mr Tinubu will use his residence located on Bourdillon Street, Ikoyi, which is less than a 10-minute drive to his official residence in the Dodan Barrack during his vacation.