₦airaland Forum

The Bauchi Emirate Council has stripped a former Minister of Special Duties, Bello Kirfi, of his traditional title of “Wazirin Bauchi” and removed him from being a Council Member for the second time in five years.

The new development was said to be connected to the ex-minister’s alleged “disloyalty and disrespect” to the State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Kirfi, a retired federal civil servant, was a Minister in the government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the 1980s, and also the Pro-Chancellor, University of Ilorin from 1997-99.

He also became Minister of Special Duties during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 2000s.

The Octogenarian’s removal was conveyed in a letter addressed to him by the Secretary of the Bauchi Emirate Council, Alh. Shehu Mudi Muhammad.

It was dated January 3rd, 2023 with reference No: BEC/ADM/20/VOL.XV and titled: “Removal from office as a Council Member and Traditional Title of Wazirin Bauchi.”

Muhammad stated in his letter that the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state informed the Emirate Council of Kirfi’s “disloyalty and disrespectful” to the governor, hence his removal from office.

He said: “I am directed to refer to a letter received from the Ministry of Local Government Affairs of reference No: MLG/LG/S/72/T dated 30th December 2022.

“The content of the said letter indicated your disloyalty and disrespect to the Executive Governor of the State and the government. It therefore directed for your removal with immediate effect.

“In view of the above, you are hereby removed from office as Wazirin Bauchi and also as a Council Member of Bauchi Emirate.”

The PUNCH reports that Kirfi was suspended by the Bauchi Emirate Council in March 2017 by the then-governor, Mohammed Abubakar.

The Information officer of the Emirate Council, Salmanu Lame, had, in a statement that was made available to journalists, said the suspension which was for his alleged “disloyalty and unruly behaviour,” was with immediate effect.

However, three years later, following the intervention of Governor Bala Mohammed and wider consultations with stakeholders and the Emirate, in particular, the Emir of Bauchi lifted the suspension in August 2020.

The governor personally visited the elder statesman in his house and presented him with the letter reinstating him as the Wazirin Bauchi where he applauded him for his patriotism, commitment and sportsmanship, especially his efforts in the protection of the rights of Bauchi indigenes and Nigerians in general.

While presenting him with the letter, he said: “I am here with my deputy and other top government officials to pay you this auspicious visit, to present to you a message from the Emir of Bauchi, His Royal Highness, Dr. Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu.

“On behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, all traditional leaders, it is my honour and privilege to present you with your letter of reinstatement as Wazirin Bauchi by the Emir of Bauchi. Alhamdulillah, I am so happy that the reinstatement came under my tenure.”

Nine months after they resigned, the seats of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Deputy National Chairman (North) of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari and the Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Senator Muhammad Hassan Nasiha are still vacant at the Senate, Daily Trust reports.

The trio, Daily Trust reports, represented Nasarawa West, Borno North and Zamfara Central Senatorial districts, respectively before they resigned to take their new positions.

Reports from our correspondents in the affected senatorial districts showed that there was apprehension among the constituents who feel they are being side-lined in the parliament.

On March 26, Senator Adamu and Senator Kyari emerged as the national chairman and deputy national chairman (North) of the APC, respectively. They tendered their resignation on April 12.

On his part, Senator Nasiha on March 1, last year resigned from the parliament after he was named as the deputy governor of Zamfara State sequel to the impeachment of Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not fixed a date for the conduct of by-elections to fill the vacuums in the upper chamber.

However, ahead of the February 25, 2023, Presidential and National Assembly elections, political parties have fielded candidates for parliamentary seats including for the vacant senatorial districts.

What constitution says about vacant seats

Section 68 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution spelt out the processes for the filling of vacant parliamentary seats. Section 68 (1) said a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if:

(e) Save as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution, he becomes a member of a commission or other body established by this constitution or by any other law.

Sub-section (h) provides that “The President of the Senate or, as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission stating that the provisions of section 69 of this Constitution have been complied with in respect of the recall of that member.”


Constituents lament, tackle INEC

Constituents in the affected senatorial districts have lamented the delay, urging the electoral body to immediately conduct by-elections to fill the vacuum.

In Borno North, one of the constituents, Gwamna Mshelia, said the delay in filling the vacant seat is affecting the stake of Borno State in representation at the National Assembly.

“Because, where votes are to take place on any matter before the Senate, Borno will be one-third represented since Kashim Shettima (Borno Central), the APC vice presidential candidate too is not attending the sitting,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the Network of Civil Society in Borno State, Bulama Abiso, urged INEC to be conscious of time and organise the by-election.

“If the time within which the by-election should be held is passed, it will affect the constituents and the entire Borno State. It’s now that our people need representation more than ever before.

“So, let the vacant positions be filled to have the right people at the right place to articulate their problems,” he said.

In Zamfara Central, the constituents have also expressed displeasure over the delay in conducting the by-election in the zone.

Sani Abubakar, in Gusau LGA, said that months after Senator Hassan Nasiha was appointed and sworn in as the state deputy governor of the state, the zone has no representation.

“The reason why I said so is that those constituencies with representations are still benefiting a lot, especially in terms of constituency projects but we are missing out.

“Everything has stopped, we are not being represented. If you want anything from the senate, those of us that are from Zamfara Central, who do you go to?” he asked.

Another resident, Kabir Aliyu, said he cannot understand why INEC was delaying the conduct of the by-election.

However, the chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Alhaji Ibrahim Tudu, blamed INEC, saying it is the institution with the sole responsibility of conducting the election but has failed to do so.

“We have been calling INEC to conduct the election but we were ignored. The insecurity they gave as reason does not hold water here because a by-election was conducted in Bakura Local Government despite the security challenges there,” he said.


APC, PDP differ

However, the spokesperson for the APC in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau said they have no problem with INEC not conducting the by-election in the zone.

“Whenever they are ready, I believe political parties will be notified and they will participate in the exercise. Now that the general elections are drawing closer, what is the logic behind conducting an election and then carrying out another one months after? I think the development is good for political parties given the meagre resources they have,” he said.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

But the Borno State Chairman of PDP, Zannah Gaddama, alleged that the by-election was being delayed by INEC.

“There is nothing like a by-election for now because we have only a few days to go for the general elections, so it seems that INEC and the presidency are deliberately delaying it because of the general elections,” he said.

He alleged that it’s the Senate president that was supposed to inform INEC of the three vacant seats and was yet to do so.

“We have been expecting this since April when they resigned. However, I raised this issue three weeks ago but a source told me that the Senate president is yet to communicate to INEC on the vacant seats. And, by law, INEC can’t go ahead to conduct the by-election unless they were informed officially by the Senate president,” he said.


Vacancies being treated as APC’s internal affair – Lawyers

Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) said the APC could be treating the issue as an internal affair of the political party to activate the process for a bye-election, especially in the area of interfacing with INEC and sponsorship of a candidate for the position.

“But once there is nothing with an external body, and if they are not made for the constitution, it is the constitution that is made for the people,” he said.

For his part, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh blamed “negligence” on the part of the constituents and political parties for the failure to fill the vacant senate seats.

He said the delay may also be attributable to APC being the dominant party in the Senate, and as such, they were not expected to move the motion for the vacancy to be declared and for INEC to set in motion the conduct of a bye-election.

“Since the three vacancies do not affect the quorum of the Senate, they are not going to feel concerned, but it is for the constituency that is lacking representation to speak up and mount pressure on INEC to conduct fresh elections; or in the alternative, to resort to the court because it is undemocratic not to be represented,” he said.

Also, Abduhamid Mohammed (SAN), said the Constitution of the country has provided adequate remedies in such circumstances.

He said the voters in the constituency who elected the legislators concerned could take legal action in court if they were not docile


Senate, INEC mum

Contacted, the spokesperson for the Senate President, Ola Awoniyi, referred one of our correspondents to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC, Osun). When the lawmaker was contacted he said, “Please contact the INEC spokesperson.”

The Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Barrister Festus Okoye, told Daily Trust that he cannot comment on the matter until after the management meeting of the commission.

But three officials of the commission, who do not want to be named, said that the Senate President has not formally declared the affected seats vacant.

The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, has claimed responsibility for a car bomb explosion that killed about four people and injured several others in the Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack was the seventh to be claimed by the group in the state in the last eight months.

The explosion rocked a community in the local government area last Thursday.

The explosion, which occurred around 9.00 am was said to have occurred near the palace of Ado Ibrahim, the paramount ruler of Ebiraland.

The incident occurred about an hour before the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari, who was scheduled to visit the North-Central state to inaugurate some projects.

However, ISWAP in a statement on Monday said the attack was carried out by “soldiers of the caliphate.”

The terror group said a car bomb was used and its target was the President who was visiting the area.

On April 23, gunmen attacked a police station in the same Adavi LGA in the state, which resulted in the death of three police officers.

Some days later, ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack.

On May 11, there was an explosion at a bar in Lewu Junction area of Kabba town, Kogi.

The explosion claimed three lives but 16 persons were affected.

Two weeks later, an explosion occurred at another bar in the town, in Kabbah-Bunu LGA.

The group claimed responsibility for both explosions.

Kabba is the headquarters of the Kabba/Bunnu LGA and the people speak a dialect of Yoruba called Owe.

The town is less than 10 minutes from Akunnu-Akoko and Ajowa-Akoko in Ondo State and less than 20 minutes from Omuo in Ekiti State.

ISWAP in June 2022 also claimed responsibility for the explosion that led to the death of two persons during an annual festival in the Idoji area of Okene in Kogi.

The group also said it attacked two Nigerian government vehicles in the Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State a few days later.

On October 18, the group said its fighters invaded a Celestial Church, Blood of Jesus Parish in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, killing two persons and injuring several others.

The church is located behind the NNPC Mega petrol station in the Felele axis along Abuja-Lokoja-Okene Highway in Lokoja, the state capital.

The two dead congregants were reportedly evacuated from the church and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja while the injured persons were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.

AYOOLA BABALOLA


Fishermen have found the body of Oreoluwa Fatinoye from the Adigbe/Obada axis of the Ogun River.

Local fishermen found the corpse on Tuesday and called the attention of the police, according to reports by Penpushing Media.

The police previously disclosed that a suspect was arrested in connection with the killing of the parents, but further information that could detail the assailants’ motive was unknown.

His parents, Kehinde and Bukola Fatinoye, were killed on Sunday shortly after they returned from new year’s eve church service.

Mr Fatinoye was abducted along with the family’s domestic staff until his remains were found Tuesday morning.

Ogun state police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the development.

“Yes, the body has been recovered, but I cannot say more than that at the moment,” the police officer told Peoples Gazette on Tuesday. “The police will brief the public when the investigation has been concluded.”

The Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Development Association has distant itself from the endorsement of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

The group described as ‘notoriously seasonal endorsements group’ the Bello Bodejo led splinter of the association parading itself as a pastoralist association.

A statement by the Miyetti Allah made available to the press in Bauchi Monday, said that the so-called Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Association lacks the local standi in parading itself as the mouthpiece of the pastoralists and the Fulani ethnic nationality as a whole.

The statement signed by Alhaji Sani Ahmed and Malam Aliyu Jibrin Isa for the concerned Fulani ethnic nationality, explained that there was no consultation with any pastoralists association in the country by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, thus their solo endorsement is done without the approval nor consent of any pastoralist organization in Nigeria.

“The attention of Fulani Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria is drawn to a phantom endorsement of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate by Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Association; a notoriously seasoned endorsements groups parading itself as a pastoralist association.

“We have 27 registered pastoralists association in the country and none was consulted before the purported endorsement. It therefore stands null and void as far as we are concerned. We are calling on APC and its presidential candidate to be wary of such handbag organizations. History is there to serve as a guide for any informed decision”.

Last weekend, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in Nasarawa State, reportedly endorsed the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, claiming to be a national endorsement by the organization.

The concerned Fulani ethnic nationality explained that the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore endorsement of former president Jonathan should serve as a pointer to its lack of support anywhere outside their comfort zone in one senatorial district of Nasarawa state.

“It is instructive to note that former president Jonathan lost even in the comfort zone of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore in 2015 despite their endorsement of him and his inauguration as their patron”, the statement recalled.

It stated that the APC and its presidential candidate should be wary of such staccato of endorsement which is the usual brouhaha with no substance to add any value to the political fortunes of the APC and its candidates.

“The autocratic nature of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore is mind boggling. It is not a democratic association and has only one leader since its inception to date. We therefore abhor an association that doesn’t believe in democratic norms but aristocracy and dictatorial in its tenents and norms to be the mouthpiece of the pastoralists and Fulani ethnic nationality in Nigeria,” the statement added.

The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, on Friday said President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the 2023 appropriation bill on Tuesday, January 3 2023.

Lawan stated this after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Lawan, who arrived at the State House few minutes before 3:00pm, said he discussed the President’s recent additional loan request and the 2023 appropriate bill.

He rued the signing of the appropriation bill is a bit later than that of the 2022 which was signed on December 31 2021.

By Daniel Ojukwu


Two years after Nigerians took to the streets to protest against police brutality and extrajudicial killings, cases of policemen killing civilians continue to dominate news headlines across the country.

Often described as ‘rogue’ or ‘trigger-happy’ by spokesmen of the force in various states, the policemen who perpetrate the crimes are often never in the limelight and what becomes of them is either not communicated or under-reported.

Despite attempts by police public relations officers (PPROs) to pass off criminal activities of the police as odd events, the frequency of their crimes show they are not so odd. Checks by FIJ revealed Muyiwa Adejobi, police spokesman, force headquarters, referred to ‘bad eggs’ in the police on no fewer than 14 occasions via tweets between February and December 2022.

Between January 1 and December 30, FIJ has found several cases of extrajudicial killings, and how the police reacted to them:

January 17; Police ‘Kill‘ Shedrach Ochoche in Abuja: Police in Mabushi division, Abuja, were accused of torturing and killing Shedrach Ochoche, a former cleaner.

Ochoche’s alleged crime was stealing a car battery belonging to a Chinese woman whom he used to work for. He died in police custody on January 17.

Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the police in Abuja, denied the police’s involvement, claiming Ochoche fell ill and succumbed to his illness.

January 22; Kogi Cop Murders Teenager Over Pure Water: In Kabba, Kogi State, an unnamed policeman shot and killed a teenage commercial motorcycle rider who, according to witnesses, took a sachet of pure water from the policeman’s vehicle.

Protests followed the killing, but Edward Egbuka, Kogi State Commissioner of Police, described the incident as self-defence.

February 3; Drunk Policeman Kills Soldier Guarding Shehu of Borno: An unnamed drunk policeman arrived the palace of Abubakar El-Kanemi, Shehu of Borno, and was challenged by Donatus Vonkong, the Shehu’s chief of security.

Other policemen intervened and convinced Vonkong to leave the drunk officer. Moments after, the officer opened fire and killed Vonkong.

The police spokesman in the state did not give a reaction at the time of the incident.

February 25; Using Taser, Oyo Policemen ‘Torture, Kill’ 21-Year-Old: In February, policemen in Apete, Oyo State, reportedly tortured 21-year-old Ridwan Olanrewaju to death using a taser.

The officers accused him of fraud and tasered him and his friends when he denied the allegations.

FIJ found no official record of reactions from the Oyo State Police Command.

February 25: In Apata, Oyo, Police Extort N700,000, Kill Man Afterwards: Public outcry followed the killing of an unidentified man in Apata, Oyo State, on February 25, 2022.
According to reports, policemen dubbed him a fraudster, extorted N700,000 from him and killed him afterwards.

FIJ found no official record of reactions from the Oyo State Police Command.

February 28; Lagos Police Torture Alleged Cultist to Death: On December 28, 2021, policemen in Ketu, Lagos State, arrested Sunday Agbamuche for alleged cult activities.

According to reports, the police tortured him and two others until he died on February 28, 2022.

The police went on to charge the deceased and two others to court.

April 24; Drunk Policeman Shoots Two Businessmen Dead at Birthday Party: During a birthday party in Egbeda, Lagos State, on April 24, 2022, a drunk policeman cocked his gun and ended the lives of two attendees.

Identified simply as Chikere and Odinaka, the two men went from being cheerful party-goers to lifeless bodies circulating in viral social media videos.

The Lagos police promised to investigate the matter but did not name the erring officer.

September 21; Plateau Police Kill 16-Year-Old, Injure Two: Residents of Jos North LGA had their community overrun by police from C Division at about 8 pm on September 21, 2022.

In the usual fashion, bullets were let fly, and 16-year-old Usman Bala was killed, while two others were shot in the feet.

Alabo Alfred, spokesman for the state police, described the police’s action as self-defence and said the force was investigating, but there has been no word since then.

December 6; Ajah Policemen Gun Down Gafaru Buraimoh: When policemen stormed the Ajah area of Lagos State to arrest sellers of petrol on the black market, little did residents know it would turn bloody.

A short while after they arrived, they began firing shots sporadically. Thirty-year-old Gafaru Buraimoh was felled by a policeman whose identity was kept secret by the force.

In an official statement by the state command, this policeman was said to be in detention while investigations continued. Nothing was heard of the matter afterwards.

December 25; Lagos Policeman Shoots Pregnant Lawyer Dead: On Christmas day, ‘trigger-happy’ ASP Drambi Vandi shot and killed Bolanle Raheem, a pregnant lawyer, in the Ajah area of Lagos State.

This came 19 days after policemen in the area killed Buraimoh in similar reckless fashion.
Usman Baba Alkali, Inspector-General of Police, recommended Vandi’s suspension, but no further sanctions had been meted at press time.

Author Abolaji Adebayo


Following the passage of the 2022 Finance Bill, Nigerian telecoms subscribers may have to pay more for telecom services such as calls, data, SMS, and other services. This is as the suspended five per cent excise duty on telecommunication services introduced in July, this year still featured again in the 2022 Finance Bill. The implication of this is that from next year, the telecoms sector will have to charge additional tax.

It would be recalled that when introduced in July, this year, all stakeholders in the industry including the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, quickly rejected it and forced the decision to be suspended. The excise duty was captured in the 2021 Finance Act, but moves by the Ministry of Finance to implement it were shot down. Pantami had faulted the timing and process of imposing the tax on the telecoms industry, arguing that part of the responsibility of responsive government was not to increase the problems of the citizens. However, the duty has been again featured in the 2022 Finance Bill, which was passed by the Senate yesterday.

The Nigerian Senate yesterday officially passed into law the Finance Bill 2022 following a third reading on the floor of the Senate. The development was confirmed in a statement by the Senate at the end of a plenary session yesterday. According to the statement, Senator Adeola Solomon moved the motion for the Senate to receive and consider the report on the Finance Bill, 2022 by the Senate Committee on Finance. The move was seconded by Senator Isah Jibrin after which the bill was read for the third time and then passed.

Reacting in separate interviews with New Telegraph, the industry players and stakeholders kicked against the Bill and sought redress. They expressed shock that the excise duty still featured in the 2022 Finance Bill after it was totally rejected when it was introduced in July with cogent reasons for it not to be sustained. The President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, said the Federal Government would be dragged to court next week if it refuses to reverse the policy.

“We rejected this duty when it was introduced mid this year and we all believed it has been removed justifying the burden it will put on the subscribers. We shall go to court next week to challenge this,” he said. He also said consideration of the Draft Bill concerning the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was not welcomed as it would create various challenges in the telecoms sector. Also speaking, the Presi-dent of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Ikechukwu Nnamani, described the development as unfortunate.

He said: “I am just reading from you that it was still included in the Finance Bill. I will have to look into that since I have not seen the Finance Bill passed. As you noted the industry rejected this as an additional tax burden on the industry and the subscribers and we were assured it has been rescinded. If it has been passed as part of the Finance Bill it is most unfortunate because it will lead to hardship on the subscribers.” In another development, which is the NITDA Draft Bill, Nnamani said: “For the NITDA Bill ATCON members are still reviewing it and ATCON will make an official statement on it after we have received all the inputs back from our members. The draft bill has been circulated to our members and it is currently being reviewed. ATCON will also participate in any future public hearing on it so our position will be known.”

By Monday Osayande, Asaba


Popular entertainer, Usiaphe Kevin (Whale Mouth), has cried out that his life and that of his family is in danger following Innocent ‘Tuface’ Idibia’s failure to show up for a scheduled performance.

The former Plantashun Boiz singer was billed to perform at the maiden ‘Ughelli To The World Concert/Awards’, which was scheduled for Wetland Hotel, on December 25.

Bemoaning his fate, Whale Mouth said: “At this very moment, my parents are being threatened. I have several threat messages, my investors are requesting for their return on investments, I have lost my integrity, and my team members are currently being looked for, as aggrieved guests caused serious chaos that the event couldn’t continue. Other artistes and comedians billed to perform couldn’t come out of their rooms for their own safety.

I want to once again apologise to all Ughelli people.” He said, “as much as it is painful for me to do this, a lot is at stake, my life is at risk at the moment, my team mates are currently threatened, aggrieved guests are being refunded at the moment while we are making measures to fix few vandalised property at the premises.”

Lamenting the unfortunate incident, he said, “I am not a scam, I have never in my entire life stolen or used dubious measures to make a kobo. I paid Tuface in full before December 25, the sum of N6 million, we had a performance agreement contract that was duly signed; we have receipts of payment to prove that. All necessary requirements from us were duly met and on time.”

According to him: “Tuface and his team were at the airport, as the flight was billed to take off by 11:45a.m. Vehicles and security escorts were already waiting for them at the Warri Airport. The last I heard from Tuface’s team was that the flight was delayed till 3:00pm, we waited only for the plane to arrive in Warri without him nor his team onboard.”

Usiaphe said, “we tried several measures to reach out to his team to know the situation of things but never got a response from him or his team, we called prominent Nigerians such as Dr. Ned Okonkwo, AY Comedian who is in Canada to reach him as well, all to no avail.

“We decided to go back to Ughelli to continue preparations and plans for the show only for us to see a video of Tuface apologising to me and Ughelli people on his official Instagram page without our knowledge claiming the Arik flight was cancelled, whereas that wasn’t the case as other artistes were on same flight.”

The video posted on his official Instagram page went viral in Ughelli just before the pre-show of the event and there was a total anarchy, as those who had bought tickets demanded for refunds, while those yet to get tickets were discouraged not to due to that video.

He said: “Till this very moment, I am yet to get a call or feedback from Tuface and his team on why he left the airport without boarding that Arik flight to Warri.”

He said: “The Ughelli To The World brand has lost its credibility and may not be able to recover from this catastrophe. Myself and my team are still trying to reach out to aggrieved guests, while we wait for Tuface’s to reach out to us as we are currently consulting with our lawyers to advise on what to do.”


Whale Mouth had told the media that the essence of Ughelli to the World Concert/Awards was to bring together all Ughelli kinsmen, residents, friends and well-wishers to celebrate their heritage.

He also said the event was to honour those who have held the torch of Ughelli in the world and promote the kingdom in a positive light, thereby, putting it on the global stage.

“Ughelli, as a town, used to be the glory of Delta State, as Government College, Ughelli, was a citadel of learning that many prominent Nigerians attended. Also, Beta Glass, ECN and so many institutions made Ughelli a city to visit. Today, it is not the case, so, we are here to change the narrative and rewrite our story. The likes of Mike Okri, Mudi Africa, Efe Ajagba, Ufuoma McDermott, Peggy Ovire, Efetobore Apochi, Johnny Ena, Destalker, Alibaba and others are all of Ughelli heritage.”

Also speaking on the bungled show, a popular journalist from Ughelli, who once edited a national newspaper, said: “I was there at the event, and in fact, a co-sponsor of it and this happened in my presence. But for a few of us elders, including Mudi Africa, whom the angry guests, mainly persons in their 20s respected, the damage at the venue would have been much worse, including perhaps, the lynching of Whale Mouth, the Lagos-based entertainer and show promoter who organised the event.”

Repeated calls made to Tuface’s manager, Efe Omoregbe for better part of yesterday failed to deliver, as his number did not go through for hours. He was apparently locked out of network.

By Zahraddeen Yakubu Shuaibu


There was a mild drama in Kano after a resident of the state, one Alhaji Muhammad, decided to take his ex-wife to court for allegedly marrying off his daughter without his consent.

Alhaji Muhammad who divorced his wife a while ago, said it was surprising when he received news of his daughter’s marriage and warned the mother severally not to marry off the girl without his consent.

Speaking to Freedom Radio in Kano, he said, “They attempted to marry her out to one of their relatives, but some time ago, I said they should wait until I prayed for the best and also consulted people about him. But the next thing I heard was that my daughter got married off to someone else.”

According to him, he will not relent until the marriage is dissolved, adding that he will sue them to seek his rights.

When contacted, an uncle to the bride’s mother, Baba Hussaini Garko, said he knew that the girl got married to someone, but he was not the one who stood as her guardian.

However, an Islamic cleric in the state, Dr Muhammad Nazifi Inuwa, said there was no marriage without a guardian, known as waliyyi which is the father of the bride or his representative.

“In Islam, it is not legitimate to marry out a daughter without her father’s consent. So according to Ulama, there is no marriage of any girl that was married without her father’s or guardian’s consent. So this marriage is not legitimate, and it has to be dissolved,” he said.

By John Ogunsemore


President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed how an associate begged him to speak to the FCT Minster, Mohammed Musa Bello, to allocate him a plot of land that he could sell and use the proceeds to marry another wife.

His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu quoted the president as making the revelation when the minister led residents of FCT to pay him the traditional Christmas Day homage.

According to the statement, the president commended the FCT Minister, saying he retained the cabinet position for so long because of his honesty and hardwork.

The president noted that he was aware that the office of the Minister of the FCT is burdened with requests for land allocation from highly placed Nigerians, who often dispose of their allocations for financial gains and other priorities.

‘‘I was overwhelmed by the priority of some people who need a plot of land not to develop it but to sell it and marry another wife.

‘‘I don’t know how the Minister copes with such people who are extremely serious about such things. And I think about 45 per cent of those who have been given land allocation in the FCT have sold it and didn’t develop it according to the laid down criteria (master plan).’’

President Buhari thanked Nigerians for supporting his administration, recounting that during electioneering campaigns in the build-up to the 2015 and 2019 elections, he had travelled the length and breadth of the country seeking their support.

In his remarks, the FCT Minister expressed delight that the Christmas homage had returned after two years suspension due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

He prayed God Almighty to grant the president a peaceful and healthy retirement.

The Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT, Rev’d Stephen Panyan, was quoted as commending the president for doing his best for the country, praying that he would bequeath a legacy of fairness, justice, inclusiveness and management of diversity to Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of CAN National President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the religious leader reassured the president of the support of the Christian community to all his programmes to bring progress and prosperity to Nigeria.

‘‘At the twilight of your administration, we want to reassure you that the Christian community will continue to fully support you and pray that God will bless your efforts and that your desire to see the alleviation of the suffering of the citizens of this nation will begin to yield fruit.

‘‘May the Lord bless your work and see to the manifestation of your very noble desires,’’ the CAN leader prayed.

With the changing realities in next year’s electoral permutations, there is an increasing likelihood that the first ballot at the February 25 presidential election may not produce a clear winner.

By implication, there may be a run-off in the presidential bout before a clear winner is returned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Although, with their current standing, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, can still boast 21 states, where he is certain to get 25 per cent, while his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, Bola Tinubu, is confident of 20 states, where he can also pull his weight.

The candidates of Labour Party, Peter Obi, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, follow as third and fourth in that order with insignificant postings in many states to satisfy the constitutional requirement of 25 per cent of votes cast in 24 states.

This latest development follow a recent THISDAY poll – The Explainer – released by the THISDAY 2023 Election Centre, where a breakdown of the new realities is advanced, with implications for each candidate.

Some of the factors responsible for the new realities include the presence of the candidates in each of the states, their structures and support base, capacity to mobilise, the contents of their respective manifestos, ethnic sentiments, their popularity and name recognition, as well as financial war chest.

While the factors function differently from zone to zone, those responsible for the state-by-state analysis also differ in many respects, with the political parties playing defining roles as well.

NORTH-CENTRAL

In the North-central, there is a mixed bag of factors responsible for candidates’ stand, which is almost defying the previous extrapolation.

Plateau State:

A traditional PDP state currently under the control of the ruling APC, there is a battle to take back the state from APC, even though the ruling party is leaving nothing to chance. Yet, LP is encroaching and making a significant inroad. Here, according to The Explainer, Tinubu is at the moment on 20 per cent, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi 35 per cent, Kwankwaso five per cent, and the others/undecided, five per cent each.

Benue State:

Benue’s situation is close to Plateau, but the candidates stand differently. While Tinubu is struggling with 20 per cent, Atiku is slightly with an edge at 25 per cent, but Obi pushes up to 30 per cent, while Kwankwaso is at 10 and the others/undecided stands at 15 per cent each. The LP advantage may not be unconnected with the position of the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, who has publicly declared support for Obi.

Nasarawa State:

Although an APC state, the current realities do not show such advantage. Here, Tinubu is at 30 per cent, Atiku 25 per cent, but Obi is also 25 per cent, Kwankwaso 10 per cent, while the others/undecided 10 percent.

Niger State:

This is one North-central state that has remained largely unpredictable in terms of its behaviour ahead of 2023, even though it is at the moment controlled by APC. Tinubu and Atiku are at 35 per cent each, while Obi, Kwankwaso and others/undecided stay at 10 per cent each.

Kogi State:

For the ruling APC, Kogi is one of those unreliable states as far as 2023 is concerned. Nonetheless, Tinubu and Atiku are at 35 per cent each, Obi boasts 15 per cent, Kwankwaso is at five per cent, and the others/undecided are at 10 per cent.

Kwara State:

Since the journey to 2023 began, Kwara is one North-central state that has remained consistent with PDP and where the party can hedge its bet. With the incumbency factor at play, Tinubu is at 35 per cent, while Atiku is at 40 per cent. But Obi and Kwankwaso are at 10 per cent each, while the others/undecided are at five per cent.

NORTH-EAST

Though, bogged down by insecurity, the North-east comes to the 2023 race with huge strength. The presidential candidate of PDP, Atiku, is from the zone, while the vice-presidential candidate of APC, Kashim Shettima, is also from the same area. This interesting situation also makes the zone somewhat impenetrable for the others.

Borno State:

With the Shettima factor and home zone advantage, Tinubu is at 40 per cent here, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi’s score is infinitesimal, Kwankwaso 15 per cent, while the others/undecided are on five per cent.

Yobe State:

Yobe offers a serious struggle between APC and PDP, with an insignificant impact of the others. Tinubu is at 40 per cent here, Atiku is on 35 per cent, Obi five per cent, Kwankwaso 15 per cent, and the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Adamawa State:

More than any other time and in addition to the incumbency factor in the state, coupled with the home advantage, Atiku’s influence continues to be on the rise here. Thus, while Tinubu is struggling with 20 per cent, Atiku boasts a comfortable 60 per cent, Obi is at 10 per cent, Kwankwaso five per cent and, the others/undecided share five per cent.

Taraba State:

With an extended influence of the PDP candidate to Taraba, Tinubu is taking with him 10 per cent, Atiku has 40 per cent, Obi 20 per cent, Kwankwaso 20 per cent, and the others/undecided make do with 10 per cent.

Gombe State:

The zone advantage is still at play for the PDP candidate, where the people would rather choose their son for the number one position than their other son, who is number two. Tinubu has 20 per cent here, Atiku has 40 per cent, Obi 15 per cent, Kwankwaso five per cent, and the others/undecided have 20 per cent.

Bauchi State:

A PDP state, Bauchi is putting its all into the election and giving its candidate his best chance possible. Tinubu is at 20 per cent here, Atiku has 40 per cent, Obi five per cent, Kwankwaso 15 per cent, and the others/undecided are at 20 per cent.

NORTH-WEST

The North-west is about the most important in the equation in terms of votes return. Unfortunately, Tinubu is losing steam here while Atiku and Kwankwaso are gaining ground. This is because APC has put its campaign on the back of governors in the zone, whereas the governors themselves are not that strong, with the planning of their retirement. Importantly, too, the governors are afraid of what happened to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who had 23 governors and eight of the governors lost their states. Above all, the North-west governors are not happy with Tinubu, as he promised a majority of them the ticket to pair with him, but chose Shettima, a Kanuri, instead. That even looks like the most important factor.

Kano State:

With the interplay of interests as the north headquarters, Tinubu is doing 30 per cent here, despite the fact that it is an APC state. Atiku is at 20 per cent, Obi five per cent, while Kwankwaso is at 40 per cent. The others/undecided share five per cent.

Kaduna State:

In Kaduna, Tinubu is doing 30 per cent, Atiku 25 per cent, Obi 20 per cent, Kwankwaso 20 per cent, and the others/undecided five per cent.

Katsina State:

The home state of President Muhammadu Buhari with an APC governor is showing a rather interesting result. In spite of the many advantages, Tinubu is at 30 per cent, Atiku 40 per cent, Obi is not in play, Kwankwaso is 25 per cent and the others/undecided are five per cent.

Jigawa State:

This is an APC state, but PDP is doing well here. Tinubu is at 25 per cent, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi does not seem visible here, Kwankwaso is at 25 per cent, while the others/undecided have 10 per cent.

Sokoto State:

Sokoto promises a close race, with Tinubu doing 35 per cent and Atiku 40 per cent. Not unexpectedly, Obi is also not in play here, but Kwankwaso is at 15 per cent while the others/undecided are at 10 per cent.

Kebbi State:

The race here is similar to Sokoto’s, albeit propelled by dissimilar factors. Tinubu boasts 35 per cent here, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi is non-existent, Kwankwaso is at 20 per cent, while the others/undecided are 10 per cent.

Zamfara State:

Tinubu is doing well here because of Governor Bello Matawalle, who is campaigning seriously for him. In addition, APC has tried to use the court to hold down and remove the PDP candidate, Dauda Lawan-Dare. However, if Lawan-Dare, a former First Bank Executive Director, survives the court battle, Atiku might win Zamfara, with Gen. Aliyu Gasau also fighting for him. But Tinubu is currently doing 40 per cent, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi is out of equation, Kwankwaso is at 20 per cent and the others/undecided, five per cent.

SOUTH-EAST

The South-east is a zone of interest in the 2023 general election. This is because in spite of the multi-faceted security situation in the place, it is looking like a clean sweep for Obi, while the other candidates struggle to get some paltry recognition.

Anambra State:

As a South-east state, Anambra is solidly behind Obi and this is in spite of a recent comment by Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Obi is pitching for a landslide. This is because the average Igbo man just wants to make a statement with Obi’s candidacy. For many here, it is not about Obi winning or not winning. Here, Tinubu is on five per cent, Atiku 10 per cent, Obi 70 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in play, while the others/undecided are at 15 per cent.

Abia State:

The ethnic sentiment is also prevalent here and this sees Tinubu doing 10 per cent, Atiku doing 15 per cent, Obi comfortably on 60 per cent, Kwankwaso is non-existent, and the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Ebonyi State:

Tinubu and Atiku are at 15 per cent each, Obi is at 60 per cent, Kwankwaso is not visible here, while the others/undecided are 10 per cent.

Enugu State:

In Enugu, Tinubu is doing 10 per cent, Atiku 15 per cent, Obi 60 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in play but the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Imo State:

The permutations in Imo are slightly different, combined with its peculiar security situation and in spite of the incumbency factor. Nevertheless, Tinubu is at 15 per cent, Atiku 20 per cent, Obi 60 per cent, Kwankwaso is not reckoned, and the others/undecided are five per cent.

SOUTH-SOUTH

Delta State:

The PDP presidential running mate and incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has upped the PDP chances in the state. But the opposition still gives a good fight. In Delta Central where Omo Agege comes from, it’s divided between Omo Agege, Ogboru and Ibori, while Delta South and Delta North are essentially PDP strong hold, but very recently, Peter Obi has been making inroads into the north. Here, Tinubu is doing 15 per cent, Atiku is on 40 per cent, Obi 35 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in play, and the others/undecided are 10 per cent.

Edo State:

Although the PDP has always done well in its presidential postings in the state, the game this time is slightly different. Tinubu is on 15 per cent, Atiku and Obi are doing 35 per cent each, Kwankwaso is not in play, while the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Akwa Ibom State:

A PDP terrain, the governor of the state, Udom Emmanuel, is the chairman of the presidential campaign council. The party looks comfortable here. Tinubu is on 15 per cent, Atiku 40 per cent, Obi 35 per cent, Kwankwaso is not reckoned, and the others/undecided, 10 per cent.

Bayelsa State:

A traditional PDP stronghold, Bayelsa remains loyal to the opposition party, but with strong contest by the others. Tinubu is at 20 per cent, Atiku 40 per cent, Obi 30 per cent, Kwankwaso is out of the equation, and the others/undecided are 10 per cent.

Cross River:

Cross River has a different play, which has defied many guesses and extrapolations. Tinubu is at 25 per cent, Atiku is playing at 20 per cent, Obi 35 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in the equation and the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Rivers State:

Rivers is going to be one of the most interesting states to watch. There is the possibility that the Wike factor will work against PDP. Wike has not decided yet. He said he would decide in the coming days and he is likely to support Obi, taking after Ortom. So far, Tinubu is on 10 per cent, Atiku 15 per cent, Obi 35 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in contention, and the others/undecided are at 40 per cent.

SOUTH-WEST

Of all the zones, South-west is about the most cosmopolitan with electoral choices, and also tolerant of others, irrespective of their ethnic leanings. This is evident in their pattern of voting.

Lagos State:

This is Tinubu’s base, where he is like a “god” over everything that breathes and non-living. Yet, the threat posed by the opposition is real. With the incumbency factor and home advantage, Tinubu is comfortably doing 45 per cent, Atiku 20 per cent, Obi 25 per cent, Kwankwaso five per cent and the others/undecided are five per cent.

Ogun State:

In Ogun, despite the incumbency factor and fractionalisation in the party, Tinubu is still doing 45 per cent, Atiku 20 per cent, Obi 10 per cent, Kwankwaso 15 per cent, and the others/undecided are at 15 per cent.

Ondo State:

PDP has always done well in the presidential elections in Ondo, the sentiment that Tinubu is Yoruba might have tainted the pattern. Therefore, Tinubu is at 45 per cent, Atiku is at 20 per cent, Obi is 10 per cent, Kwankwaso 10 per cent, and the others/undecided are15 per cent.

Ekiti State:

Recent developments have shown that PDP in Ekiti State has begun to close ranks and work for the success of its candidate. But the newly elected government of APC also has relative control in the state. So far, Tinubu is doing 45 per cent, Atiku is on 20 per cent, Obi 15 per cent, Kwankwaso is not in play, and the others/undecided are 15 per cent.

Oyo State:

The capital of South-west politics, Oyo is also looking in the way of Tinubu and this much the governor, Makinde, hinted at during a radio interview some time ago. Tinubu is on 40 per cent, Atiku 20 per cent, Obi 15 per cent, Kwankwaso 15 per cent, and the others/undecided are also 15 per cent.

Osun State:

Of all the states in the South-west zone, Osun chose to differ a bit by not weighing too much on Tinubu’s side, unlike the others. With a PDP governor, who is not revolting against the party leadership, it is no wonder that the party is comfortable in the state. Yet, there is a Yoruba movement that wants Tinubu. Here, Tinubu is at 35 per cent, Atiku 35 per cent, Obi is at 5 per cent, Kwankwaso is 5 per cent, while the others/undecided are 20 per cent.

Nigeria did not make the list of most advanced countries in Africa, despite being referred to as the Giant of Africa.

A report by Insider Monkey, titled: “12 Most Advanced Countries in Africa”, revealed that Africa is one of the richest continents in the world when it comes to natural resources, adding that the continent has vast resources of valuable metals such as cobalt, gold, platinum, and coltan.

The report listed 12 countries in Africa which have been able to use their natural resources to boost their economy.

These countries are Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; Republic of Zimbabwe; United Republic of Tanzania; Republic of Senegal; Republic of Namibia; Republic of Ghana; Arab Republic of Egypt; Republic of Kenya; Republic of Botswana; Republic of Tunisia; Republic of Morocco and Republic of South Africa.

For instance, the report showed that the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire relies primarily on agriculture, and the country exports different products such as cocoa beans, gold, and petroleum products, thereby boosting its economy to $173 billion GDP in terms of purchasing power parity.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have decried Nigeria’s inability to export its products to other countries. To them, Nigeria is blessed with different varieties of foods, but it’s unable to export farm products due to its inability to meet international standards.

Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun said while Nigerian farmers produce about 48 million tonnes of yam annually, they are unable to export them, because they are being rejected by developed countries.

Abiodun said most Nigerian farmers had to send their farm produce to Ghana to be tested for quality assurance, before exporting it to other countries.

With the new commissioning of the African Quality Assurance Centre in Ogun State, the state governor said Nigerian farmers would no longer go to Ghana to test their products before export, adding that the new facility would increase Nigeria’s non -oil revenue.

As for South Africa, it is the fifth largest economy in Africa which was worth $411 billion last year, the report stated, adding that, “It is the only country in Africa with a nuclear power plant and is known for important scientific contributions such as the first human to human heart transplant, yellow fever vaccine, and X-Ray based CT scans. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the country is the only African nation with most of its Global Innovation Index scores in the third quartile, with a high market sophistication score of 39.”

Reacting to this, Professor and manager, Drug Manufacturing Company, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (NIPRD), Prof. Martins Emeje told LEADERSHIP, that Nigeria is lagging behind when it comes to science.

Emeje disclosed that Nigeria is a home to one of the best brain in pharmaceutical scientists in the world, adding that, “The country has the human capacity to manufacture any type of drug, to undertake research and development into any type of drug, whether it is synthetic or natural. The country also has the professionals, intellectual and industrial know-how that is needed to produce vaccines.”

In terms of Infrastructural capacity, however, he stated that Nigeria does not have the infrastructural capacity to manufacture, not just vaccine, but all drugs.

“Right now as we speak, Nigeria does not manufacture any drug 100 per cent. We import raw materials, that is active pharmaceutical ingredients, then we compound them or produce them into capsule, tablets, injection and syrups etc. Sometimes, we import already finished products from India, China and the United Kingdom (UK) into our health system and into the market to be sold in the pharmacy or patent shops or in our hospitals.

“So, we do not manufacture anything and that is because, the infrastructure that is required for Nigeria pharmaceutical space, industry players, that is the scientists to undertake synthesis of chemical compound required to make our own drugs and vaccines, are unavailable at this point.”

To boost the country in terms of research and development, Emeje however said the pharmaceutical companies and private sector should also step up to fund research and development in Nigeria, as government cannot do it alone. “It was AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company that funded or partly funded the AstraZeneca vaccine we are using today. Pfizer also funded its own vaccine, so pharmaceutical companies should be ready to do so in Nigeria and stop funding election campaigns that have little value on Nigerians,” he added.

Also commenting on the development, a management expert and founding national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Dr Chekwas Okorie, has said that Nigeria is not among the top 12 most advanced countries in Africa because the country’s constitution stifles innovation that could have included Nigeria among the most advanced countries in the continent.

Okorie was reacting to a Yahoo publication which listed the 12 most advanced countries in Africa.

To arrive at the methodology used in ranking the countries, the publishers of the report said they consulted the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index to sift out which countries in Africa are the most advanced ones out of the 56 sovereign states that are members of the U.N. While other metrics, such as the OECD’s patent database and the percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) spent on research and development, were initially considered, they were found lacking either in their scope (few African countries have patents to their name) or incomprehensive and out of date due to a lack of availability of the latest statistics.”

Angry youths of Akon-Itam community in Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have persisted in their protests over the killing of a couple along the Calabar-Itu Highway by a convoy of vehicles ferrying the Senator representing Eket Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom South), Mrs. Akon Iyakenyi, back to Uyo, the State capital from her campaign tour.

Senator Iyakenyi is the the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate and running mate to Pastor Umo Eno, the party’s flag-bearer in the upcoming elections in 2023.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the distraught youths, Comrade Utibe Inyang, explained that the convoy rammed into the couple on a motorcycle, while trying to navigate the ever-busy highway connecting the neighbouring Calabar, Cross River State.

He maintained that what exercabated the anger of the people stemmed from the poor handling of the compensation package of a paltry N2 million the Senator gave to the family.

“The husband and wife killed by her convoy died and left behind three young children, so the pains we are still feeling now is because of the disdainful attitude demonstrated by the Deputy Governorship candidate without considering how these young orphans would be trained and developed without their parents,” he added.

It was gathered that some officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) called to manage traffic at the scene were injured and their patrol vehicle damaged by the rampaging youths, but the State’s Sector Commander of FRSC, Mathew Olonisaye, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “only our vehicle was vandalized,” adding that the situation had been brought under control and normalcy returned.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Olatoye Durosinmi, said normalcy has returned to the area following fruitful negotiation for peace, adding that for their timely intervention, the youths were on the verge of torching some vehicles in the lawmaker’s convoy.

A businessman, Dapo Olofinmakin, has accused his mother, Olufunmilayo, of exhuming the corpse of his late father, Segun, in a bid to sell his property on Sanya Street in the Aguda area of Lagos State, where he was buried.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Dapo, 47, had opposed the plan by his mother to move the body to another location to facilitate the sale of the building.

In a bid to achieve her aim, Dapo, while speaking to our correspondent, alleged that his mother mobilised policemen from the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, to arrest him at his father’s house.

He noted that the policemen, who arrested him and his daughter around 7.30am on October 30, 2021, detained them for 13 hours, adding that when they returned home, his father’s remains had been removed.

Dapo said, “I am the only child of my mother and father; sometime between 1982 and 1995, my father was not around to manage his property because he had some challenges. During this period, my mother got married to one Alhaji Onisemo, who is now late, and she gave birth to my stepsister, Bukola.

“I was in South Africa when my father died and could not return home to bury him because of the travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it was my uncle, Olu Akomolafe, who is my mother’s brother, and members of the Sanya Street Landlord Association that buried my father.

“When I returned from South Africa, my mother started claiming she owned my father’s house. While my mother, a family member and I were at loggerheads over claims to the property, on October 28, 2021, she came with policemen around 7.30 am to arrest me at my father’s house.

“They took me to the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, where I was detained till they exhumed my father’s corpse on that same day. I was later released around 8pm. As I speak to you, I don’t know where she buried my father’s corpse or what she did with the corpse. She did all these things because she wanted to sell that house and I refused.”

Dapo stated that some tenants in the house saw his mother removing the body from the grave.

The Ondo State indigene, who stressed that his mother was claiming his father’s house despite leaving him a long time ago and remarrying, urged relevant authorities to intervene in the matter.

Contacted for a reaction, Olufunmilayo, who insisted that she built the house, said a lawyer would get in touch with our correspondent.

“That boy is a liar. I built that house and he’s here laying claims to what is not his property; my lawyer will contact you later,” she said.

When the lawyer did not reach out, PUNCH Metro called the woman to inform her and demand his contact.

The lawyer’s phone number rang out twice without a response.

He also failed to reply to a text message from our correspondent as of press time.

Our correspondent further reached out to Olufunmilayo to inform her of the refusal of her lawyer to respond, adding that it constituted a waiver of her rights to react to the allegations.
She did not respond to the text message.

Dapo’s uncle, Olu, who is a sibling of Olufunmilayo, said the deceased was the owner of the property.

He said, “I am a pastor and I will not tell lies. Late Segun, my in-law, owned that house legally and it is now his son’s. My sister left (Segun) and remarried in 1982 and she had children with the other man and when my in-law died in 2020, she did not even attend his burial.

“I and members of the Sanya Street Landlord Association, Aguda, buried Dapo’s father because he was not in the country when his father died. I was surprised when I heard that my sister had gone to exhume his corpse and she is claiming the house, which is not hers.”

The Chairman of Sanya Street Landlord Association, Olu Francis, also said the property was built by the late Segun.

He said, “Olufunmilayo’s younger brother, Olu, who is a pastor, and members of our association, buried Segun at his house when he died. I was surprised to hear that the woman exhumed the corpse and is now claiming the house. Dapo is the only child that the man (Segun) had before he passed.”

The property developer, Wale Ojeyemi, said he was in possession of one of the house documents, adding that it was in the name of Dapo’s father.

When contacted for a reaction, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Hauwa Idris, said she could not react until she checked the records.

She said, “There is no police reaction to this matter until I am able to get details of the case.”

By Mansur Aramide, Gombe


Igbos across the 19 Northern States and Abuja have described as untrue the trending report that it endorsed the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the next year’s election.

A statement jointly signed by the group’s President and the Secretary Generals: Chi Nwogu and Austin Oforkansi respectfully said it has not at any point in time held a meeting on the issue.

Copy of the release titled: “Igbo leaders in the North have not endorsed any presidential candidate for the 2023 elections yet” copy given to our reporter decried what it described as the antics of detractors.

According to it: “it has come to our notice on the purported story of endorsement by Igbo unions in the nineteen northern states and Abuja of the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2023

“We Igbos in the 19 northern states and Abuja under the umbrella of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) are equally dismayed by the actions of another group of unknown individuals said to be representing the unions,” it lamented.

Referring to a publication in a national daily (not The Guardian) in which he alleged that an impostor on the platform of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) endorsed Tinubu, it said: “lets the state for the records that the town unions in the 19 Northern states under the umbrella of IDA have at no time met and resolved to endorse the candidate of any particular party for the 2023 presidential election. When we do so it will be an open forum following the due process of consultations which is still ongoing.

“We say here emphatically that we Igbos in the 19 Northern States and Abuja and all our town unions are advising politicians to be wary of impostors.

“Politicians should be weary of political jobbers with no political value,” it cautioned, urging: “we however call on our kindred, the Igbos in the North to come out en mass and participate in the electoral exercise to contribute in the collective decision to elect leaders in the 2023 elections and at the same time remain law abiding and go about their business in accordance to the laws of their respective states of residence.”

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday night described the claim that he was dead and Jibril Aminu from Sudan’ occupying the presidential villa in Aso Rock, as a joke that was not funny.

President Buhari stated this in a documentary at a private dinner organised by his family and very closed associates, to celebrate his 80th birthday tagged “Celebrating A Patriot, a Leader, an Elder Statesman”.

The documentary, produced and directed by US based filmmaker Ose Oyemadan, showcased the President’s early life, school days, military career, rise as Head of State in 1984, coup and imprisonment, release, PTF days and return to democracy where he contested elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 when he won and his re-election in 2019.

The narrative was driven by the President and supported with deep and authoritative insights by his nephew, Mamman Daura, classmate, Senator Abba Ali, close family members, friends, aides and political associates, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, FCT Minister of State, Ramatu Aliyu, spokesman, Femi Adesina, former running mate in CPC, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Special Envoy to Chad, Amb. Babagana kingibe, State Chief of Protocol, Lawal Kazaure, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gamvari and the publisher/biographer, John Paden

The President said some Nigerians have a way of creating humour to feast on something they do not understand, adding that the rumour that he was dead and one Jubril from Sudan was the work of of some mischief makers to demonstrate their cheekiness.

Asked by the interviewer if he heard about the crazy rumour a while back that he was not Buhari, he replied smiling, “Yes! People said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name. Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves.”

Also asked whether he finds such things funny, the President said: “No. It’ is not funny because those who made those statement, they just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.

“Our main issue is to do the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”

The President also said he will not miss Aso Rock much because he is being harassed and that his efforts to make the country better is not good enough and appreciated by some people.

Asked what he will miss about the presidency when he leaves, Buhari said: “I wonder if I am going to miss much. I think I’m being harassed. I believe I’m trying my best but still my best is not good enough. Because there are people around that think that they can intimidate me to get what they want instead of going through certain systems to earn whatever they want to earn. And they are some people who want to be clever by half.”

The President revealed that he lost two of his children by his late wife to sickle cell anemia and that was why when he wanted to remarry, he insisted the second wife must be AA genotype, so that his children will not inherit the S from his AS genotype.

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, while proposing a toast for the celebrant, described him as a forthright, good and kind man, as well as an exemplary leader.

He also noted that the president would make a very good entertainer in retirement because of his wackiest sense of humour.

Osinbajo recalled how the president used jokes to calm him down and rescind his decision to submit a letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to investigate allegations of corruption leveled against him.

“Mr. President is a very humorous man and I think he would make a very good career in entertainment one way or the other when he retires.


“One day, I went to him because there were some allegations that were made against me. And I was so angry, so I went to him to show him the letter I had written to the EFCC to investigate. He looked at it and looked at me and because he calls me VP or Professor depending on his mood.

“This time he said, ‘VP, why do you worry yourself about all these people. These people just make all sorts of allegations, they make all sorts of stories up, even they are saying that I am about to get married again. And even some foolish people were waiting at the National Mosque, waiting for me to come and marry again.”

He praised President Buhari for leading the nation with great courage, determination and commitment.

“I invite your excellences, ladies and gentlemen, to join me in proposing this toast to an exemplary leader, a forthright and honest man, a good and kind man, and a man who has led this country with great courage, determination and commitment for so many years.

“We pray that the almighty God will preserve his life for very many years to come and that he will live all of these many years in good health, peace, joy and with the love of all of our country men.”


Also eulogizing the President, former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, described Buhari as a man with impeccable character, a nationalist, a good listener, a man who loves his family and the country, Nigeria.

“He is a nationalist. He doesn’t think of himself, he is a contented human being”, he said.

Amosun added, “He is a man whom all of us; even his adversaries will agree that this is a man with a flawless character, a man with a good heart, very compassionate, very committed and a good listener.

“Somebody that loves his family (and) Nigeria; he is a nationalist. President Muhammadu Buhari will always think about others. In his own little way and even in his humorous way, he will always not just think about himself. He is somebody that is not bothered about all these worldly things he is already a contented human being.”

Similarly, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi described President Buhari as a detribalized person that means well for Nigeria.

“Let me say here that the President is a very highly detribalized personality. He is a man that loves this nation. Every time you meet him, he laments about the level of patriotism of our people. You will see a man that has passion for the people of this country, a man that loves every section of this country,” he said.

Umahi, commended the president for what he called, “the miracle of the second Niger bridge”, saying, “Second Niger Bridge, is now facilitating the movement of people and goods to the Eastern part of the country this yuletide season.

“Second Niger Bridge is a miracle that those of us in the South East are still savoring and is only you, Mr President that could have done it.

Because when you say something, you do it.”

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, who also graced the occasion, thanked President Buhari for sacrificing a lot for the progress of Nigeria.

He said: “You have been at the helm of the affairs of this country at a critical time. We have seen a life of commitment, dedication, patriotism and honesty. Mr President, you have done well for your country. Our nation has seen the difference, the leadership that you demonstrate.”

He said they belong to the class of leaders who came and served their country with commitment, dedication patriotism and honesty.

He likened him to leaders like “Charles De Gaulle of France, Franklin Roosevelt of America, Winston Churchill of Great Britain and Buhari of Nigeria.”

The APC flag bearer who was in attendance with his running mate, Kashim Shettima, said: “The leadership you have demonstrated reminded me of the speech you gave at the Primary Convention when you won the nomination. You thanked the people with all humility and said even if you had the money, you would not have paid. But that is because, they know who you are, a man of integrity, great commitment, transparent and a exceptional humility.”

Tinubu prayed that “God will continue to spare you to see the history as you want it for the country, the ship of this nation will be on the right course. You will live long to enjoy a nice evening of democracy that you brought about.

“When you talk of PVC, card reader, transparency and honesty in the electoral process like you did, we can only promise not to let you down. Enjoy 80 till you celebrate other birthdays.”

The President’s eldest daughter, Fatima Buhari, who spoke on behalf of her siblings and the entire family, used the occasion to thank her father for investing in their future by giving them the needed training and care for their wellbeing.

“We are deeply honoured to be here celebrating the 80th birthday of our beloved father. I thank almighty Allah for his mercy and grace, for giving our beloved father long life and good health.

“Baba is someone who money cannot buy. That is one thing we know and he taught us that. He taught us humility, loyalty, integrity, dignity and honesty and he has a very good sense of humour. He gave us everything a parent will give his child; love, care, good education, shelter and many more,” she said.

Fatima also described her father as a man with penchant for accountability and a stickler for time.


She said: “He gave us everything, love, care, good education and all.

“He is blessed with 10 children. Two of whom are dead, 22 grandchildren whom he gives funny names.

“We have learnt so much from his character like ‘no African time’, he is always prompt. He once left me behind and went on a journey we all planned to go because I was late. Of course, I cried but I learnt my lesson.

“He taught us accountability. He is always saying bring me back my change. Baba, I’m sorry I am saying all these in public but we are so proud of you, we love you to the moon and back.”

There were good will messages from traditional rulers, who all eulogized President Buhari as a man of integrity and a huge sense of humour.

Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, said the president has done a lot and the results will manifest much later after he must have left the scene.

He described him as the promoter of traditional institutions and for preventing the returned artefacts of Benin Kingdom from being relooted, when he instructed that, the artifacts must be handed to the traditional ruler directly.

Oba of Benin said, “President Buhari has done a lot for this country, for the youth and for the traditional institution, and the result will come out much later.

He is a man of Integrity and transparency. I have been interacting with him for several years.”

Emir of Kazaure described the President as Mr. Law and Order who once denied him, the opportunity to be given a generator to make his job as the secretary of the then Petroleum Trust Fund, easier in order to avoid submitting reports late because he was using candlelight to work, because as he was not entitled to one according to the law.

He said: “If you are looking for Mr law and order, you have found him in President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ọjájá II) also spoke about President Buhari’s dedication and commitment to the growth of democracy.

Also present were governors of Katsina, Aminu Masari and Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari and members of the cabinet, family members, captains of industry including Chairman of AriseTV and Thisday Group, Nduka Obaigbena among others.

The highlight of the event was when the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, led other members of the President’s cabinet to present a giant birthday card and cut the birthday cake as they rejoiced with him on his 80th birthday.

AUTHOR: Kunle Daramola


Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, says the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached a height where sacrifices must be made to attain peace.

He said he feels empty without the presence of Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, on Atiku’s campaign train.

Udom, who is the chairman of the PDP presidential campaign council, said this on Thursday when Ortom paid him a visit in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state capital.

Udom said the party will do everything necessary to put things in order for Atiku to win the 2023 presidential election.

“We all came in as a family, whether you like it or not. These are brothers even in the parable of the lost sheep in the Bible, only one sheep got missing and Jesus Christ left the rest and went after that one. How much more when you have brothers that are up to five,” he said.

“You turn around on a campaign platform and you don’t see them. Suddenly, you will feel you need them. These are people that we started together. I think I still feel empty that we are not all together on a campaign platform but when it comes to governance, we are all together and we have mutual respect for each other.

“We listened to each other and we tried to look at the way forward and I want to believe it is getting to that point where sacrifices must be made so that there can be peace.

“Someone like me, I am pursuing peace and I want peace to reign and once we can achieve that, our party will coast into victory

“We are ready to make peace and I can assure our party that these are governors who have structures, and something to show. These are governors who have capacity.

“We will do everything possible to put the house together on the 2023 campaign, but when it comes to governance we are still as intact as ever.”

The G5 governors have been at the forefront of calls for Iyorchia Ayu to step down as national chairman of the PDP on the grounds that the presidential candidate and chairman cannot be from the same region.

The asset recovery panel set up by the Osun government has directed Gboyega Oyetola, immediate past governor of the state, and his wife, Sherifat, to return official vehicles in their possession.

The development was announced on Friday in a statement by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Ademola Adeleke, the governor.

According to the statement, Tokunbo Salami, the chairman of the asset recovery panel, said the directive also applies to former appointees of the state.

Oyetola is said to have 11 vehicles in his possession, while his wife has “several” brands of government vehicles in her possession.

Salami added that there is no law in the state that authorised any elected or appointed officials to leave with state vehicles after the completion of their tenure.

“The Assets Recovery Panel of the Osun State Government has directed former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, his wife, Hajia Kafayat Oyetola, and other former appointees to immediately return assorted vehicles valued at N2.9 billion presently illegally in their possession,” the statement reads.

“Due diligence has been conducted and the committee has concluded that the affected past officials should return government vehicles in their possession.

“This is the first batch of vehicles to be retrieved. We will soon come up with the second batch.

“All affected officials should return the vehicles in their possession immediately to avoid coercive procedures for recovery of state assets.

“In the list of affected officials, Governor Oyetola alone has 11 vehicles ranging from Lexus Jeep,
Toyota Prado jeeps
and assorted models of costly vehicles.

The wife, Mrs Kafayat, also has in her possession several brand of governments vehicles which were taken away against provisions of the law.”

The panel also requested that Benedict Alabi, the former deputy governor; Charles Akinola, former chief of staff; and Abdullahi Binuyo, former deputy chief of staff, return the official vehicles in their possession.

Other affected former appointees include those who served as special advisers, local government caretakers, board chairpersons, commissioners, and secretary to the state government.

“The former Deputy Governor has more than seven government vehicles in his custody contrary to the provisions of the law,” the statement reads.

“A serving Senator, Oriolowo, is also directed to return to the Osun State Agricultural Development Programme five machines namely motor grader, buldozer, soil compactor machine among others.

“All affected ex-officials are to urgently comply with the above request or risk enforcement procedures.”

Socialist Labour, a Nigerian labour group, has warned Nigerian workers against supporting the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu had recently met with the leadership of organised labour in Abuja.

The town hall meeting, which held at Chida Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory, was well attended by labour leaders from the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress among others.

The leadership of the organised labour also presented the APC candidate with their demands which included a total war on corruption.

Reacting to the event, Socialist Labour in a statement by its National Secretary, Biodun Olamosu, said Tinubu had never been friend of the workers.

The labour group added that as governor of Lagos State, the APC candidate sacked over 10,000 workers over minimum wage protests.

The statement read, “The recent meeting of the presidents of the NLC and TUC with Bola Tinubu reinforces the mistaken impression that Tinubu is a friend of workers and their trade unions.

“Tinubu has throughout his life consistently attacked workers and their organisations. In addition, the origins of his business empire suggest that he is extremely corrupt. Tinubu’s attitude to common people is shown by his recent statement that he would remove fuel subsidy regardless of the protests by ordinary people. One of the first things that Tinubu did, within two months of taking over as Governor in Lagos State, in May 1999, was to sack thousands of public sector workers in the name of “rationalisation”.

“In 2001/2002, Tinubu sacked over 10,000 workers over minimum wage protests. The Federal Government had increased the minimum wage to N7,500 for the Federal Government and the oil producing states. Lagos State trade unions demanded that they be paid at this higher rate as the State had more than adequate levels of local revenue. A strike was organised with daily rallies.

“The NLC president, Adams Oshiomole, came to Lagos to try and settle the matter. Oshiomole insisted that the workers should go back to work during negotiations. Bola Tinubu did not pay what was being demanded, in contrast, he sacked the leaders of the strike.

“Most of the workers were eventually re-instated but their late leader Ayodele Akele was never given his job back. He had been the state chair of the trade union AUPCTRE and Chair of the rank and file organisation, the Congress of Industrial Unions (COIU). Tinubu also massively increased the level of student fees at Lagos State University and the Polytechnic.

“In 2015, the consultancy firm controlled by Tinubu, Alpha Beta, sacked 300 of its 375 workers for indicating that they wanted to join the Association of Senior Staff of Bank and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI). Two years later, in June 2017, 145 staff were retrenched from Tinubu’s television station, TVC. It is no accident that offices of TVC and Tinubu’s newspaper, The Nation, were attacked and set on fire after the massacre of the #EndSARS protesters in October 2020 at Lekki Toll Gates.

“Over the last 20 years, Alpha Beta Consulting Ltd has held the exclusive rights to collect internally generated revenue, especially the Land Use Charges in Lagos State in return for a commission. This is allegedly as high as 15%. However, as it is very difficult to account for any money until it has been paid into one of the Lagos State Government bank accounts, far more money could have been looted. According to Premium Times in 2008, “Alpha Beta Consulting is widely known amongst Lagosians as the state’s preeminent tax consulting firm, amidst speculations that it is being used as a conduit for siphoning state funds into private pockets.”

“In 2018, Oladapo Apara (former Managing Director of ABC) wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing Alpha Beta of N100bn tax fraud and failure to pay his termination benefits. He also opened a court case alleging that Tinubu was concealing his control over the consultancy company. This case was eventually settled out of court in September 2022.

“Like many business owners, Tinubu has ridden rough shod over workers rights. In addition, he has allegedly used monies he siphoned from Lagos State Government when he was Governor and afterwards to fund his business empire and financing what is now the APC.

“The idea that this corrupt tyrant should become President is a frightening prospect for workers and their trade unions. Handing Tinubu a copy of the NLC’s Charter of Workers Demands at a friendly meeting in the presence of Oshiomole and other turn-coats, is not going to change Tinubu’ habits of a lifetime. The NLC and the TUC should be preparing to fight the next President, whoever they turn out to be, rather than cozying up to them.”

The Federal Government on Thursday announced that the implementation of the National Minimum Wage was critical to national development.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, at a public enlightenment and sensitisation workshop for field officers monitoring the implementation of the National Minimum Wage in Abuja, which was organised by the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission.

Ngige said, “Ensuring compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act would ensure that workers were not short-changed.

“A satisfied worker would contribute effectively and efficiently to the sustainability and growth of an enterprise. This will in turn contribute to national development and less disruptions in productivity, occasioned by industrial actions.

“There is an urgent need, therefore, to ensure a minimum living wage to all employed and in need of such protection and attain a just and equitable share of the fruits of progress.”

Speaking further, he said the formal and informal sectors were represented during the collective bargaining mechanisms that produced the Act.

He said with that, no establishment could claim ignorance or non-involvement in reaching the collective bargaining agreement on the minimum wage. He stated that all establishments were bound by the Act.

On the workshop, the minister said the training was critical to implementing the mandate of the ministry and the NSIWC.

He noted that Section 12 of the Act, titled “Monitoring and Compliance”, indicated that the Ministry would collaborate with NSIWC to monitor the implementation of the national minimum wage.

He said, “It is also their responsibility to keep social partners informed of the process, to address any identified non-compliance with provisions of the act. The workshop is meant to enlighten and sensitise the stakeholders who are statutorily assigned the duty of monitoring and ensuring compliance.

“I hope you will be drilled thoroughly in the art of interaction with capital and labour and the inherent dialectics between the factors of production to protect rights at work.”

He added, “I also hope that at the end of the workshop, you will be knowledgeable of the act and adequately arm yourselves in execution of your monitoring and enforcement duties,” he said.

The NSIWC Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, said the commission was determined to implement its mandate to the letter, particularly in the area of salaries and wages.

The Chairman, who was represented by the NSIWC Commissioner, Dr Mojisola Kolade, explained that the commission would go all out to address the problem of wage theft.

He said, “The commission will ensure that people are not short-changed when it comes to salaries and wages. We want the money to be given to the right persons.”

On why implementation and monitoring were coming about three years after the national minimum wage act was signed into law, Nta said the commission was constrained by funds.

He said although the commission was still battling with funding, it had to embark on the exercise, which would commence in the first quarter of 2023 because of its determination for efficiency.

On productivity, he said, “For Nigeria to be successful, working has to be productive”.

Nta said, “It was important for agencies that would be monitored in the exercise to cooperate with the commission. The compensation business is a serious business, and we urge agencies to open their books and tell us the truth. Even with infractions we will sit and talk”.

The stakeholders commended the move by the Federal Government to monitor the implementation of the wage and expressed concern that some states of the federation were not complying with it, leading to hardship and less productivity.

While saying that the move was late in view of the fact the N30,000 minimum wage came into effect since 2019, the stakeholders, however, said “It is better late than never.”

by Bode Gbadebo


A former deputy national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Thursday, raised the alarm over alleged plot to assassinate the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

Frank, in a statement in Abuja, called on the international community especially the United States of America, United Kingdom, European Union, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to intervene to save Emefiele’s life and job.

LEADERSHIP reports that Emefiele has been in the news of late following allegations that the Department of State Services (DSS) had planned to arrest and charge him for terrorism financing in order to forcefully and illegally remove him as the governor of the apex bank.

The DSS is Nigeria’s foremost secret police organisation.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, however, urged the DSS to purge itself of partisanship by following due process if it has any evidence linking Emefiele to the said charge.

He further alleged that the DSS has farmed out their men to allegedly harass, intimidate and arrest Emefiele on his way back into the country after an official assignment abroad.

He said: “I have it on good authority that some members of the present administration led by the APC in collaboration with some

security agencies are planning to assassinate Governor Emefiele.

“To me, it’s a plot to destabilise next year’s general elections. I plead with the the nation’s security agencies and their cohorts to halt this devious plan in the interest of the country.

“It is interesting to note that this same government through its security agencies like the DSS defended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, over his alleged past extremist views and support for Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, even when the minister owned up to his past Islamic messages.

“Also, one of the Vice Presidential candidates who has been seen dining with Boko Haram leaders, including taking pictures with them has not been questioned or arrested by the DSS.

“It is worthy of note that the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had revealed in the past that six top Nigerians were part of those funding terrorism in Nigeria.

“The DSS has done nothing to bring these persons to justice, yet the agency is allegedly being swift in weaving a charge of terrorism financing against Emefiele.

“It is crystal clear that this plot is not far from the politics of 2023. Therefore, we appeal to the international community to wade in and call the people who want to execute this gross illegality against the CBN Governor to order.

“My guess is that some people are not comfortable with Emefiele’s policies, especially that of Naira notes’ redesign as it appears to thwart their plans for vote buying during the upcoming general elections.

“We, the citizens of this country,

will resist any form of intimidation as power must return back to the people, come 2023.

This is the time to walk the talk on fight against corruption by this government.”

Frank added: “It might interest the DSS to know that there’s a video in circulation where one of the presidential candidates was seen sharing money to supporters in broad daylight, an act that violates provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“Let me advise security agencies like the DSS to channel their energies to curtail such illegalities rather than embarking on a wild goose chase.

“I would like to use this opportunity to state that the members of the cabal plotting this evil are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari’s principled stance on the conduct of a free and fair general elections come 2023.

“It is obvious that Mr. President will not endorse this type of illegality, hence some members of his administration have ganged up to plan the arrest and possible assassination of Emefiele.

“I have it on good authority that one of the Deputy Governors of the CBN, said to be loyal to one of the presidential candidates, is being primed to step into Emefiele’s shoes upon arrest.

“Therefore, he would be mandated to reverse all recent policies of the CBN, especially that of Naira notes’ redesign. My message to him and his cohorts is that they have failed!

“I dare the DSS to show Nigerians proof of Emefiele’s involment in any form of terrorism related activities or else remain quiet and concentrate on their primary assignment.

“The DSS must steer clear of politics and immediately shelve their purported plans to arrest Emefiele on his way back into the country with the aim of embarrassing him.

“We call on the international community to wade in and mount pressure on the President to stop their plan to illegally and forcefully remove Mr. Emefiele as CBN Governor.

“In all, if anything untoward happens to Emefiele, the DSS must be ready to take full responsibility.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Enugu State has suffered a huge setback as thousands of its card-carrying members from Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah, saying they had taken over the ownership of the project.

Members of the party who converged on Enugu, on Sunday under the aegis of Ezeagu Igbudu Movement said they believed Mbah has what it takes to move the state forward by giving the citizens a new socio-economic outlook.

Speaking at the venue, the convener of the group and former commissioner in the state, Chief Joe Mmamel, was quoted in a statement to have described himself as a staunch member and chieftain of the APC who had decided to lead members of the party and other professionals to give maximum support to Mbah’s governorship project.

According to him; “Dr. Peter Mbah is the project we are discussing currently in the state, and we in Ezeagu believe that the PDP gubernatorial flagbearer is the right person we can partner with for the state’s transformation.

“This movement is a movement for development and we want to partner with you. Ezeagu has 20 political wards, and our members here are experienced in delivering elections. So, we are promising you our support.”

Mammel, a former elected chairman of Ezeagu local government area, appealed to Mbah to create more employments for his people by resuscitating the defunct Ezeagu Premier Cashew industry, build more access roads, focus on human capital development and youth employment, and build on the existing security architecture in the state.

Pledging their allegiance, Prof Stanley Udedi and Engr. Chris Okolo said they decided to drum support for Mbah’s aspiration because of their conviction in his competence and capacity to fulfill the development programmes in his manifesto, adding that they would work with him during and after the general elections for a better Enugu State.

Reacting to his endorsement by the APC chieftains and other professionals at the meeting, Mbah said he was glad that the people had seen the light through his candidacy.

He noted that the implication of their action showed they had the collective future of the state and that of their children in minds when they took the decision.

While reiterating the motivation behind his aspiration, Mbah stated that his administration would be driven by the mission to transform the economy, engender socio-economic shift, change the narrative and make the state a destination for investment.

Mbah, who further vowed to insulate the state’s economy from the existential threats being faced by the national economy, said his administration would move the economy seven-fold by creating enabling environment for investors, make agriculture profitable, scale up production by establishing industries and reactivation of moribund ones.

The governorship hopeful re-echoed his resolve to construct access roads to all communities across the 17 local government areas through his robust programmes for the state.

“We are going to grow the economy and make it one of the top 3 states in Nigeria. We are going to adopt exponential growth strategy in the state, create jobs for our youths, equip them with necessary skills by building skills and vocational training centres, and address insecurity,” he added.

No fewer than 213 bodies, comprising that of terrorists and their collaborators have been recovered days after intense exchanges of gunfire between Nigerian troops and terrorists in some Zamfara communities, PRNigeria gathered

The military also lost 10 personnel while some civilians were killed when bandits fled toward the communities.

This is just as PRNigeria yesterday reported that the air component and ground troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recorded a major victory after eliminating terrorists in Malele Village of Dansadau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops of the Nigerian Army, sustained a well-coordinated joint operation since last Saturday.

Terrorist activities in the area have been exacerbated due to the lingering crisis between Hausas and Fulanis over the devouring of farm produce thereby making the area very volatile, especially in Malele, Maigoge, Yan Sawayu, Ruwan Tofa, Mai Awaki, and Zama Lafiya, all under Mutunji district of Dansadau Emirate Council.

A defence intelligence operative had told PRNigeria how the security services mobilised their troops in launching a series of attacks and airstrikes against those warring bandits coming from different parts of the country.

“Both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations are yielding fantastic results in the area with several terrorists being eliminated as the battle is still on.

“Bandits who were fleeing from NAF airstrikes ran into a small village called Mutunji to take refuge. After ensuring that civilian lives in the village were not at risk, the NAF aircraft undertook a precision strike at the exact location while the ground troops cleared the fleeing bandits in their escape bids,” the operative had said.

But in an update on Tuesday, credible sources in the community told PRNigeria that 10 soldiers paid the supreme price while their colleagues, pounded the terrorists.

“At least we counted 213 bodies of the bandit terrorists and their collaborators. Some civilians too were killed in what the military called ‘collateral damage’ when fleeing bandits hid in the communities.

“The attack on troops occurred when the troops with the support of local vigilantes were navigating the terrains for counter-attacks.”

In his condolence message, Governor Bello Matawalle, through Zailani Bappa, his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of victims earlier caught in military fire against the marauding bandits.

“I wish to, on behalf of myself, my family, the state Government and the entire good people of Zamfara state, extend my sincere sympathy to those who were injured and the families of those who died as a result of this collateral damage,” the Governor said.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has vowed to build a better Nigeria by “dismantling the political structure” which he said has led millions of Nigerians into poverty.

Mr Obi stated this in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Monday while speaking with journalists ahead of his campaign in the state on Tuesday.

Many Nigerians, including the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, had said Mr Obi cannot win the 2023 election because the LP lacks the needed political structure across Nigeria.

Mr Obi was the running mate to Atiku in the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the PDP.

He was also one of the PDP presidential aspirants for the 2023 elections but later defected to the LP where he picked the party ticket.

According to Sahara Reporters, Atiku said in July that LP has no structure but only exists on social media.

Mr Atiku, giving an insight into what he meant by political structure, said Mr Obi cannot win the presidential race because the LP has no governor, federal and state lawmakers.

Atiku’s view has been reinforced by the political adviser to the Bayelsa State governor, Collins Cocodia and Mr Soludo, governor of Anambra, Mr Obi’s home state, who said Mr Obi winning the presidential elections was next to zero.

“The structure they have today is what we want to dismantle. It is a structure of criminality,” Mr Obi said in Uyo, in response to a reporter’s question about the “lack of structure” comment from his political opponents.

“It is the structure that produced 133 million people living in poverty, 20 million out-of-school children, and made Nigeria surpass India in infant mortality.

“It is the structure that destroys us and we want to destroy that structure. And you are the next structure. We want to build a better place for our children,” Mr Obi said.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nigeria has about 20 million out-of-school children.

The figure placed the country second in the world after India with such records.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, attributed the high record of out-of-school children to the existing political structure which he said would be replaced with a new one.


Key issues not addressed – journalist

Reacting to Mr Obi’s response to questions during the interaction, a journalist in the state, Ndifreke Enefiok, said the LP presidential candidate did not address key issues like poverty, energy, women’s participation in politics and governance and people with disability.

Ms Enefiok said Mr Obi was only saying he was going to pull people out of poverty without telling the people how he was going to achieve it.

“I would want the next president to prioritise job creation because when people are employed there would be no room for criminality,” she said.

She also said Mr Obi did not talk about issues affecting women and people with disabilities, particularly on government plans to ensure they participate in the governance process.

“Even the women, people are clamouring for 35 per cent for the women. I think it is not enough. What is he going to do differently to ensure women are also involved in politics so that women don’t get beggar positions in politics?” she asked.

She, however, said Mr Obi was the best among the four major presidential candidates that can address the country’s problems.

In a bid to curb vote buying in next year’s general election, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has said all government accounts would be sealed up early January, leaving only money enough for payment of workers’ salaries and for day-to-day running of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Also, the Nigeria police said concerted efforts were being made by its personnel to ensure that the use of money is not allowed to influence the 2023 general elections or at least ensure that this menace is brought to the barest minimum.

Heads of anti-corruption agencies, at a one-day stakeholders’ summit in Abuja on Monday, decried the effects of vote buying on the nation’s elections.

The summit, which was organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Advertising Practitioners Regulations Council of Nigeria (APRCON), was to address the influence of money on the 2023 general election.

Director General of the NFIU Modibbo Turkur, said that most people who engage in vote buying do so because of free funds at their disposal.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has said that the conviction of his campaign Director General, Mr Doyin Okupe cannot break his resolve to be Nigeria’s president come 2023.

Obi stated this on Monday during an interactive session with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital saying that he is undaunted by the conviction Okupe over alleged money laundering.

“I am hearing about it (the conviction) just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the courts and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralize me.

“Today when I arrived Akwa Ibom somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft because it has been grounded and all that and I said to him that nothing demoralizes me.

“In my life I have never stayed where they dropped me otherwise I would have been where they dropped me before. This election if they like let them anything about people who are around me. I will get there”.

On the impression that he does not have political structure to win the presidential election, he said he was determined to dismantle the existing political structure in the country which encourages corruption and spreads poverty among Nigerians.

“The structure they have today is the structure we want to destroy. It is the structure of criminality. It is structure that produced 133 million people living in poverty, it is the structure that produced 20 million out-of-school children. It is the structure that has made Nigeria surpass India in infant mortality. It is the structure that will destroy Nigeria and we want to destroy that structure”, he said.

The LP presidential candidate said if elected president he will work towards the realization of the Ibaka Deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State.

Obi maintained that he intends to make Nigeria a country of production rather than a consumer Nation, noting that over-dependent on crude oil is what has destroyed the country.

By Sami Tunji


At least 172 companies may not benefit from about N2.4tn tax waivers under the Pioneer Status Incentive and other tax exemptions as the Federal Government moves to phase out some tax waivers effective 2022, findings by The PUNCH have shown.

The Federal Government is phasing out the tax exemptions for mature industries with the 2022 Finance Bill, which President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has sent to the National Assembly.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the bill was designed to support the implementation of the 2023 budget as the government steps up efforts to grow tax revenue.

The latest move by the government will also affect companies operating in 71 industries or sectors that are eligible for Pioneer Status Incentive. The sectors include manufacturing, solid material, pharmaceuticals, information and communication, trade, construction, waste management, electricity and gas supply, tourism, and infrastructure.

According to the second quarter PSI report released by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, the 172 companies are awaiting approval to become beneficiaries of the tax incentive.

Some of the countries with pending applications included Dangote Coal Mines Limited, Seven/Up Bottling Company Limited, Mikano International Limited, AA Rano Nigeria Limited, CCECC Nigeria Limited, Corinthia Villa Hotel & Suites Limited, and Red Star Oil and Gas Limited.

Others include Max Air Limited, Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Company Limited, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Segilola Resource Operating Limited, Jabi Mall Development Company Limited (extension), Johnvents Industries Limited, Jigawa Fertilizer & Agro Allied Limited, and Flour Mills Nigeria Plc.

The pioneer status is an incentive offered by the Federal Government, which exempts companies from paying income tax for a certain period. This tax exemption can be full or partial.

Offered under the Industrial Development Income Tax Act with tax reliefs for a three-year period, the incentive is generally regarded as an industrial measure aimed at stimulating investments in the economy.

The products or companies eligible for this pioneer status are those that do not already exist in the country.

The Q2 2022 report by the NIPC further disclosed that there were about 71 beneficiaries of this tax incentive, which operate in sectors that include manufacturing, solid material, pharmaceuticals, information and communication, trade, construction, waste management, electricity and gas supply, tourism, infrastructure, among others.

47 new applications

It was also disclosed that 47 new applications were made in 2022, with 21 (20 new and one extension application requests) in Q1 2022 and 26 (24 new and two extension application requests) in Q2 2022.

It was further disclosed that only 14 companies got the PSI in Q1, while in Q2, 12 companies got the tax incentive.

However, many companies may not be able to benefit as the Federal Government plans to phase out the pioneer tax incentive.

The PUNCH recently reported that the Federal Government plans to introduce more sin taxes and cut down on tax incentives in 2023 through the proposed 2022 Finance Bill.

This was according to a copy of the public presentation of the 2023 proposed budget by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, released recently.

Addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo last Wednesday, the finance minister said that the 2022 finance bill would focus on five areas namely: tax equity, climate change and green growth provisions, job creation and economic growth, reforming tax incentives as well as generating revenue/ enhancing tax administration.

She said, “The purpose of the tax equity reforms is to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax planning practices that some companies operating in Nigeria are involved in but also enabling the utilisation of ICT tools and using international best practice to assess taxpayers tax on a fair and reasonable basis.

“The climate change green growth focus will complement non-fiscal reforms that are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions and also to facilitate domestic and international investment in climate adaptation, as well as mitigation and also to enhance green growth and create jobs.

“The third focus area, job creation and economic growth is also designed to complement the ease of doing business and other reforms to support capital formation by the private sector as well as to foster enabling business environments for micro, small and medium enterprises for youth as well as women in businesses. It will also help to enhance the performance of businesses that are in the fintech, the ICT, entertainment, fashion, sports as well as the art space.”

“The fourth tax incentive is to phase out antiquated pioneer, and other tax incentives for mature industries and moving a revised set of incentives for real infant industries. Through economic governance reforms we have also made proposals to reduce tax expenditure, which is equivalent to foregone revenue to support fiscal space. It is also based on statistics to gradually transition away from expensive and redundant tax incentives to incentives that are rewarding performance.

“The fifth focus area is revenue generation and tax administration is to complement the ease of doing business and other reforms that enhance tax administration as well as to introduce targeted fiscal and non-fiscal reforms to amend, address and cure defects in existing tax and non-tax laws and regulations.”

Ahmed said the bill, when passed into law, would amend a number of fiscal laws in Nigeria.

Over N2tn revenue

The Federal Government had initially projected that it would forgo N2.4tn in revenue to the company income tax relief between 2022 and 2024. However, the latest development means the government may stop the various tax incentives in line with the provisions of the Finance Bill.

The N2.4tn tax projection was contained in the tax expenditure statement in the Medium-Term Expenditure and Fiscal Strategy Paper 2023 – 2025 available on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation.

According to the document, the Federal Government projected that the tax waiver would cost N658.08bn, N789.70bn and N947.64bn in 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

The PUNCH recently reported that the Federal Government recorded N16.76tn foregone revenue to tax reliefs and concessions given to large companies between 2019 and 2021.

The TES deals with revenue forgone on Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Petroleum Production Tax, and Customs Duty.

In the TES report for 2019, it was stated that the Federal Government had forgone revenue of N4.2tn from two main sources, CIT and VAT.

For CIT, the estimated amount of revenue forgone was N1.1tn while N3.1tn was for VAT.

The TES report read, “The most significant conclusion is the large size of Nigeria’s revenue forgone from just two of the main taxes, i.e., CIT and VAT. Nigeria’s non-oil revenue potential is at least twice its current collections.

“The preliminary estimate of revenue forgone from CIT incentives and concessions in 2019 is N1.1tn; for contrast, 2019 CIT collections was N1.6tn. The preliminary estimate of revenue forgone from VAT policy choices and compliance gaps is estimated to be NGN 3.1tn and could possibly be more. It is worth reiterating that revenue forgone from Customs Duty, Excises, Petroleum Production Tax, Personal Income Tax and concessions under the Oil and Gas Zones legislation is still to be computed.”

According to the TES report, the figure for revenue foregone would likely exceed N4.2tn if there were sufficient data, especially from Customs Duty, Excises, PPT, Personal Income Tax and concessions under the Oil and Gas Zones legislation.

By 2020, the figure rose to N5.8tn, with majority of it coming from revenue forgone under VAT. A breakdown showed that N4.3tn was forgone under VAT; N457bn under CIT; N307bn under PPT, and N780bn under customs duty.

It was also noted that five countries accounted for about 86 per cent of total customs relief, with China accounting for nearly two-thirds of total relief granted. Netherlands, Togo, Benin and India were the other top sources of supplies benefitting from the reliefs.

The total figure continued to rise in 2021, hitting N6.79tn, with revenue foregone on VAT accounting for most of it. A breakdown showed that N3.87tn was forgone under VAT, N548.40bn under CIT; N337.70bn under PPT; N1.84tn under customs duty; and N111.15bn under imports VAT.

For the three-year period, therefore, the Federal Government had to forgo a total of N16.79tn in tax reliefs, Customs duty waivers and concessions, according to an earlier analysis by The PUNCH.

Experts warn FG

However, economic experts have stressed the role of tax waivers in driving economic growth but questioned the transparency and objective rate of the Federal Government in granting tax waivers.

Reacting to this, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr Johnson Chukwu, said that introducing new taxes and cutting down some tax incentives might negatively affect manufacturers and consumers in Nigeria.

He said, “We could see a situation where the manufacturers are unable to pass on those costs and absorb the costs, which will reduce their profitability and even the appetite for further investments. If they are able to pass those costs to consumers, this will be a difficult situation because of the existing weak purchasing power.”

Speaking recently with The PUNCH, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, also noted that there was nothing wrong with waivers if they were in line with tax policies.

He noted that tax incentives were necessary to encourage investment and the establishment of some pioneer businesses.

He said, “The whole idea of incentives is to grow the economy. When you are growing the economy, you are not only looking at revenue, you are looking at employment and multiplier effects. In the medium to long term, you will get this revenue by the time you are able to grow these investments. It is inappropriate to see it as revenue loss unless the incentive policy itself is discriminatory.”

He stressed that the process should be transparent and seen as an effort by the government to grow the economy.

The Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, noted that tax incentives were crucial in driving investments when properly targeted.

He said, “Tax incentives are not necessarily bad. They can be applied in a manner that benefits the overall economy by encouraging investments in critical areas.

“However, incentives must be properly designed and targeted to be meaningful while the government must periodically review incentive schemes to ensure they are still relevant and provide value for money. For instance, the N16tn tax for the last three years includes VAT exemption on basic food items which is necessary given the level of poverty and rising food inflation.”

He further urged the government to close the non-compliance gap, leverage technology and tax intelligence while ensuring tax harmonisation to boost tax revenue.

“To improve revenue from taxation, the government needs to focus on closing the non-compliance gap, leverage on technology and tax intelligence, while ensuring tax harmonisation both in terms of reducing multiple agencies to a single revenue agency per level of government as well as harmonising multiplicity of taxes,” Oyedele added.

Reacting, the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, acknowledged that tax reliefs are necessary to boost investments in the private sector, but noted that the economic reality in the country has inevitably affected the government’s capacity to grant tax reliefs to business entities.

He said, “We will always want to support our members, but we know that the government is in a precarious situation also. The government has cried out that there are dwindling resources. Even though we are advising that there should be more fiscal discipline so that whatever comes in can be judiciously appropriated.”

By Nume Ekeghe


The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend said its recent policy of cash withdrawal limit would aid in curbing electronic fraud (e-fraud).The apex bank’s Director of Payments System Management Department, Mr. Musa Jimoh, who gave this assurance yesterday in Lagos, also disclosed that as electronic payments continued to gain traction, fraudulent transactions in 2022 declined by 35 per cent compared to last year.

Speaking at the Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) meeting, Jimoh said the new policy would deter criminals from defrauding innocent people because of the withdrawal limits which would automatically trace and block such compromised accounts before the money is illegally withdrawn.

He said: “As we envisage and begin to put some limits on the cash withdrawal that can happen daily the incidence of fraud would also tame down- because right now, they steal huge amounts of money, and then at about from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., they go to an ATM and withdraw everything. But right now, with the policy on limits, you would not be able to take as much and the system will be able to trace and block such accounts before the money is taken away.

“So, this cashless limit is also a way of deterring fraudsters from taking other people’s money,” Jimoh explained.Speaking on the strides the CBN and NeFF have made in reducing e-fraud, the apex bank official said they have been able to ring-fence the payment infrastructure and the finance system against criminal activities.

He disclosed that already, their efforts have reduced the incidence of fraud by 35 per cent, adding that a substantial amount of money has been recovered through a cocktail of initiatives put in place to check the activities of criminals.

He said: “We have actually tamed down the incidence of fraud. We have recovered so many lost funds and we are putting formidable systems around our payment infrastructure and financial system infrastructure such that fraudsters cannot penetrate.”

“In terms of percentage, it is between 30 to 35 per cent decline in incidences of fraud. Remember, there are attempts and they are successful ones. The number of attempts is high, which means that they have been attempting but they are not successful and some are successful and so money is taken away. And in terms of recovery, we also recovered high numbers in terms of the percentage of the monies recovered because of the different initiatives and systems that have been put in place to checkmate all those fraudsters and to track wherever the money is taken into.”

According to him, plans are being put in place by the CBN and NeFF to ensure that no e-fraud activities take place in Nigerian banks next year.Also speaking at the same event, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) Mr. Premier Oiwoh urged banks to invest more in technology to help reduce fraud from being perpetrated.

Oiwoh reiterated the need for banks to invest in technology to curb fraud citing that artificial intelligence (AI) if used well would help eliminate fraud.Noting that one of the major problems in the nation’s banking industry is the reluctance to report fraud cases, he, therefore, called on the apex bank to ease the process of recovery and the need for each bank to set up a fraud desk.

He said: “Institutions should invest in Enterprise Fraud management (EFM), a fraud monitoring tool. A system is as effective as the person who sets it up. I don’t think the EFM that exists today works. EFM is supposed to be smart. It is an artificial intelligence (AI) that should intercept, analyse, interpret and take actions.” “Also, the recovery process even when these frauds occur, I think is something the CBN needs to look into. Also, a major problem in the industry is that people shy away from reporting fraud. I urge every player in the ecosystem to set up a fraud desk,” he added.