₦airaland Forum

With the corruption index in Nigeria on the high, it is no news on how prominent Governors, Senators, and public servants have over the years made Dubai a destination of choice for investment in real estate at the expense of taxpayers.

One of such, which may have gone unnoticed for years, is the hoarded assets of Mr. Ifeatu Chinedu Onejeme, the Commissioner for Finance in Anambra State, as the state adjudged to be blessed with intellectuals, may have also been gifted with few bad eggs who at any slightest opportunity will waste no time in dipping their hands into the state coffers just to enrich their pockets.

An investigation by this online news medium reveals that following Governor Obiano’s reshuffling of his cabinet in 2016, Mr. Ifeatu Chinedu Onejeme was handed a prestigious position in the state with a money bag as he became its Commissioner for Finance, Industry, Innovations & Development Financial Institutions.

However, notorious for always been absent from work despite the importance of his ministry, which is involved in the day to day affairs of Anambra State, including the processing of the payment of contractors and consultants from all other ministries and agencies, our findings reveal that Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme acquired a flat in Al Barsha South Fourth, an area in the heart of Dubai known for its splendid collection of residential apartments, villas, and townhouses, with prices for each apartment ranging from 70 million Naira to about 128 Million Naira.

A perusal through the documents attached to the property showed that the asset may have been acquired soon after Mr. Ifeatu became the commissioner for finance in Anambra state, as the International passport registered with the property and bearing the number A02482**0 was issued on 9/17/2014 with an expiry date of 9/16/2019.

Further Investigations revealed that the lazy commissioner, as he is popularly called on the streets of Anambra, also acquired another property, this time using his wife, Mrs. Chizoba Christiana Onejeme as a proxy. Documents attached to the property as seen by SecretReporters included Mrs. Onejeme’s date of birth as contained in her International passport with Number A04812**0 issued on 6/6/2013 and expiry date of 6/5/2018.

The view in many quarters in Anambra state is for the state governor and the relevant anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate the unchecked activities of Mr. Onejeme and hold him accountable if guilty of any offense.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/money-bag-gov-obianos-finance-commissioner-onejemes-hoarded-assets-in-dubai/

In the wake of reports by Anti-corruption groups on the monumental looting of public funds by Nigerian Politicians including Governors and Senators who make up the major number of perpetrators of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs), Investigations have revealed that among the mammoth number of Nigerian Politicians and Ex-Governors who have chosen Dubai as a preferred destination to stash their looted fund is the erstwhile Deputy Senate President Barrister Ike Ekweremadu.

A lawyer by profession, Senator Ekweremadu is from Amiri Local Government Area in Enugu State and a member of the People’s Democratic Party PDP.

He is also the “permanent” representative of Enugu West Senatorial district in the red chambers, having served in the Nigerian Senate since May 2003 for four consecutive (6th, 7th, and 8th, 9th) assemblies.

Findings reveal that during his tenure as Deputy Senate President in the 8th assembly, Ike Ekweremandu acquired two flats in Al Barsha South Fourth located in the heart of Dubai.

Documents attached to both properties show his date of birth as 5/12/1962, Passport Number A50194*** issued on 7/15/2016 with an expiry date of 7/14/2021, and Dubai contact number +971-50-5689. These properties according to sources, were allegedly not declared in his CCB form as required by law.

Each flat in the luxurious area we further learned is estimated to be between 700,000 AED to 1,150,000 AED which is about N72,610,941 to N120,000,000 when converted to local currency.

It should be recalled that the Enugu-Born Senator had been in the news following the ex-parte motion for assets forfeiture filed against him in 2018 by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property to which he claimed not guilty despite about 22 properties linked to him.

The Federal government subsequently asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to freeze undeclared assets traced to him.

Also, in an act described as an ‘Unprecedented Naira bazaar’ by a committee of the National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu in connivance with his Imo state counterpart, the former Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, allegedly withdrew a princely total of about N7.75 billion of public funds in four years during his tenure to purportedly review sections of the 1999 Constitution, although it was not immediately clear how the lawmakers spent the outrageous funds, years of investigation later revealed that the duo may have taken advantage of UAE’s soft system to launder funds under the guise of investing in the booming real estate sector of the country’s economy.

It is strongly believed that the funds which the Senator used in acquiring the two flats in Dubai were those he allegedly got from Taxpayer’s money while he was in service. Senator Ekweremadu did not respond to calls and also did not reply to the SMS sent to him from our newsroom for his reaction as at press time.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/double-landlord-former-deputy-senate-president-ike-ekweremadu-hoarded-assets-in-dubai/

Over time, there have been debates on gender inclusion and women representation in the Nigerian Armed Forces, with claims that female military personnel lack access to career advancement opportunities and are underrepresented in the senior cadres of the military.

In March 2021, a Facebook user, Emmanuel Maduka Nwazue, claimed that the highest rank a woman can attain in the Nigerian military before retirement is two-star general, despite her impressive educational qualifications, training, experience, and expertise. He claimed that this situation was due to certain “absurd” and “wicked policies”.

The post reads: “So, no matter her impressive educational qualifications, training, experience, and expertise, the highest rank a woman can attain in the Nigerian military is Two-Star General and she’s retired? “Now this is absurd! Wicked policies like this one are what we all should join hands and fight.

Most importantly, I feel they’re what feminism should be up and against, and not the misplaced hatred for men that seem to characterise the behaviour of some ladies in Nigeria. “To put my expression simply, I’m only saying that if a boy has to go to school, a girl also has to; if both should graduate as engineers, both should be employed and paid as engineers without gender considerations. It’s called equity, as what’s good for the goose is equally good for the gander.”

This claim attempts to drive a narrative of the underrepresentation of women in the Nigerian Armed Forces, with umbrages of institutional-driven gender segregation. It also seeks to paint the Nigerian Armed Forces as a gender-insensitive and unequal opportunities employer that prevents women from attaining career advancement. This could have implications on public perception and discourage women who may be interested in careers within the Armed Forces.

Verification

DUBAWA studied the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) of the Nigerian Armed Forces and found no policies or provisions that limit the promotion of female military officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces. HTACOS is a document that spells out the terms and conditions of service for officers in the Nigerian Armed Forces – Army, Navy, and Airforce.

It is incontrovertible that women have distinguished themselves in service of the Nigerian Armed Forces, even rising to the rank of the highly revered and exclusive level of generalship.

For instance, Aderonke Kale, a psychiatrist, was promoted to the rank of Major General in 1994, becoming the first female to hold the rank in Nigeria and West Africa. She led the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.

Another woman, Abimbola Olatilewa Amusu, also attained the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army. She commanded the Nigerian Army Medical Corps from 2015 to 2018. There is also a Brigadier General Cecilia Akagu.

These giant strides by women are not limited to the Army. Itunu Hotonu, a woman, also rose to the rank of Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy and the first in Africa. Others include Rear Admiral Ekanem–Nesiama and Navy Commodores Christie Okpara, Jamila Abubakar Sadiq Malafa.

Contrary to the claim that “the highest rank a woman can attain in the Nigerian military is Two-Star General” due to “wicked policies”, Dubawa found that there were no policies in the Nigerian Armed Forces that limited women from attaining ranks beyond two-star general. The ranks of two-star generals in the Nigerian military are Major General (Army), Rear Admiral (Navy), and Air Vice Marshal (Airforce).

Dubawa found that the rank of two-star general is arguably the highest substantive rank attainable through the normal promotional track in the Nigerian Armed Forces, and this is not gender-specific. Promotions to the rank of three-star and four-star generals (Lieutenant General and General in the Army and their equivalent in other arms) were exclusively reserved for the country’s service chiefs.

Following their appointment as service chiefs, officers are promoted to the ranks of General (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant General (Chief of Army Staff), Vice Admiral (Chief of Naval Staff), and Air Vice Marshal (Chief of Air Staff).

The essence of this is to set them aside in seniority and place them ranks above other officers of the Armed Forces.

Although rare, there have been some exceptions to this rule in the past. For instance, in July 2019, Lamidi Adeosun was promoted to Lieutenant General, the same rank held by the then Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. As Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Abel Akale also held the same rank of Lieutenant General, with the Chief of Army Staff at the time, Martin Luther Agwai.

These are two of many cases of officers who, although not service chiefs, were promoted beyond two-star generals. In Nigeria’s history, no woman has ever been appointed a service chief in any of the three military branches or as chief of defence staff.

Findings by Dubawa link this to the type of non-combat commissioning that had been available to females in the past.

There are five types of commission in the armed forces namely; Regular Combatant Commission, Short Service Combatant Commission, Direct Regular Commission, Direct Short Service, and Executive Commission.

“Of all these types of commissions, it is only the Regular Combatant Commission that can give an officer the opportunity to aspire to head any of the services or rise to become the Chief of Defence Staff,” Nigeria’s ex-Minister of Defence, Adetokumbo Kayode revealed during a media parley in 2011.

That year, President Goodluck Jonathan issued a directive permitting the admission and training of female candidates at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and their subsequent enlistment as...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/fact-check-is-there-a-policy-that-prevents-female-military-officers-from-becoming-generals/
Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/fact-check-is-there-a-policy-that-prevents-female-military-officers-from-becoming-generals/

Secret Reporters

With the corruption index in Nigeria on the high, it is no news on how prominent Governors, Senators, and public servants have over the years made Dubai a destination of choice for investment in real estate at the expense of taxpayers.

One of such, which may have gone unnoticed for years, is the hoarded assets of Mr. Ifeatu Chinedu Onejeme, the Commissioner for Finance in Anambra State, as the state adjudged to be blessed with intellectuals, may have also been gifted with few bad eggs who at any slightest opportunity will waste no time in dipping their hands into the state coffers just to enrich their pockets.

An investigation by this online news medium reveals that following Governor Obiano’s reshuffling of his cabinet in 2016, Mr. Ifeatu Chinedu Onejeme was handed a prestigious position in the state with a money bag as he became its Commissioner for Finance, Industry, Innovations & Development Financial Institutions.

However, notorious for always been absent from work despite the importance of his ministry, which is involved in the day to day affairs of Anambra State, including the processing of the payment of contractors and consultants from all other ministries and agencies, our findings reveal that Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme acquired a flat in Al Barsha South Fourth, an area in the heart of Dubai known for its splendid collection of residential apartments, villas, and townhouses, with prices for each apartment ranging from 70 million Naira to about 128 Million Naira.

A perusal through the documents attached to the property showed that the asset may have been acquired soon after Mr. Ifeatu became the commissioner for finance in Anambra state, as the International passport registered with the property and bearing the number A02482**0 was issued on 9/17/2014 with an expiry date of 9/16/2019.

Further Investigations revealed that the lazy commissioner, as he is popularly called on the streets of Anambra, also acquired another property, this time using his wife, Mrs. Chizoba Christiana Onejeme as a proxy. Documents attached to the property as seen by SecretReporters included Mrs. Onejeme’s date of birth as contained in her International passport with Number A04812**0 issued on 6/6/2013 and expiry date of 6/5/2018.

The view in many quarters in Anambra state is for the state governor and the relevant anti-corruption agencies to immediately investigate the unchecked activities of Mr. Onejeme and hold him accountable if guilty of any offense.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/money-bag-gov-obianos-finance-commissioner-onejemes-hoarded-assets-in-dubai/

Officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), particularly HND 2012 Personnel intake, have bewailed the treatment meted to them by the Corp for over nine years on their promotion SecretReporters can authoritatively report.

According to the aggrieved officers, they have not been allowed to sit for promotion exams since their inception into the Corp in 2012 despite public service rules stipulating for promotion exams for officers every three years.

One of the affected officers revealed that while their counterparts who joined the Corp in 2012 with a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree have been allowed to sit for several promotion exams, they have been subjected to a static rank with their only solace an advancement from level 07 rank of Inspector of Corps (IC) to level 08 rank of Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II) during the abolishing of HND/BSC dichotomy which they claim should have placed them on the same level with their BSC counterparts who currently are on level 10 rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC).

It was further revealed that some NCE holders of the 2012 intake are already at Level 09 rank of Assistant Superintendent of Corps I (ASC I) and Level 10 rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) as to date, nothing has been said by the Corp on any possible promotion for the disgruntled officers operating at the forefront of heightened security threats in the country.

There are, however, call to the relevant agencies, especially the Ministry of Interior Affairs which has oversight on some agencies that have their 2012 intake personnel on level 09 for years now preparing to sit for their promotion exams, to extend this gesture to the HND 2012 intake personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) as a morale booster to the officers and the Corp in general.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/enemies-of-progress-civil-defence-hnd-personnels-impeded-from-writing-promotion-exams-since-2012/

Kayode Fayemi, the present Governor of Ekiti state under the banner of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and one time Minister of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) appears to be endowed with the traits of embezzling public funds as he may have gained intelligence in using strategic means of creating characters that don’t exist just like a movie director to enrich himself to the detriment of the welfare of the citizens.

According to section 38 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of Ekiti State, “the government shall ensure its fiscal and financial affairs are conducted in a transparent manner and shall ensure full and timely disclosure and wide publication of its financial statement’.

Reports indicate that this law may have been violated by Olukayode Fayemi by creating an imaginary structure to gulp over N6.6 million under the guise of a website redesign and hosting. T

he information available to SecretReporters shows that the Ekiti state government dispensed exactly N5.882.352.93 (Five Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-two Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira, Ninety Three Kobo) to redesign the state’s website and also awarded a contract worth N783. 500.00 (Seven hundred and Eighty-Three thousand, five hundred Naira) to the ‘executive secretary’ for the sites’ annual hosting from February 2019 to February 2020.

Financial diggings embarked on by experts of Dataphyte to reveal who the mysterious ‘executive secretary’ is and why the exorbitant contract met a brick wall as the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Yinka Oyebode when questioned about it denied knowledge of any secretary’s involvement in the aforementioned contract.

In a phone interview, the spokesman claimed that there is no such thing as an Executive Secretary in the administration, even if there is, the government will not be confident to put it on the public portal, rather they will use their company’s name, “I think there is a mix up somewhere, you can talk to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)” he said.

Similarly, the Director-General of Ekiti State Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Mr. O’Seun Odewale, when quizzed on the cost of the project, stated that “I cannot answer such question only if you can submit an FOI because I believe there is a mix up somewhere. The project falls into the reach of direct labour and naming the contractor as the executive secretary will be a mischaracterization because the contract was given to Whogohost.

It should be noted that the executive secretary is the accounting officer of the agent, and it is impossible for the project to be awarded to the accounting office”, he said Bewildered by their denial of the non-existing ‘Executive Secretary and the hyper-inflated pricing which is over 1000% for redesigning and about 163% for the hosting, Davis Igwe a website designer was consulted to review the site.

After his review, he disclosed that “Whogohost hosting cost falls within N1,600 (One Thousand Six Hundred Naira) to N4000 (Four Thousand Naira) per month for 12 months. While their design plan starts at N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) and can go higher, jumping to N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) so the state government should not have spent more than N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) seeing that the site is simple and it does not have much traffic”.

To verify the N783,000 (Seven Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Naira) contract awarded to the so-called ‘Executive Secretary’, Samson Opeyemi, a freelance web designer described the payment for the website’s hosting as ‘impossible’.

He further explained that the site is not workable and some parts like the website’s home slider and the Flickr album gallery are not functional, the menu command does not function on mobile and the website was built on WordPress. “An average hosting plan would cost $20 which when converted to Naira is N7600 (Seven Thousand Six Hundred Naira) per month and the purchase of a WordPress theme cannot be over $100 which is about N38,000 in Nigeria (Thirty-Eight Thousand Naira).

Indigenes of Ekiti State have since been clamoring for a proper investigation on the activities of these criminal masterminds in the state as many opined that Gov. Fayemi bears the full responsibility of such embezzlement.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/criminal-mastermind-how-gov-fayemi-awarded-over-n6-6-million-for-redesign-and-hosting-of-state-website-to-ghost-secretary/

Nigeria according to Avert an International HIV/AIDS charity organization has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and also has one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa. To curtail and prevent the spread of this disease in the country, regulatory bodies have been put in place by the Nigerian Government with Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS one of such bodies.

Despite the herculean task placed on their shoulders, the agencies according to investigations have drifted far from their mandate which is to research and document HIV/AIDS occurrence in the state. Rather they now engage in frivolous parties, fun, and games to the health detriment of citizens in the state.

According to documents from the 2021 budget, the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA) spearheaded by Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, wife of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, will be gulping N6.5million for fun and games as it failed to include research and documentation in its budget, a clear indication of absolute negligence by an agency of such importance.

Established on the 5th of July 2011, OYSACA coordinates various activities of HIV/AIDS in the state, with a mandated to research and document on HIV/AIDS, reduce risks of HIV infection by scaling up prevention interventions, increase access to and utilization of HIV counseling, testing, care, and support services in the state. Though aware of the high level of prevalence of the virus in the State, with about 42% of its residents living with the virus and an alarming number of 6900 positive cases between 2019 to 2020, the agency we learned opted to allocate funds in its intended budget to frivolous items adjudged to be of personal benefit to them.

Further findings revealed a similar incident as a jaw-dropping N11.5million in its 2020 budget was allocated for festivals while research and documentation were omitted, showing that the agency may have long decided to delete research from its agenda amidst growing cases of HIV in the state with ”Parties and Fun” its new agenda.

Critiques of the PDP led administration of Seyi Makinde in the state have condemned the allocation which smells of misplaced priorities by the agency and lack of foresight in using research and documentation in eradicating HIV/AIDS in the state as many opine that a halt in research on the virus simply implies another pandemic in the state as there are no current records of permanent drugs to curtail or totally eradicate the virus but only temporary drugs whose reactions tend to change as the genetic sequence of the virus changes.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/unserious-government-oyo-state-agency-for-aids-control-opts-for-fun-over-research-in-its-2021-budget/

Currently facing a public backlash over allegations of misappropriation, inflated figures, and dubious items seen in its official budget, the Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State has maintained his lead on the corruption table in the state with more revelation on his financial dealing with public funds unearthed.

Credible sources within the inner circles of the embattled Accountant-General squealed to SecretReporters that despite holding a public office, Mr. Uwem Essien allegedly is the money bag behind the operation of a private school in the outskirts of Uyo managed by his wife, whose phone number clearly appears on the school billboard. An act that violates the provisions of the law which allows public office holders to only engage in farming without participation in the management or running of any private business or trade.

The school, Multiple Grace International Schools located at Ediene Ikot Obio Imo, Off Idoro Road, Uyo which offers admission into Creche, Pre-school, Nursery, Primary, and a current plan to expand to a Secondary School we learned, boasts of a functional library, a well-equipped sick-bay with a Registered Nurse, and bus services for its pupils who contribute to the millions racked in by the school every academic year with a large chunk arguably from public funds and the rest via its online payment platform powered by Fluterwave.

Arguably one of the conduits used to divert taxpayer’s money, Public advocates who spoke to this medium has termed the operation of such private facility by the AG unconstitutional and an act of misconduct under the Public Service Rules.

Many Akwaibomites have also been clamoring for a proper investigation and prosecution of the Onna-born chartered crook if found guilty following series of allegations against him recently.

Attempts to reach the Accountant-General Uwem Essien for his reaction to the allegation proved abortive as his line was not reachable, he also did not reply to the text message sent to him as at Press time.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/chartered-crook-how-akwa-ibom-state-accountant-general-uwem-essien-built-a-school-using-his-wife-as-proxy-against-public-service-rules/

The Nigerian Police Force saddled with the responsibility of executing laws and ensuring the strict compliance of court orders have become chronic lawbreakers vis-à-vis the outright disobedience of court orders, executive impunity, and disregard for the rule of law.

This is palpable in the wanton disregard of various court orders involving the case of Mr. Patrick C. Okoli who was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force in 1992 based on decree No. 17 of 1984 of the Nigerian Constitution which had been abolished.

In a bid to upturn the unlawful retirement given to him, Mr. Patrick filed a suit against the Nigerian Police Council (now Police Service Commission) and the Attorney General of the Federation with suit no. BA/48M/93 before the Bauchi State High Court praying the court to revoke the unlawful compulsory retirement letter as well as order the NPF to reinstate him.

Following this, on February 9th, 1994, the Bauchi State High Court pronounced a judgment in favour of Mr. Patrick revoking the letter while ordering the Police Service Commission to immediately reinstate him with all rights, privileges given to him with effect from the date of retirement.

In obedience to the judgment of the court, the Attorney General of Federation, Minister of Justice, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, as well as the Head of Service of the Federation wrote to Nigeria Police Force to immediately reinstate Mr. Patrick. However, to the chagrin of the aforementioned, the NPF blatantly declined to obey the court order as well as adhering to the directives of the AGF and others.

The Police Service Commission in another letter dated 13th October 2004 directed the NPF to reinstate Mr. Patrick and present his recommendation for promotion in line with the decision of the court but the Force failed to comply with the decision of the Bauchi State High Court and the Police Service Commission.

The refusal of former IGP Mustafa Adebayo Balogun to obey the Bauchi State High Court led the Police Service Commission to write again on 5th May 2009 to the IGP Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo at that time to reinstate Mr. Patrick and present his recommendation for promotion but like his predecessor, Ogbonna also refused to obey the order of the Court and that of the Police Service Commission.

Due to the deliberate refusal of Ogbonna to enforce the judgment of the Bauchi State High Court notwithstanding the panic-stricken entreaties from the relevant Federal Government Agencies, Mr. Patrick was again compelled to file a suit against the Nigerian Police in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/637/2009 at the Federal High Court Abuja to subject him to enforce the order given by Bauchi State High Court and Police Service Commission. The Abuja Federal High Court delivered its judgment in favor of Mr. Patrick on the 21st October 2011 and even though the IGP appealed against the judgment, the Court of appeal struck it out.

Despite the Court striking out the notice of appeal we learned, IGP Hafiz Ringim at that time maintained his stand not to enforce the pending Federal High Court Judgment. The Police Service Commission on the 2nd September 2014 for the third time wrote to the IGP Suleiman Abba at that time expressing displeasure over his blatant disregard for the Rule of Order and the judgment of the Court.

The stubbornness of the IGP, and refusal to enforce the judgment made by the High Court, lead Mr. Patrick to write a petition once more to the Federal House of Representatives. However, after its proceeding on the 19th February 2014, the green chambers requested that the IGP acknowledges and enforce the pending court judgment, but he utterly refused to obey the directives from the House of Representatives. Perplexed by the continuous disregard for several Court orders, Mr. Patrick wrote to the Senate and after its proceeding wrote to the IGP on the 27th February 2014 urging him to enforce the judgment of Courts but like a stubborn goat, the petition is still sitting duck in his office.

More so, despite several letters sent to the IGP seeking a meeting to resolve issues about the enforcement of the Federal High Court judgment he still refused to call for a meeting. Consequent willful refusal to enforce the judgment of the Court, Mr. Patrick filled form 48 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act against the IGP, and the same form was served to the IGP on the 7th November 2018 but in his usual negligence, refused to appear before the Honorable Court.

Secret Reporters

A labourer has a reward; this is not just a moral but also the standpoint of the many Christians as corroborated in the book of Matthew which depicts the story of a master who upon his return from a long journey immensely rewarded his hardworking servants and placed them in charge of his wealth.

However, the reverse is the case with Hon. Jephthah Foingha; a former member representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, allegedly proficient in using and dumping his domestic workers after serving him faithfully without pay according to sources.

The most recent of his escapades is seen in the case of Mr. Charlie Brown, his erstwhile driver, who squealed that having being offered a job as the official driver of Mr. Foingha in December 2011 through a letter with reference number NASS/HR7/JF/198/008 with agreements that he will be paid N150,000 as salary per month, upon his resumption at the palatial residence of Mr. Foingha, his pay was reviewed downward to N30,000 and later N35,000 after being asked to move into one of the boy’s quarters within the residence without the option of paying rent, buying food, electricity, water, and other utilities.

It was also gathered that due to his meritorious and professional service, Mr. Charlie was issued a Legislative aides ID card as well as issued an entry permit for ease of operation following a request letter signed by the Bayelsa State-born member of the green chamber on February 12, 2013.

Findings showed that on April 29, 2017, after the 2015 general election and the victory of his boss at the polls, Charlie who was always on the moved as a result of the numerous campaigns before the elections, was shocked to see Mr. Foingha approach his apartment at the boy’s quarter in the company of security operatives demanding that he vacate the premises as his appointment stands terminated.

Still trying to understand what transpired that resulted in the sudden termination of his appointment without prior notice; he was bundled by the security operatives in the company of Hon. Jephthah and thrown outside with his belongings flying everywhere.

Bewildered by what may have transpired to warrant the inhumane treatment at the hands of his boss who he had sacrificed so much in his service, Charlie began making frantic efforts to get in touch with Mr. Foingha through his Personal Assistants and other aides but this proved abortive as they neither agreed to speak to him nor take his calls probably acting on instructions from his erstwhile boss.

Mr. Charlie who is yet to receive a formal letter of termination of his appointment from the National Assembly also had his salary discontinued by Hon Foingha who like a colonial master has let down the whip on his ‘slave’ for no crime committed.

The case SecretReporters learned is still before the court.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/domestic-tyrant-how-reps-member-jephtah-foingha-sacked-aide-without-pay-and-due-process/?fbclid=IwAR1pQTUCdebe5YgPH7pF_Xt9zljTAwAzIfQ53RtP3ZmI1qfAWfJdgDvgBfc

The coming of the All Progressive Congress [APC] was grand and filled with lofty promises made by the then candidate Muhammadu Buhari to the angry Nigerian populace who were looking forward to a utopian dream of a change from the Goodluck Eberemi Jonathan administration to a much better Nigeria where education would be made free and of improved quality for both the have and have not. But reality dictated otherwise.

Investigation conducted by 247ureports.com into the activities at the office of the federal ministry of Education revealed the ministry to have reduced to a family business operated by shadowy crime-gang – a septic aggregation of nepotism and corrupt practices.

Prior to Adamu Adamu’s rise to the position of federal minister of education in the Buhari administration, he held sway as a columnist for a national newspaper and had served as an accountant at the Bauchi water board. When Adamu Adamu relocated to Abuja he was residing in a rent-free home in Gwarimpa belonging to the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation [SGF], Ahmed Yayale. The former SGF allowed Adamu Adamu to live at his home. Adamu was unable to afford rent in Abuja.

It all changed for Adamu Adamu within weeks of being named into the cabinet of Buhari administration. Adamu Adamu moved from his rent-free residence to a palatial house in Wuse 2 designed and built by Julius Berger Construction Company. It is located behind Nigeria Turkish School. Shortly following his relocation, a female relative of the education minister revealed that the minister purchased a luxurious home in Maitaima, Abuja. The new home is considered a palace by close family relatives who have visited the house.

The sudden elevation to grass to sudden life of opulence also reached beyond the Minister. To reached the slew of Special Assistants and Personal Aides surrounding the Minister.

One of his Special Assistants by name Dauda Abdul Hamid had served as a desk officer under the Bauchi State civil service prior to joining Adamu Adamu in Abuja. Financially, he was challenged. His home at his hometown in Azare took him little over 15years to complete due to limited availability of financial resources. However with his arrival at the Ministry of Education as a Special Assistant, his life became one of opulence. He now owns forty [40] horses and is now a title holder in Azare. Dauda was recently seen inspecting two properties in Asokoro, Abuja – each worth over N300m. He has since married two wives and has purchased two houses – one for each wife. Furnished each of the house with more than N100m.

Our source points to the source of Dauda’s wealth as being from the criminal activities within the Education Ministry with connivance with the Minister. One instance was how the family of late Alhaji Garba Ibrahim was duped by duped by Dauda for 100s of millions.

Late Alhaji Garba Ibrahim was an old friend of the minister who was of great assistance to the Minister while the minister was financially down. He usually helps Adamu to come to Abuja and back to Azare. The man later died in a heartbreaking freak accident. He was struck by a moving lorry while he was jogging. Adamu, in an attempt to reward the family, awarded a contract to the family worth 100s of millions.

Dauda dipped his hands in the kitty and stole the contract – and gave the family a pantry sum of N4million – and bragged about it saying what would the family of late Alhaji Garba Ibrahim do with 100s of millions. The minister who was aware of the goings on reacted. He got angry and ordered Dauda to return the money. Dauda returned the said money to the family.

Such backhanded maneuvers by actors around the Minister has in effect turned the Ministry into a cesspit. Another character utilized by the Minister is the infamous Abdul Mumini from Buhari’s home State of Katsina. According to our source, “he does the dirty deals for the minister… he is the one that gives contract award letters… and one must settle him better getting the award letter.” He acts in connivance with the minister.

Alhaji Kaulaha Aliyu from Azare also features a member of the gang. He was once a running mate to Ahmed Muazu as deputy governor but was unceremoniously removed following accusation of having...

A Federal High Court in Abuja has reinstated the interim management committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by Prof. Daniel Pondei.

In a judgement that struck out the lawsuit against the IMC by the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Governance on January 13, 2021, the court denied ever sacking the Pondei-led IMC.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on December 12, 2020 directed the NDDC IMC to step aside for an interim sole administrator to take over the affairs of the interventionist agency on the strength of the purported court injunction against the Podei-led IMC.

However, the Court reiterated that the NDDC IMC was never dismissed, stressing that “that there was no order for interim injunction (against the IMC) granted by this court”.

The court also ordered in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/617/2020 that two journalists from Channels and Sun Newspaper respectively to undo the misleading news story, and tell the world the truth of its ruling.

According to the court papers sighted by our reporter, the court was clear that the leave sought by the plaintiffs did not amount to an injunction but a...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/u-turn-reinstate-pondei-as-nddc-md-for-we-didnt-sack-him-court-orders-buhari-and-shame-akpabio/

Following the mad rush by Nigerians to obtain their National Identification Number (NIN) to link their SIM cards as directed by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) officials across the country have cashed in on this to begin an extortion spree.

One of such NIMC centres that have been milking Nigerians dry is the Akwa Ibom State office located at the Federal Secretariat Uyo, where the NIMC officials are allegedly seen collecting various amounts from individuals to facilitate the processing of the compulsory National Identification Number.

According to a source, Michael Umoren who visited the centre to get his NIN “ when I got to the office, one of the NIMC official rushed to me offering to get my NIN ready within 2 hours if I pay N5,000, but I will have to wait for about two weeks before getting the number if I pay N1000. When I Insisted that the registration is supposed to be free, he told me that I will have to return in three months to do the registration because they are only attending to those who will either pay the imposed N5,000 or N1,000 due to the crowd”.

He also averred that those who arrived at the centre early in the morning were given numbers and asked to form a long queue but this was quickly forgotten as the attention was...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/identity-thieves-nimc-officials-in-akwa-ibom-state-allegedly-extorts-citizens-for-nin-registration/

Secret Reporters

It is known that the major purpose of a primary health care centre which is usually spearheaded by a team of healthcare professionals, is to provide accessible, affordable, and available primary health care to society especially in rural communities, however, this is not the case in Inoma primary health care centre located in Anambra West Local government in Anambra State despite gulping millions of Naira for its renovation.

Information gathered by SecretReporters showed that the health centre which was renovated with the sum of N9,870,000 (Nine Million Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira) in July 2020, was callously placed under lock and key preventing residents of the community from accessing the facility.

Investigations further revealed that the renovation project which was approved by the Anambra State Community and Social Development Agency ( ANCSDA) and included the construction of a borehole, rehabilitation and equipping of the health care centre, had just one worker, a Nurse whom sources squealed doubles as the doctor, security, cleaner amongst others.

In a video seen online, it was also gathered that the nurse, who became sick with no doctor, or medical personnel to run the centre, locked the facility and wrote her mobile number on the entrance to be contacted for emergency cases only.

“If your child is sick and you call the nurse, she will have to take a bike down to the hospital and open the place before attending to you and you have to pay for her transport. If you call her in the night she will tell you to wait till morning because she cannot come out at that time… my brother, many children have died because of this, I have never seen where a hospital is locked for any reason, and it is normally open 24/7” Okwuluora, a resident of the community lamented.

Findings also showed that the hospital which was commissioned by the...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/paracetamol-clinic-despite-gulping-n9-87m-inoma-primary-health-care-centre-locked-in-anambra-west-lga/

Kenechukwu Andeh

Half drenched with rain and shivering from cold, young Ikechukwu Agu looked up in surprise as this reporter approached him from a small shed beside the uncompleted Arochukwu Stadium stand in Abia State.

He was quick to blame the Federal Government on the state of the stadium and shocked to realize that unlike similar projects which have been completed in other zones, funds for the construction of the stadium in his community had been released with nothing to show for it.

“We are our problem in this country,” he mumbled, shaking his head.

Millions Wasted With No Result

Stories of abandoned constituency projects are rife across Nigeria, especially in rural communities in the Southeast geo-political zone where funds budgeted for grassroots development rarely touch the lives of citizens. In 2015, following his appointment as the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, laid out a vision which included a short term sports development plan focused on infrastructure, athlete’s welfare, grassroots games and sports as a viable business.

Like his predecessors, Dalung reaffirmed that grassroots sports development remains the only route to rebuilding the country’s sports and empowering talented youths to manifest their talents and compete at the global stage. In line with his words, the ministry embarked on several projects targeted at providing adequate infrastructure at local levels and reviving secondary school sports by providing sporting materials to selected schools.

Most of the projects initiated by the Dalung led administration, which should be due for completion by now, were found to have either not been executed properly or abandoned since they were captured and awarded in the 2017 and 2018 Zonal Intervention Funds. The policy of Muhammadu Buhari led administration is to award contract only when...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/young-talents-waste-in-the-southeast-as-fg-abandons-sports-projects/

Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit to challenge the imposition of N5 Million fine on Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos and the threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to punish other broadcast stations in the country over alleged hate speech.

Joined as Respondents in the case marked Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1088/2020 filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, 17th August, 2020 are the NBC, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Effiong is asking the court to determine “Whether the imposition of a sentence of fine and other penalties on broadcast stations and broadcasters in Nigeria by the National Broadcasting Commission for alleged contravention of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code without a trial and conviction by a court of law is not unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary and a flagrant breach of the right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

The lawyer also wants the court to determine “Whether the imposition of a sentence of fine and other penalties on broadcast stations and broadcasters by the 1st Respondent during radio and television programmes for critical comments made by citizens about the government and public office holders considered by the Respondents to be “abusive”, “insulting” and/or “hate speech” is not a breach of the right to freedom of expression given that the said expressions are neither created nor defined as offences under any written law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society having regard to Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

Effiong stated in his affidavit that the NBC, with the support of the Federal Government, has continuously imposed fines on broadcast stations and broadcasters over alleged violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

He said that the NBC has threatened to continue to impose fines on broadcast stations in the country and has also barred broadcast stations, broadcasters and citizens who are either guests or callers during radio and television programmes from making critical comments about the government and public office holders considered by the Federal Government, the Minister of Information and NBC to be “abusive”, “insulting” or “hate speech”.

Effiong further narrated how the NBC on 13th August, 2020, without initiating any criminal action against Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos, imposed a sentence of fine in the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) on the radio station after finding the station guilty of what it described as “unprofessional conduct” over comments made by a guest of the station on Monday, 10th August, 2020 during a programme called Morning Cross Fire.

Effiong told the court that the actions of the NBC, the Minister of Information and the Federal Government have gravely affected his freedom of expression and that of broadcast stations, broadcasters and other Nigerian citizens who also appear as guests on radio and television stations to express critical views about the government and public office holders.

Effiong argued that “abusing” or “insulting” the government cannot be criminalized in a democracy. He contended that the expression “hate speech” is not defined under any written law and cannot be invoked or penalized based on the capricious expectations of the Respondents.

He said that to do otherwise “will amount to setting fire on the Constitution”, and that “those who are paid with tax payers’ money cannot be insulated or shielded from insults and abuse by those who pay them (the citizens)”.

The activist reminded the court that “Nigeria has passed the era of colonialism and military dictatorship”. The said that Lai Mohammed, NBC and the Federal Government were “seeking to subvert Nigeria’s constitutional democracy with the attendant liberties and foist a civilian dictatorship on the country.”

The lawyer therefore prayed the court to make “a declaration that broadcast stations in Nigeria, broadcasters, guests and callers during radio and television programmes are entitled to a fair trial before a court of competent jurisdiction as guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9 L.F.N. 2004 before a sentence of fine or other penalties can be imposed on them over comments, views or opinions expressed on radio and television”.

Effiong also asked the court to declare that “the provisions of the extant National Broadcasting Code or any law or Executive Order issued by the Respondents which purports to prohibit, criminalize or penalize comments or views expressed by citizens about the government and public office holders considered by the Respondents to be “abusive”, “insulting” or “hate speech” is unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal, not reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, null and void and a breach of the fundamental right of the Applicant and other Nigerian citizens to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap. A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

He further prayed the court to make an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NBC, the Minister of Information and the Federal Government from imposing fines or other penalties on broadcast stations in Nigeria for comments or opinions expressed by citizens during radio or television programmes. The lawyer also asked the court to nullify and set aside the penalty of fine or other penalties imposed on broadcast stations by the NBC.

Effiong equally asked that the court should aside the provisions of the extant National Broadcasting Code and any amendment made thereto, which purports to prohibit, criminalize or penalize comments or views expressed by citizens about the government and public office holders considered by the NBC, Lai Mohammed and the Federal Government to be “abusive”, “insulting” or “hate speech”.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Thirteen traditional rulers who embarked on a political pilgrim to Abuja has been axed by the Executive Governor of Anambra State Chief Willy Obiano for travelling out of the state without consulting and seeking approval first.

This was conveyed in a letter from the state government dated August 12, 2020, signed by Mr Greg Obi the Anambra state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Community Affairs directing the affected Igwes to henceforth, cease parading themselves as traditional rulers and also to stop discharging functions in the same capacity in their various communities.

The traditional rullers affected are Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Mkpuando, Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor, Igwe Chukwuma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite, Igwe Engr. G.B.C Mbakwe of Abacha, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo of Nawfia and Igwe Nkeli Nelly of Igbariam.

Others are Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle, Igwe A.N Onwuneme of Ikenga, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo, Igwe S.O Uche of Ezira, Igwe Dr. Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu and Igwe Udoji of Eziagulu-Otu.

Findings by SecretReporters revealed that their suspension is not far-fetched from a video which showed the traditional rulers pocketing monies after they visited a prominent Anambra business mogul whom sources say is building a grassroots structure to politically outclass the incumbent state governor Willy Obiano.

The state government’s action has since been greeted with mixed reactions from indigenes of the state with many supporting the state government, this time on the basis that the Igwes have bastardized the traditional institution of Igweship by meddling in petty politics to the detriment of their subjects.

While others strongly oppose the suspension calling it a politically naive move by Gov. Obiano whose scorecard they say is below average as they said traditional rulers have every right to travel and associate with any person, some, who sited that Gov. Willy Obiano also visited the same Anambra Business Tycoon sometime in the past and was gifted with a political parcel averred that the bickering is a mere charade of Executive rascality and traditional ignorance.

Depending on the government’s review of the conduct of the affected traditional rulers, their suspension which is to last for one year according to the letter may be elongated or reviewed with the likelihood of some losing their Igweship entirely.

https://secretsreporter.com/game-of-thrones-12-traditional-rulers-axed-by-gov-obiano-for-travelling-out-of-the-state-without-approval/

Looting and pilferage seem to be the order of the day in the Governor Ifeanyi Authur Okowa’s led Delta State government as it seems to take maximum advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to pillage the State’s resources not sparing the use of the promotion of the new Delta State logo as a decoy to facilitate this malfeasance.

In a memo dated October 2018 sent by the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, to the Governor; SecretReporters gathered that following the unveiling of the new logo for the State during its 25th anniversary, Mr Okowa approved the use of a whopping N98,911,250 (Ninety-Eight Million Nine Hundred and Eleven Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Naira) for the design and production of 25,000 pieces of textile wax prints just to display the newly unveiled logo that was to be distributed as souvenirs.

The memo which was addressed to the state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by the erstwhile SSG showed that the amount which was sourced from Head 413A, sub-Head B11-Gifts and Donations in the 2018 Approved Budget had N3,856 (Three Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-Six Naira) listed as the cost of production per unit when the product is not a gift to Deltans.

However, experts in the field of textile wax prints production described the cost as astronomical, stating that the amount earmarked for the production will be enough to produce about 100,000 quality textile wax with the logo fully displayed.

Poised on milking more from the state’s treasury using the logo which was unveiled about two years ago as cover, the State Government without batting an eye infused another N2,500,000 (Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) for the provision of handling charge at N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) per Local government area into the already over-bloated amount.

Sources confided in SecretReporters that despite the monstrous amount sunk into the mass production of the textile wax prints, no sightings of it has been seen in any local government or around the State, apart from few government premises which may have indicated that it was just a charade to waste public funds.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika in his usual “I don’t know” stance stated that he has no knowledge of the textile wax prints done by the erstwhile SSG as he was not the CPS at that time.

With over one thousand churches spread across oil-rich Delta State, the Governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa is set to add another one to the state, not as his personal gift to the Christian community but as a state project; this SecretReporters can report without dispute from any government authorities.

In the yet to be signed Proposed 2020 Revised Budget, the governor has asked the State House of Assembly to approve for him the staggering sum of N400 million for him to build a church in Asaba, which they have since passed into law awaiting his assent. The project which is under budget line 0253200053 under the Ministry of Housing is already under construction, with Mr Okowa paying a visit to the site a few weeks ago.

Perhaps in a bid to deceive unsuspecting Deltans from not seeing what the money was meant for in the budget, the Ministry of Economic Planning smuggled in the word ‘Ecumenical Centre’ instead of the word ‘Church’, to divert attention to such wasteful spending in a state where such money would have been used to build industry to employ Deltans.

Checks by SecretReporters revealed that an initial sum of N500 million was initially budgeted but was reviewed down to N400 million citing COVID-19 as a reason. Sources within government circles confided in us that the N400 million is just a smokescreen as more money will be budgeted for the same church building next year when such amount is more than enough to complete and furnish the edifice.

In a state with Muslim faithful and African Traditional worshippers, it is not clear why the Governor singled out his own religion to build by dipping his hands into public purse.

His colleague in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike in May 2017 commissioned the one he built citing the need to unite Christian in the State and his election promise as his reason for erecting the edifice.

When contacted by SecretReporters, the Commissioner for Housing, Mr Festus Ochonogor who exclaimed “Ha!” in awe when quizzed on the economic importance of the project to Deltans stated that the project was geared toward social integration and peacebuilding as a similar project was also sited in Abuja and Port Harcourt. The Commissioner further disclosed that the Interdenominational worship centre which will be funded by taxpayers money will compliment other aspects of Job creation in Delta state.

He queried why Okowa should be asked the reason for building a church that will bring unity and not ask Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State why he also built. He noted that the project is important to the people and cannot he jettison so long as other things are in the budget.

From physically assaulting a nursing mother in an adult Toy shop in Abuja, to literarily pounding his erstwhile Personal Assistant, Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo may as well qualify for a medal in beating or a role in the popular cartoon series ‘Angry birds’ as his story may have become a tale of mercilessly beating every Tom, Dick, and Harry that he has a vendetta with.

His latest display is in the mindless pounding of his former Personal Assistant Mr Zaman Abasiryu, in the company of men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over allegations of fraud committed against his office.

In a petition seen by SecretReporters, addressed to the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, it was gathered that on June 1, 2020, at about 2 am while Mr Zaman was fast asleep, he was abruptly woken up with a phone call from an Aide of Sen. Elisha directing him to open the gate to his house as some visitors of the Senator were to spend the night there.

On opening the gate, Zaman was pelted with blows from all angles by Sen. Elisha who was standing in front of his house in the company of his orderly and two Special Anti-robbery Operatives (SARS).

While the Senator’s orderly was filming the commando-like operation, the Senator collected Zaman’s phone, ransacked his house carting away documents, car keys, car particulars, laptop, earpiece, two hard drives, and two mobile phones.

Still dazed by the beatings received from Sen. Abbo, Zaman wearing just his boxers, was handcuffed by the SARS officers and driven to the Senator’s house located at Katampe instead of a police station.

On arrival at his house, the intimacy gadget Senator having motioned to the SARS operatives to wait outside took Zaman who was still in cuffs into his living room and pounced on him; dealing deadly blows with his fists and legs while ignoring the agony-inspired shouts and cries from his victim.

Tired of using his hands and legs, the Adamawa based Senator went into his bathroom, picked a mop stick, and continued beating his victim until it eventually broke.

Not pleased with the extent of damage done by the mop stick on Zaman who was almost at the point of death, Sen. Elisha instructed his orderly who has been filming the gruesome torture to bring another stick with which he continued his callous clubbing.

Satisfied with the injuries inflicted on him, it was garnered that at about 4 am Senator Abbo handed $100 (One Hundred Dollars) to the SARS operatives and accompanied them to the SARS station at Guzape District, where he ordered that Zaman should be locked up.

Findings showed that the beatings were based on an uninvestigated accusation that Zaman forged the Senator’s signature and used his letterhead to write to the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Navy asking for job opportunities for certain individuals.

However, it was gathered that following the release of the former PA on bail, Senator Abbo blatantly refused to return his belongings after orally promising to do so at the Police State despite discovering that the letter was forged by his own step-brother identified as Mr Ephraim who had long travelled to Adamawa State.

This occurred three weeks before a Magistrate Court sitting in Zuba, Abuja dismissed a criminal case filed against the Senator after being caught on camera beating a nursing mother in an adult toy shop in Abuja.

https://secretsreporter.com/angry-bird-senator-elisha-abbo-beats-former-pa-mercilessly-over-unconfirmed-allegations/

As the world battles Corona Virus to a standstill, the various governors in Nigeria have declared billions spent in combating the epidemic without accounting to the citizens the process it was spent.

In Delta State, the oil-rich governor, Mr Ifeanyi Okowa has joined the list of billionaire fighting governors with less than 2000 cases of COVID-19 patients. In the reviewed budget for 2020 which has been approved by the State House of Assembly but yet to be signed into law by the Governor, SecretReporters can authoritatively report that Mr Okowa has budgeted a whopping sum of N2 billion for COVID without a breakdown of how he intends to spend it. This was budgeted under the Ministry of Health.

In a swift move, another sum of N500 million was also budgeted for palliative measures under budget line 0111320017 domiciled under the office of the Secretary to the State Government. Both funds were tagged as COVID Response Projects in the revised budget.

This N500 million which will be spent again is not inclusive of the over N500 million initially spent in the heat of the lockdown, where some companies were selected without due process and given contracts to supply bags of beans, rice and other edible at inflated prices as seen in various documents which we are still studying in our newsroom.

Earlier, the sewing of the face masks shared in the state by the government was mainly handled by a tailoring house called Signature Secret, which is owned by the wife to the governor’s brother, Mr Solomon Okowa for five hundred Naira each, while few other fashion houses were given the sum of two hundred Naira each to sew the same face mask, according to our sources.

Meanwhile contrary to claims by the State Government that some persons within the government circles caught COVID-19 including civil servants, information made available to us revealed that the statement is far from the truth as results were just imposed on them after carrying out the test. Most of those who were reported as having the sickness were never isolated but went to their houses to relax, make phone calls and enjoyed the pleasures of the world. According to dependable sources, when they argued with the medics who carried out the test, they were shouted on and given Vitamin C, Zinc and two other drugs to take home. Till the two weeks were over, they confided in us that they never took the drugs only to go back for test and were declared COVID-19 free, with jubilation over the state.

https://secretsreporter.com/exclusive-gov-okowa-to-spend-n2-billion-for-covid-19-and-n500-million-for-yet-to-be-seen-palliative-measures/

The rot in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) if written may have Mr Godswill Akpabio as the number one on the list alongside his Interim Management Committee (IMC) members led by the duo of Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei who is the Acting Managing Director and Mr Cairo Ojugboh as Acting Executive Director (Projects) taking the number two and three positions respectively.

While Nigerians were home with the airports shut and land borders closed, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio alongside the IMC members devised a means to defraud the commission using a nonexistent project.

Documents seen by SecretReporters revealed that the sum of N34 million was paid out to Clear Point Communications Limited owned by husband and wife from Akwa Ibom State, as engagement to organize the Niger Delta Development Commission forum in Washington, United States. Documents seen by SecretReporters revealed that the sum of N34 million was paid out to Clear Point Communications Limited owned by husband and wife from Akwa Ibom State, as engagement to organize the Niger Delta Development Commission forum in Washington, United States.

Curiously, such event has never held before in the history of the commission and the firm saddled with the responsibility is not known to handle any of such, until it was given to them by the Minister who hails from the same place with them.

This engagement was however not done as there was lockdown in Nigeria and the USA, as well as the ban on public gathering when the money was paid to Clear Point Communication.

Calls placed to the Acting MD who fainted during the investigative hearing on the N81 billion misappropriated funds to get his side of the story were not answered. He also did not reply to SMS sent to him as at press time.

https://secretsreporter.com/ordained-pen-robber-under-lockdown-akpabio-and-nddc-paid-n34-million-to-kinsman-to-organise-forum-in-usa-that-never-took-place/

The plans of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, which has been hidden for years may have finally been brought to the limelight following the power tussle in the University community, as regards the next occupant of the office of the University Registrar.

This is contained in an appeal by the concerned FUOYE staff groups, who insist that the outgoing VC should allow the university system to evolve properly without any manipulation of its administrative and management process.

According to the petition seen by SecretReporters which was addressed to the Pro-Chancellor of the University, his Royal Majesty Dr Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni, the Attah Igala, Prof.Kayode’s academic bullying started when he was appointed in 2016 as he brazenly created the office of the Director of Administration, a move that did not go down well with most administrative staff of the institution as the office was not known to the law establishing the University.

Kayode we learned, went further to installl his crony Mr Olatunbosun Odusanya from the National Open University as the Director of Administration while illegally placing him on CONTISS 15, an elevation from his previous post of Principal Assistant Registrar on Grade level CONTISS 13.

This action birthed irregularities and illegality in the University system. Notable among which was the appointment of Mr Odusanya which was done without any advertisement and was not subjected to any form of interview by a panel against the provisions of the University.

Despite several complaints by the three Unions in the University; SSANU, NAAT and NASU, over the crisis that led to the setting up of a committee by the University governing council in their emergency meeting held on 25th July 2017, the appointment of Mr Odusanya continued to create conflict with the office of the Registrar as it was later revealed that his appointment alongside that of the current Bursar of the University Mrs Bolajoke Akande and three others did not follow due process.

Regrettably, following the recent online advertisement by the University in which Mr Odusanya applied as the University Registrar, sources alleged that his ambitions are sponsored by the outgoing Chancellor to...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/academic-bully-how-fuoye-outgoing-vc-kayode-soremkum-plans-to-foist-his-crony-as-registrar-to-cover-looted-funds/

The Abdulrafiu’s led administration of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) may have a tough nut to crack as it concerns eradication of unqualified health workers who crowd the medical profession as quackery, unlicensed training of Nurses and Midwives in Nigeria has become prevalent especially in private owned Hospitals across the nation.

This is following the uncovering of an illegal training Centre at Precious Specialist Hospital; a private Hospital owned by Dr Micheal Gbala, the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital (UMSTH) Laje Road Akure, Ondo State.

Dr Gbala’s illegal actions came to fore when one of his Staff, Abayomi Funke, uploaded a post of pictures of 3 females dressed as Nurses who were presented with a Certificate by Dr Micheal Gbala and later seen on their Knees with their Uniform.

The post which he made on July 27, 2020, had the caption ‘’It was a celebration galore in Precious Specialist Hospital yesterday as some of our students graduated you shall use the Certificate for something better in Jesus Name, congratulations once again”.

This dubious act by Dr Gbala SecretReporters learned entails the illegal recruitment of secondary school student while giving them faux promises of fulfilling their childhood dreams of being a Nurse.

“They are a lot like that. Private Hospitals everywhere. They call them auxiliary nurses. It is painful. Secondary school students would go to a...

From a Big, Strong, Reliable Bank to a Simpler, Smarter Bank. The white stallion bank which is supposed to demonstrate professionalism in the handling of its customer’s finances may have become expert pilfers as it appears that they now explore every means possible to deduct, charge and withhold the funds of their customers without batting an eye.

One of such financial unprofessionalism is the defrauding of Obo Etok Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) of a whopping N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) while trying to open an account with the bank.

Information available to SecretReporters revealed that on 16th March 2016 representatives of the Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) which is located in Akwa Ibom State approached Union Bank to open a Corporative account.

Having satisfied all requirements listed for operating such an account, they were requested to deposit a sum of N400,000 (Four Thousand Naira) for the Corporative account to be activated.

After depositing the said amount with the account opening officer, identified as Miss Idiongo at the Udo Udoma Avenue branch of the bank in Uyo, a duly stamped and signed deposit slip was issued to them with assurances that an account number will be generated and communicated to them in a couple of days. However, to the surprise and chagrin of the Cooperative Society, days turned to weeks, then to months, and two years after no account number was issued to them nor was any concrete explanation given for the delay despite series of calls placed to the Bank.

Seeing that the Bank has become lethargic towards the matter, the MPCS in a Letter dated 13th November 2017 addressed to the Branch Manager, Union Bank Plc Udo Udoma Avenue, demanded a refund of the N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) deposited with the bank, but this met a brick wall as the branch manager neither replied the letters nor refunded the money.

Findings showed that while the Cooperative Society was left with no option but to shut down its operations due to the fragrant impunity of the bank, the bank allegedly diverted the N400,000 into other investments for two years thereby making profits running into Millions of Naira.

With all available options to retrieve the money exhausted, the Cooperative Society was left with no option but to legally demand for the refund of the deposited sum as well as the payment of N20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) representing interests accrued from the investments made by the bank with the

Following the recent revelation on the frivolous activities of the Chairman Abak local government area in Akwa Ibom State, the legislative Council have moved to impeach him on the grounds of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

According to the impeachment notice, the councillors had earlier requested the notorious council boss Barr. Imoh Willams, known for his frivolous spending to tender before it the income and expenditure of October and November 2018 due to his inclusions of items which were not agreed at the FGPC meeting.

Imoh Williams refused to tender the documents as he verbally told the councillors that they lacked the constitutional powers needed to request for such. An act that contravenes Section 32 (1) (2) (3) of the Local Government Administration Law of Akwa Ibom State and Section 392 Criminal Code “C 38” EFCC Act (2004) tantamount to abuse of office.

Mr Imoh was also accused of appointing his brother, Mr Emase Isaiah Williams as his Chief of Staff and placed him on a monthly salary of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000.00) against the Provisions of the Financial Guidelines for Local Government Administration in...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/local-crook-abak-lga-chairman-imoh-willams-diverts-lga-funds-pays-his-brother-n200000-monthly-and-spends-2million-for-ghost-aides/

Over the last decade, Nigeria’s fast-growing economy has been fueled by high prices in the mining, oil, and gas sectors. As these prices climbed, illegal activities, especially on gold mining, have been rapidly expanding into previously untapped parts of the country.

Dangbala in Akoko Edo Local government Area in Edo State is now at the frontline of this shift, as unscrupulous elements seeking to evade authorities are capitalizing on Its remote location and heavy forest cover as a strong protection.

Illegal gold mined from Dangbala, Akoko Edo Local Government Area in Edo State Investigations revealed that these gold miners in their numbers after obtaining information on the availability of alluvial gold in the area aided by some local chiefs capitalized on regulatory failures and proceeded on a free for all excavation, not minding the environmental impact of their activities.

Proceeds from the illegal mining we learned allegedly go into the pockets of few elites in the community who most of the aggrieved villagers believe are untouchable by the government despite the continuous squandering of their natural wealth.

With Section 44 (3) of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining law of 1999 stating that ownership and control of all minerals in Nigeria is vested in the federal government, which is mandated to manage such natural resources in a manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, the villagers are calling on the relevant authorities especially the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development saddled with the responsibility of granting licenses to operators, to quickly wade into the matter and checkmate the illegal gold mining activities to forestall a full-blown community conflict

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/free-money-illegal-gold-miners-in-edo-state-plunder-state-wealth-in-collaboration-with-local-chiefs/

Following the news making the rounds on various media platforms that the embattled Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC was earlier arrested by the Department of State Security DSS, credible sources within the commission squealed to SecretReporters that Ibrahim Magu was not arrested but only honoured an invitation to appear before a five-man panel set up by the Federal Government in reaction to the letter from Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation AGF.

The panel which is headed by the Chief of Staff to the president, Ibrahim Gambari had earlier invited Magu to appear before it over allegation of discrepancies in handling of forfeited properties, recovered looted funds from Public office holders and fraudsters, and abuse of office among others.

Magu’s fate we learned lies on the report of the panel, as there are strong indications that he might be sacked if the allegations are true and may face the wrath of the law as hinted by President Muhammadu Buhari who is said to be embittered with the allegations.

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/breaking-efcc-boss-magu-appeared-before-panel-not-arrested-but-to-be-sacked/

It appears that the Federal government may have shot itself on the foot with the formation of an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to sanitize the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of corruption as the commission under the purview of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs headed by Senator Godswill Akpabio may have become the corruption itself.

A strongly worded petition by the Conduct and Due Process Group revealed that the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei and the Executive Director Projects Dr Cairo Ojougboh, as well as the late Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang, became proficient in signing and giving approvals to fictitious and fake contracts to either non-existent or incompetent mushroom companies.

Under the guise of attempting to curb the spread of Cholera in the Niger Delta region, the NDDC under the supervision of Senator Godswill Akpabio through the MD, Pondei in collaboration with Mr Cairo Ojougboh among others approved an emergency contract for the supply of Cholera Vaccine at a whopping N680,000,000 (Six Hundred and Eighty Million Naira) to various unqualified companies.

Perusing through the statistics of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by the group, data gathered revealed that the disease was nowhere close to an epidemic as only nine (9) cases of Cholera was reported in the Niger Delta region from 2019 to January 2020; hence no basis on which the contracts were awarded by the Commission.

Proving that the numerous award of contracts by the Commission was a looting spree by Prof. Pondei and his foot soldier Dr Cairo Ojougboh who acts as the Executive Director Projects, investigations by the civil society group clearly showed that...

Read more at: https://secretsreporter.com/rogues-godswill-akpabio-nods-while-nddc-awarded-contracts-worth-n680million-for-just-9-cases-of-cholera-to-bulb-sellers/