A High Court of the FCT has awarded a cost of N100m against the federal government of Nigeria for violating the right to personal liberty of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

The cost was awarded on Monday by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi while ruling on a fundamental right enforcement suit filed by Emefiele challenging his unlawful detention by agents of the federal government (DSS and EFCC).

Justice Adeniyi also restrained the federal government from further re-arresting Emefiele without an order of court.

The court held it was time to put an end to the unlawful practice of arrest before investigations.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, to its headquarters located in Jabi area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Daily Trust has reliably learnt.

The invitation came less than 30 minutes the President, Bola Tinubu announced Edu’s immediate suspension from office Through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

An operative of the EFCC, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, said the anti-graft agency had earlier recommended the immediate suspension of the Minister in order to pave way for the ongoing investigation that had been ordered by the President.

The source noted that the commission had immediately swung into action immediately the President ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged of payment of N585.189 million grant meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states into a private account.

“Our investigation into the alleged payment won’t be thorough if we didn’t recommend the Minister’s suspension. Her suspension will give us liberty to do our job thoroughly as directed by the President.

“An official invitation by the commission has already been sent to her. We expect her to honour the invitation to give proper insight into the issue at hand. So, we expect her to arrive here anytime soon,” the EFCC official told Daily Trust.

The spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for comment immediately as calls pulled across to his mobile phone were yet to connect.

Civil Society Organisations, activists lawyers, opposition political parties had called for her sack just as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told Daily Trust on Saturday that the matter was under investigation.

Doyin Okupe, former Director-General of Peter Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, has resigned from the Labour Party.

Okupe made this known in a letter sent to the leadership of the party on Monday.

He attributed his resignation to ideological differences, saying his lifelong alignment as a right-wing and liberal democrat clashed with LP’s left-of-center ideology.

“I submit herewith my letter of resignation from the Labour Party with effect from today. You will recall that our flagbearer, Mr Peter Obi, myself and others left the PDP abruptly and had to look for a Special Purpose Vehicle in which to contest the 2023 Presidential Elections.”

“The Labour Party, your good self, and other members of your executives provided us with this veritable platform with no burdensomeness whatsoever and for which we were extremely grateful.

“We did contest the election on the platform of the Labour Party and lost. This makes it exceedingly difficult for me to continue to stay in the Labour Party which is ideologically rooted in the left of the center.

“I have been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all my entire life. It is therefore this ideological conflict that makes me seek an exit so that I may continue my political activities with liberalism, sincerity and freedom.

“I wish to thank you in particular and other members of the leadership of the party for the cordiality and respect accorded to me as the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organization.

“I wish you and the party success in your future endeavors. Long live the Labour Party. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Your brother, friend and compatriot, Omooba (Dr Doyin Okupe, Former Director General Obi-Datti Campaign Organization.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

The suspension was announced in a statement on Monday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

A viral document signed by the Minister and addressed to the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation had revealed that she ordered the payment of the money into one Bridget Mojisola Oniyelu’s private account.

The leaked document showed that the money was paid into Oniyelu’s account.

The minister’s media aide, Rasheed Zubair, had in a statement on Friday said the payment followed due process.

Edu had also, in a statement she posted on her Facebook page on Saturday, said the allegation was baseless.

But the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Sunday said Tinubu had directed a thorough investigation into the matter, adding that any breaches would be decisively punished.

Tinubu on Monday said the suspension was in line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians.

The statement read: “The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

“The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

“Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

“These directives of the President take immediate effect.”

In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect.

The President further directs the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into all aspects of the financial transactions involving the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as one or more agencies thereunder.

The suspended Minister is hereby directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and she is further directed by the President to fully cooperate with the investigating authorities as they conduct their investigation.

Furthermore, the President has tasked a panel that is headed by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance to, among other functions, conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on the financial architecture and framework of the social investment programmes with a view to conclusively reforming the relevant institutions and programmes in a determined bid to eliminate all institutional frailties for the exclusive benefit of disadvantaged households and win back lost public confidence in the initiative.

These directives of the President take immediate effect.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

Mohammed Idris, the Honorable Minister of Information and National Orientation of Nigeria, issues this statement to address the widespread information circulating regarding the use of public funds by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation acknowledges the concerns raised by the public regarding the alleged payment of funds into a private account by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. We are aware of the narratives circulating widely and wish to assure Nigerians that the Government takes these issues most seriously.

The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is transparent and accountable to the people, and committed to ensuring that public funds are allocated and utilized effectively and efficiently to address the needs of Nigerians.

In light of recent events, the President has directed that a thorough and comprehensive investigation be conducted to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the reported details.

The government is determined to unravel the truth as it relates to this matter, and assures that appropriate action will be taken to ensure that any breaches and infractions are identified and decisively punished, in line with the Administration’s commitment to public accountability and due process.

The public is advised to note, against the backdrop of various unverified narratives circulating on the Internet, that the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, under the leadership of Minister Mohammed Idris, is the primary source for verified information about events and actions of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Only accurate details will be shared with the public. The Ministry is committed to providing timely updates to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of the investigation.

We urge Nigerians to exercise patience as the investigation unfolds. The government is focused on ensuring a fair and unbiased process, and the findings will be communicated duly and transparently to the public.

Mohammed Idris
Minister of Information and National Orientation
January 7, 2024

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State, has urged President Bola Tinubu to closely monitor the disbursement of funds allocated to various poverty alleviation programmes.

Oyintiloye spoke amid the misappropriation scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Recall that Edu was accused of illegally transferring N585.189 million meant for the vulnerable in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states into a private account.

Following the widespread outrage, the minister said the payment was subjected to due process.

However, Oyintiloye said Tinubu’s passion for alleviating poverty among the masses must not be allowed to be truncated by selfish individuals.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, the APC chieftain said that all necessary strategies must be put in place to ensure that different intervention programmes initiated by the President have a positive impact on the lives of the less privileged Nigerians, NAN reports.

“We have a president who is monitoring everything being done in his government and that is why we have absolute trust him.

”We must encourage and support the president to keep an eagle eye on these intervention programmes to prevent diversion.

”Since the money is meant to alleviate poverty among the masses, every necessary strategy must be in place to ensure that allocated money have positive impact on the lives of the less privileged Nigerians,” he said.

Adebutu vs Abiodun to come up Thursday

Judgment likely on Kano, Lagos Friday

The Supreme Court will this week hear 21 appeals arising from the disputes over the March 18, 2023 governorship elections.

In its schedule for the week, the cases on Ebonyi, Plateau, Delta, Adamawa, Abia, Ogun, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states will be heard between today and Thursday.

The Nation learnt that the apex court may deliver judgments in the post-election governorship appeals on Kano, Lagos and others on Friday.

According to the court’s schedule sighted last night, the court will adjudicate today on an appeal by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Odoh Benard; two appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in Ebonyi State, Chukwuma Odii Ifeanyi; and two by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Benue State, Uba Titus against INEC, APC and others.

Tomorrow, the apex court will hear six appeals – three on Plateau State filed by the PDP, its candidate, Caleb Muftwang and INEC; and three on Delta State, filed by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peta Kennedy of the Labour Party (LP).

On Wednesday, the court listed for hearing four appeals, two concerning Adamawa State filed by the candidate of the SDP, and a counter-appeal by Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP (the governor).

The other two appeals were filed by Okechukwu Ahiwe of the PDP and Ikechi Emenike of the APC on the Abia State governorship poll.

On Thursday, the court plans to hear six appeals – two on Ogun State filed by Oladipo Adebutu of the PDP and a counter appeal by Adedapo Abiodun of the APC (the governor); one on Cross River, filed by Prof. Sandy Onor of the PDP; and two in respect of Akwa Ibom State, filed by Akpan Udofia of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) and John Akpan Udoedehe of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP).

Deji Adeyanju, a renowned human rights activist, has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu if found guilty of financial misappropriation.

In a statement he signed, Adeyanju said Tinubu should ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the scandal.

Edu had come under heavy criticism after a memo surfaced where she directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585.2 million into a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the Ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups.

The minister said the payment followed due process, but the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein was of a contrary opinion.

Reacting, Adeyanju, the convener of Concerned Nigerians, commended the Accountant-General of the Federation for her steadfastness in refusing to grant the request by Edu.

He said: “This action by the Accountant-General is in line with Chapter Seven, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which clearly states that personal money shall not be paid into a government bank account, nor should any public money be paid into a private account.

“I applaud the Accountant-General for her unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of accountability and transparency in the management of public finances.

“Her refusal to comply with the improper and illegal request by the Honorable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs demonstrates her integrity and dedication to the rule of law. By adhering to the Financial Regulations, she has set a commendable example for other public officials to follow.

“In light of these developments, I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.

“The request made by the Minister to transfer such a substantial amount into an individual’s private account is a flagrant violation of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations. It raises serious concerns about the misuse of public funds and suggests a breach of trust by a high-ranking government official.

“Adeyanju urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure a transparent and independent investigation into the matter and, if found guilty, to suspend the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs pending further disciplinary actions saying the senseless looting perpetrated by Betta Edu reason military truncated severally democratic governments in the country. The president should sack her and preserve our democracy.

“This step is crucial to maintaining public confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring the prudent management of public resources.”

[DailyPost]

The N57.8 billion worth of food palliatives approved for members of the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for onward distribution to their constituents is raising dust, Daily Trust reports.

While some lawmakers confirmed receiving palliatives, said to be worth N200 million for senators and N100 million for members of the House of Representatives, others denied that.

This is just as many constituents across the country are accusing their representatives of hoarding the items. 

The Presidency, while showcasing Tinubu’s scorecard in palliatives’ disbursement to Nigerians, had revealed that each senator got N200 million worth of palliatives; and N100 million for each member of the House of Representatives.

Going by the data released by the Presidency, the food items approved as palliatives for all the 469 lawmakers (109 senators and (360 House of Representatives members) amounted to N57.8 billion.

Corroborating this yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a chat with one of our reporters, clarified that Tinubu did not send the money to the legislators.

He said the president only “asked the Ministry of Agriculture to provide the food items to them. Each Rep member is to get food items worth N100 million; senator, N200 million.”

Investigations by Daily Trust indicated that many of the lawmakers had received bags of rice from the ministry and had begun distribution to their constituents.

Meanwhile, the Presidency confirmed that some lawmakers had  yet to recieve the items owing to logistics problem.

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Segun Dada, had, in a post on his X handle, clarified that Tinubu “did not give cash to the National Assembly members as palliatives to the people in the constituencies and senatorial districts.”

He said the president, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, only distributed rice and other food items as palliatives “and sort of constituency projects worth N100 million per federal constituency and N200 million per senatorial constituency.

“The emanating insinuations from some Nigerians out there suggesting that some National Assembly members are hoarding the palliatives is grossly misleading because they can only distribute when they have received it, and this is due to logistic reasons behind the distribution process,” Dada said.

Dekeri Anamero, member representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State, in a viral video, disclosed that Tinubu approved truckloads of rice for each member of the House of Representatives for onward distribution to his/her constituents. He spoke at his constituency while flagging off the distribution of 2,400 bags of rice to his constituents during the yuletide season.

“I’m back in Etsako Federal Constituency to celebrate Christmas with our people. I want to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deeming it fit to give all the members of the House of Representatives palliative grains.

“Here, you have two trailers of rice. You have one trailer on the right and one on the left here in Etsako Federal Constituency. So, I want us to celebrate the Christmas in a joyous mood. In all, we have four trailers of rice. That is 2,400 bags which we’ve branded in my name for my federal constituency,” he stated.

Nigerians in other constituencies across the nation have continued to mount pressure on their representatives for similar food items released by the Federal Government.

Many of them, who took to the social media, especially on X (formerly twitter) accused lawmakers of hoarding the palliatives for campaign purposes. Some social media influencers have also called on constituents to hold their lawmakers to account should they fail to share the palliatives.

@ojooluwadareemi1 said Tinubu should have engaged the services of private logistics companies to distribute the palliatives “house to house in each local government area and taking feedback from landlord associations. “Some of these reps or senators will divert the items and sell them,” he alleged.

@GAjibowu wondered why the government could not name the lawmakers who had received the items “for the masses to hold them accountable”. 

JohnAde04 alleged that the release of rice to the lawmakers was contributing to the increase in the price of the commodity, “because govt will mop rice from the market and those politicians won’t give out the rice; they just hoard it.”

How N/Assembly members lobbied for palliatives

Our reporters learnt that lawmakers lobbied the presidency for the rice palliative after the passage of the 2023 supplementary budget.

The budget, among others, made provisions for palliatives to citizens to reduce the cost-of-living crisis, widely believed to have been worsened by the removal of petrol subsidy.

A senator, who spoke to Daily Trust in confidence, revealed that: “After the budget passage, our colleagues protested that since the president had given billions to state governors to provide food items to Nigerians, they should also be given palliatives for distribution.”

Another lawmaker said: “We realised that palliatives were given to the governors while we were left with nothing to help our constituents. So, we demanded something to give to our people. That was why the president approved the provision of rice for us through the Ministry of Agriculture.”

An aide to a ranking senator, who also preferred anonymity, confirmed that his principal received rice from the Ministry of Agriculture and distributed same during the yuletide.

A member of the House of Representatives, also confirmed: “Yes, there are foodstuffs that the Ministry of Agriculture was instructed to give us for distribution to our constituents.

“I’m also expecting two trucks for my constituents. But, even before this, we had been distributing rice and other foodstuffs to our constituents, especially in December,” the legislator stressed.

However, the member representing Ganjuwa/Darazo Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Mansur Manu Soro said: “Nobody gave me rice to share. But I know of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s palliative programme, which members were requested to advise on the type of palliative needed in their constituencies and states.”

“Some members recommended rice; some, fertilizers and others, depending on their people’s needs. So, the report that the president gave rice to all the 360 members and 109 senators is wrong and misleading. It was targeted at tarnishing the image of the National Assembly members,” Soro said.

Lawmaker’s house vandalised

Daily Trust learnt that a lawmaker from the southern part of the country was attacked and his house vandalised by angry constituents who went there in search of palliatives.

A member of the House of Representatives from the North East said: “This thing has generated so much controversy that some of our colleagues are having problems. A friend of mine was attacked by hoodlums because of this. They went to his house looking for the said palliative and vandalised many things in the house.”

Meanwhile, some legislators, who denied receiving any food times from the presidency, said they bankrolled the palliatives’ distribution to their constituents during the festive season in anticipation for a refund from the Federal Government.

A senator’s aide said: “Since there’s a plan to give lawmakers rice for distribution, those who are yet to get theirs and could not wait used their money to get the items and distributed to their people with a plan to claim a refund.

“My principal belongs to this category. He distributed over 2,000 bags of rice, other food items and cash during the Christmas period to his constituents. But he has not received anything from what the presidency approved”, the legislative aide said.

Rep Abdulmumini Ari (APC, Nasarawa), in a chat with Daily Trust, said: “I’ve not seen any colleague who has received the rice you’re talking about.”

A beneficiary in Kwara State, said “Our wards received 500 bags of rice from our representative who had his picture on it and some additional cash. The same thing was replicated in all the ten wards in the councils.

“But nobody told us whether it came from the Presidency. So, we assumed it came from him (the lawmaker) because of the picture.”

Senate silent on largesse

The Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, did not respond to calls to his cellphone by our correspondent. He had earlier denied receiving any item as a palliative from the Federal Government. 

Reps spokesperson speaks

The spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, had in a statement, said the leadership of the House “successfully lobbied for additional palliatives for our constituents across the country”.

He said this was being handled by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in line with extant public procurement laws.

“The procurement process is at different stages depending on the constituency, but to be clear, no legislator has, nor will be given any money for palliatives.

“While, as politicians, honourable members may be visible during the process of distribution and rightfully take the credit for bringing succour to the people, the procurement and distribution of the palliatives is being handled by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

“As it is customary during this season, honourable members, in their respective constituencies, celebrated with their constituents in various ways in individual capacities.

“These gestures should not be misconstrued as palliatives, and honourable members will continue to engage at the grassroots to clarify these issues in order not to cause disaffection for colleagues in other constituencies”, he said.

 [DailyTrust]