The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified a statement made by its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, that a religious sect was laundering money for terrorists, saying the group referred to was neither a church or mosque in particular.

The anti-graft agency said those subjecting Olukoyede’s revelation to sinister interpretation were on to mischief and should be ignored.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Thursday, with the titled “EFCC clarifies Its chairman’s disclosures about alleged money laundering by religious leaders,” said: “The groups fingered by the EFCC chair are religious sects, not a church or a mosque.

“Those subjecting this disclosure to sinister interpretation are on to mischief and should be ignored. The EFCC’s boss is focused on his assignment of tackling all shades of economic and financial crimes and would not be distracted.”

Recall that at the commission’s public engagement on ‘Youth, Religion and the Fight Against Corruption’ on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 in Abuja, the chairman had frowned at the conduct of some religious sect leaders whom he accused of being complicit in money laundering.

He had said: “As I’m standing before you, there is a matter we are handling, a pyramid scheme that involves over N30 billion fleeced from Nigerians.

Along the line, some people died, some victims collapsed and all of that. We were able to trace over N7billion to a particular religious body and I said, write a letter to the leader of that religious sect, and we did

“The next thing we saw was a restraining order. We got a restraining order restraining us from recovering the money. Meanwhile, people have died along the line. Money traced directly to your body, and that is what we are battling. Of course, we have appealed, and this is the situation that is facing us, religious leaders.”

He further said, “when I was the chief of staff, we investigated an issue of money laundering, somewhere in this country. There is a particular religious sect that laundered money for terrorists. These are the problems we are battling with.”

However, Oyewale said, “Olukoyede neither mentioned a Church, Mosque nor any particular religious entity. Unfortunately, his comments have been twisted with mischievous connotations.”

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged the German government to not deport about 12,000 illegal migrants into Nigeria, saying such a move will aggravate security challenges in the country.

Akpabio made the call on Wednesday when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Gunther, in her address, said both Germany and Nigeria are large economies in Africa and Europe respectively, and as such can partner.

“We are honoured to be here today. Nigeria and Germany being the largest economies and population in their respective continents, need to come together in their peoples’ interests. Nigeria is Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa,” the German envoy said.

In his own address, Akpabio noted that Nigeria is grappling with insecurity and called on Germany to work in synergy with Nigeria in the areas of security and power, to enhance the socio-political development of Nigeria.

The Senate President, then, urged Gunther to help Nigeria, Africa’s largest population in fighting insecurity as well as strengthening its economy.

He begged the German government to halt its move of deporting 12,000 illegal migrants of Nigerian extraction, as this can create more insecurity in the country.

“We also have a problem of infiltration from other countries. We require assistance from Germany in the area of security because when we had the Boko Haram issues in the North East, it might not have escalated to the level it did if we had the support of major players like Germany and others,” he said.

“It was very difficult for us to get support from America at that time, maybe due to what they read on social media concerning us. If developed countries stop listening to social media, they would be willing to assist developing countries.

“The recent decision of Germany to deport illegal Nigerians back to the country numbering 12,000 is something you have to look into for us, because of its security implications. As a result of the current political situation in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, almost every black person in Germany, would claim to be a Nigerian because they don’t want to return to crises prone countries.

“Dumping 12,000 illegal immigrants in Nigeria would lead to the escalation of insecurity in the country. There is, therefore, the need for your country to allow our immigration officers to assess, who exactly is a Nigerian amongst them. If they allow them in here, without any kith and kin and they have to survive, the result would be nothing but militancy or insecurity,” Akpabio added.

The consequences of befuddled thinking flowing from parochial interests and not for the general welfare of all, are staring all in the face. The country is in a chokehold of anguish, uncertainties and disillusionment. I am continuing my reflection on the state of insecurity in the land. Since the last one week the subject was again brought to the front burner in these pages, the land has witnessed many bitter and distressing occurrences. Two traditional rulers in Ekiti State were abducted, victims of what the media has now dubbed as a kidnapping epidemic ravaging the land. The third in the company escaped by the whiskers only. And before help could reach the two in captivity, they had been killed in what might pass as a cultural abomination! The three monarchs were returning from an event in Kogi State when they ran into armed bandits at Ikole Local Government Area. Five men police allege have been menacing certain areas of Ekiti State were arrested with combined efforts of the police, Amotekun, OPC, and hunters. But that was not the only troubling piece of news coming from Ekiti. School children numbering 25, and two teachers who were being conveyed home in their school bus after closing hours, were waylaid by gunmen just about five minutes drive from their school. The men demobilized the vehicle by shooting its tyre, and ordered the pupils to disembark and lie face down. They picked five of them and asked the others to go. Altogether, the gunmen went with the remaining pupils, two teachers, the driver, and the bus assistant. To free the children, their abductors are demanding N100 million as ransom.

The distressing reports included kidnappers attacking the police and taking over their checkpoint in Edo. Four were feared killed in gunmen’s attack on Point of Sales (POS) operators in Imo. Also in Imo, armed men reportedly killed four persons, two of them policemen — all between last week Monday and today. A lawyer was said to have been kidnapped from his house in Abuja with his abductors asking for N50 million as ransom. Kidnappers threatened to kill a doctor in Kaduna, her husband, and a 16-year-old if their family failed to pay the N100 million ransom they were demanding without further delay. Gunmen abducted two brothers in Anambra State. After killing them, they dumped their bodies in a car. Such has been the situation that a coalition of Civil Societies (CSOs) under the auspices of the Civil Society Action Group told a Press conference on Monday that in about eight months ending on 26 January, that is last week Friday, 2, 423 were killed and 1, 872 persons kidnapped. In President Buhari’s second term (2019 to 2023) no fewer than 24, 816 Nigerians lost their lives, and 15, 507 were recorded kidnapped. As of 24 January 2022, the number of people who had been killed in the country had surged by 47 per cent up from 10, 366 in 2021 according to BusinessDay quoting data by an intelligence organization called SBM Intelligence.

It is not as if the security agencies are not doing anything about the grim situation. Troops killed Zamfara terrorist leader and set free 20 victims in his camp. His accomplices fled. Troops of Operation Hadarin separately rescued two persons seized by terrorists travelling on Shinkafi road also in Zamfara State. On 27 January, a Joint Task Force code-named North-West Operation Hadarin Daji set free 35 persons who had been in captivity of kidnappers, this time in Katsina State, a major kidnapping flash point in the North-West. As of October last year, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger states topped the chart of places kidnapping occurred.

The spate of kidnappings has been so alarming that hardly are thoughts spared any longer for internally displaced people, (IDPs), victims directly resulting from purely sectarian conflict foisted on the country by Boko Haram insurgents in 2009. As of June last year, 2023, the population of IDPs was 2, 295, 534, down from 3.6 million in 2022 according to Internal Displacement Centre (iDMC). In 2021, the total was 2.2 million (531 women, 423,000 men, 677, 000 girls and 569, 000 boys), according to UN Refugee Agency figures. Over 74 percent of the displaced people are in Borno State, the centre of the conflict, followed by Adamawa that has 221, 253 IDPs as the second highest, and then Yobe with 151, 874.

Most of the rescue operations were through combined efforts of joint task forces, also featuring vigilante outfits. Where they were not set up directly by state governments, they recognised them. Former Governor Akinwumi Ambode, for example, recruited 5, 700 youths in 2017 under the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps initiative. He did say at the time that “the move is another step towards enhancing security at the grassroots level in the state.” The corps’ brief was that they should assist the police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and facilitating the arrest of perpetrators of crime. In August 2016, barely two years into Ambode’s administration, the State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) gathered N1 billion in donations at a dinner organized by the Fund and corporate organizations. Such was the success of the Lagos project the fund was able to give the  Lagos State Police Command two helicopters, 300 patrol vehicles among which were mobile workshop vehicles, and 60 patrol motorcycles. Also provided to the police by Lagos State Government were two million rounds of ammunition, five fibre boats fitted with double 75 HP Outbound Engines; 30 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and 1, 000 AK-47. The Lagos model started by Babatunde Fashola was endorsed by the United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. I was to report in this column that so successful was the Lagos model that some of the states in the country asked for guidance on how they could simulate the model.

Kano State with Ibrahim Idris as police commissioner was one of the states that sought to learn from Lagos. Idris who was later to become the Inspector-General of Police said at the time: “We had to travel to Lagos to understudy the Security Trust Fund. It has served as a model for the states in the Federation. Ambode went all out to arrange what he called “proper care of welfare of police officers who are assigned to Lagos.” Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is upscaling this and only a couple of weeks ago, public-spirited businessman Femi Otedola donated N1 billion to Lagos Trust Fund. Apparently following reports on Lagos, the Kano State Government gave Idris 25 patrol vehicles and facilitated the recruitment of 2,000 youths into a peace corps. The plan was to have 6,000 of them and the 2,000 were the first set. The government paid N83 million for their application forms and training. The form was N3 million and the training N80 million. The government provided office space and accommodation. Although the police authorities in Abuja ordered their immediate closure, the message of the state governor is clear: The desire to have state police.  The attitude of the Federal authorities did not vitiate the Kano State government’s felt need for a state police formation of their own. In Nasir el Rufai’s Kaduna, the said Peace Corps numbered 4, 363 youths, 1,060 of them females. The Senate bill to legalize them was turned down by President Buhari. El Rufai then went on to establish the Kaduna State Vigilance Service Committee to replace several self-help groups in existence in the state.

When we add these efforts to the pressure from the Nigerian Governors Forum, led by Abdulaziz Yari and later by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Southern Governors’ Forum led by Rotimi Akeredolu and individual governors such as Jonah Jang and Henry Dickson, and of course, former President Ibrahim Babangida, and the solid backing of Professor Yemi Osinbajo, there is no iota of doubt that the states have been yearning to take control of the security destiny of their states in their own hands. Anambra, indeed, passed a Bill, Anambra State Vigilance Service Act No. 9 of 2,000, signed into law on 06 December 2006, becoming the first state to arm a vigilante group officially and which is publicly funded and paid salaries. Abia followed suit with its own called Abia Vigilance Service. Imo did the same, and so also Ebonyi State. Imo called its own Imo Vigilance Service. Ebonyi House of Assembly passed its own bill as well establishing Ebonyi Vigilance Service. And so you ask: What is left? Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, also an advocate of state police, provided the answer. “I disagreed at that particular time and still disagree to date that the states are not in the position to maintain state police. I have never seen where the Federal Government went to a particular state and gave the police everything they needed. So, the states are already maintaining the police.” He was referring to the time the governors of South West met Buhari when he was President for approval to set up state police in the face of the state of insecurity bedeviling the country. When he declined their entreaty, they got back to the Zone to consider the desirability of establishing Amotekun. They got their respective states to enact laws establishing the security outfit.

Who can say with all this the states are not seeing the establishment of state police as the panacea to the prevailing state of insecurity across the land? Makinde said the establishment of state police is an idea whose time has come. State police has become imperative to surmount the insecurity challenges facing different parts of the country, he said. It is even more so as it is inherent in the tenets and principle of federalism. Since we choose Federalism, why are we reluctant to embrace a crucial aspect of it that is the foundation for peace and national stability without which there can be no meaningful economic development in any land? Economic activities cannot flourish and citizens unfold their full potentials in a state of chaos and confusion.

As I was saying last week, in Belgium, Police Communale is made up of 589 Municipal Police Forces, each independently funded by the local Mayor to whom it is accountable and with powers to operate only within its particular municipal authority. Gendarmerie Nationale is national, operating at what we may call a supra level covering the entire country. In Holland, there are 148 such municipal forces. Denmark and Norway have police forces which although decentralized, are autonomous because the districts are independent. The districts are supervised by the District Police Chiefs. There are altogether 54 police formations, the same number as in Norway. In Germany, there are 16 State Police Forces each independent of the other in management and funding. The country also has Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. In the United Kingdom, there are 45 “territorial” forces and three “special” police forces.

Australia represents a classic case of a Federal Police. Australia Federal Police is funded directly and wholly by the Federal Government with its leadership responsible to the Minister in charge of law enforcement for the country. There are eight state police forces each managed and financed by its own state. In the United States, there are several tiers of policing. They are spread with the states and local councils each having its independent law enforcer, the police; and then the Federal (FBI and CIA); ports, transport, and railways. Universities with a student population of 5, 000 have their own independent police force.

I have gone this far to demonstrate that we are not reinventing the wheel by setting up more tiers of policing in the land. It is what every country in a Federal arrangement does and attracts flourish. After all, the Western Region in the First Republic had three tiers of policing: the federal called lovingly Olopa Eko, smartly attired, efficient, respectable, and respected; the Regional Police with headquarters at Iyaganku and training college at Eleiyele; and the Native Authority Police. Formal and modern policing was first established in Abeokuta in 1905 by the Egba United Government. This was replicated at Ibadan in 1906, and Oyo the following year and then Ondo Province, and so on.

When the National Assembly resumed from their Christmas and New Year recess on Tuesday, security issue was top on their agenda, rightly so. House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abass expressed serious concern over the pervading insecurity ravaging the land. He ingrained it in the legislative thinking of his colleagues in the House saying: “It is a stark reminder that the conventional approaches to security we have espoused for so long are no longer sufficient. The time has come to think out of the box and adopt new and contemporary strategies that better respond to the complexities of our current challenges. ..The enemy evolves, and so must we. I challenge you to rise to the occasion.”

There is a lot of literature that can help them in their deliberations, such as the 2014 National Conference Report and the Nasir el-Rufai report, Resolutions of Governors’ Forum. The report of the Senate Summit on Security that was held in 2018 at which the then Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said the establishment of state police is the way to go. The police authorities themselves had a major conference in Owerri barely two months ago. Speaker Abass’ proposed summit on Security may be reconsidered as the country has had enough of such. Several position papers and statements by different geographic blocs in the country have enough for the National Assembly to chew on. The Governor of Oyo State, receiving Speakers, the South West arm of the Conference of Speakers from the various Houses of Assembly in the Zone on Tuesday, pointed them unmistakably in the direction of the establishment of State Police. Their visit was to identify with him in his efforts on the explosion that devastated parts of Bodija Estate in the Oyo State capital, in which several houses were destroyed, roofs blown off even in areas considered not within the perimeter of the explosion. The incident was blamed on explosives illegally buried in a house within the estate by miners. Five persons died from the blast. The incident is considered an eloquent testimony and proof of the imperative of the establishment of State Police. The bitter experiences must represent a pointer to the essence of a new beginning for the wise. Enough of foot-dragging!

As it is in and for all things, the ultimate panacea is familiarization with higher knowledge available on earth today. The knowledge answers all questions of life and existence. It spells out consequences for all actions or inactions, including carelessness and negligence which avenge themselves bitterly beyond the earthly life!

The depreciation of the naira against the United States dollar by 55 per cent at the official foreign exchange market has led to a commensurate depreciation in airfares on international routes in Nigeria, according to findings by The PUNCH.

The naira had fallen from approximately 900/dollar to over 1,400/dollar on Monday after the FMDQ Exchange, which records data the nation’s official exchange rate, reviewed its methodology for calculating the rate.

The review came after the Central Bank of Nigeria accused approved foreign exchange dealers of reporting false figures.

However, barely 24 hours after the movement of the official exchange rate, international airlines operating in Nigeria moved the exchange rate for pricing their tickets to from about N900/dollar to N1,421/dollar.

The development led to approximately 55 per cent in international airfares on Nigerian routes.

Findings by our correspondent on Wednesday showed that ticket prices on Lagos-London-Lagos, Lagos-New York-Lagos, Lagos-Johannesburg, Lagos, among other top destinations had increased commensurately.

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, Susan Akporiaye, who confirmed the sharp increased, said the development would compound the woes of travel agencies.

“We have been feeling the pinch for a long time, and the situation is just getting worse. People who are traveling are not doing so for fun; they are traveling for serious business like medical or even education. It’s no longer about leisure,” Akporiaye told The PUNCH.

Akporiaye explained that travelers were reluctantly parting with money, and given a choice, they wouldn’t pay at all.

“For instance, an air ticket that used to cost $1000 has now surged to N1.5m. The financial strain is a necessity for travelers, forcing them to squeeze their budgets.”

She said the industry operators empathised with their situation, with some passengers resorting to appealing and offering collateral just to pursue their objectives and travel.

The president said the prices would undoubtedly decrease, adding that, “I am optimistic. It’s not the fault of the airlines; rather, it’s a reflection of the country’s economic situation.”

The NANTA leader said at the moment there was no noticeable difference between the rates in the black market and the official window of the forex market.

As such, she advised airlines to open up lower inventory options to encourage travelers already financially burdened.

“I suggest that airlines contemplate offering lower inventory options, enabling customers to access flights for maybe N1m. This customer-centric approach recognises the financial constraints faced by many travelers.

“The higher inventory, nearing almost N5m, shows variations with some options open while others remain closed. It’s crucial to emphasize that airlines are not responsible for setting the exchange rate.”

Price checks by The PUNCH revealed that the average airfare ticket to some of the high-traffic international destinations like London cost N2.77m; Dubai N2.65m; New York N3.2667m; and Johannesburg N3.05m.

For the Lagos-Johannesburg-Lagos route, depending on the travel date, Africa World Airlines charges N2.7m, while Turkish Airlines sets the price at N3.4m. The airfare for a round-trip from Lagos to Dubai is N2.3m with Turkish Airlines, and N3m with Lufthansa.

An agent at Travel and Tours Limited, Maureen Chimaobi informed The PUNCH that the naira’s exchange rate of naira to dollar is getting worse for travelers.

“As of Monday, the exchange rate was $1 to N1450. I don’t know how much it sold today..”

“This ugly development is no longer only limited to the aviation sector, prices of goods and services have generally gone up. Even local commodities are not left out.”

On June 14, 2023, the naira fell signficantly following the decision to allow the currency to fluctuate freely, leading to a significant drop in its value. Since then, airlines and passengers have continued to struggle to bear the surging air ticket prices.

Despite the currency woes, our correspondent could not verify if there is any data to support that travel demands in Nigeria have dropped.

The International Air Transport Association reported that African airlines’ annual traffic rose 38.7 per cent in 2023 versus the prior year.

“Full year 2023 capacity was up 38.3 per cent and load factor climbed 0.2 percentage points to 71.9 per cent, the lowest among regions. December 2023 traffic for African airlines rose 9.5 per cent over December 2022.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said the Federal Government’s directive to the Central Bank of Nigeria to take over the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is illegal.

President Bola Tinubu had, on Monday, reportedly directed the CBN to assume the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the NNPCL. Consequently, NNPC is expected to submit the receipts for crude oil sales to CBN for vetting and documentation.

Reacting, Atiku in a statement, Thursday said Tinubu’s directive undermined the operational independence of the national oil company.

“Without prejudice to the possibility of any good that was intended in the decision of the Federal Government to make the Central Bank of Nigeria take over the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, it must be clearly stated that the action is not legal in its application, he stated.

The former Vice President who noted that little has been communicated to the public about explaining details of the decision, declared that “Whatever may be the merit of the new arrangement, the presidential directive is a violation of the legal status of the NNPCL.”

Atiku stated “It is an arbitrary order capable of undermining the operational independence of the NNPCL.

“By this order, Mr. President has wrested control of the finances of the NNPCL and donated the same to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“This is an unprecedented act, without any legal or ethical basis. It is also a violation of the principle of due process in public administration. State-owned enterprises are not subject to such arbitrary orders and have full control over their finances within the confines of their respective establishment laws.

“The NNPCL is a creation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), which was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 16 August 2021.

“The PIA makes extensive provisions for the formation, structure, governance, and operation of the NNPCL as an independent limited liability company in Sections 53 to 65 of the Act.

“The government must, therefore, respect the provisions of the law and allow the NNPCL to run as an independent company based on sound commercial objectives and in line with international best practices and standard principles of corporate governance.

“Only then would the new NNPCL grow into a formidable institution with track records, requisite technical and financial capacity, and readiness to operate in public space.”

The former vice president said any attempt to undermine the operational independence of the NNPCL will be a hindrance to any chances of attracting investments and attaining global relevance in the Petroleum Industry.

The statement read in part “Let it also be stated that the Central Bank Act 2007 does not confer on the Central Bank of Nigeria, any responsibility for vetting the transactions of, or formulating and maintaining the internal controls and internal audits in state-owned enterprises, public or private.

“The CBN should be allowed to perform its core functions as provided in the extant law. To enhance transparency and accountability in the operation of the NNPCL, its bank accounts for crude sales proceeds (for example at Morgan Stanley) and the entire crude sales conversion circle can be trailed by Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and CBN.”

In a passionate appeal during his 80th birthday celebrations and book presentation in Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, the former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, emphasized the crucial role of religion in fostering peace among citizens.

The cardinal’s remarks highlighted a vision of religion as a force for unity and reconciliation, countering the narrative that it often serves as a catalyst for conflict.

Cardinal Onaiyekan, renowned for his contributions to interfaith dialogue and peace-building efforts in Nigeria, expressed his contentment with the growing discourse on the necessity of peace for national progress.

“The country cannot make progress without peace in place,” he stated, underscoring the indispensable need for harmony in fostering societal and national development.

Drawing on his extensive experience in religious leadership, Cardinal Onaiyekan pointed out that religion, when presented correctly, has the potential to be a powerful tool for promoting peace.

Onaiyekan said, “They even blame religion for our situation. But my position is that true religion must be about peace.

“Whatever you do, even if you shout the name of God a thousand times, and you are hurting your neighbour and killing the innocent, that is not religion.

“If religion is presented in a way that is not peaceful, then it cannot succeed in bringing the peace we expect. Many talk religion but are talking war and conflict.”

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke at the event said Onaiyekan’s unwavering commitment to justice, compassion, and unity has touched countless lives and inspired generations.

He said through the former archbishop’s unfaltering faith and dedication, he became a “beacon of hope, guiding his flock with love, compassion and unwavering integrity”.

“Cardinal Onaiyekan’s leadership and ministry have been marked by a resolute pursuit of justice and equality. In the face of injustice he has been a tireless advocate for the marginalised and the voiceless.

“It is not just his actions that inspire us; it is his words that resonate in our hearts. His Eminence possesses a rare gift of eloquence and a profound ability to unite people from all walks of life.

“His words have the power to heal; to bridge divides, and to ignite the flames of hope in even the darkest of times.

“His sermons have touched the hearts of millions, reminding us of our shared humanity and the inherent dignity that resides within each and every one of us.”

Born in Kabba, Kogi on January 29, 1944, Onaiyekan was the archbishop of Abuja from 1994 to 2019 and was ordained a cardinal on November 24, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Gombe State Police Command on Thursday busted two currency syndicates in possession of $56,300, and N265,000 counterfeited notes.

Our correspondent reports that the groups totalling16 specialised in the printing and disposing of counterfeit dollar and naira notes.

Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mahid Abubakar, said 12 suspects were arrested in Bajoga, Funakaye and Dukku Local Government Areas.

Abubakar said the first syndicate, made up six suspects, was arrested in possession of 500 pieces of 100 dollar and N265, 000 were recovered as exhibits.

According to him, the arrest was made possible after one Buba Muhammadu went to buy medicines at the chemist of Muhammad Ismail in Sangaru quarters in Bajoga with a counterfeit N1,000.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of the rest of the members.

“Buba Muhammadu, 45 years, male; Jungudo Muhammadu, 53 years, male; Adamu Yusuf Mallum, 30 years; Abdulhamid Abdullahi, male 60 years; Salihu Abdulhamid, 50 years, male; Abubakar Abdullahi 35 years male,” Abubakar listed them.

He said the second syndicate, also made up of six suspects, was arrested in Malala Village, Dukku Local Government Area in possession of 63 pieces of counterfeited 100 US dollar notes.

Abubakar added, “Haruna Adamu aged 60 years male of Tanji Village Darazo LGA, Bauchi State; Garba Ibrahim aged 25 years, male of Hashidu, Dukku LGA, Gombe State; Samaila Musa aged 30 years male of Gombe Abba, Dukku LGA; Sa’adu Muhammed aged 23 years male of No.10 Badarawa Quarters, Kaduna State; Yusuf Abdullahi aged 30 years male of Gombe Abba, Dukku LGA; Muhammadu Umaru aged 26 years male of Gombe Abba, Dukku LGA. The suspects were arrested at Malala Village, Dukku LGA in possession of 63,000 pieces of 100 dollar notes.”

He said all the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be charged to court.

Abubakar urged the public in Gombe State to be more vigilant and report all cases to the appropriate authorities as opposed to taking the law into their own hands.

Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, bid farewell to Barcelona Femini fans in an emotional post on Instagram on Thursday as she confirmed her departure from the club to join National Women’s Soccer League club Bay FC.

Oshoala completed her move to Bay FC on Thursday after signing a two-year deal with an option of another year for a reported fee of $162,000.

“As I bid farewell to this incredible team and the city that has been my home for the past five years, I am filled with mixed emotions,” Oshoala said in a post on Instagram.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to wear the Barcelona Femini jersey and represent this prestigious club.

“Since joining the team in 2019, I have had the opportunity to be a part of some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history. Together, we have lifted several trophies and these achievements are a testament to hard work, dedication and I feel privileged to have been a part of this team.”

The former Liverpool and Arsenal forward joined Barcelona permanently on a three-year deal after an impressive loan spell from Chinese side Dalian Quanjian in 2019.

She went on to make 162 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 117 goals, including a record-setting season feat in 2022, when she was the joint top scorer in the league with 19 goals.

The two-time Ballon D’or nominee top the scorers chart three times in Spain, helping the club win the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice in 2021 and 2023, four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups and the Copa de la Reina three times.

She is the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League in 2021 and also score in the Champions League final in 2019.

She added, “But beyond the trophies and accolades, what I will cherish most are the relationships I have built with some of my teammates, coaches, staff and the amazing fans. You have become my family and I will forever be grateful for the love and support you have shown me.

“As I embark on a new journey, I want you to know that Barcelona Femini will always hold a special place in my heart. I will carry with me the memories, lessons and friendships that I have gained during my time here.”

Reacting to her arrival at the club, Bay FC General Manager Lucy Rushton, believes the Nigerian will bolster the club with her quality.

“To have the opportunity to add a player of Asisat’s quality, experience and winning pedigree to our roster is an exciting and important day for the club and the NWSL,” Rushton told the club website.

“She (Oshoala) brings a top-class mentality to the field combined with pace and technical ability that allows her to lead the line, while also giving those players around her the license to be creative and thrive in space. Asisat is a proven goal scorer at the most elite levels of World football, and she comes here to continue that with Bay FC.”

The six-time CAF Player of The Year winner will occupy an international roster spot and joins the team pending the receipt of her P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate.

FG's directive to CBN to take over crude oil sales proceeds from NNPCL is not legal, undermines the operational independence of the national oil company

Without prejudice to the possibility of any good that was intended in the decision of the Federal Government to make the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) take over the responsibility for crude oil sales proceeds from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), it must be clearly stated that the action is not legal in its application. 

Although, as usual, of the current administration, little has been communicated to the public about explaining details of the decision.

According to what is publicly available, the President has issued a directive that henceforth, the NNPCL would submit receipts for crude oil sales to CBN for vetting and documentation.

Whatever may be the merit of the new arrangement, the presidential directive is a violation of the legal status of the NNPCL. 

It is an arbitrary order capable of undermining the operational independence of the NNPCL. 

By this order, Mr. President has wrested control of the finances of the NNPCL and donated the same to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

This is an unprecedented act, without any legal or ethical basis. It is also a violation of the principle of due process in public administration.

State-owned enterprises are not subject to such arbitrary orders and have full control over their finances within the confines of their respective establishment laws.

The NNPCL is a creation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), which was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 16 August 2021. 

The PIA makes extensive provisions for the formation, structure, governance, and operation of the NNPCL as an independent limited liability company in Sections 53 to 65 of the Act.

The government must, therefore, respect the provisions of the law and allow the NNPCL to run as an independent company based on sound commercial objectives and in line with international best practices and standard principles of corporate governance. 

Only then would the new NNPCL grow into a formidable institution with track records, requisite technical and financial capacity, and readiness to operate in public space. 

Any attempt to undermine the operational independence of the NNPCL will be a hindrance to any chances of attracting investments and attaining global relevance in the Petroleum Industry.

Let it also be stated that the Central Bank Act 2007 does not confer on the Central Bank of Nigeria, any responsibility for vetting the transactions of, or formulating and maintaining the internal controls and internal audits in state-owned enterprises, public or private. 

The CBN should be allowed to perform its core functions as provided in the extant law.

To enhance transparency and accountability in the operation of the NNPCL, its bank accounts for crude sales proceeds (for example at Morgan Stanley) and the entire crude sales conversion circle can be trailed by Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and CBN. 

Amongst other supportive measures to enhance transparency, the NNPCL board members can be better selected and reconstituted to include, if desired, representatives of the CBN and NEITI.

Atiku Abubakar

Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

1st February, 2024.

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in 26 states, where run-off and by-elections will take place.

In a statement on Thursday, Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said the restriction will be from 12 a.m to 6 p.m.

The by-elections are fixed for February 3 in various constituencies across 26 states.

The by-elections are to be conducted due to the death or resignation of members of the national and state houses of assembly.

In some constituencies, the court ordered run-off elections.

The elections will fill vacancies in three senatorial districts, 17 federal and 28 state constituencies across 80 local government areas.

Individuals on essential services like officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accredited media personnel, and emergency responders are exempted.

The IGP also banned security aides attached to very important persons (VIPs) from going to the polling booths and state-owned security outfits from election security management.

“Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to specified authorities. Numbered to call: 08034040439 (CP Elections); 08031230631 (Toll Free); 08057000001, 08057000002 (Complaint Response Unit); you can also reach us at @ngpolice (Facebook); @PoliceNG (X); This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (e-mail),” the statement reads.

Egbetokun warned of the legal consequences of disrupting the election process.