Ghana President John Mahama has reduced the country’s ministries from 30 to 23 in a bid to cut government spending.

Mahama’s decision – an executive order – to trim the number of government ministries was contained in a gazette dated January 9 – two days after he took office.

The West African country would no longer have the ministries of information, sanitation and water resources, national security, railway development, parliamentary affairs, public enterprises, and chieftaincy and religious affairs.

The scrapped ministries were in place under Nana Akufo-Addo, immediate-past president of Ghana.

The order established the ministries of finance, health, interior, defence, education, energy and green transition, roads and highways, transport, sports and recreation, justice, lands and natural resources, and local government and chieftaincy and affairs.

Others are foreign affairs, communication, digital technology, environment, science and technology, youth development and empowerment, works, housing and water resources, gender, children and social protection, tourism, culture and creative arts, labour, jobs and employment, food and agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and trade, agribusiness and industry.

Mahama, who was first in Ghana’s Jubilee House between 2012 and 2017, returned to power after defeating former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia.

The president polled 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55 percent of the vote cast, while Bawumia gathered 4,657,304 votes with 41.6 percent.

Bawumia conceded defeat before the official results were announced.

Mahama’s cost-cutting move is in contrast to that of President Bola Tinubu, his Nigerian counterpart, who increased ministries to 48 in 2023 from 44 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu’s decision has faced widespread criticism as Nigeria struggles with a deepening cost-of-living crisis.

Monday Elela, the father of a 14-year-old boy, Tope Elela, who was allegedly killed and buried has confessed that he killed and buried his son for always engaging in housebreaking, stealing, and other criminal activities.

Elela who lives in Ajowa Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State descibed the deceased son as the black sheep of the family among his seven children.

The father and his wife were alleged to have killed the Tope Elela following which they were arrested by police.

Speaking with journalists when being paraded by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi at the police headquarters in Akure, Elela disclosed that he buried the boy in a shallow grave under a banana tree behind his house after he gave up the ghost.

“I did not know that the boy would die when I beat him in the night after he escaped from the custody of the State Security Network codename Amotekun,” Elela said.

He added that he usually hand over the late son to Amotekun or vigilante groups whenever he was arrested for stealing or other criminal activities for punishment.

Elela, however noted that his wife took to her heels alongside other children when he got to know about his arrest.

“The deceased had escaped from Amotekun’s detention and was embarrassing the family as a result of criminal activities he engaged in. When he came back, we beat him and went to sleep. The following morning, his siblings discovered that he was dead and I decided to bury him under a banana tree,” he narrated.

Elela was paraded alongside 24 other suspects by the Commissioner of Police for various crimes including murder, cultism, house breaking and stealing.

The CP also paraded those who allegedly took part in the recent cult clashes that left five persons dead in Owo, Owo local government area of the state.

Among those paraded include one Olamide Ogunseyila, a 28 years old man who confessed to being a member of a cult group.

Also, Gbenga Bisi, a 25 years old wife of Steven Dada, also known as “Ogodo,” who is currently on the run was apprehended alongside Gbenga Esther, ‘F’, age 20 years at a hideout where the Police found a double-barrel, cut-to-size gun, two expended cartridges, and additional ammunition.

The CP named others as 61-year-old man, Ijarotimi Taye who was discovered with physical injuries around his body and could not give a satisfactory account of how he got the injuries, raising suspicions about his involvement in criminal activities.

CP Afolabi added that the duo of 30-year-old Bero Adeola, and Olabode Ojo (a.k.a Paw paw), who claimed that his brother’s wife and child were killed in the melee were arrested in their hideout in Akure.

“They both confessed to being cultists belonging to the Aye group and claimed it was the Eiye and Aiye groups that were fighting.

“The suspects claimed they left Owo because of the fight because they did not want to be part of it,” the police CP said.

He further added that Ijalade Olorunfemi, ‘m’, aged 42 years, and Ayodele Olayemi, ’m’, aged 20 years have also been implicated as cultists through ongoing investigations.

“The remaining suspects are currently undergoing thorough interrogation to ascertain their roles in the crisis while the Command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Steven Dada (alias “Ogodo”) and any other individual connected to these criminal activities,” the police commissioner said.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has charged troops to make a difference in the operations against insecurity in 2025.

The CDS charged them to intensify their efforts in combating criminals and to pursue and neutralise threats wherever they may hide.

Gen. Musa gave the directive during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration and award evening for soldiers, ratings, and airmen in Abuja on Sunday.

The CDS stated that there was a need for a more proactive approach in addressing security challenges across the country.

He said, “We are not where we want to be, but we’re heading there, and I can assure you that by working together, we shall overcome all acts of evil.

“Our task is to look for the bad guys and take them down. Is that clear? I’ve encouraged all our commanders, this year, we must make a great difference in all our operations. We must step out of the temple, look for the criminals wherever they enter, and go after them.”

General Musa said military work was no longer all about court martial but to also appreciate excelling officers.

“I choose to say thank you for the job you are doing. We appreciate every one of you. For us, anyone who has signed to put his life on the line for his nation deserves commendation, so we commend all of you.

“I want to tell you that we appreciate everything you are doing, all the sacrifice, leaving your families behind, staying in the trenches, doing so many wonderful things. Most times, we don’t tell you thank you enough, but this is one way of saying thank you and we appreciate you. And to whom much is given, and to tell you that we will do everything possible to ensure that we take care of you, we look after your welfare, that will make you work better.

“So, for those of you here, let me start from this end. So I say congratulations to all of you. We appreciate you. You know in our system, the more you do, the more we want. So this is just the beginning. This is the first time we’re doing this.

“We’re going to maintain this and ensure that every year we commend all those who have done. It is not only to punish people, anything little, to charge him 252 gold for Court Martial. But that if you equally do well, we should also commend you, just like we are commending them,” he stated.

For his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, reinforced the importance of the military’s role in ensuring peace and stability.

He reminded troops of their oath to serve the nation with loyalty and resolve.

“We must not lose sight of the oath we took to be dutiful, faithful, and loyal servicemen and women,” Lagbaja said. “We must go wherever lawfully sent—by land, sea, or air. Therefore, we must remain resolute in our fight against terrorism, insurgency, secessionism, and other threats to our collective peace as Nigerians,” Oluyede said.

He also urged personnel to support the government’s efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians, noting that their commitment was crucial to achieving national aspirations.

In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, assured personnel of the Navy’s commitment to their welfare and operational efficiency.

“We will continue to prioritise your welfare and provide the necessary equipment to tackle the challenges ahead,” Ogalla stated.

“The Nigerian Navy will also continue to rejig our operations by introducing new assets and improving surveillance capabilities. This will boost the morale of our gallant troops and make it easier for us to overcome the enemy,” he stated.

Ogalla added that the measures would enhance the military’s ability to neutralise threats and turn the tide against criminal elements.

The Oyo State Government has filed an 18-count charge, including manslaughter, against Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM; and Fasasi Abdullahi, Principal of Islamic High School, following the tragic stampede at a Christmas Funfair in Ibadan that claimed the lives of 35 children.

According to a source within the government, the charges were filed in connection with the deadly incident.

“The court will most likely grant bail on Monday, but the state government has filed an 18-count charge of manslaughter and similar offences against the defendants,” the source said.

At the Oyo State High Court on January 7, the defence team argued passionately for the release of the defendants on bail. They cited their cooperation with investigations and the fact that they posed no flight risk.

The defence lawyers also questioned the constitutionality of the defendants’ detention, describing it as a procedural irregularity.

They challenged the “holding charge” under which the accused were remanded, stating that it lacked recognition under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, led the prosecution team, opposing the bail applications.

Aikomo insisted that the accused had not provided sufficient justification for their release and dismissed claims of persecution by the state government as baseless.

“The gravity of the charges and the need for justice for the victims and their families necessitate the continued detention of the accused persons,” Aikomo argued.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice K.B. Olawoyin reserved his ruling on the bail applications until Monday, January 13, 2025.

The case centers on three defendants:

Naomi Silekunola: Former wife of the Ooni of Ife.

Oriyomi Hamzat: CEO of Agidigbo FM.

Fasasi Abdullahi: Principal of Islamic High School.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has claimed there is no credible evidence to support reports that 16 civilians were killed during an airstrike targeting insurgents in Tungar Kara, Maradun LGA of Zamfara state.

On Sunday, the NAF said the air strikes, conducted under Operation Fansan Yamma on January 10 was a “devastatingly well-coordinated air-ground assault” targeting banditry in the state.

However, reports had emerged from the community alleging that 16 residents, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and vigilantes, were mistakenly killed during the operation.

In a report, Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region quoted intelligence sources as saying the vigilantes were misidentified as bandits after gunmen fled the area.

 

“So far, 16 dead bodies have been retrieved, but the total number of casualties is not yet clear,” the report noted.

NAF: OUR OPERATIONS BASED ON CREDIBLE INTEL

Following an enquiry by TheCable on Sunday, Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, denied the allegations, stating that the air force employs “every possible measure to prevent, minimise and mitigate harm to civilians in the conduct of operations”.

He added that the reports might be “emanating from terrorists and their sympathisers as a way of discrediting the military with propaganda, seeing they are now increasingly on the receiving end”.

Akinboyewa said there was no credible report of civilian casualties and that the airstrikes were based on reliable intelligence.

“Nevertheless, please remain assured that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations against bandits, terrorists and other similar threats are conducted based on credible, reliable intel drawn form multiple verifiable sources and subject to further confirmatory analysis,” he said. 

“The air component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out the airstrikes in question to repel ongoing bandit attacks on villages in the area.

“As of date, we have not received any credible reports of civilian casualties being involved in this instance. As events unfold, members of the public would be kept informed as might become necessary.”

HISTORY OF CONTROVERSY

The incident is not the first time military air strikes have been accused of claiming civilian casualties.

On December 25, 2024, media reports indicated that air strikes targeting the Lakurawa terrorist group in Sokoto state mistakenly killed civilians in the Silame LGA of the state.

The military denied the allegations, with Abubakar Abdullahi, joint media coordinator for Operation Hadarin Daji, saying the strikes were based on thorough intelligence to ensure precision.

However, the Sokoto state government countered the military’s claims, stating that no fewer than 10 civilians were killed when fighter jets “mistakenly” bombed the village.

Muhammad Sifawa, secretary to the state government, announced N20 million and food relief for the victims’ families while assuring coverage of medical bills for the injured.

Two days later, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the deaths were caused by secondary explosions at a terrorist logistics base.

Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said, “When munitions hit a logistics base, secondary explosions can occur, causing unintended casualties.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima later apologised to the affected families, describing the incident as “one of the rare but unfortunate consequences of counter-terrorism operations.”

Over the past decade, at least 19 military airstrikes in Nigeria have “mistakenly” hit civilians instead of the intended terrorist targets.

These incidents have claimed more than 400 lives, injured hundreds, and raised concerns over violations of humanitarian laws which requires minimal harm to civilians during armed conflict.

Joshua Zirkzee scored the winning penalty for 10-man Manchester United against Arsenal after their hectic FA Cup third round tie finished 1-1 after extra time at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors took the lead in the 52nd minute through Bruno Fernandes’ curling effort from just inside the box, before Gabriel Magalhãesl equalised 11 minutes later — just after United’s Diogo Dalot was sent off for a second booking.

United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir produced a superb save to deny Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard from the penalty spot, before the Gunners spurned several chances to score a winner.

Ruben Amorim’s team will find out their opponent in the fourth round when the draw is made later on Sunday evening.

Armed bandits operating under the leadership of a notorious kingpin, Danisuhu, have reportedly imposed N172.7 million levy on 25 villages in Tsafe West LGA of Zamfara State.

The bandits also demanded for contributions like bags of soybeans while also threatening the residents with violence.

Giving a breakdown of the levy “per village,” security analyst, Zagazola Makama, said: ‘The targeted villages and their respective levies include:Gijinzama: ₦8.5M, Dakolo: ₦5M + 20 bags of soybeans, Gunja: ₦7M, Kauyen Kane: ₦5M, Kurar Mota: ₦6M, Sabon Garin Bakin Gulbi: ₦2.5M, Kibari: ₦3M.

“Karda: ₦5M, Daga Ciki: ₦3M, Biya: ₦5M, Barebari: ₦6M, Kauyen Magaji: ₦7M, Kwaren Maisaje: ₦10M, Magazawa: ₦10M, Maciya: ₦5M, Unguwar Danhalima: ₦5M, Unguwar Rogo: ₦5M, Katanga: ₦5M, Magazu: ₦5M, Sungawa: ₦15M, Rakyabu: ₦15M, Yalwa: ₦2.7M, Tsageru: ₦5M, Gidan Anne: ₦7M, Kunchin Kalgo: ₦20M.”

Makama also reported that several residents of these villages have abandoned their homes, farmlands and livelihoods over the fear of violent reprisals for failing to meet the demands.

“The situation is dire.

“The inability to pay these levies often results in brutal attacks by the bandits, leaving the residents with no option but to flee,” Makama added.

Controversial Nigerian crossdresser, Okuneye Idris, widely recognized as Bobrisky, has made a heartfelt appeal to Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, urging him to pardon fellow entertainer Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington.

Recalls that Speed Darlington was taken into custody in October 2024 on charges of defamation and cyberstalking involving Burna Boy.

The artist was first apprehended in Lagos and subsequently moved to Abuja, where the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team held him in the Guzape district.

Following his release from police detention, he was re-arrested in November during a performance in Owerri, Imo State, shortly after his return to the country.

However, Bobrisky has appealed to Burna Boy to facilitate Speed Darlington’s release from prison.

In a series of posts shared on his Instagram story on Sunday, Bobrisky voiced his concerns regarding Speed Darlington’s well-being, imploring Burna Boy to extend forgiveness and suggesting that a 45-day prison sentence should be deemed sufficient punishment.

Bobrisky noted that none of those he is advocating for today supported him during his own difficulties.

Nevertheless, he stated that his compassionate nature compelled him to speak out regarding Speed Darlington’s situation.

Additionally, he encouraged fans to consistently provide honest feedback to their favourite celebrities whenever they overstep boundaries.

Bobrisky wrote, “I just want to mind my business this year and stay away from anything involving Nigerian celebrities, but my soft heart won’t stop me from thinking about many things.

“Please, Burna Boy, forgive Speed. Prison is not a nice place. I don’t think he has the money for the VIP section because it’s expensive.

“None of these people I’m using my platform to stand for did the same for me when it was my time. But you know what? Our hearts are different. I can’t stand seeing human beings hurt. I pray, Burna, please release him. Forty-five days in prison is enough punishment.”

He added, “Fans, learn how to tell your favourites the truth when they are crossing the line. You all were applauding Speed when he was saying unpleasant things. Now, none of you is in prison with him.”

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the government of President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s 36 governors over “the repressive use of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to criminalize legitimate expression and violate the human rights of Nigerians, including activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users.”

The ECOWAS Court had in its judgment dated 25 March, 2022 “ordered Nigerian authorities to stop using section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 to prosecute anyone on the grounds of insulting or stalking public officials online.”

The Court declared section 24 as “arbitrary, vague and repressive” and ordered Nigerian authorities “to repeal it in conformity with the country’s human rights obligations.” But while the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 has repealed section 24, it has not cured the arbitrary, vague and repressive nature of the provisions.

In the suit no: ECW/CCJ/APP/03/2025 filed last week before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, SERAP is challenging “the legality and compatibility of the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 with the rights to freedom of expression and information.”

SERAP said, “The provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 have opened the door to criminalizing legitimate expression and punishing activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users.”

According to SERAP, “What constitutes ‘causing a breakdown of law and order’ in section 24(1)(b) of the amended legislation is unclear and undefined, threatening to punish peaceful and legitimate expression and opening the provisions up to abuse.”

SERAP also said, “Rather than using the amended legislation to make cyberspace and its users safer, Nigerian authorities are routinely weaponizing it to curb Nigerians’ human rights and media freedom.”

SERAP is arguing that, “The Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024, in addition to its arbitrary, vague and repressive section 24 provisions, broadly defines ‘cyberstalking’ in section 58 as ‘a course of conduct, directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.’”

SERAP is also arguing that, “The provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 represents a harshly punitive attempt to address the problems relating to stalking and harassment and fails to provide sufficient safeguards against misuse, particularly for peaceful and legitimate exercise of human rights.”

SERAP is arguing that, “The use of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 to harass those who are deemed critical of the government directly threatens the staff, members and supporters of SERAP, particularly given the nature of the organization’s advocacy for human rights.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Mrs Adelanke Aremo and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part: “The amended legislation is abused to threaten and stifle people’s human rights and livelihoods.”

“The vague, arbitrary, and repressive provisions on ‘cyberstalking’ in section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 are routinely abused to suppress factual reports by activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users, thereby leaving a chilling effect on human rights and media freedom.”

“Nigerian authorities not only have a negative obligation to abstain from unduly interfering with human rights and media freedom but also have a positive obligation to facilitate and protect these rights.”

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and full enjoyment of this right is central to achieving individual freedom and to developing democracy. It is not only the cornerstone of democracy, but indispensable to a thriving civil society.”

“Whether labelled as cyberstalking, criminal defamation, seditious libel of government officials or false news, the provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 disproportionately penalize the accused and inevitably limits protected public discussion and debate on matters of legitimate public concern.”

“The ECOWAS Court had on 25 March 2022 ruled that section 24 of the Cybercrime Act 2015 is arbitrary, vague and repressive and therefore, is in contravention of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

“The Court also ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to amend Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 in accordance with its obligations under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

“The National Assembly amended section 24 and other provisions of the Cybercrime 2015 in 2024 but the new Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2024 still criminalizes ‘cyberstalking’. The provisions remain vague, arbitrary, and frequently misused by Nigerian authorities to crackdown on human rights.”

“Since the amendment of the Cybercrime Act in 2024, Nigerian authorities at all levels have consistently used the provisions of the Cybercrime Act to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily arrest and detain and unfairly prosecute users of social media, activists, journalists, and bloggers solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights.”

“Stories published online have been deemed ‘offensive’, ‘obstructive’, ‘insulting’ or ‘annoying’ with actionable consequences under provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 even when the stories are true and factual.”

“According to the 2023 and 2024 Freedom House Reports on Nigeria, internet freedom of expression declined due to an unprecedented pattern of arbitrary arrests and detention of bloggers after the enactment of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024.”

“There are several reports on the recent abusive use of the arbitrary, vague and repressive provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024.”

“For example, the police filed ‘cybercrime charges’ against activist Dele Farotimi under the arbitrary, vague and repressive provisions of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024.”

“Journalist Agba Jalingo of the Cross River Watch Newspaper was charged with ‘cyberstalking’ over a report that a relative of a former governor of Cross River State had engaged someone to sit for law exams on her behalf.”

“Chioma Okoli was arrested following her comment on Facebook complaining about the sugar content of Nagiko tomato mix. Funke Adeoye was also reportedly summoned by the police for alleged cyberbullying due to a statement she shared on her X account.”

“The Nigeria police also reportedly re-arraigned four bloggers on fresh charges of alleged cyberstalking. The police also arrested ‘a famous singer’ for alleged cyberstalking and harassing Benin Crown Prince.’”

“The provisions of the amended legislation are inconsistent with international human rights law, which requires any regulation of freedom of expression to be necessary for a legitimate purpose and to be strictly proportionate to that end.”

SERAP is therefore asking the ECOWAS Court of Justice for the following reliefs:

A DECLARATION that the provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, ETC) (Amendment) Act 2024 are unlawful, inconsistent and incompatible with Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

A DECLARATION that the actions of the Defendant and its law enforcement agencies in arbitrarily applying and enforcing section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) (Amendment) Act 2024 to harass, intimidate, arrest, detain, unfairly prosecute and imprison journalists, bloggers, social media users, and other Nigerians threaten and/or violate the rights to freedom of expression, information, opinion, privacy and media freedom, guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

AN ORDER directing the Defendant to immediately repeal and/or amend section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) (Amendment) Act 2024 in line with Nigeria’s obligations under Article 1 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights treaties.  

SUCH FURTHER orders the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit.

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

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been accused of financial irregularities by the Auditor-General of the Federation, who claims that the company diverted ₦2.68 trillion and $9.77 million over the past four years.

These allegations come amid widespread criticism of the company’s financial practices, which have negatively impacted Nigeria’s financial standing.

An analysis of the Auditor-General’s annual reports from 2017 to 2021, as reviewed by Sunday PUNCH, revealed significant financial infractions.

In 2017, ₦1.33 trillion was reportedly diverted, followed by ₦681.02 billion in 2019, ₦151.12 billion (and $19.77 million) in 2020, and ₦514 billion in 2021. These infractions reportedly violated provisions of Nigeria’s Constitution and the 2009 Act of Financial Regulations.

The reports, submitted to the National Assembly, accuse the NNPCL of disregarding good corporate governance by failing to provide justification or responses to the Auditor-General’s findings within the review period.

Financial Infractions Highlighted

The NNPCL has faced criticism from organizations like the World Bank, which described it as lacking transparency in financial dealings.

The bank’s Nigeria Development Update for December 2023 noted that the company’s opaqueness extends to subsidy arrears and the impact of subsidy removal on national revenues.

Former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido also criticized the NNPCL, calling it “the most opaque oil company in the world.”

The audit uncovered 14 financial infractions, including unauthorized deductions of ₦1.33 trillion from the federation account, discrepancies in transfers worth ₦663 billion, incomplete information on crude oil allocations, and failure to report crude oil losses. A breakdown of these issues year by year follows:

2017

The NNPCL deducted ₦1.33 trillion from a revenue of ₦2.41 trillion without authorization, leaving only ₦1.07 trillion in the federation account.

This violated Section 162 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that all federal revenue be paid into a special Federation Account.

2019

In 2019, the Auditor-General identified seven major financial irregularities totaling ₦681.02 billion. The NNPCL reportedly remitted ₦519.92 billion out of ₦1.27 trillion accrued through the National Petroleum Investment Management Services.

Other issues included discrepancies in crude oil allocation data and deductions of $1.278 billion from joint venture royalties without justification.

2020

The Auditor-General flagged ₦151.12 billion in unauthorized deductions during the 2020 financial year. The deductions, allegedly for priority projects and handling costs, lacked evidence of approval or project details.

2021

A review of NNPCL’s SAP payment records revealed that ₦343.64 billion was deducted as operational costs from crude oil sales, with no breakdown provided.

Additionally, ₦50 billion meant for the federation account was reportedly unremitted. Deductions of ₦82.95 billion for refinery rehabilitation were also made without authorization.

Other anomalies included the misreporting of ₦3.75 billion from petrol sales and the diversion of ₦83.66 billion in miscellaneous income into a sinking fund account instead of the federation account, forcing the government to resort to borrowing.

The Auditor-General’s findings highlight significant internal control weaknesses within the NNPCL, raising concerns over the company’s financial management and its implications for the Nigerian economy.