Main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former national spokesperson, Olisa Metuh has observed that President Bola Tinubu has refrained from using his ongoing war against corruption as a tool to witch hunt his political rivals unlike what obtained under the last All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said in a statement on Sunday that the years between 2015 and 2023 witnessed an era where being a member of the ruling party conferred immunity on every infraction committed.
According to the former PDP National Publicity Secretary, such attitude gave rise to unimaginable impunity and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources.

He said President Tinubu has renewed confidence in the Nigerian project, especially in observing best democratic practices.

Metuh said that president has restored regard for the liberty and freedom of individuals as well as for transparency and accountability.

The former opposition spokesman, who was prosecuted on corruption charges but discharged by the courts, asserted that Tinubu’s fight against corruption and financial crimes is different from a fight targeted at opposition figures whilst protecting and sparing those in the corridors of powers.

Noting the positive steps the president has already taken to retool the country, Metuh called on all Nigerians to set aside their various interests and support him.

The statement he titled, “Work in Progress: Why Nigerians Should Support President Tinubu,” reads: “In the past eight years (May 2015 to May 2023) a vast majority of Nigerians lost hope and faith in the Nigerian project giving the deep damage done to the psyche of citizens, the economy, national unity and the practice of democracy in our country.

“A lot of people were skeptical about the direction the nation was headed, given the deep social wounds and the devastation done on every fabric of our nationhood.

“Within those years, we witnessed a country where serving in government or belonging to the ruling party conferred immunity on individuals. This resulted in unimaginable impunities and the wanton desecration of national values, wealth, and resources. Those in opposition were humiliated, degraded, and persecuted by the massive might of the state.

“However, in the last seven months, under the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there is renewed confidence in the Nigerian project, especially in observing best democratic practices. This government definitely appears to have regard for the liberty and freedom of individuals as well as for transparency and accountability.

“The most reassuring step is the genuine, determined, and uncompromising fight against corruption and financial crimes in the country, different and distinct from a fight targeted at opposition figures whilst protecting and sparing those on the corridors of powers.

“Today, we see serving ministers and people who are holding top offices being removed from office and investigated for prosecution over corruption and financial crimes.

“In the past, the fight against corruption was merely a political cum campaign tool fueled with massive media trials and only targeted at diminishing opposition shining talents. The fight against corruption is now distinctive to persons who have questions to answer and not a tool for persecution.

“More importantly, there is no more demarketing of Nigerians and Nigeria as a nation by those who tagged our hardworking youth as lazy and tarred innocent and resourceful Nigerians on the international arena with the brush of corruption.

“Nigerians across the board, have applauded the unprecedented patriotic stand for good governance in cutting the cost of governance at the federal level reflected in the recent slashing of all official entourage to state and international events by 60 per cent.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated proactive leadership; a listening and approachable leadership that respects the sensibilities of Nigerians as well as the need to re-engineer our nation for greater multi-sectoral productivity.

“This uncommon patriotism requires the recognition and support of all well-meaning Nigerians within the public, private, and civil society sectors irrespective of political, ethnic, religious or vocational affiliations.

“From that standpoint, I call on all Nigerians to set aside every sectional, political, and religious sentiment and put the national interest first by supporting President Tinubu bearing in mind that his success is the nation’s success today and for generations yet unborn.

“Nigeria’s future is much better served by contributions, inputs, and constructive criticisms as obligations and duties of responsible citizens in every participatory democracy.

“Finally, it is evident that there is a sure and steady move to where we want to be as a nation. This government indeed, is reflective of a good work in progress.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas to significantly reduce the National Assembly’s hefty budget of N344.85 billion.

This appeal is made in light of the pressing economic challenges facing Nigeria.

In a move advocating for fiscal responsibility and transparency, SERAP has urged the legislative leaders to request President Bola Tinubu to submit a revised supplementary appropriation bill reflecting the reduced budget for the National Assembly’s approval.

Furthering their push for accountability, SERAP has also demanded the publication of detailed breakdowns of the National Assembly’s budget, including specific allocations such as the N3 billion earmarked for the Senate Car Park and another N3 billion for the House of Representatives Car Park.

In the letter dated 13 January 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Passing appropriation bills that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution is a fundamental breach of the constitutional oath of office by the lawmakers.”

SERAP said, “The arbitrary increase by the lawmakers of their own budgetary allocation, if not cut, would have significant fiscal consequences and exacerbate the country’s debt crisis.”

According to SERAP, “The unilateral and self-serving increase by the lawmakers of their own allocation also offends the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances and the notion of the rule of law.”

The letter reads in part, “The increase in the National Assembly budget raised serious questions in the minds of the Nigerian people about how the lawmakers are spending their commonwealth.

“The National Assembly ought to be more responsible to the public interest and more responsive to it. The National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to combat waste and abuse in its own spending if it is to effectively exercise its oversight functions and hold the government to account.

“Transparency and accountability in public administration is an essential element of democracy. Transparency in the spending of the National Assembly budget would give the public a tool to hold the lawmakers accountable.

“It would also protect Nigerians from any potential abuses of governmental or legislative power that may exist.

“Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend their tax money and commonwealth, especially given the precarious economic realities in the country and the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians.

“Cutting the N344.48 billion National Assembly budget would be entirely consistent with your constitutional oath of office, and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution.

“Cutting your budget would promote efficient, honest, and legal spending of public money. It would serve the public interest and restore public confidence in the National Assembly.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.

“SERAP also urges to clarify the details of the N8.5 billion budgeted for ‘National Assembly liabilities’ and to disclose the nature of any such liabilities and how and why they have been incurred.

“SERAP urges you to clarify why N225 million is budgeted for the National Assembly E-Library and N3 billion is budgeted to buy books for the National Assembly Library while the ‘take-off grant’ for the National Assembly Library is N12.1 billion.

“The budget of N344.48 billion by members of the National Assembly is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations.

“According to our information, the National Assembly increased its own allocation in the 2024 budget to N344.48bn. The new budgetary allocation to the National Assembly is over 70 percent of the N197bn proposed by President Bola Tinubu for the lawmakers in the budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly.

“The N344.48bn National Assembly budget, which is an increase of about N147bn, is reportedly the highest ever budgetary allocation to the National Assembly.”

“The breakdown of the N344.48bn National Assembly budget is as follows: National Assembly Office – Senate – N49.1bn; House of Representatives – N78.6bn; National Assembly Service Commission – N12.3bn; Legislative Aides – N20.3bn; NILDS – N9.09bn; Service-wide votes – N15.1bn; Senate Appropriation Committee– N200m.”

“Other budget items include: House Appropriation Committee – N200 million; Public Account committees of Senate and House – N280.7 million National Assembly Library Take Off Grant – N12.1 billion; National Assembly building (ongoing) – N4.2 billion; and National Assembly Liabilities – N8.5 billion.

“Other items include: National Assembly E-Library – N225 million; Constitution Review – N1 billion; and Completion of NILDS HQ – N4.5 billion; Construction of NASC Building – N10 billion; Office of Clerks and Permanent Secretaries – N1.2 billion; and Alternative Power System – N4 billion.

“Other items in the National Assembly budget include: National Assembly Zonal Offices – N3bn; Senate Car Park – N3 billion; House of Representatives Car Park -N3 billion; and Furnishing of committee rooms (Senate) -N2.7 billion; Furnishing of committee rooms (House) – N3 billion; Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of National Assembly Ultramodern Printing Press – N3 billion.

“There are also other items in the National Assembly budget: Design, Construction, Furnishing and Equipping of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) – N4 billion; National Assembly Hospital Project – N15 billion; National Assembly Recreation Centre – N4 billion; Procurement of Books for the National Assembly Library – N3 billion; and National Assembly Pension Board (Take-Off Grant) – N2.5 billion.

“Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

“Under Section 16(1)(a)(b), the National Assembly has the obligations to ‘harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy’, and to ‘secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.

“Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.

“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.

“Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution, and sections 13 and 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act constrain the ability of the National Assembly to unilaterally insert its own allocations in the budget without following the due process of law.”

Popular Nigerian rapper, Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, better known as Ruggedman, has said that he doesn’t see the Super Eagles winning the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Naija News reports that the AFCON tournament commenced on Saturday, January 13, 2024, with the inaugural match featuring the host country Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) against Guinea Bissau at Alassane Ouattara stadium.

Nigeria is expected to play their first match of the tournament at 3 PM today against Equatorial Guinea.

However, Ruggedman has expressed doubt about the Super Eagles winning their fourth AFCON title this year.

The 50-year-old entertainer poured out his heart while speaking about his admiration for football, Super Eagles, Manchester United, Victor Osimhen, and more, during a recent interview with The PUNCH.

Speaking on his favourite sport growing up as a child, Ruggedman said: “Growing up, like most young kids across Nigeria, I enjoyed and still enjoy football. I love playing football. I also represented my secondary school in a relay race once but it obviously was not my calling.”

On whether his parents were a discouraging factor from pursuing a career in sports, Ruggedman said: “They did not need to discourage me because I did not take up any sport as a career.

“I was and I still am very passionate about football. I grew up reading football comic books like Roy Of The Rovers. I became a football lover in the early 1980s from watching “Big League Soccer.”

Speaking on his journey into the entertainment industry, he said: “From a very young age, I just loved music. Growing up, I was more into music shows on TV like Top of The Pops, Soul Train and Kessingsheen Hit Show.”

I Hope They Do But I Doubt Super Eagles Winning AFCON

When asked whether he is a fan of the Nigerian National Football team, Ruggedman answered in the affirmative.

However, he downplayed their possibility of winning the tournament, saying: “As a Nigerian, yes I think they can win it but realistically and with the way we seem to have lost a couple of warm-up matches towards the competition, coupled with the history of politics being played in players selection, I do not see us winning it. I hope we do, but we all know games are not won by hoping.”

Announcing his pick on best African player of all time, the singer said: “I know some will argue that I might be choosing him because he is Nigerian. Some will say he did not win much during his time playing, but I choose Jay Jay Okocha any time, any day. To me, he is the most naturally skilled footballer I have ever seen.”

Osimhen Is My Favourite

Ruggedman, during the interview, picked Napoli’s striker as his favourite player in the Super Eagles squad, Naija News reports.

He said: “My friend, Victor Osimhen. Not just because we are friends, but his stats speak for him. He has achieved a lot as a footballer, broke our jinx and won the African Best Player award, which Okocha didn’t even win, and what he did last season in the Serie A is phenomenal.”

On his opinion on whether the male and female national teams should earn the same, he said: “I believe they should be paid their value.”

There is a growing controversy over plans by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Dr Yemi Cardoso to decongest the headquarters of the bank located at the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

To decongest the headquarters of the apex bank, key departments will be transferred from Abuja to Lagos, its former headquarters. A total of 1,533 members of staff of the bank are expected to be affected.

Findings by Daily Trust on Sunday show that the departments penciled down for relocation by the CBN governor are: Banking Supervision; Other Financial Institutions Supervision; Consumer Protection Department; Payment System Management Department and Financial Policy Regulations Department.

Part of the memo seen by Daily Trust on Sunday reads, “This is to notify all staff members at the CBN head office that we have initiated a decongestion action plan designed to optimise the operational environment of the bank.

“This initiative aims to ensure compliance with building safety standards and enhance the efficient utilisation of our office space.

“This action is necessitated by several factors, including the need to align the bank’s structure with its functions and objectives, redistribute skills to ensure a more even geographical spread of talents and comply with building regulations as indicated by repeated warnings from the facility manager, and the findings and recommendations of the Committee on Decongestion of the CBN head office.

“The action plan focuses on optimising the utilisation of other bank’s premises. With this plan, 1,533 staff will be moved to other CBN facilities within Abuja, Lagos and understaffed branches.

Attempt to get official reaction from the CBN was not successful as the Director of Corporate Communication, Hakama Sidi Ali, could not be reached. However, a management source who prefers anonymity because he has no permission to speak on the issue said the move was true but not entirely as publicly reported.

 The source said, “The headquarters was designed to accommodate slightly over 2,000 staff members but currently has over 4,000. So, about 1,533 staff members have to be relocated.

“The second reason is that departments like Banking Supervision and Payment Systems have the bulk of their work domiciled in Lagos, so it makes proper administrative sense to operate out of Lagos.

“So, as we speak, 80 per cent of them are headed back to Lagos because they have no business in Abuja.”

Daily Trust on Sunday finding also shows that some other staff will be posted to a state branch of the CBN, especially where they are understaffed.

The move has been generating different reactions, particularly on social media. While some Twitter users see it as a welcome development, others said it has an undertone.

Below are some reactions:

 [DailyTrust]

There was panic on Friday over the demolition of a perimeter fence belonging to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

DAILY POST learnt that the demolition, which was carried out by thugs, created tension among the residents of nearby estates, as well airport workers.

A reliable source told our correspondent that a swift response by men of the Nigerian Air Force led to the arrest of some of the perpetrators.

There was also confusion over claims that the men behind the demolition were escorted by the police and some unknown gunmen.

This is not the first time the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, is coming under such attack.

In August 2020, a similar act was carried out, a development that drew the ire of the then aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, as well as the immediate past Enugu Governor, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Sirika, who stormed the airport then, vowed to apply all lawful means to prosecute one Arch. John J. Emejulu, who was said to be responsible for the destruction of the concrete perimeter fence, covering about 2km.

About four years later, Emejulu is being accused again of bringing the thugs that destroyed a section of the airport fence on Friday, January 12, 2024.

Mr Mark Benson, a private security guard manning one of the estates close to the airport fence, Oriental Estate, told journalists that several armed men and thugs invaded the area on Friday.

He said they accessed the airport fence through the estate’s gate.

According to him, “at about 9 am, I lock everywhere, one man carry police and other people come break the estate gate keys, force themselves inside here and start demolishing airport fence.

“I called the estate chairman and other people, so airport people came and arrested him.” (sic)

DAILY POST learnt that the aviation minister, Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, was not pleased with the development and has activated a process to bring the perpetrators to book and stop a repeat of such.

It was also gathered that the Enugu airport manager, Mr Hillary Umunna visited the scene on Saturday in company of some other aviation workers.

Meanwhile, a resident of Oriental Estate, Barr Vincent Egechukwu Obetta described the development as totally condemnable and unacceptable.

Obetta told journalists that, “we share an adjoining fence with the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

“When this thing was happening yesterday, we thought it was a terrorist act because a particular airline was landing when some group of men with the police marched into this place and started destroying the fence that will lead them into the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, property.

“As communities that surround the FAAN property, we called the attention of the government.

“This matter, the land in dispute, (if there is any dispute at all) is already before a court of competent jurisdiction and when a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, every issue that is related thereto becomes sub-judice.

“So, we disagree with a situation where people are using the police to perpetrate illegality. Since December 20, we have not slept in this area; we won’t accept it.

“We believe in the rule of law and we believe in the authority of Nigeria. But we are not going to take a situation where some people choose to be lawless.

“When the assailant was caught, he was saying that the authorities of the Enugu State Police Command approved his action; we will no longer accept the invasion of this place by some group of unknown gunmen aided by the police.”

Similarly, the Chairman of Oriental Estate, Engineer Chris Aniemeje urged the federal government to deal decisively with Emejulu.

He recalled that this was not the first time Emejulu was allegedly invading the Enugu airport.

According to him, “It is quite unfortunate the menace being caused by one architect J.J. Emejulu.

“He has been making trouble, destroying houses, fences all around, in the name that he owns the property, but he could not produce any title document to that regard.

“There was some time he came and broke the whole airport perimeter fence, claiming that his property is within the airport premises, and after doing that, he ran away.

“Now that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has left office, he is back, escorted by police and thugs.

“Even the one that happened yesterday being the 12th of January, 2024, he came with some unknown gunmen, and a police van.

“They were breaking down the already finished concrete airport premiere fence.

“We alerted the Air Force that there was a security breach; by the time they came, the thugs ran away but they were able to apprehend the man behind the demolition.

“It is quite an unfortunate situation that one man will be unleashing terror and encroaching on government property and we the residents close to the airport are no longer comfortable.

“I wonder why he should be left to carry out these activities and he would be let free.

“We urge the government to come into it; the federal government should apprehend him and deal decisively with him. I’m surprised that he is not languishing in jail after what he did in 2020; now he is back doing the same thing.”

Other landlords within the airport neighbourhood who spoke to journalists included Engr Chidiebere Didiugwu and Joshua Akachukwu.

They both lamented that the development has exposed them to danger.

“Everyday he is disturbing us with unknown gunmen. Even on 3rd January, he came; this area has become highly susceptible to attacks.

“We are appealing to the government to bring an end to this,” Didiugwu pleaded.

Similarly, Akachukwu said, “We have been exposed; we are now vulnerable to attacks by both hoodlums and reptiles; our wives and children are afraid.”

Further enquiries by DAILY POST showed that the Enugu State government was equally sad over the demolition of the airport fence and vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST made attempts to obtain reactions from the Enugu State Police Command but got no response.

A phone call was put to the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe but he did not answer the calls.

A text message was subsequently sent to him Saturday evening, but as of the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond.

Efforts to also obtain reaction from Emejulu were unsuccessful. But a source hinted that he was laying claims to the airport land.

It is unclear whether he has been released by the police, but his car was still sighted within the premises of the Airport Police Division.

A police source confirmed that he was transferred to the State CID.

“I don’t know whether he has been released, but he was brought in here on Friday,” the source said.

[DailyPost]

President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting and redeployment of twenty-four permanent secretaries across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

Naija News understands the posting and redeployments affect some incumbent permanent secretaries, while the President also approved the distribution of new portfolios to five of the permanent secretaries, who were appointed in November last year.

The action of the President is said to be part of the process of rebooting government activities.

According to a report monitored on This Day, Dr. Evelyn Ngige, was redeployed from Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to midwife two portfolios – the newly created Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture and Creative Economy, and Federal Ministry of Tourism.

Dr. Magdalene Ajani was redeployed from the Transportation Ministry to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Ajani will replace the incumbent Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola, who is proceeding on retirement from the service. Ajani, who resumed duties in 2020, will now be replaced by Mr. Oloruntola Olufemi, who was moved from the Service Policies and Strategies Office (SPSO) OHCSF.

Jafiya Lydia Shehu, was redeployed from Common Service Office (CSO), OHCSF to the Federal Ministry of Finance.

James Sule, was also redeployed from the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Yakubu Adam Kofamata was moved from the Federal Civil Service Commission to the Federal Ministry of Power.

The five permanent secretaries appointed last year, who were just given portfolios include: Rimi Nura Abba, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Ella Nicholas Agbo, who moves to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Watti Tinuke takes over from Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar as the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Development.

Ahmed Dunoma Umar is assigned to the Federal Ministry of Youth.

Ndayako Aishetu Gogo is the new Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior.

Three other new permanent secretaries yet to be assigned portfolios are: Adeoye Ayodeji, Bako Deborah Odoh and Omachi Omenka.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s journey to a fourth African Cup of Nations starts today (Sunday) against the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

Touted as favourites alongside the Ivorians who won the championship opener against minnows, Guinea Bissau, the Nigerians’ preparations have been disrupted by a deluge of withdrawals from Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Sadiq Umar while Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho is also a doubt for today.

On the pitch, things are not any better. The defeat to the Syli Nationale of Guinea in the preparatory game has raised doubts about the manager, Jose Peseiro’s tactical ability.

There was also some concern about imbalance in the squad. This was, however, quickly dismissed by Peseiro at the pre-match presser on Saturday.

The manager also confirmed that Terem Moffi, who is replacing the injured Boniface will not arrive in time for Sunday while Iheanacho and late addition Paul Onuachu had only just landed in Ivory Coast.

So, the larger part of the Super Eagles’ firepower is expected to come from the recently crowned African Best Player and leading scorer in qualifying (10 goals), Victor Osimhen.

Despite the withdrawals, Peseiro is still armed with Africa’s best attackers, including  Moffi, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, and Ademola Lookman.

For the Super Eagles opponents, Equatorial Guinea who are winless in their previous two encounters, continuing their impressive record of progressing to the last eight whenever they participate at the continental showpiece motivates them before Sunday’s fixture.

Juan Micha’s men go into Cote’D’Ivoire in outstanding form, unbeaten in 11 competitive and non-competitive games, including victories in World Cup qualifying games against Namibia and Liberia without conceding a goal.

They are also buoyed by the presence of striker Emilio Nsue, a key part of Equatorial Guinea’s hopes of success at AFCON 2021.

Though success is far from assured against the Nigerians, manager, Micha believes they can hurt their opponents

“We have an ambition in this tournament, we want to win the tournament. We are aware of what to do, we want to give our best

“We have a complicated game tomorrow, Nigeria is among the favourites but we we have prepared ourselves to be at the highest level.

“They have players missing and they have replacements, we are aware of Nigeria’s potential and we have our potential too. We have prepared for the game,” he told a press conference on Saturday.

Facts and figures about the game

1. This will be the first encounter between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. They faced each other in the qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – Nigeria won both matches (1-0; 2-0).
2. Nigeria are making their 20th appearance at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. They have won the tournament on three occasions (1980, 1994, 2013) and reached the semi-finals in 14 of their last 17 AFCON participations.
3. Nigeria were beaten finalists the last time the CAF Africa Cup of Nations was held in Côte d’Ivoire, they lost 3-1 against Cameroon in 1984.
4. Nigeria have won 12 of their last 15 matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (L3). Their last draw dates back to the 2013 group stages, against Zambia (1-1).
5. Nigeria scored 22 goals in six games during qualifying for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the highest tally among the 24 teams at this year’s tournament. 10 of those goals came from Victor Osimhen, that’s twice as many as any other player (4 players on 5 goals)
6. This is Equatorial Guinea’s fourth CAF Africa Cup of Nations appearance, but it’s only the second time they have qualified as non-hosts. They have so far always reached the knockout stages: quarter-finalists in 2012 and 2021, and 4th place in 2015.
7. Equatorial Guinea have never scored more than two goals in their previous 15 matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
8. Only two of Equatorial Guinea’s 11 goals at AFCON have been scored in the first half of matches.
9. Victor Osimhen was directly involved in 55% of Nigeria’s goals during the qualifying campaign (10 goals, 2 assists). It’s the highest tally of goals scored in the qualifying phase of an AFCON edition since Moumouni Dagano with Burkina Faso in 2010 (12 goals).
10. Despite Victor Osimhen scoring 10 of their 22 goals, Nigeria had 10 different goal scorers in qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, more than any other team.

[Punch]

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reopened money laundering cases against 13 former governors and some former ministers, with the amounts involved running into over N853.8bn.

Sunday PUNCH findings revealed that the amount at stake in the high-profile cases involving the former governors and ex-ministers was not less than N772.2bn, however, the anti-graft agency is currently investigating the N81.6bn that was allegedly looted in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

However, another $2.2bn was alleged to have gone missing through money laundering, fund diversion and misappropriation in recent times. The $2.2bn was allegedly diverted by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; late media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; and former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and others.

According to the EFCC, the money was meant for arms procurement in support of the war against terrorists, but it was laundered, diverted, and misappropriated.

While Dasuki was in custody of the Department of State Services in 2015, the EFCC arrested Dokpesi, Bafarawa, Yuguda and others.

They were all arrested after being indicted by a presidential committee that investigated arms procurement under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The committee said about $2.2bn was diverted for purposes other than arms procurement.

The affected persons include two former Ekiti State governors, Kayode Fayemi and Ayo Fayose; former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle; two former Enugu State governors, Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime; former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu; former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Others are former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili; former Abia State governor, Theodore Orji; former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje; former Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamako; former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva; and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Matawalle, who is currently serving as the Minister of Defence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is being probed for alleged N70bn money laundering; while Fayemi, who served as Minister of Solid Minerals Development in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet from November 11, 2015 to May 30, 2018, before resigning to contest the governorship election for his second term, is being investigated for an alleged N4bn fraud, while Fayose, a two-term governor of Ekiti State, is being investigated by the anti-graft agency for an alleged N6.9bn fraud.

Nnamani is being probed for an alleged N5.3bn fraud; Chime is being investigated over an alleged N450m campaign fraud as part of the N23bn allegedly shared by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, while Adamu is under probe for alleged N15bn fraud.

Kwakwanso is being probed for alleged non-remittance of N10bn pension fund; Orji is being investigated over alleged N551bn money laundering; while Odili is similarly being probed for alleged N100bn fraud. It is not yet clear how the probe of the ex-Rivers State governor will be handled as he obtained an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC and other security agencies from a Federal High Court in March 2008, which has not been vacated to date.

Goje is being probed by the commission for an alleged N5bn fraud; Wammako is being investigated for allegedly diverting N15bn; Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum under Buhari, is under probe for alleged N19.2bn money laundering; while Lamido is being investigated over an alleged N1.35bn fraud.

Diezani is being probed over several alleged money laundering cases running into several billions of naira and millions of dollars.

Sources privy to the development told our correspondent on Friday that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was reviewing all the high-profile cases, and had since his assumption of office reappointed investigators to take up the several probes without prejudice to the suspects’ social or political status.

“The chairman is reviewing all high profile cases, and he has ordered the investigators not to treat anyone differently, especially politically exposed persons, such as former governors and ministers, who were indicted for money laundering,” PUNCH reports.

The EFCC had also recently commenced the probe of some former ministers, Olu Agunloye (power, mines and steel), Olu Agunloye, over an alleged $6bn fraud on the Mambilla Power Project; and Sadiya Umar-Farouk (humanitarian affairs), over an alleged N37.1bn fraud.

Agunloye and Umar-Farouq served under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, respectively. The EFCC is probing both former ministers and arraigned Agunloye, who was remanded in a custodial centre pending the perfection of his N50m bail.

The commission is also probing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the embattled Coordinator of the suspended National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, over alleged N81.6bn fraud uncovered in the ministry.

The commission was also probing the chief executive officers of several banks, civil servants, and contractors in connection with the humongous fraud uncovered in the ministry.

Olukoyede had on Friday declared that all high-profile cases would be reviewed and revisited, while noting that indicted former or incumbent public officials’ corruption cases would not be overlooked or abandoned by the commission.

He made the declaration in Abuja through the acting Director of Public Affairs, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who spoke to journalists following a protest by members of the Zamfara Alternative Forum at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

Members of the group had urged the anti-graft agency to revisit the probe of the immediate past governor of the state, Matawalle, over alleged N70bn money laundering.

Responding to the request of the protesters, Uwujaren revealed that Olukoyede had reviewed all inherited high-profile cases since he assumed office, adding that the commission would proceed with the probe of every indicted high-profile person.

He said, “I want to assure you that, as far as the commission is concerned, nobody is above the law. What the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has done since assuming office is that he has reviewed all the high-profile cases he inherited.

“And the EFCC Chairman has asked me to assure you that this case, like others, will not be an exception. The case will be reviewed, and the chairman assures you that something will be done under the law, and no one is above the law and no case shall be swept under the carpet.

“Rest assured that these cases will be revisited because the EFCC believes that no case should be swept under the carpet. If you have done something wrong and if our investigation is able to establish that you have a case, we will proceed with the matter.”

On May 18, 2023, the EFCC, through its spokesman, Osita Nwajah, had said Matawalle was being investigated by the commission over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70bn.

He stated, “The money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors, who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

“The commission’s investigations revealed that more than 100 companies received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.

“Some of the contractors, who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States dollars.”

The Director-General for Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Akin Osuntokun, has revealed why the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, couldn’t pay party agents during 2023 elections.

Osuntokun in an interview with Punch revealed that Obi could not pay the agents because they never had the money to do so.

According to Osuntokun, the party had a situation in which people that performed the role of agents, and polling agents were not enumerated.

He said, “I don’t know. We are not in a position to pay all our polling agents. That is the truth. We never had the money to do so. We had to narrow it down to where we can.

“We had a situation in which people that performed the role of agents, and polling agents were not enumerated.

“It was just their initiative to do so in most parts of the country. It is a fact that we couldn’t pay many of the agents.”

Speaking on the claims that the party had money to pay the agents, Osuntokun said, “Well, I don’t know where the information that the funds were available came from. Some funds were available but it was used to offset and didn’t go around the country.

“In any case, for anybody who is a party agent, should that be the concern if you truly love the party you are working for? Unfortunately, the Labour Party platform is a mixed flag.

“We have the likes of many of the people in the Labour Party who are there as machinery and things like that.

“They are not used to the idealism that the ‘Obidients’ represent. The Lamidi Apapa and Arabambi are typical of the Labour Party of the past.

“This is a problem. We have people with different motives. In the short period that we had to put everything together, there was no room to separate the wheat from the chaff.”