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“Any Policeman Checking Vehicle Particulars Is On Illegal Duty” – AIG Dan Bature

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dan Bature

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Dan Bature, has cautioned Polocemen who are fond of taking vehicle particulars from motorists to desist from doing so.

 

Bature, who is in Charge of Zone 11 which comprises Oyo, Osun and Ondo States, dismissed s such practices as illegal.

 

He emphasized that it is unprofessional and illegal for a Police Officer to be checking vehicle particulars on highways.

The AIG said this in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital during a two-day familiarisation visit to the State.

 

He stressed that the duty of the police was not to check vehicle particulars but to ensure safer roads. He, also,  warned Policemen against blocking high ways, and said Police patrol vehicles are not supposed to be toll gates.

 

Bature added that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, Bature added, is committed to changing the negative image of the police and supporting the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.

 

He advised officers unable to key into the laudable initiatives of the IGP to resign from the Force.

 

Bature said it was due to complains and illegal activities of some Police  officers that the Police Officers Monitoring Team was established.

 

“The Inspector General of Police is determined to improve on your welfare and pursue the increment of your salary.

 

“But this can only be achieved when the people have good perception about the Police.”

Court Orders Reps Member To Refund N150m, Proceed From Contract Scam, To FG

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nicholas Mutu

 

By Ayodele Oni

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured final forfeiture of the sum of N150 million to the federal government being proceed from kickbacks.

 

This followed a Federal High Court, (FHC) sitting in Abuja ruling which granted the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to a member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government.

 

The order was granted, in an application by the EFCC through the agency’s legal team led by Ekele Iheanacho (SAN).

 

The application was brought pursuant to Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

 

The court had earlier granted an interim order and also directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper.

 

The EFCC stated that when the publication was made, no sufficient cause was shown why the funds under the interim forfeiture should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.

 

The presiding judge, Justice J.O Abdulmalik, after considering the application, the objections, and various affidavits filed by counsel to Mutu and his company, Airworld Technologies Limited, ordered the final forfeiture of the said funds to the federal government.

 

The EFCC had presented the findings of its investigation to the court which revealed that Mutu, the lawmaker representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, had agreed and received kickbacks totalling N400,159,689.63 from an NDDC consultant (Starline Consultancy Services), while serving as the House of Representatives Chairman on NDDC.

 

The EFCC explained that the funds were received and laundered through the Heritage Bank accounts of Mutu’s companies, Airworld Technologies Limited and Oyien Homes Limited.

 

The anti-graft agency submitted: “Mutu is not just a director in these companies, he maintains the highest shares in the companies, while the other shareholders and directors are his wife and members of his immediate family.

 

The NDDC consultant had approached Mutu’s committee to assist them recover debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta region.

 

“The consultant had sought the assistance of the House committee to use its powers to compel the oil and gas companies to pay up their debts.

 

Following the intervention of Mutu’s Committee, in this regard, the oil and gas companies were invited to the House where the consultants were able to meet with them and reconcile figures.

 

The Committee issued payment demands notices to the companies and eventually, over N100 billion, was recovered for NDDC.

 

“While the consultant received their fees, Mutu’s companies received part of the funds.

 

While the EFCC investigation was ongoing, Mutu procured the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to his company Airworld Technology Ltd so as to cover up the kickback payments he received.

 

“This was done to deceive the investigation and pervert the course of justice.”

 

The commission disclosed that Mutu returned the sum of N150 million, but later claimed he did not do so voluntarily.

 

The lawmaker was also said to have claimed that the funds received by his companies were based on lawful transactions relying on the purported sub contract documents prepared during investigation.

 

“This is even when the consultant that made the payment had clearly confirmed the sub contract was merely a ruse and that no work was done by Mutu’s companies.”

 

Delivering the judgement Justice Abdulmalik held that the N150 million refunded by Mutu constituted proceeds of unlawful activities and consequently forfeited it.

Gunmen Murder Former Benue Secretary To State Government

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Professor David Salifu

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Professor David Salifu, a former Benue State Secretary to the  Government, SSG, has been murdered by gunmen.

 

He was killed in an ambush by the gunmen along the Wukari–Joota Road in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, a border community between Benue and Taraba states.

 

The Professor of Public Administration and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Federal University Wukari, was travelling to Makurdi for the burial of his uncle when he encountered the attackers.

 

It was gathered that the late Salifu sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and was initially rushed to a hospital in Wukari, where doctors removed bullets from his stomach.

 

He was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, but succumbed to his injuries at about midnight on Thursday.

 

His death was confirmed by his former aide,  Ben Ekah.

 

Ekah stressed that Salifu and his driver were returning to Benue from the Federal University Wukari when they were ambushed.

 

According to him, the driver’s account revealed that the gunmen stopped their vehicle, dragged the former SSG out and attempted to whisk him away.

 

“The driver said they were coming from the Federal University Wukari where Professor Salifu lectures when they were waylaid along the Wukari–Joota Road, a border  between Taraba and Benue states.

 

“The attackers were trying to take him away, and he kept asking them what they wanted. As they continued dragging him, one of them suddenly pulled out a gun and shot him at close range in the stomach.

 

“They abandoned him after the shooting, leaving him in a pool of blood. His driver, however, managed to take him back to Wukari, where surgeons successfully removed the bullets from his stomach.

 

“On Thursday, he was referred to the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi for further treatment, but sadly he passed away around midnight,” Ekah said.

 

The late Salifu was said to be as a humble and peace-loving man by Ekah, who noted that he had left a Senate meeting at the University to attend his uncle’s burial before the fatal attack.

 

“He was a lecturer and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Federal University Wukari. We learnt that the university management was holding a Senate meeting, but he excused himself to travel home for his uncle’s burial. It is heartbreaking because everyone knew him as a peaceful man,” Ekah added.

 

Prof. Salifu served as Benue State’s Secretary to the State Government during the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam between January 2011 and May 2015.

No Payment Made To Abductors Of Oyo School Children, Teachers – Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Seyi Makinde

By Ayodele Oni

 

Oyo State Government has clarified that no payment has been made to the   abductors of schoolchildren and teachers  in Oriire Local Government Area, either directly or indirectly, despite ongoing efforts by security agencies and government authorities to secure the freedom of the victims.

 

It dismissed reports alleging that ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims, describing the claims as false, misleading and intended to create unnecessary panic among residents.

 

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, described the reports as “far from the truth” and accused what he called irresponsible bloggers of spreading misinformation.

 

“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly.”

 

He urged members of the public to ignore unverified reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.

 

According to him, the state government remains committed to working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.

 

“The Oyo State Government is collaborating with relevant security agencies to secure the release of the abductees and bring this unfortunate incident to a successful conclusion,” he added.

 

The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

 

During the attack, several pupils and teachers from three schools were abducted, while a teacher reportedly lost his life.

 

Since the incident, the victims have remained in captivity, prompting sustained rescue efforts by security agencies, with support from both the Oyo State and Federal Governments.

 

The kidnapping drew widespread condemnation from education stakeholders, community leaders and civil society groups, who have continued to call for intensified security operations to secure the victims’ release and prevent similar attacks on schools.

 

Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safe rescue of the abductees while pursuing those responsible for the attack.

“To Be Returned To Office, Somebody From The Villa Asked Me For N100m” – Dalung Fmr. Minister

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Solomon Dalung
Barr Solomon Dalung

By Adesina Soyoye

 

A former Minister for Youths and Sports under the late President Muhammadu Buhari has opened the dirty deals which may have taken place under that Administration.

 

Dalung who was Minister between 2015 and 2019, but was not returned for a second term has revealed how, after he was removed as Minister, he was approached by somebody from the Villa who asked him to raise the sum of N100 million Naira, so as to be reappointed to office.

 

Dalung made this baffling revelation when he spoke

in an interview on Channels Television.

 

Neither revealing the name of the crook, nor the office he occupied in the Villa which gave him such powers, Dalung narrated that the person claimed  playing a role which contributed to his removal from office but now decided to facilitate his return if he provided the N100m. Dalung rejected the offer.

 

According to him, he rejected the offer on two grounds. First, he did not have such an amount of money. But more important than that was that even if he had that much, he would not seek public office through bribery.

 

Dalung; “When I couldn’t return to the office as a Minister, somebody walked from the Villa to my house and told me, ‘Look, we were responsible for getting you out of office because you don’t give us money, and now, with the benefit of hindsight, we want you back. We’re not going to take much from you. Raise ₦100 million for us, and we’ll be able to return you to your office.’ I thanked him very much for thinking that I’m worthy of returning to office with the payment of ₦100 million, and I told him I don’t have such money to give you. I

chose not to participate in any arrangement involving financial payments in exchange for political appointments.”

 

Dalung’s revelation comes on the heels of the scandal rocking the Presideny over untidy allegations made against the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the Director General of the phantom Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council. The Presidency, has however, dismissed Adeyemi as a certificated crook, and dragged him to Court.

Ekiti ADC Rallies Members After Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
African Democratic Congress - ADC

By Ayodele Oni 

 

African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ekiti State Chapter, has set up three Ad-Hoc Committees to review its performance in the June 20, 2026 gubernatorial poll, reconcile aggrieved members and discipline those found to have worked against the party.

 

The Committees were unveiled at the ADC State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, by the State Chairman, Dr. Bamidele Ekunola.

 

He said the move was necessary to rebuild trust and reposition the party ahead of future elections.

 

The party came a distance third with 12,872 votes as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

“While we did not achieve the result we worked and prayed for, the ADC remains standing, stronger in resolve, and more determined to build a party that Ekiti people can trust,” Ekunola told party leaders, stakeholders. 

 

He noted that the State Working Committee, after wide consultations, approved the committees as part of the party’s post-election rebuilding plan.

 

The first is the Post-Governorship Election Review Committee mandated to conduct a factual, data-driven assessment of the party’s performance across the 16 LGAs and 177 wards.

 

Dr Ekunola said the committee must identify what worked, what failed, and why, and present recommendations to reposition ADC for victory in 2027 and beyond.

 

The second is the Reconciliation Committee, tasked with healing divisions caused by the election.

 

 “Candidates, leaders, and members were aggrieved. It is your duty to reach out, listen, and heal those wounds,” the chairman said.

 

 He stressed that the party must speak with one voice again and address genuine grievances with appropriate remedies.

 

The third is the Anti-Party Activities and Disciplinary Committee which will investigate credible reports of sabotage and insubordination during the poll. 

 

Ekunola warned that “ADC State Chapter will no longer tolerate sabotage from within,” and said those found culpable will face sanctions under Article 21 of the party’s constitution.

 

Charging the committees to be courageous, objective, and fair, the chairman gave the Anti-Party Committee 21 days to submit an interim report, and 30 days for the Review and Reconciliation Committees to submit comprehensive reports. 

 

He urged all ADC members in the state to cooperate fully with the process.

 

“Today, we are choosing truth over denial, unity over division, and discipline over impunity,” Ekunola declared as he inaugurated the members.

Court Of Appeal Voids Order Permitting Wearing Of Hijab In Schools

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Judiciary and Court

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, on Friday July 3, 2026, nullified the judgment of an Oyo State High Court affirming the right of female Muslim students of the University of Ibadan International School to wear hijab on top of their official uniforms.

 

The source reports that the trial court had on May 22, 2024, while ruling on an application filed by 11 Muslim students of the institution, upheld their rights to wear hijab to school.

 

The court had also held that the authorities of the School has no powers to prevent the students from wearing the hijab as part of their uniforms.

 

The authorities of the institution had argued that hijab does not form part of the students official uniforms, and as such is not permitted to be worn by any students.

 

Dissatisfied by the trial Court’s ruling, the management approached the Court of Appeal seeking a reversal.

 

The Appellate court  in a split judgment of two to one upheld the appeal by the institution’s management, and noted that the Supreme Court verdict granting the wearing of hijab is only applicable to public schools.

 

In the majority judgment delivered by Honourable Justice Biobele Georgewill, with Justice K I Amadi concurring, the Appellate Court held that the Supreme Court ruling on hijab can not apply to the University of Ibadan , International School being a private educational institution.

 

“The Supreme Court, which granted the use of hijab was in respect to a public school in Lagos state

 

“In public schools, you can wear hijab on school uniforms based on the judgment of the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court is yet to make any decision on the use of hijab in private schools.

 

“The judgment of the lower court allowing female students to wear hijab on their school uniforms at International School Ibadan, a private school is hereby set aside”, Justice Georgewill ruled.

NDC Insists On Gbajabiamila’s Sack Over Link To Fake Presidential Interventionist Agency, Bribery Allegations

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Femi Gbajabiamila

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has sued for the immediate removal from office of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his alleged involvement in the controversy relating to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

 

This is as the party called for the institution of an independent probe panel to carry out a thorough inquest into the actual circumstances surrounding the phantom interventionist agency.

 

The Source reports that  Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, the acclaimed Director -General DG  of the PFIPC had accused  Gbajabiamila of not only being aware of his appointment as the agency’s head, but also its operations, including the allocation  of office space ,  opening of CBN domiciliary accounts, 2026 budgetary allocations, and designation of no fewer than 300 staffers for the agency from the Office of the Head of Service HoS of the Federation.

 

Adeyemi particularly alleged that Gbajabiamila requested and collected N400 million by proxy to facilitate his appointment as the agency’s DG., with an outstanding balance of N200 million to be paid to him.

 

However ,the Presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, while exonerating the Chief of Staff, described Adeyemi as a conman who is already facing prosecution over his dubious activities in relation to the controversial interventionist agency.

 

However, many, including the opposition political camp appear not to be persuaded by the seemingly feeble defence put up by the Presidency, with deafening campaigns being mounted for an independent and unfettered investigation of the entire development.

 

In a statement from its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC, while describing the allegations against Gbajabiamila as damning and troubling, insisted that the only way anxious and concerned Nigerians would be assuaged is for the  President’s Chief of Staff to be eased out of office and investigation conducted to unravel the facts behind the controversy.

 

The Party maintained that the scandal raises critical questions bordering the level of accountability, transparency, and the integrity of Tinubu’s administration.

 

The NDC urged all relevant authorities, including the anti-corruption commissions to prioritize the investigation of the sordid affairs surrounding the non-existent agency.

 

The NDC statement reads in part:

 

“The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been alarmed by the damning allegations of corruption involving the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

 

“The non-existent agency was, allegedly, used to siphon public funds, with the active collusion and facilitation by the Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila.

 

“This scandal raises fundamental questions about the level of transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the Tinubu administration.

 

“According to the allegations by Prince Adeyemi, the PFIPC received budgetary allocations in the 2026 budget and successfully opened a Domiciliary Account, a Pound Sterling Account, and a Treasury Single Account (TSA), all domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. This development is baffling, given that the Presidency has publicly disclaimed the existence of any such agency.

 

“The NDC finds it deeply troubling that an agency the Presidency claims does not exist could open multiple high-level financial accounts at the apex bank. For an individual to open a domiciliary account, stringent documentation is required. How then was a fictitious agency able to open such accounts without the necessary documentation?

 

“Did the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation knowingly process forged documents? The Presidency owes Nigerians an urgent clarification on this matter.

 

“Equally disturbing is the claim that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation approved 314 staff positions for this supposedly non-existent agency. The NDC wonders how such a significant administrative action could occur without the knowledge of the Presidency and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

 

“Is the Tinubu administration so clueless and incompetent that major decisions bypass its principal officers? More grievous is the allegation that the Chief of Staff demanded 48% of the agency’s takeoff grant amounting to 27,395,510,136, a request Prince Adeyemi reportedly rejected, which invariably resulted in a public spat.

 

“Adeyemi further admitted that he fraudulently secured his appointment through the Chief of Staff for the sum of N600 million, with #400 million allegedly paid through proxies to the Chief of Staff, with a balance of 200 million outstanding, a default that reportedly contributed in triggering the current denial of the agency’s existence by aides of the President.

 

“These are not mere allegations; they point to a disturbing pattern of institutionalised corruption, including the alleged sale of appointments to the highest bidders, a notorious trademark of the Tinubu administration.

 

“The NDC believes this scandal further confirms that the current administration has entrenched and legitimised corruption as a way of governance in Nigeria. The situation is further compounded by the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola, the intermediary between Prince Adeyemi and the Chief of Staff, who reportedly died in a fire accident at a hotel in Utako, Abuja, on October 22, 2025, just a day after the Chief of Staff’s petition was received by the Police.

 

“Prince Adeyemi has also raised an alarm over multiple assassination attempts on his life, including a brazen attack along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on September 7, 2025. He also cried out recently that there is an attempt by certain forces in government to eliminate him.

 

“In light of the foregoing, the NDC demands as follows, The immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to allow for a full, unbiased investigation, as his continued stay in office constitutes a clear conflict of interest and a threat to the integrity of any probe.

 

“The President should, without delay, constitute an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine all aspects of this scandal, including the operations of the alleged PFIPC, budgetary allocations, account openings, staff approvals, and financial transactions.

 

“The panel must also investigate the mysterious death of Mr Babatunde Tanimola and the assassination attempts on Prince Adeyemi, with a view to uncovering the full truth and bringing perpetrators to justice. Similarly, Adeyemi should immediately be given witness protection privileges.

 

“The Chief of Staff should be compelled to produce all official documents signed since assuming office for forensic analysis.

 

“All relevant actors, including officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Office of the Accountant-General, and the Head of Civil Service, should be questioned.”

 

“The EFCC, ICPC, and Nigeria Police Force must immediately commence a full-scale investigation into this matter without fear or favour.”

 

NDC declared that the use of “mere defensive press releases” from the presidency as a reflective ploy will not be accepted.

 

“Nigerians deserve to know the truth through a transparent process that promotes fairness and justice. The culture of impunity and the brazen sale of public appointments must end.

 

“The NDC stands firmly with the people of Nigeria in demanding accountability. Anyone found culpable in this sordid affair, no matter how highly placed, must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,”

Kano 2027: ”I’m Not a Vulture”: Ganduje Dismisses Fake Defection Posters

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

By Ayodele Oni

 

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has attributed the circulation of posters on his defection to the handiwork of desperate politicians.

 

He  dismissed the posters claiming he defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, (NDC), as “false, mischievous and politically motivated.”

 

In a statement by his former Information Commissioner and Chief of Staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, Ganduje said he remains committed to the APC and has never contemplated leaving the party he once led.

 

“I’m not a nomadic politician or a vulture flying from one tree to another in pursuit of personal ambition,” Ganduje said.

 

He described the posters as the handiwork of “desperate political mischief makers” aimed at misleading the public and creating anxiety within the APC.

 

Ganduje said those behind the fake posters have been identified and warned that legal action will be taken if the materials are not withdrawn immediately.

 

He reaffirmed his commitment to working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the APC leadership to consolidate the Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

The statement urged APC members and the public to rely only on official communications from Ganduje or the party.

Cardoso CBN Has Questions To Answer Over Gbajabiamila/PFIPC Saga

By
James Orji
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0

The Central bank of Nigeria, CBN has been dragged into the controversy between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila and one Adedeji Matthew, parading himself as the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC.

The agency has been declared to be no-existent by the federal government, who has accused the DG of  forging the letter of his appointment, and operating a fictitious agency.

Recall that the DG has accused Gbajamiamila of collecting N400 million bribe from him, through a proxy to secure the appointment, with the balance of N200 million yet to be paid to the CoS.

He accused CoS of coming after him because of his failure to pay the N200 million balance, apart from alleging that the CoS demanded 48 percent of the over N24 billion take off budget approved for the agency.

The presidency had in its reaction to the allegation, in a letter issued by Bayo Onanuga, cleared Gbajabiamila of any wrongdoing, after declaring Adedeji as a serial fraudster.

The federal government has dragged him to court for forgery, and for trying to bring disrepute to the Nigerian Presidency.

According to the statement issued on Wednesday the Presidency said security agencies had been investigating Matthew since October 2025 after the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force over alleged forgery of official appointment letters and impersonation of government officials.

He was accused of trying to malign the integrity and credibility of the Presidency by claiming that he was issued an appointment letter.

 

“The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,” the Chief of Staff stated in the petition.

 

“The above development not only constitutes a serious criminal act but also undermines the integrity of the Presidency and the credibility of official government communication.

 

“I therefore urge you to initiate a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those involved and also to uncover the network facilitating the forgery,” the statement read.

But reacting, Addedeji accused the CBN and other government officials, including the SGF, of playing a critical role in the saga.

 

In some of the viral video circulating online, Adedeji was captured in photographs with some top government officials, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Ola Olukoyede, among others, who Adedeji had met as the DG of the agency, he has also met with foreign officials, including diplomats as captured in the viral videos and photographs.

 

Adedeji insists that he’s not an impostor, as being alleged by the federal government, saying the agency has been operating since 2024, citing for instance, the account opened with the CBN as a proof.

He’s asking how an agency was allowed to operate different accounts with the  nation’s apex bank if indeed is not authentic.

According to checks, the agency operated 34 bank accounts, including nine with the CBN for the time it operated.

 

Conventionally, government agencies in the country are required to operate account with the CBN to enhance their local and foreign transactions.

Adedeji insist that the fact that the agency was allowed to operate CBN accounts is a proof that the agency is not fictitious as the government has claimed.

He said the CBN Governor and his management approved the opening of the nine account, saying the apex bank cannot be operating fraudulent accounts for an agency of the government except it’s authentic.

So, what COS is telling Nigerians is that the CBN Governor with His pedigree together with his 4 deputies, 16 capable directors and 5,300 staffs are clueless to not have detected a fraudulent document for opening of account?” he queried in his statement.

Adding that “Is it even possible to open an account with fictitious documents in a commercial bank in Nigeria today, talk less of the CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA? Please note that the process of opening an account with CBN starts from Office of Accountant General of the Federation. Therefore, COS is telling The Accountant General of the Federation who possesses necessary qualifications and experience of 30 years, his pool of Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and other Professional experts in his office ARE SIT DOWN LOOK CIVIL SERVANTS not to have detected forged documents?”

Following his reaction, not a few Nigerians have called on the CBN to explain the role it played in the Gbajabiamila/ PFIPC Saga.

Questions CBN Must Answer

Some of the questions being asked is why the CBN allowed the said accounts to be opened, and whether there was an approval from the federal government to the apex bank to do so. Who are the officials of departments in the CBN responsible for opening such accounts? Did the CBN Governor, acting on instruction from the Presidency or relevant federal government officials, direct his subordinate to open the accounts on behalf of the agency?

How much has been transacted within the said accounts since the agency started operation? Last but not the least, is whether the CBN received any official communication from the President’s CoS regarding the agency.

Did some officials of the CBN benefit by opening the accounts, considering that the federal government said the agency was not known to it, and as such could not have approved its engagement with the CBN? And has the federal government issued an official query to the CBN Governor following the saga? What is Cardoso’s response?

These and many other salient questions, will assist in clearing the controversy on the saga that’s currently shaking the Nigerian Presidency, according to analysts.

The spokesperson for the CBN Sidi Wakama has yet to react to the issue.

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