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Convicted Fmr. Pension Funds Boss, Maina, Stripped Of His Appointment As NBA Grand Patron

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abdulrasheed Maina
Abdulrasheed Maina: Stripped Of His Appointment As NBA Grand Patron

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Barely a couple of hours after coming under intense condemnation and rebuke from the national leadership ,the Chairman of the Garki branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, has distanced himself and the branch from the purported appointment of convicted former Chairman of Pension Reforms Commission, Abdulrasheed Maina, as the association’s Grand Patron.

The Source reports that the  President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, had, early on Friday, January 23, 2026, in a statement lashed  the leadership of the Garki branch of the umbrella body of legal practitioners in Nigeria  for appointing Maina , a convict, as a Grand Patron.

While urging the Garki branch chairman to immediately withdraw the appointment, the NBA President expressed the fears that such a development gravely questions the integrity and core values of the legal profession and NBA as a body.

The National leadership of the NBA added that much as it respects Maina’s right to explore all the available judicial layers in his appeal against his conviction, it

will nevertheless not want to be seen as trying to sway public opinion in his favour, or be acting and commenting on a pending case.

” The Nigerian Bar Association views with disdain the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina who was convicted for stealing over N 2 billion in pension funds, as Grand Patron of NBA Garki branch ,by the chairman of NBA Garki branch Anthony Bamidele Ojo.

“The purported appointment not only paints the legal profession and the NBA in bad light, but also makes a mockery of the Government’s fight against corruption ,as well as the Association’s motto of promoting the rule of law.

“In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA, Garki branch, Mr Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to immediately withdraw the appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as a Patron and to forthwith desist from issuing statements, comments or representations on behalf of, or in support of Mr Maina or any other litigant in respect of case s pending in court”, Osigwe stated

In a statement on Friday ,in reaction to the marching orders from the national leadership ,Ojo the Garki branch Chairman, while announcing the withdrawal of the said award/appointment, equally distanced the branch from events that led to its conferment.

While expressing regret over the development ,Ojo noted that he, as the Chairman, was not fully informed about the details of the court proceedings involving the convicted pension funds Task Force Chairman before the award .

He assured that all necessary steps will be immediately taken to ensure the reversal of the said controversial award as directed by the national leadership of the NBA.

This is as he reaffirmed the sanctity and non-negotiabilty of the integrity of the NBA as a  respected professional body.

“Maina Is An ex-Convict, You Cannot Appoint Him Our Grand Patron”, NBA Fumes”

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Abdulrasheed Maina
Abdulrasheed Maina

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Chairman, NBA, Garki Chapter, to face disciplinary action – Osigwe

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed deep shock and concern over the appointment of convicted former Nigeria Pension Reforms Commission  Chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, as a Grand Patron of the NBA, Garki branch.

A statement on Friday January 23, 2026 from Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the National President of the umbrella body of Nigeria’s legal practitioners, while condemning the appointment, described it as a serious mockery of the legal profession in the country.

According to him, appointing Maina who was  convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail on multiple count charges bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of pension funds tantamount to the NBA undermining the fight against corruption in the country.

The Source reports that Maina, a one-time powerful boss of the Pension Reforms Commission, was on November 8, 2021, convicted and sentenced by  a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Okon Abang (now suspended) found Maina guilty of mismanaging, and embezzling over N2 billion pension funds.

The NBA national leadership said it views the appointment of a person with such a  tainted past as a Grand Patron of the umbrella body of legal practitioners in Nigeria not only  with disdain, but as a huge embarrassment.

While urging the Garki branch Chairman, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, to immediately withdraw  the appointment, Osigwe expressed the fears that such a development gravely questions the integrity and core values of the legal profession and NBA as a body.

The NBA noted that much as it respects Maina’s right to explore all the available judicial layers in his appeal against his conviction, it will, nevertheless, not want to be seen as trying to sway public opinion in his favour and be acting and commenting on a pending case.

The statement reads in part:

“The Nigerian Bar Association views with disdain the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina who was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds, as Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch, by the chairman of NBA Garki Branch , Anthony Bamidele Ojo.

“The purported appointment not only paints the legal profession and the NBA in a bad light, but, also, makes a mockery of the Government’s fight against corruption, as well as the Association’s motto of promoting the rule of law.

” Equally reprehensible was the decision of the chairman to make comments about Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal, currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court.

“While the NBA respects Mr Maina’s right to exhaust his right to appeal against the conviction, the Bar will not, under any guise, comment on such an appeal or be seen to try to sway public opinion in his favour.

Afam Osigwe - NBA President
Afam Osigwe, NBA President.

“This action portray the Chairman of NBA Garki, and indeed, any person who endorsed his putrid actions as condoning corrupt practices.

“The Bar fails in her duties to the society, and the cause of justice when it condones, encourages ,and/ or fails to take definite actions to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices.

“The Association will not, under any guise, lend its platform, name or institutional credibility to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings in respect of cases that are subjudice, or take steps that may be perceived as laundering the image of any person convicted of criminal offences. Any attempt to do so constitutes a grave violation of professional ethics and a direct affront to the rule of law.

” In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of Mr Abdulrasheed Maina as a Patron of the branch ,and to forthwith cease and desist from issuing statements, comments or representations on behalf of, or in support of Mr Maina or any other litigant in respect of cases pending in court.”

The NBA further stated that it views the Garki branch Chairman conduct a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline.

“Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings will be commenced against the Chairman of the NBA Garki branch for actions inconsistent with the Constitution of the NBA ,the Rules of Professional Conduct ,and the core values of the legal profession , integrity , accountability , respect for the judicial process and the preservation of public confidence in the legal profession and foundational values of the Nigerian Bar Association”, Osigwe added.

Dakingari, Fmr Kebbi Gov., Dropped As Turkish Ambassador-designate

By
Ayodele Oni
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1
Usman Dakingari Suleiman

By Ayodele Oni

The presidency has altered the list of Ambassadorial Nominees announced Thursday night.

Coming less than 24 hours after the list was made public, the Presidency reversed the appointment of Usman Dakingari Suleiman as Ambassador to Turkey.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had announced the appointments of four ambassadors, including Dakingari, former governor of Kebbi, on Thursday night.

“Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former governor of Kebbi, is the ambassador-designate to Turkey,” Onanuga had said in his initial statement.

He had also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu, who returned from a 3-week overseas trip at the weekend, would visit Turkey next week.

But shortly after the announcement, Onanuga issued a fresh statement on the reversal of Dakingari’s appointment.

“Please note that there was a naming mix-up for the ambassador-designate to Turkey. The posting is undergoing review. Thanks for your understanding,” Onanuga explained in the new statement.

However, the Presidential spokesperson said that aside from Dakingari, there was no alteration to the posting of other ambassadors-designate made in his previous statement

Those whose appointments were not affected are Ayodele Oke (ambassador-designate to France), Lateef Are (ambassador-designate to the United States of America), and Amin Dalhatu, (high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom).

Onanuga revealed that in a memo to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Tinubu urged the ministry to notify the governments of the three countries about the ambassadors-designate, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.

Maina Alleges Malami Is Guilty Of Massive Theft

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Abdulrasheed Maina and Abubakar Malami

By Adesina Soyooye

Abdulrasheed Maina,  former Chairman of the scrapped Pension Reform Task Team, PRTT, is out of prisons.

Maina was convicted in November 2021, by a Federal High Court, Abuja, on sundry charges which bordered on money laundering to the tune of  N2 billion. He was jailed for eight years and served his sentence at the Kuje prisons.

Maina was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in 2021. He pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge but was found roundly guilty by the Honourable Justice Okon Abang who affirmed that Maina stole the sum of N2 billion belonging to pensioners most of whom he said “died without reaping the fruits of their labour.” He sentenced Maina to a total of 61 years on the 12-count charge which ran concurrently, and so added to eight years.

It is not known when exactly Maina regained his freedom from prisons. What is now known is that he has not come out quietly. He is full of fire. And he is roaring and charging.

One of those he has just charged at is the embattled former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

At a function in Abuja on Thursday where Maina was honoured, he accused Malami of monumental theft, of massive theft.

Malami is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, for allegedly, financing terrorism. He was taken into custody shortly after  a Court granted him bail, along with one of his sons and one of his wives, for another allegation which involves about N217 billion Naira. Already, the EFCC has seized about 52 properties, allegedly, all Malami’s.

But Maina has described the whopping sum of N217 billion as laughable. He said it is ridiculous, a tip of the iceberg, not even upto a quarter of what Malami, allegedly, stole. He insists Malami allegedly stole Nigeria blind, and labels him a thief.

He called for an in-depth investigation into Malami’s activities because, according to him, Malami was involved in “large-scale theft of public funds and questionable asset recoveries linked to past administrations.”

He said: “Malami allegedly stole a lot of funds. What government has seen so far is not even one quarter, because my specialty is the recovery of public funds. I trace funds wherever they are, and that is why they have been after me.

He, also, alleged that more recoverable assets are linked to Malami, and questioned the number of properties already recovered.

He said: “We can recover these funds from Malami. They are more than what has been seen. What are ₦217billion properties?”.

Maina applauded the ongoing accountability efforts, and noted: “Yes, the government is doing the right thing. The government is doing the right thing because if we don’t start… there must be accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, which is what I see this government is actually doing.

“As against what the last administration has been doing, because all these things happened during the last administration. I don’t believe this could happen in this administration.”

For the records, Malami was the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice when Maina was prosecuted by the EFCC and jailed. The EFCC, then, was under the Chairmanship of Ibrahim Magu.

GTCO: Regulators Seal N10bn Private Placement

By
James Orji
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Segun Agbaje - GTCO

Nigeria’s top financial services provider,  Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, GTCO,  says it has successfully completed its N10 billion private placement, allotting the entire 125 million ordinary shares offered to a single investor.

The Segun Agbaje-led bank disclosed that the transaction, priced at N80  per share  has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC.

According to a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange, NGX on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the financial services company said  only one application was received for the entire offer, consisting of 125,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

The company further stated in a statement signed by Erhi Obebeduo, the group’s General Counsel and Company Secretary, that  SEC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, have certified the transactions.

GTCO disclosed further that the allotment process saw the lone investor apply for and receive all the 125 million shares, which were allocated under the highest application band of 50,000,001 shares and above. This translated to a total subscription value of N10 billion.

It also stated that  DataMax Registrars Limited, the registrar managing the group’s share registers, has been directed to immediately credit the shares to the investor’s account.

Hunger Looms For 35m Nigerians-UN

By
James Orji
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0
Almajiris

About 35 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger this year, including 3 million children facing severe malnutrition, the United Nations (UN) said on Thursday, following the collapse of global aid budgets.

Reuters reports quoted, Mohamed Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian coordinator,  to have made the remark while speaking at the launch of the 2026 humanitarian plan in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Fall said said the long-dominant, foreign-led aid model in Nigeria is no longer sustainable and that the country needs have grown.

Conditions in the conflict-hit northeast are dire, Fall said, with civilians in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states facing rising violence. A surge in suicide bombings and widespread attacks killed more than 4,000 people in the first eight months of 2025, matching the toll for all of 2023, he said.

The UN can only aim to deliver $516 million to provide lifesaving aid to 2.5 million people this year, down from 3.6 million in 2025, which in turn was about half the previous year’s level.

“These are not statistics. These numbers represent lives, futures and Nigerians,” Fall said.

The UN envoy also said the UN had no choice but to focus on “the most lifesaving” interventions given the drop in available funding.

Shortfalls last year led the World Food Programme to also warn that millions could go hungry in Nigeria as its resources ran out in December and it was forced to cut support for more than 300,000 children.

Fall said Nigeria was showing growing national ownership of the crisis response in recent months through measures such as local funding for lean-season food support and early-warning action on flooding.

LP: Abia Gov, Otti Applauds Court Judgment Affirming Nenadi-Usman’s Leadership

By
James Orji
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State

Governor Alex Otti of Abia state has welcome the federal high court, Abuja’s judgment affirming the Nenadi Usman-led leadership of the Labour Party, LP. The governor said the judgment will restore sanity and bring peace to the embattled opposition party.

Otti, is the only LP state governor in the country.

The governor’s remark was contained in a statement signed on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, describing the judgment as heart-warming and timely and an opportunity for the leadership to rejuvenate the party after a protracted tussle.

He expressed confidence that the Usman-led Caretaker Committee now has another chance to re-organise the party to make it solid to fulfil the expectations of its members and Nigerians as formidable political party in the country.

The governor also urged the leadership to ensure that everybody is carried along  “in line with the constitution and ideals of the party.”

“This victory is both heartwarming and timely as it provides us with the opportunity of ensuring that peace, order and unity return to the party, while ensuring reorganization and rejuvenation of the party to become not just a truly democratic platform that meets the high expectations of its members, but a formidable political party poised to achieve electoral victories and deliver good governance at all levels,” the statement read on part.

While delivering its judgment on the leadership tussle between the Julius Abure-led and Nenadi-Usman factions on Wednesday, Peter Lifu, said Abure was no longer the National Chairman of the party, saying his tenure has expired. The judge recognised the Usman-led Caretaker Committee, citing an earlier Supreme Court judgment on the issue.

The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Ms Usman-led caretaker committee as “the only valid authority to represent the Labour Party,” pending the party’s national convention.

Justice Lifu also held that evidence before the court showed Mr Abure’s tenure as national chairman had elapsed.

The ruling followed a suit filed by Ms Usman, suing  Abure, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), INEC and others as defendants.

While dismissing Abure’s claim that the matter was an internal party issue that was not justiciable, the judge said the establishment of the LP caretaker committee was “a necessity” arising from the Supreme Court order.

US Govt Says FG Must Do More To Protect Christians, After Abduction Of Over 170 Worshippers In Kaduna

By
James Orji
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0
Donald Trump
President Donald Trump

The United States, US  Government has urged the Nigerian government to do more to protest Christians in the country. It however said progress has been recorded in the ongoing collaboration between the US and Nigerian governments to stem the spate of terrorism and banditry in the country.

The remark was made by the U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a high-level U.S.–Nigeria Working Group meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Allison said the federal government must step up the protection of Christians, and ensure that they are allowed to practice their faith in the country without being intimidated.

The US diplomat spoke a few days after over 170 Christians worshipers were abducted in Kaduna, a development that has raised apprehension in the North Central state.

The magazine had earlier reported that the worshipers were forcefully seized last Saturday during services, from two Cherubim and Seraphim worship centres and an ECWA church by suspected bandits who also led them into the bush.

The government and the Police initially denied that the abduction took place but later admitted that the worshipper were indeed seized and taken away by the bandits.

Not a few Nigerians and groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF,  opposition leaders from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have called for the rescue of the over 170 worshipers.

Reacting to the abduction on Wednesday, a former Vice President Atiku Abubakar noted that the bandits and terrorists have become bolder in carrying out their evil operations under the APC-led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In her reaction yesterday at the even in Abuja, the nations’ capital, the US government envoy called on the Tinubu’s administration to do all in its powers to deter terrorists from carrying out attacks on Christians, saying its’ deeply concerned following the abduction of the over 170 worshipers in Kaduna state.

“We are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State,” Hooker said.

Meanwhile, Christians in Kaduna state, under the aegis of the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association, SKCLA, has called on the people of the state to embark on prayer and fasting from Friday for the safe return of the abductees. The Association, which describe the incident as alarming and heart-rending urged the government and security agencies to ensure the unconditional release of the victims within a short period.

According to a statement signed by the chairman of the association Apostle Dr Emmanuel Nuhu Kure , the two-day fasting must be condcuted by chriatians in all the churches in the state, and prayers rendered during Sunday services for the victims’ safe return to their families.

Kure: “This call to fasting and prayer is a united cry to God for mercy, protection, and the safe return of our brothers and sisters from captivity,” Apostle Dr Kure said.

“It is also a demonstration of rare unity, as believers across denominations stand together at a critical moment in our history.”

Lagos Assembly Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Nomination Of Adebisi Adelabu As LASPA GM

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Adebisi Adelabu

By Akinwale Kasali

Adebisi Adelabu’s  nomination as the General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority, LASPA, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been rejected by the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA).

The Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa-led LAHA, in rejecting her, cited alleged serious procedural breaches linked to her earlier tenure.

During Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, members questioned Adelabu for having occupied the office of General Manager of LASPA since 2021 without ever submitting herself to the constitutionally required screening process.

The Lawmakers described her prolonged, unapproved stay in office as a clear violation of legislative authority.

The Lawmakers stated that this infraction led the House to nullify her appointment on November 18, 2025.

Despite being nominated again, persistent irregularities and failure to convince the House during the screening exercise led to a unanimous decision to, again, step down her confirmation for deeper review.

Other nominees forwarded by the Governor faced no such controversies and were screened and confirmed.

They include Kehinde Durosinmi‑Etti as Chairman of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund; Engr. Olopade Adekunle, Barr. Temitope George, Alexander Akinwunmi,  Falola Olakunle and  Bello Wasiu Oladimeji into various leadership and membership roles within the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Untold Story Of  The Villa Visit By Governor Makinde To  President Tinubu

By
The Source
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1
Fayose and Makinde
LR, Ayodele Fayose and Governor Seyi Makinde

By Ayodele Fayose

Here is the true story of what happened in the Villa when Governor Seyi Makinde visited the President today (Thursday)

First, Governor Seyi Makinde demonstrated that he now lacked enough courage to face the President alone, he had to enlist the support of the Plateau State Governor.

The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he will listen to him.

But if it had to with politics and any claim that it was Wike that angered him to go on TV to accuse him (President) of plotting to turn the country to a one party state, it is better to as usual, go on TV to say all he (Makinde) had to say.

He was told pointedly that he can’t come to the closet on political matters to eat his words, while saying another thing to the public.

Furthermore, the President told Governor Makinde that he was not expecting any support from him regarding 2027, and that he should also expect that he (President) will support his party.

Lastly, the President made it clear to Makinde that Wike is someone whose support and consistency he (President) can’t deny or wished away. Therefore, if Makinde has issues with Wike, that is between the two of them, I should be left out of it.

That’s why Makinde told the press that he’s comfortable in PDP. It’s because of the reality that there’s nothing for him in APC.

And after this meeting, shouldn’t Makinde tell the people of Oyo State if he has returned the N30bn he admitted to have received from the Federal Government as intervention fund for the January 2023 Ibadan explosion?

Fayose, an Nyesom Wike friend and staunch loyalist, was Governor of Ekiti State (2003 – 2006, 2014 – 2018)

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