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Ogun State News, Bwari,, Maitama (2025)

08/03/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Bukade Royal Ventures, Opeyemi Owamokele

07/03/2025

Court orders EFCC to seize another N2.1bn ($1.4m) linked to Emefiele

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of another $1.4 million (approximately N2.1bn as of March 7, 2025) linked to a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Ayokunle Faji, in his ruling, held that the funds were proven to be proceeds of unlawful activities and must be forfeited to the Federal Government.

An affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator David Jayeoba detailed how intelligence reports led to the discovery of the concealed funds.

The investigation allegedly exposed a scheme involving Emefiele and his associates, including Donatone Limited’s directors, Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, who were accused of disguising illicit proceeds.

The EFCC claimed that between 2021 and 2022, amid Nigeria’s forex scarcity, Emefiele and his associates extorted businesses seeking foreign exchange approvals, collecting bribes.

One such company, identified as NP, reportedly deposited $26,552,000 into Donatone Limited’s account at Titan Trust Bank.

Justice Faji had initially granted an interim forfeiture order on May 30, 2024, before issuing the final ruling on Thursday.

Thursday’s forfeiture order marks the latest in a series of asset seizures obtained by the EFCC against Emefiele, following his suspension and removal from office by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.

On February 21, 2025, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7m, N830m, and multiple properties linked to Emefiele.

The affected properties include 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space on Otunba Adedoyin Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos; and Imore Industrial Park 1, located on Esa Street, Imoore Land, Amuwo Odofin LGA, Lagos. Others are Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse (Furniture Plant at Bogije) near Elemoro, Owolomi Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos, as well as two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria in Lakes Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

Additional properties affected by the order include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate Scheme, Foreshore Estate, Eti-Osa LGA; an estate at 100 Cottonwood Coppel Texas Drive, Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services; land at 1 Bunmi Owulude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos; and a property at 8 Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

This comes after a previous forfeiture order on November 1, 2024, when Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court ordered the permanent forfeiture of $2.045m, seven prime landed properties, and share certificates linked to Emefiele.

Justice Dipeolu ruled that the funds and share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

06/03/2025

Tinubu gives automatic employment to 774 Nigerians

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted automatic employment to 774 fellows of the national health programme.

The president made the announcement during the presidential launch of the programme in Abuja, emphasizing the fellows’ role in monitoring Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across all 774 local government areas.

Addressing the fellows, Tinubu declared: “You are hired,” pledging their absorption into the workforce.

He further stated: “The Coordinating Minister and the champion of this program have requested approval, and luckily, the Minister of Finance is here also.”

Highlighting the programme’s significance, the President stressed that it is designed to expose participants to best practices, equip them with knowledge and skills, and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“Healthcare is a critical pillar of national development. No country can prosper if its people are unhealthy. Unsustainable health programs pose a significant danger, and sustainable development is only possible with a strong healthcare system—you are the pillars,” he remarked.

His announcement followed an appeal by Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, who urged federal, state, and local governments to integrate the fellows into the workforce to support universal health coverage.

The National Health Fellows Scheme is designed to drive innovation and impactful change in the health sector. Fellows were selected on a merit-based process from over 359,000 applicants.

The initiative is a key component of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s primary healthcare system.

Similarly, Tinubu has approved a subsidy on kidney dialysis for Nigerians, reducing the cost for Nigerians from N50,000 to N12,000.

The subsidy is being implemented across the six geopolitical zones at some federal medical institutions.

Participating institutions include the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute-Metta Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja, the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Maiduguri.

Others are the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Benin, and University of Calabar Teaching (UCTH) Calabar.

The subsidy was launched in January at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi.

According to Hammatu Haruna, the manager-in-charge of the renal centre at the teaching hospital, patients are happy about the subsidy.

“They are paying only N12,000, and our patients are very happy with this initiative, and we have seen improvement, remarkably in patients’ condition,” she said.

“Patients used to find it difficult to afford it; even if you tell them the amount, they have to go back and sell something before they can afford to come for dialysis. Some even prefer to stay at home since they cannot afford it.”

She said 35 patients have benefitted from the scheme since it was launched on January 8 this year, adding that the federal ministry of health has provided adequate resources to ensure the success of the programme.

“We appreciate the federal government of Nigeria; they gave us one dialysis machine; they gave us over 900 dialysers. We have almost everything at hand.

Several cases of kidney failure have recently been reported in the news.

In February, the Yobe government said it had deployed 50 health experts to investigate the root causes of the spike in kidney failure cases in some parts of the state.

Mahmud Maina, director of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre at the Yobe State University, said the team comprises 50 experts, which include neurology consultants, laboratory scientists, nephrologists, geologists, chemists, echo toxicologists, and collaborators from the UK, US, and Ghana.

Maina said the team would conduct interviews with 2,000 people in Bade and Damaturu LGAs to determine whether the causes are environmental, lifestyle-related, or genetic.

06/03/2025

BREAKING: Senate suspends Natasha Akpoti for six months with immediate effect

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six-months with immediate effect.

This followed investigations from the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, which cited her for total violation of Senate rules.

During her suspension, the office will be locked, and she will be barred from accessing the National Assembly premises.

Her salaries will be withdrawn while her aides will keep receiving theirs while the suspension lasted.

She is also prohibited from representing Nigeria in any official capacity as one of the country’s senators during the suspension.

The Kogi Central lawmaker will also submit a written apology for the Senate to review her suspension.

The suspension stems from allegations of sexual harassment that Akpoti-Uduaghan levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

She accused Akpabio of obstructing her legislative motions, particularly those concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company, and claimed he referred to her as a “nightclub girl” during a Senate session—a remark for which he later apologised.

06/03/2025

Osun, Abia and Ondo rank lowest as 36 states contribute N541.11 billion VAT in January 2025 (Full List)

The 36 states in Nigeria have collectively contributed N541.11 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue in January 2025.

This is according to data obtained from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)

VAT, a consumption tax administered by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is one of the key revenue sources shared among the three tiers of government through FAAC.

However, the distribution formula has been a subject of dispute in recent times, with states disagreeing with the federal government’s proposed formula.

According to the data, while the 36 states contributed N541.11 billion in January 2025, they received a total of N278.78 billion from the federal government.

The also data showed that there was an increase of 8.94 percent contributed by 36 in January 2024 against a total of N496.72 billion VAT pool in December 2024.

The commission said Kwara topped the list of states with the highest month-on-month VAT increase, contributing N9.53 billion in January 2025 — a 383.41 percent increase from N1.97 billion in December 2024.

Sokoto followed closely with a 343.25 percent increase in contribution, climbing from N995.3 million in December to N4.41 billion in January.

Other states that recorded significant VAT contributions include Edo (342.59 percent), Imo (253.63 percent), and Kebbi (114.12 percent).

While most states recorded an increase, some saw their VAT contributions decline.

The FAAC said Benue posted the highest drop, with its contribution decreasing to N2.05 billion in January, signalling a 68.14 percent fall from N6.43 billion in December last year.

Other states with sharp declines include Taraba (-63.60 percent), Ogun (-56.36 percent), and Osun (-51.15 percent).

Further more, the FAAC data ranked Osun, Abia, and Ondo as the lowest contributors in Janury 2025.

Osun contributed N589.41 million, Abia N733.82 million, and Ondo N985.78 million, making them the bottom three states in terms of VAT contributions. Despite their low contributions, these states received significantly higher amounts in federal allocations, with Osun getting N7.73 billion, Abia N7.29 billion, and Ondo N7.80 billion.

What states contributed to the VAT pool and what they received in January 2025

1. LAGOS
Contributed: N305.52bn
Received: N62.59bn (20.49%)

2. RIVERS
Contributed: N90.21bn
Received: N11.01bn (12.20%)

3. OYO
Contributed: N27.71bn
Received: N13.02bn (47.00%)

4. BAYELSA
Contributed: N12.80bn
Received: N8.02bn (62.65%)

5. KANO
Contributed: N9.59bn
Received: N13.57bn (141.49%)

6. KWARA
Contributed: N9.53bn
Received: N8.10bn (85.04%)

7. DELTA
Contributed: N6.57bn
Received: N9.05bn (137.77%)

8. AKWA IBOM
Contributed: N5.62bn
Received: N8.79bn (156.26%)

9. EDO
Contributed: N5.09bn
Received: N8.17bn (160.67%)

10. EKITI
Contributed: N4.98bn
Received: N7.51bn (150.65%)

11. SOKOTO
Contributed: N4.41bn
Received: N8.45bn (191.63%)

12. BORNO
Contributed: N3.91bn
Received: N8.74bn (223.56%)

13. KATSINA
Contributed: N3.86bn
Received: N10.01bn (259.34%)

14. NIGER
Contributed: N3.80bn
Received: N8.57bn (225.73%)

15. JIGAWA
Contributed: N3.57bn
Received: N8.85bn (248.05%)

16. ANAMBRA
Contributed: N3.56bn
Received: N8.72bn (244.92%)

17. KADUNA
Contributed: N3.50bn
Received: N10.18bn (290.60%)

18. ADAMAWA
Contributed: N3.39bn
Received: N7.91bn (233.16%)

19. EBONYI
Contributed: N3.30bn
Received: N7.12bn (215.65%)

20. NASARAWA
Contributed: N3.13bn
Received: N6.86bn (218.95%)

21. KOGI
Contributed: N2.67bn
Received: N7.90bn (295.93%)

22. BAUCHI
Contributed: N2.44bn
Received: N8.93bn (365.95%)

23. OGUN
Contributed: N2.31bn
Received: N8.20bn (355.26%)

24. GOMBE
Contributed: N2.16bn
Received: N7.11bn (328.70%)

25. YOBE
Contributed: N2.16bn
Received: N7.08bn (328.65%)

26. BENUE
Contributed: N2.05bn
Received: N8.55bn (416.84%)

27. KEBBI
Contributed: N1.93bn
Received: N7.77bn (402.38%)

28. ENUGU
Contributed: N1.75bn
Received: N7.76bn (442.91%)

29. PLATEAU
Contributed: N1.75bn
Received: N7.70bn (439.57%)

30. IMO
Contributed: N1.59bn
Received: N8.26bn (521.03%)

31. CROSS RIVER
Contributed: N1.55bn
Received: N7.45bn (480.44%)

32. ZAMFARA
Contributed: N1.45bn
Received: N7.72bn (531.51%)

33. ONDO
Contributed: N985.78m
Received: N7.80bn (791.24%)

34. TARABA
Contributed: N939.66m
Received: N6.91bn (735.00%)

35. ABIA
Contributed: N733.82m
Received: N7.29bn (993.98%)

36. OSUN
Contributed: N589.41m
Received: N7.73bn (1,312.09%)

05/03/2025

Shout out to our newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Bukade Royal Ventures, Opeyemi Owamokele

04/03/2025

JUST IN: EFCC arrests ex-Akwa Ibom governor Udom Emmanuel over alleged N700bn fraud

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

According to reports, the former governor was taken into custody shortly after he arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday around 12:30 pm.

Emmanuel was at the EFCC headquarters to honour an invitation over the allegation of money laundering, diversion of funds and stealing preferred against him by Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT), a civil society organisation (CSO).

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, told our correspondent that Emmanuel was arrested after honoring the EFCC’s invitation to answer allegations of money laundering, diversion of funds, and stealing.

“We have arrested the former governor of Akwa Ibom over an alleged N700 billion fraud.

“A civil society organisation called the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking petitioned the EFCC, prompting our investigation,” the source said.

He added, “The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account over eight years but left behind a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300 billion. He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion.

“Emmanuel arrived at our office around 12:30 p.m. and was arrested shortly after.”

The source further revealed that investigations uncovered the withdrawal of N31 billion in cash from a single account named “Office of the Governor.”

He added, “Over investigations have uncovered the withdrawal of N31bn in cash in one single account. The name of the account is Office of the Governor. The money was withdrawn in cash progressively between 2019 and 2023.”

Efforts to reach the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful, as calls to his number indicated that it was switched off at the time of filing this report.

04/03/2025

Driver, motor boy burnt to death as fire guts petrol tanker at Ibadan filling station

Two persons have been confirmed dead in a fire incident that occurred at the Orita Challenge outlet of GABSTAB Petrol Station in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

In a statement released by the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, a petrol tanker driver and his assistant popularly called ‘motor boy’ lost their lives in the incident.

Akinyinka said the fire service immediately deployed its men to the scene on receiving information about the fire at 5.15 a.m.

“We got information about the GABSTAB Mega Petrol Station, Orita Challenge, fire incident at 5.15 a.m. and deployed our men immediately.

“The driver and motor boy were burnt to death,” he said.

The general manager, however, said the fire had been controlled, and more details about the incident would later be provided.

This is coming barely two month after the driver of a petrol tanker lost his life while his assistant while his motor boy was rescued by men of the Oyo State Fire Service along Iwo – Ojoo Road in Ibadan, the state capital.

Director of Operations of the agency, I.A. Adeleke who confirmed the incident said the driver was recovered from the fire, while the ‘motor boy’ was rescued alive and conveyed to the University College Hospital (UCH) for treatment.

Adeleke said the petrol tanker was razed by the devastating fire, while other two trucks and vehicles’ parts at the scene of the inferno were saved by the agency’s personnel.

He disclosed that the accident occurred when the trailer tanker carrying PMS lost control while on motion, hitting two other trucks at the front.

Adeleke added that the two vehicles somersaulted into a nearby ditch and subsequently exploding into flames.

He added that prompt response by the agency’s personnel averted fire disaster considering that the trailer was loaded with petroleum content at the time of the incident.

Source: intelregion

03/03/2025

JUST IN: Tinubu sacks Yusha’u Ahmed, announces brigadier-general Nafiu Olakunle as new DG NYSC

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked Brig. Gen. Y. D. Ahmed as the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and appointed Brigadier General Kunle Nafiu as his replacement.

Bri. Gen. Nafiu, until his appointment, was the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, having also served in the same capacity with the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Raised Abiodun Lagbaja.

A Member of 47 Regular Course, Nafiu is an Artillery Officer who graduated from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the US Army War College.

Before he was appointed Chief of Staff to the COAS, he was a Directing Staff at the Army War College, Nigeria.

The new NYSC DG hails from Ileogbo, Aiyedire Local Government Area of Osun State.

Nafiu, whose appointment is immediately effective, replaces Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed.

Y.D Ahmed was appointed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023, after following the sacking of Brig. Gen. Mohammed Fadah over alleged incompetence and poor performance.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be investigated over the non-payment of the approved N77,000 monthly allowance for serving corps members.

NANS expressed dismay that NYSC is yet to implement the payment of the new allowance to the corps members months after approval by the federal government.

Recall that the government had approved an increase in the corps members’ monthly allowance from N33,000 to N77,000, effective July 2024.

The approval for the increase of the allowance from N33,000 to N77,000 was contained in a letter from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, dated September 25 2024 and signed by the Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta, in line with the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024.

The government had, at that time, said the increase in the corps members allowance was with effect from July 2024.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier-General Yushau Ahmed, on January 30, this year, announced that corps members would begin to receive ₦77,000 as their monthly allowance from February 2025.

However, corps members have expressed disappointment that they still received N33,000 as allowance in February.

They described the N33, 000 allowance as insufficient for their basic needs in the face of the high cost of living in the country.

Reacting, NANS in a statement by its National Vice President, Inter-Campus Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia,on Monday, justified the call for the probe of the NYSC for failure to commence payment of the new corps monthly allowance by the end of February as promised by the Director-General of the Corps.

She wondered what delayed the payment after the official announcement by Brig. Ahmed Yushua that corps members would start receiving the N77,000 in February 2025.

“Findings by my office revealed that corps members received only N33,000 for their February allowance last Friday, against N70,000 promised by the NYSC DG.

” This is even as we note that the federal and many state governments have since begun to pay their workers the new minimum wage of N70,000.

“The NYSC has no justification to withhold the payment of the new approved allowance to corps members whatsoever.

” It would amount to gross injustice on the part of corps members to still be receiving old allowance months after approval and implementation by the federal government, “NANS said.

While calling on the NYSC to give reasons behind the failure to implement the payment of the N77,000 corps monthly allowance, she insisted that the federal government should investigate the matter to determine the cause of otherwise of the delay.

She added that the failure to pay the new allowance to corps members could dampen their morale, especially in the face of the economic situation in the country.

The NANS National Vice President, however, submitted that “the leadership of the student body would equally interface with the NYSC to find out why corps members are yet to benefit from the new minimum wage of N77,000, even when staff of the NYSC are receiving the increase in pay from the federal government”.

03/03/2025

Bandits kidnap another 4 students in Katsina as abducted female student dies in captivity after N10m ransom payment.

Suspected armed bandits have abducted at least four students from Paris Quarters, located behind the Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State.

The incident, disclosed by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama in a post on his X handle on Sunday, occurred at approximately 2:20 a.m. when a large number of assailants quietly invaded the area and whisked away the victims.

The abducted students have been identified as Wali Kayode, Fahad Muhammad, Emmanuel (surname unknown), and one other individual whose identity is yet to be confirmed.

According to Makama, security operatives were immediately mobilized to the scene following a distress call, but the bandits had already fled. Efforts are currently underway to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims safely.

Zarah was taken from her home in the Damba area of Gusau in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, by armed bandits.

The kidnappers initially demanded ₦35 million for their release but later negotiated down to ₦10 million. Despite receiving the ransom, the abductors refused to release Zarah, demanding four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of engine oil as additional conditions.

After months of efforts to meet these demands, the items were finally secured. However, the kidnappers revealed that Zarah had already died and was buried two days prior to the final negotiations.

Zarah, the only daughter of her mother, spent four harrowing months in captivity before her untimely death. This heartbreaking incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the devastating impact of banditry on families and communities.

Zamfara is one of the northern states grappling with violent criminal groups known as bandits, who raid villages, loot properties, kill residents, and set homes ablaze.

These gangs operate from camps deep within a vast forest spanning Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger states, and have been responsible for mass kidnappings of students in recent years.

In 2019, the state government, under then-Governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, attempted a peace agreement with the gunmen.

In a related development, Makama also reported a tragic incident in Zamfara State, where Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old 300-level student of the Federal University Gusau, died in captivity four months after being abducted alongside her two siblings.

However, despite the accord, communities in the state continued to face frequent attacks, with residents being kidnapped or killed.

Ogun State News

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