Abducted Judge of the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, Justice Joy Unwana, who was kidnapped Monday night alongside her driver has regained freedom.
A statement by the state information commissioner Comrade Ini Ememobong made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday however did not state the whereabout of the driver.
Recieving the freed Judge in Government House Uyo, Governor Umo Eno thanked God for her safe release, while appreciating security agencies for their swift response and commitment to duty.
Eno further assured citizens that the state under his watch would never be a safe haven for criminals, charging security operatives to double their surveillance.
The Governor specifically appreciated the Ministry of Internal Security for their strategic coordination and use of local intelligence in the handling of security issues.
He expressed regrets for the grave inconvenience suffered by the judge during her days in captivity, assuring that God who spared her life would adequately compensate her.
Eno maintained that the security of the state was not compromised as this incident was an outlier, which would be decisively dealt with, adding that, “they will be brought to Justice or justice will be brought to them.”
Unwana appreciated the Governor for his concern and his efforts at rescuing her from her abductors and recounted her ordeal in their hands, praying that no one should face such a terrible experience.
*That court renders pending verdict in spirit of fairness
*Calls for peaceable Christmas Celebrations
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter has called on Nigerians to use the Christmas celebrations period and pray sincerely that Nigerians will be committed to observing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and seek to live peacefully with one another.
Kaduna chapter of the association made the remarks in a Christmas message issued and signed by its chairman Rev. John Joseph Hayab, on Sunday 24th day of Christmas eve.
“CAN wishes every Nigerian happy Christmas celebrations and earnestly pray that Nigerians will be committed to observing the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and seek to live peacefully with one another.
“Christmas celebration calls for sober reflection on the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ as it brings hope to humankind. Accordingly, Nigerians, and people the world over, ought to learn the depth of the love of God for giving humankind His son to save individuals by being one another’s keepers.
“While people celebrate, CAN pray for peaceful celebrations as people move from one place to another and hope that Nigerians all live as a family to confront any adversity that may destabilise the corporate existence of society.
“As part of the Christmas wish and the peaceful existence of Nigeria, CAN admonishes judges to remain neutral in all their judgments as justice exalts a nation, says the Book of Proverbs 14:34.
“Accordingly, CAN Kaduna State Chapter engages the goodwill at Christmas to call on judges at all levels to be objective in all the pending governorship election judgments yet to be delivered.
“The judgments to be rendered by judges at the Supreme Court should be in the spirit of fairness to all, bearing in mind that the sustenance of peace and unity of the country was paramount.
“The Judiciary, as it is nowadays, deserves total public trust and confidence than ever before and such trust can only be achieved by repositioning the delivery of justice aimed at building Nigerian democracy by strict observance of the rule of law, the core tenets of social equality”, he noted.
He also stated that “Since Nigerians hold the Supreme Court in high esteem, the judges at the apex court should be seen to be independent to give the common man/woman hope while the judges ensure that justice is served irrespective of who is involved.
“Once the populace loses confidence in the judiciary, which is the bedrock of any democracy, it spells doom for such a nation.
“It is the standpoint of CAN that for Nigeria to move forward in all spheres of life, the judiciary as a sub-system of the social system must progress into an institution which ensures the constitutionality of every decision.
“May the peace of the Lord that comes with Christmas help Nigeria to continue to experience peace, Amen”, hr stated.
The Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation and Management, Federal capital Territory, has warned that hard time awaits those who default the Abuja Master Plan in 2024. Those who default the Abuja Master Plan would face stiff sanctions. Director, Development Control, FCT Administration, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, issued this warning while interacting with journalists at the Task Force end-of-year celebration in Abuja. Galadima stated that Abuja was a creation of law, and its development is being guided by the provisions of the Master Plan and other development guidelines. He advised people who want to build houses in Abuja to strictly follow the provisions of the Master Plan and relevant guidelines. “ Galadima said, ‘Also, those that wish to do businesses in the city should conduct these businesses in the areas designated for such purposes
The All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant for Edo state 2024, Prince Kassim Afegbua has said that the state will regain its pride of place if elected governor.
Afegbua said this when he embarked on consultation tour of the 18 local government areas of the state weekend, He said he has designed a road map towards achieving peace and unity in the state.
He promised to consolidate on peace and unity in the state before launching aggressive industrialization of the state .
The governorship hopeful said his campaign is anchored on “LET’S UNITE EDO” to change the narrative of the present state of in-fighting between and among the leadership impeding development.
According to Afegbua, “I am aspiring to govern Edo state to relaunch the state on the path of growth and development. Edo state is presently in the news for the wrong reasons. Internal squabbles between and amongst the leadership is unhealthy for development.
“In such atmosphere of political instability, development cannot flourish. That is not who we are. We are a people driven by vision and clear objectives to occupy our place in the assembly of states. It is not for nothiing that we earned the sobriquet heartbeat of the nation”.
He added that Education, Health , Agriculture, sports, human capital development, culture and tourism , will be given a boost if given the mandate .
Afegbua stressed “I am coming to re-ignite that passion for collectivism in critical sectors of the state economy.
” I will bond with my people and an article of faith that will be sacrosanct will be enshrined.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for its failure to reveal critical information about Nigeria’s daily oil production, export activities, and revenues following the removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, aims to compel NNPC to disclose the daily oil production and export quantities, along with the total revenues generated since the subsidy removal.
The move by SERAP comes in response to concerns raised by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who pointed out NNPC’s alleged failure to remit sufficient foreign exchange into the national treasury post-subsidy removal. Sanusi emphasized the need to account for the funds, asking, “Where is the money?”
SERAP argues that the Nigerian public has the right to access detailed information about the country’s oil production and revenues. The organization asserts that transparency is crucial to preventing the diversion of oil revenues into private hands.
Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director at SERAP, highlighted the importance of transparency, stating, “Nigeria’s daily oil production, exportation, and the revenues generated have been mostly shrouded in secrecy. The NNPC has a legal responsibility to disclose the details sought. Transparency would increase public confidence that the revenues would benefit Nigerians.”
Additionally, SERAP contends that the lack of transparency has hindered Nigerians from realizing substantial benefits from the nation’s significant oil wealth. The organization attributes this limited benefit to widespread grand corruption and a culture of impunity among perpetrators.
The lawsuit seeks to address these transparency concerns and ensure that oil revenues contribute to the public welfare rather than being diverted for private gain.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed an alleged laundering of N37,170,855,753.44 within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs during the tenure of former minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk. The funds were reportedly transferred to various bank accounts linked to a contractor, James Okwete.
According to ongoing investigations, Okwete is said to have used these funds for personal expenses, including withdrawing cash, purchasing luxury cars, and acquiring properties in Abuja and Enugu. The contractor allegedly controlled 53 companies and secured Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86.
Sadiya Umar-Farouk, the pioneer Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, has been implicated in the scandal. She served as a minister in President Buhari’s cabinet from July 2019 and was associated with the ministry overseeing several agencies.
The EFCC document reveals that the funds were transferred between 2018 and 2023, originating from the Federal Government’s coffers. Okwete is linked to multiple bank accounts across 12 commercial banks and has been accused of abusing government contracts for personal gain.
Despite previous controversies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission’s discovery of N2.67 billion in private bank accounts meant for the ministry’s school feeding program, this recent revelation further intensifies concerns about corruption within government agencies.
As calls for transparency and accountability grow, the EFCC continues its investigations into the alleged financial misconduct, involving key figures in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. The consequences of these findings may extend to legal actions against those implicated in the scandal.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Issa Onilu has urged Nigerians as they celebrate to imbibe the virtues Christ to make Nigeria a better country.
In a Christmas felicitation message, Onilu stated that Nigeria’s journey of nationhood has always leveraged on occasions such as Christmas to renew the common bond that unites them, irrespective of religious, tribal or political differences.
He said, ‘ The birth of Christ symbolizes God’s gift of love to humanity which man must also extend to his fellows and he emphasized the need for love, peace, kindness and forgiveness as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Onilu urged Nigerians to ensure that the practice of sharing love outlives the Christmas season, adding that love for all is a panacea to the nation’s challenges.
According to him, the NOA would continue to promote good virtues and patriotism for lasting peace and mutuality in the society.
However,he noted that sustaining the spirit of Christmas would help citizens appreciate the principle of the present administration’s Renewed Hope programme.
The NOA Director General also assured Nigerians that government has put in place adequate security measure to guarantee hitch-free Christmas celebrations, while urging them to remain law abiding and security conscious during and after the Christmas festivities.
The Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation and Management, Federal capital Territory, has warned that hard time awaits those who default the Abuja Master Plan in 2024.
Those who default the Abuja Master Plan would face stiff sanctions.
Director, Development Control, FCT Administration, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, issued this warning while interacting with journalists at the Task Force end-of-year celebration in Abuja.
Galadima stated that Abuja was a creation of law, and its development is being guided by the provisions of the Master Plan and other development guidelines.
He advised people who want to build houses in Abuja to strictly follow the provisions of the Master Plan and relevant guidelines.
“ Galadima said, ‘Also, those that wish to do businesses in the city should conduct these businesses in the areas designated for such purposes
Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after satisfying his bail conditions. Emefiele, facing prosecution for alleged procurement fraud, secured a N300 million bail from the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja. The release was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Kuje Correctional Centre, Adamu Duza, who stated that Emefiele met his bail conditions and left the facility on Friday.
The court granted bail with two sureties requiring certificates of occupancy and property titles within the Maitama District of Abuja. Emefiele was also instructed to deposit all travel documents with the court registrar and stay within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Despite objections from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the judge rejected claims that Emefiele posed a flight risk, emphasizing the need for a fair trial.
Emefiele is facing trial on six counts related to procurement fraud amounting to N1.2 billion. A report by the Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, submitted to President Bola Tinubu, alleges Emefiele’s involvement in fraudulent cash withdrawals, financial irregularities in the naira redesign, and holding £543.4 million in the UK. The investigation spanned over four months and raised concerns about embezzlement and financial offenses during Emefiele’s tenure from June 2014 to June 2023.
About sixty days after President Bola Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer for 15 million households, beneficiaries of the programme are already expressing the enormous impact of the initiative.
A recent independent investigation carried out to ascertain the efficacy and practicability of the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme across the country had attracted encomiums and applause by citizens.
Beneficiaries attested that the impact of the cash transfer programme has been immediate and far reaching in alleviating economic hardship to an extent. They also revealed that the N25,000 credited directly into their banks accounts was used for different purposes, including setting up of small businesses and to support existing ones, feeding, payment of school fees, medical bills, amongst others.
Recall that the Federal Government had emphasized that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme is targeted at uplifting poor and vulnerable Nigerians, as well as an immediate intervention to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and other economic shocks.
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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu had hitherto stated that: “61 million Nigerians stand to benefit from the scheme every month in October, November and December; 15 million households will be receiving 75,000 Naira over three months”.
Here are some testimonies of some beneficiaries of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme:
Funke Ogungbesun said, “I thank the Federal Government for what the government has done for us. I use the money to open my shop”.
Precious Nwamaka: “Infact, I’m very happy to see such a huge amount of amount of money unexpectedly in my bank account because I did not expect it. I use it to support my business”.
Shedrack Willie: “I did not believe it, I received it in the night and it really helped me and my family. So I thank the Federal Government for this palliative”.
One of the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, who didn’t want his name on print had this to say: “I got alert of N25,000, before then I don’t know what to do about my child who was in the hospital, but as soon as the alert came I used it to pay my child’s hospital bill. So, I thank the Federal Government so much, this money really helped me”.
On her part, Sekinat Galadima, a resident of Kuje, FCT-Abuja said, I used the money to support my pure water business and school.
Alhaji Yusuf Baba, a leader of one the communities in the Federal Capital Territory revealed that beneficiaries in his community are using the money from the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme to support their businesses. He however expressed joy over the impact of the initiative.
It is noteworthy that the Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer programme is not the only initiative the Tinubu administration has adopted to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
Recall, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Edu had announced the Federal Government’s plan for provision of a special grant of N25,000 each under Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme to vulnerable pensioners in the country.
Dr Edu, also revealed that the Federal Government is working on a strategy to pull 50 million people out of poverty in the next 42 months, stressing that President Tinubu is deliberate in different poverty alleviation programmes to help the vulnerable in the country.
