Details have emerged of alleged mismanagement of local government funds in Ogun State after a local government chairman on Sunday accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of withholding statutory allocations from the federation accounts to local governments in the state. The Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Wale Adedayo, said the governor had perpetrated the illegal act since he took office in May 2019. Mr Adedayo made the accusation in a letter he addressed to a former governor of the state and a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Osoba; and made public on Sunday. Mr Adedayo is a member…
Author: Adewale A.
BudgIT, a foremost civic-tech organization leading the advocacy for accountability, transparency, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, is pleased to announce the 2023 recipients of the prestigious GovSpend Media Fellowship. After a rigorous selection process, these exceptional individuals have been selected for their outstanding potential to drive positive change in governance. The GovSpend Media Fellowship aims to empower and support talented individuals in their pursuit to promote transparency and accountability in government. The selected participants for the 2023 GovSpend Media Fellowship are James Ojo from Legit.ng, Daniel Ojukwu from Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Alfred Ajayi from Radio Nigeria, Abubakar Ismail…
In a verdict delivered on Tuesday, 29th August 2024, a 25-year-old barber, Ogudu Matthew, and his associate Ajayi Osamuyi, were found guilty and subsequently sentenced to incarceration by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court situated in Benin City, Edo State. The conviction stemmed from their involvement in internet fraud. The pair faced a single-count charge of impersonation and fraudulent pretence, as presented by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Ogudu and Osamuyi’s journey to prison was initiated following their apprehension, prompted by intelligence connecting them to online fraudulent activities. During the…
Officers from the Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended 17 individuals suspected of engaging in online fraudulent activities on Tuesday, 29th August 2023, at various locations within Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The arrests took place following a meticulously planned sting operation, prompted by a series of intelligence reports that had linked the apprehended individuals to a spectrum of cybercriminal endeavours. Among the seized possessions were advanced mobile devices, a television, a crimson Toyota Camry LE vehicle, an ebony Honda car, and a pair of Lexus cars. Upon the completion of the ongoing investigations, the…
There are pressing tasks to be carried out urgently by the new Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). Major reforms of the criminal justice system, with particular reference to the utter confusion in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), are urgently needed. Also, there is a need to unbundle EFCC and restrict them to investigation only while a new National Prosecution Agency ought to be established. Another key reform would be a completely decentralized Police Force at the local, state and…
BudgIT, a civic-tech organization leading the advocacy for transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, calls for openness and accountability concerning the distribution of the five billion naira relief fund approved by the Nigerian Federal Government to state governments. The recent economic crisis and escalating cost of living nationwide, particularly in essential commodities such as food items, have sparked reactions. In response, the Federal Government approved N5 billion as palliatives to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to cushion the impact of the petrol subsidy removal. According to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, 52% of…
The primary concerns for Nigerians right now are security and food. It is essential to avoid any actions that could further escalate the already tense atmosphere and adversely affect the poor and vulnerable population in Abuja. Unfortunately, numerous displaced communities from states ravaged by banditry are being relocated to Abuja without sufficient shelter and food. These individuals often gather near road junctions, seeking alms, and later retreat to makeshift shelters. Tragically, young girls and even married women are exposed to criminals who exploit them as sex slaves in exchange for basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. Moreover, there is…
Can They See Us? is a suspenseful film based on a true event about a young boy named Joseph who has albinism. It emphasises the various difficulties he encounters as he grows older and how music and love help him to cope with them. It is a tale of variety and self-discovery that is both inspirational and aspirational. The movie’s emotional appeal touches everyone’s heartstrings and inspires a shift in perception of others around the world who are albino. The story transcends the boundaries of culture, religion, race, and nationality. Mr. Lawrence Thompson, a legend in Zambia, wrote the script…
BudgIT, a civic-tech organization leading the advocacy for transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery in Nigeria, calls for an immediate release of a transparency and accountability plan to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promises are fulfilled following the President’s July 31st national broadcast concerning the nation’s current economic crisis. On July 31, 2023, while addressing the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, among other key issues, said a budget of N75 billion will be allocated from July 2023 to March 2024 to support 75 promising manufacturing enterprises with N1 billion credit each at 9% interest for up to 60 months for…
The imposed Caretaker Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party in Ekiti State, Architect Sodiq Oluwole Obanoyen, has been told to face the herculean task of resuscitating his dead political career in his home State, Ondo, rather than carrying on his head a non-existing title of caretaker chairman of the PDP in Ekiti State. In its reaction to a press statement ascribed to Obanoyen, castigating the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, a group in the State, the Ekiti Democratic Coalition (EDC), said it was insulting that it was a failed politician from Owo, in Ondo State that is speaking for…
Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu instructing Federal-owned universities to impose no increment on school fees on students, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has slammed new charges on its earlier increments that students kicked against and the police prevented them from staging a public protest about. The school this week imposed N50,000 charges on fees it earlier increased to N140,000 and above. This happens to be the latest in a series of fee hikes under the administration of the current Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola, who happens to be the school’s first female head, appointed in October 2020. In addition, the school…
In view of the existence of ungoverned spaces, under-served areas, low personnel ratio, and limited resources available to the Nigeria Police Force policing the country appears like rocket science. However, there is a need for an eye in the sky to provide superior intelligence to security agencies that would enable professionalism, high performance, and adequate reaction time to tame criminals in our society. The era of application of native intelligence by criminal investigative and intelligence officers on the task of tracking criminals has gone into oblivion due to the availability of the tools in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)…
The Ilorin division of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), headed by its Chairman, Barrister Kamaldeen Gambari, paid a visit to the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, August 7, 2023. During the visit, the NBA pledged its unwavering support to the Commission’s relentless efforts in combating corruption. Gambari remarked, “The EFCC and the NBA are collaborative allies in the ongoing fight against corruption,” emphasising the shared commitment to this cause. He further highlighted the gratification of having the Zonal Commander as a fellow member of the legal profession. The primary intention behind the…
In a legal ruling that took place on Friday, August 4, 2023, Andrew Nwadiashi, a 40-year-old banker, and a group of eight individuals involved in internet fraud were found guilty and subsequently sentenced to prison by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court situated in Benin City. Among the convicted were Osawa Marvellous, Etinosa Ogieva, Erharruyi Osaigbovo, Isaac Godstime Eghosa, Obasohan Kelvin, Evans Jessa Mike, Timothy Odion, and Festus Efe Iyengunmwena. Nwadiashi, a banker who worked at the Warri branch of First Bank in Delta State, was apprehended based on a complaint lodged by the bank in 2020.…
The Kaduna State Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has affirmed its commitment to providing support and aid to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its ongoing crusade against corruption within Nigeria. Barrister Godwin Ochai, the Chairman of the branch, made this assurance on Thursday, August 10, 2023, during a visit to the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Commission. Godwin remarked that “the EFCC and the NBA are united partners in the campaign against corruption,” praising as well the cooperation thus far from the Legal and Prosecution Department of the Command. He expounded that the purpose of…
Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City delivered a significant verdict on August 1, 2023, as Destiny Okokhue, Godwin Michael Ejovwoke, and Kazeem Abidemi Samson were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for fraud. The trio faced prosecution on one count charge of intent to defraud and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The arrests were made based on intelligence that linked them to fraudulent activities. Ejovwoke, aged 24, impersonated Clinton Max, a 45-year-old American doctor on Facebook to deceive unsuspecting victims.…
Justice M. S. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Katsina, Katsina State, delivered a significant verdict on August 1, 2023, as Babatude Falade, Hussaini Salako, Abdulfai Abiodun, Ibrahim Lawal, Salako Hussaini, Aliyu Abubakar, Emeka E. Joseph, and Anyalutu Chukudi Promise were convicted and sentenced to prison for identity theft. The arrest of the convicts took place near the Federal University, Dutsinma, Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State, following intelligence received about their involvement in criminal activities. One of the charges brought against them reads, “That you, Anyalutu Chukudi Promise sometime in May 2022 in Dutsinma Local Government Area…
The Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) achieved a significant milestone on August 2, 2023, as ten internet fraudsters were convicted before Justice H. Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja. The defendants, namely Dominic Likwa, Wisdom Ndubuisi, Sheidu Abdulqudus, Samson Chukwudi Ohanwe, Mohammed Kamal, Abdulsamad Yusuf, Okoebor Chavis Odianosen, Tochukwu Ezema Trust, Chinedu Chukwuma, and Timothy Oluwafemi, all pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them. The charge against Chinedu reads, “That you, Chinedu Chukwuma sometime in 2022 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Maiduguri Zonal Command achieved a significant victory on August 2, 2023, as one Baba Mele Isma’il was convicted and sentenced before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri. The defendant faced a one-count charge related to obtaining Two Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,450,000.00) through false pretence. The charge reads: “That you, Baba Mele Isma’il and Bulama Yahaya Jibrin (now convict) sometime in August 2016 at Maiduguri, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Two Million, Four Hundred…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Command has achieved a significant milestone with the conviction of Philemon Moses Cobons (aka Greg Young), Blessed Zugwai Adamu (aka James Smith), and Adajinewa Anaiah (aka Goddes Lex) before Justice A.A. Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court. The charges against them pertain to cybercrime, and their arrest took place at different locations within the Kaduna metropolis. The investigation conducted by the EFCC revealed that the trio used various false identities to entice unsuspecting individuals into fictitious online relationships, with the ultimate goal of defrauding them. Philemon Moses Cobons faced the…