Reveal identities of Companies, contractors who disappeared with N167bn Govt money – Group tells Tinubu
Reveal identities of Companies, contractors who disappeared with N167bn Govt money – Group tells Tinubu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein, to publicly reveal the identities of the companies and contractors who were paid more than N167 billion by 31 federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), but failed to carry out any of the promised projects.
In addition, SERAP is demanding full transparency regarding the specific projects for which these funds were allocated, including their proposed locations, the contractors involved, and the amounts each contractor received.
These alarming findings are highlighted in the recently released 2021 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
According to SERAP, the information should also include the names of shareholders and individuals with ownership stakes in the companies that received the funds but left the projects unexecuted.
SERAP has urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, as well as relevant anti-corruption agencies, to swiftly bring to justice any companies or contractors who misappropriated public funds.
The organization is also calling for these contractors to be publicly named and shamed, and for the full recovery of the N167 billion, which should be returned to the public treasury.
In a letter dated November 30, 2024, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stressed that revealing the names of the guilty parties would expose their involvement in large-scale corruption and deter future abuses.
By holding these companies and contractors accountable, SERAP argues, the government would send a strong message that public funds will no longer be squandered through waste, fraud, and mismanagement.
The letter reads in part: “The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) alone reportedly paid N100 billion to companies and contractors for projects not executed.
“It is important to show that your government would not shield or allow ingrained wrongdoing by companies and contractors to go unpunished.
“Unless the names of the companies and contractors are disclosed and widely published, alleged corrupt companies and contractors executing public projects will not be deterred and the victims of corruption that they allegedly committed will continue to be denied access to justice and effective remedies.
“The allegations of corruption involving many companies and contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 MDAs have continued to impair, obstruct and undermine access of poor Nigerians to public goods and services.
“According to the 2021 annual audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation published on Wednesday 13 November 2024, thirty one (31) ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) paid over N167 billion [N167,592,177,559.40] to companies and contractors for contracts and projects not executed.
“Companies and contractors reportedly collected N100 billion from the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., (NBET) for contracts and projects not executed.
“The thirty other MDAs including Nigerian Correctional Service; National Pension Commission, Abuja; Federal College of Land Resources Technology, Owerri; and Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Office.
“Others include: Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF); Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Niger state; National Centre for Women Development; Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution; National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB); Federal University of Gasua; and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“The companies and contractors that allegedly disappeared with public funds meant for public projects may also be liable for aiding and abetting the commission of acts of grand corruption.
“We would therefore be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Failure to take punitive and dissuasive measures would allow corrupt companies and contractors to continue to undermine the rule of law and socio-economic development of the country.
“Senior public officials who apparently served as intermediaries for these companies and contractors continue to escape justice. The allegations of corruption involving the use of the public funds may be responsible for the developmental challenges confronting the country and lack of effective and efficient public goods and services.
“The allegations that the companies and contractors collected over N167 billion of public funds from 31 MDAs but failed to execute any projects clearly amount to a fundamental breach of national anticorruption laws and the country’s international anticorruption obligations.
“The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs to pay for health, education and administrative services.
“Another consequence of corruption is the growing inequality in the country, where the privileged few have access to all public resources, while the vast majority of citizens are deprived of access to public services.
“Corruption undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of opportunities.
“The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy and the Accountant-General of the Federation have sacred duties to ensure that natural resources and wealth are transparently and accountably used solely for the purposes for which they are budgeted, and for the effective development of public goods and services.
“Your government has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability in how any public funds are spent by MDAs, to reduce vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement.
“The accountability of government to the general public is a hallmark of democratic governance, which Nigeria seeks to practice.
“Ensuring the accountability of companies and contractors and the recovery of any missing public funds would improve public accountability in MDAs.
“Accountability requires transparency. Nigerians’ right to a democratic governance allows them to appreciably influence the direction of government, and have an opportunity to assess progress and assign blame.
“The UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party contains requirements of integrity and honesty in economic, financial or commercial activities-in the public and private sectors.”
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Get rid of Terrorists within 90 days or resign from office – Adeboye tells Service Chiefs
Get rid of Terrorists within 90 days or resign from office – Adeboye tells Service Chiefs
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has called on Nigeria’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign from office, amid growing concerns over insecurity across the country.
In a video shared on the church’s official X handle on Tuesday, Adeboye urged the Federal Government to take decisive and urgent steps to confront escalating attacks, kidnappings and killings in several parts of the country.
“If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, move fast. And tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days, or resign,” Adeboye said.
The cleric noted that while religious leaders can only offer counsel to those in authority, the responsibility for national security ultimately rests with the Commander-in-Chief.
Adeboye referenced past efforts under former President Muhammadu Buhari, recalling that similar directives were issued to security chiefs to combat insurgency and banditry, though he said the targets were not fully achieved within the set timeframe.
In 2021, Buhari had instructed then-service chiefs to “take out” bandits, kidnappers and their sponsors, urging the military to adopt a more proactive approach in tackling insecurity.
Commenting on that period, Adeboye said the directive was not effectively implemented to completion.
“He ran with that advice, but he didn’t follow it through. Because he gave the order as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The three months went, and the work was not done,” he said.
The RCCG leader added that he later engaged the former president on the issue but declined to disclose details of their conversation.
He further urged the current administration to ensure that any renewed directive to security agencies should not only focus on neutralising armed groups but also on those financing and supporting them.
“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists, they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” Adeboye added.
His remarks come amid renewed public concern over insecurity in parts of the country, following a series of recent abductions and attacks on schools and communities.
On May 15, gunmen reportedly attacked two schools in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, abducting several pupils and teachers, with one teacher later killed in captivity, according to reports circulating online.
Following the incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the deployment of 1000 Forest Guards and a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims.
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Five police officers remanded in Prison over alleged murder
Five police officers remanded in Prison over alleged murder
Five police officers accused of involvement in the alleged killing of 28-year-old Delta State musician and delivery worker, Oghenemine Million Ogidi, popularly known as OG Millan, have been arraigned before a High Court in Asaba and remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The officers were brought before High Court 5 sitting in Asaba in a case that has drawn public attention and renewed calls for accountability. Proceedings were held before Justice Marshal Onome Umukoro under Suit No. THC/ASB/CR/M/66C/2026.
The defendants include ASP Usman Nuhu (42), ASP Onoloko Dauroupamo (47), ASP Okoh Kelechi (46), Inspector Goodluck Kingsley (42), and Inspector Omonigho Ahweyevu (41).
The court ordered that the accused officers be remanded at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre pending further legal steps in the matter. Journalists were also reportedly barred from covering the proceedings.
The case was adjourned to June 15, 2026, for arraignment, following a request for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
OG Millan was reportedly killed on April 26, 2026, after he was allegedly intercepted in Effurun, Delta State, while delivering a package said to contain a firearm and ammunition.
Following the court proceedings, the deceased’s elder brother, Victory Ogidi, expressed concern over what he described as poor communication between authorities and the family regarding the progress of the case.
He said the family had been left to depend on social media reports and unofficial sources for updates on both the investigation and court proceedings.
“We lost our brother, and we should not be relying on social media to know what is happening in a case that concerns us directly,” he said.
Victory called on the Delta State Attorney-General, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure transparency and provide regular updates to the family, stressing that their demand was for information, not preferential treatment.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu described the arraignment as a step forward in the pursuit of justice and accountability in the case.
He said the court ordered that the suspects remain in custody while the DPP reviews the file and provides legal advice.
“Today, they finally produced the officers in court, including the principal suspect and others. The judge ordered that they remain in custody while the DPP reviews the case,” Gwamnishu stated.
He expressed hope that the legal process would be accelerated to ensure a full and transparent trial.
However, the activist raised concerns over allegations from the family that they had not been properly briefed on key developments in the investigation, including access to the autopsy report.
He also noted claims that there were attempts to restrict media coverage of the proceedings, including limitations placed on journalists seeking to observe the court session.
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30 days after opposition summit in Ibadan, plan to choose single presidential candidate collapses
30 days after opposition summit in Ibadan, plan to choose single presidential candidate collapses
Opposition political parties converged in Ibadan on April 25, and unveiled what was widely described as their most ambitious political strategy ahead of the 2027 general election: a commitment to rally behind a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The meeting, which drew major political actors across party lines, was intended to reshape Nigeria’s electoral dynamics and prevent the fragmentation of opposition votes that has historically weakened their chances at the polls.
At the time, the coalition argued that failing to present a united front would only reinforce the dominance of the ruling party, and they pledged to avoid internal divisions that had previously cost them electoral victories.
However, barely five weeks after the Ibadan accord, the unity project has effectively collapsed.
Instead of consolidating around one candidate, the opposition has fractured into multiple camps, each backing its own presidential flagbearer ahead of the 2027 contest.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) reportedly settled for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while the Allied Peoples Movement (AMP) nominated Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Labour Party is said to have selected governance and policy expert Chibuzo Okereke, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly backed former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, is said to have chosen former President Goodluck Jonathan.
What was initially presented as a broad opposition coalition aimed at resisting what leaders described as “machinations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to foist a one-party state on Nigeria” has now devolved into competing political interests marked by mistrust and rivalry.
Political analysts say the breakdown of the single-candidate arrangement reflects deeper structural weaknesses within the opposition, particularly the inability of key stakeholders to prioritise collective strategy over personal ambition.
The Ibadan agreement was largely informed by the lessons of the 2023 presidential election, where a divided opposition vote between Atiku, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso enabled Tinubu to secure victory with a plurality of votes.
Opposition strategists had argued that a unified front would be the most viable path to challenging the APC in 2027, forming the basis of the now-fractured agreement.
However, entrenched political interests soon resurfaced, undermining efforts at consensus-building.
Atiku is believed to remain confident in his national political reach and experience, while Obi continues to enjoy strong support among young voters who see him as a key opposition figure.
These competing ambitions ultimately made consensus difficult to achieve.
For months, opposition leaders had warned of an alleged APC strategy aimed at turning Nigeria into a one-party state. Ironically, analysts now argue that the most significant threat to opposition unity has emerged from within the coalition itself.
With multiple candidates now in the field, the ruling APC is expected to face a divided opposition rather than a single coordinated challenger in the 2027 presidential election.
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