Lagos State House of Assembly sets to probe ex–Speaker Obasa over corruption allegations

The Lagos State House of Assembly has announced that former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa’s return to the House will be pivotal in determining the next steps, including the possibility of an investigation into the corruption allegations leveled against him.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Monday at the Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, House spokesperson Olukayode Ogundipe revealed that the Assembly is awaiting Obasa’s physical presence to address the claims against him.

“Once he returns, those issues will be addressed. We’ve also heard allegations about large sums of money being spent by him. While we don’t fully understand how those figures were obtained, once he’s back, we will take action based on the evidence we have,” Ogundipe stated.

The House is also considering whether to involve external bodies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation.

“If the matter escalates, a committee could be formed to look into it, or it may be addressed by the leadership of the House,” Ogundipe added.

“Formal procedures will be followed, and the House will respond accordingly when the time comes.”

This follows last week’s dramatic removal of Obasa as

Speaker, amid ongoing corruption allegations. While the Assembly claims the removal was constitutional, Obasa, speaking to his supporters on Saturday, dismissed the accusations. He challenged his detractors to provide evidence of the alleged corruption, asserting that his ousting was improper.

“If you say I’m corrupt, prove it. Let us see the evidence,” he told the crowd gathered at the Speaker’s Lodge.

Despite Obasa’s stance, the House has remained firm in its position.

Ogundipe reiterated, “Mudashiru Obasa is still one of us, and the process of his removal was lawful and in line with constitutional procedures.”

The political drama surrounding the former Speaker continues to unfold, with all eyes now on his return to the Assembly for the next chapter.

JUST IN; Military clears air amid reports of Bello Turji’s arrest

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has swiftly refuted rumors circulating about the capture of notorious bandit leader Bello Turji, urging the public to disregard such claims as “fake news.”

In a brief statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Edward Buba, the DHQ stated, “All news regarding the arrest of Bello Turji by troops should be treated as fake news, please.”

The clarification came after widespread reports suggested that Turji had been captured by military forces.

This development follows a statement from Brigadier General Opurum Timothy, Commander of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, who labeled Turji a “coward” currently evading capture amidst a military offensive in Zamfara State.

General Opurum reaffirmed the military’s determination to eradicate banditry and restore peace to the Northwest region.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, provided additional information, reporting that Turji was last seen in the Kalage Forest in the Mashema area of Eastern Kagara, Zamfara State.

According to Makama, Turji is operating from the forest alongside two key lieutenants, known as Office and Ibrahim Buzu.

Meanwhile, in a recent update, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, revealed that Turji had expressed interest in negotiating with the Nigerian military, though it remains unclear what, if any, progress has been made in those discussions.

The military’s efforts continue as part of a broader campaign to root out bandits and bring lasting peace to the troubled region.

The Nigerian Police Force has arrested a syndicate supplying motorcycles to Boko Haram terrorists in Niger and Kaduna states.

Terrorists in Northern Nigeria mostly use motorcycles as operational vehicles for kidnapping and attacks on communities.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Benneth Igweh, said acting on credible intelligence, detectives apprehended three suspects in Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State.

Igweh identified the suspects as Shamsuddeen Yunusa, 30; Zaharadeen Saidu, 25; and Mustapha Haruna, 22.

According to him, a total of 22 motorcycles, multiple master keys, and stolen phones were recovered from the suspects.

He said the syndicate specialises in the trade and modification of stolen motorcycles, which are sold or rented to criminals, including suspected Boko Haram operatives active in parts of Niger and Kaduna States.

He said: “In a proactive move to destabilize criminal activities, crime financing, and enabling in the FCT, Niger State, and its environs, detectives of the Zone 7 Headquarters were deployed to Suleja LGA, Niger State, where they successfully apprehended three suspects, namely: Shamsuddeen Yunusa, male, 30 years, from Hong LGA, Adamawa State; Zaharadeen Saidu, male, 25 years, from Soba LGA, Kaduna State; and Mustapha Haruna, male, 22 years, from Gwami, Adamawa State. Twenty-two motorcycles, different types of master keys, and stolen phones were recovered from them.

“The syndicate specializes in buying and selling stolen motorcycles in Suleja, Niger State. They further sell or hire these motorcycles to criminals believed to be Boko Haram elements terrorizing parts of Niger State and Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State.

“The leader of the gang, Shamsuddeen, revealed that he sells the motorcycles at the rate of N200,000 to N250,000. He further added that he recently received N250,000 from one Ibrahim Kabiru, who resides in Birnin Gwari LGA, Kaduna State, as part payment for the supply of Bajaj motorcycles.

“Zaharadeen, on the other hand, is the courier of the motorcycles to the intending buyers. He voluntarily confessed to delivering motorcycles he collects from Shamsuddeen to one Mustapha in Suleja Town. Mustapha Haruna is the motorcycle mechanic of the syndicate. He fixes the stolen motorcycles before their delivery to customers.”