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Ministers, top govt officials others being investigated for corruption allegations

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB) says it is investigating corruption cases involving former ministers, current top government officials and senior public office holders at both federal and state levels.

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The CCB Chairman, Dr Abubakar Bello disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

“We have started investigating high-profile individuals. There is a former minister we have already taken to court.

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“Right now, we are investigating another former minister and also a serving top government official.

“I won’t mention names because we are still at the investigation stage. We don’t want to turn it into a media trial,’ he said.

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Bello added that the bureau had also secured interim forfeiture orders from the courts and recording recoveries from investigations involving local government chairmen and senior state officials

Bello noted that the Nigeria’s anti-corruption war did not target only low-level offenders while shielding politically exposed persons, as alleged in certain quarters

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The CCB Chairman dismissed the allegation, insisting that ministers, senior government officials and other high-profile individuals are currently under investigation.

He explained that the Bureau’s operations are guided strictly by law and due process, not media pressure or political considerations.

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Defending the bureau’s quiet approach, the chairman warned against public condemnation before evidence is established.

“From my experience working with the EFCC, sometimes people write frivolous petitions.

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“Once the media starts reporting it, the person is already labeled corrupt.

“But, if investigations later show he is innocent, his name is already damaged. That is why we only speak when we are ready to go to court,” he said.

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According to him, asset declaration remains the core tool of the bureau’s work.

“Every public officer is required to declare assets at the beginning and at the end of their tenure. It is within this window that corruption is detected.

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“If you declare your assets at the beginning of your tenure and we verify it, we don’t have any issue with you again until the end of your tenure.

“But if at the end of your tenure you suddenly move from ₦10 million to ₦200 million and you cannot explain the source of that increase, that is where we come in,” he explained.

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Bello noted that investigations are not limited to asset comparisons alone.

He said the bureau also acts on petitions and allegations from members of the public and public servants.

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“If there is a petition against you, we investigate.

“If we find that you did not declare your assets or cannot explain the source of your income, we will take you to court,” he said.

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Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s low anti-corruption rating, the CCB boss pointed to structural and operational challenges, including limited manpower, funding and reliance on manual systems.

“We are talking about 4.5 million public servants in Nigeria. We cannot investigate or verify all of them with the resources.

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“To manage this, the bureau has adopted a risk-based approach, focusing its limited resources on high-risk and high-profile individuals where the impact would be greatest.

“That is why it may look like we are selective, but it is not about protecting anyone.

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“It is about using scarce resources wisely to get the highest results,” he explained.

Bello added that the planned transition to an online asset declaration system would significantly improve efficiency, verification and prosecution.(NAN)

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

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National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.

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He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.

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“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.

“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

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Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.

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During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.

However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.

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No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.

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