News
Alleged N528bn graft: EFCC pledges to probe Matawalle

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it will probe allegations of financial misconduct involving the Minister of State for Defense, Bello Matawalle, after a petition submitted by the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance, APC-YLA.
According to the allegations, Matawalle embezzled more than N528 billion during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.
The EFCC gave the assurance during a protest held on Friday at the its headquarters in Abuja, where APC-YLA Convener, Mohammed Ireji, and other protesters demanded the reopening of the corruption case against Matawalle.
Ireji questioned the delay in probing the former governor, citing previous petitions submitted to the EFCC, including those by the APC Akida Forum on May 3, 2024, and a follow-up on September 30, 2024.
Acting Director of Security of the EFCC, Idowu Adedeji, while receiving the petition, said the petition would be submitted accordingly.
The demonstrators called for immediate action, highlighting the commission’s previous successes in investigating and prosecuting other high-profile figures, including former Minister Betta Edu, former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, and former Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State.
The allegations against Matawalle include the misappropriation of N290 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, N133 billion from the Joint Account Allocation Committee, JAAC, and an unexplained N105 billion loan taken during his governorship.
The convener of the group stressed that these were not mere speculations but backed by concrete facts and figures.
“We are here today to formally request that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, reopen the investigation into the corruption allegations against Bello Mohammed Matawalle, the State Minister for Defense. We have gathered facts and figures regarding Bello Matawalle’s alleged embezzlement of billions of Naira,” Ireji said during the protest.
The protest highlighted the growing concerns about selective justice and political interference in the EFCC’s anti-corruption efforts. Ireji challenged the commission.
Business
Sage Grey Finance Appoints Akinsanya as Independent Non-Executive Director

In a strategic move to strengthen its corporate governance, Sage Grey Finance Limited has appointed Akinsanya as its new Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment reflects the company’s commitment to robust leadership as it expands its footprint in lending, investments, and fund management within Nigeria’s financial sector.
Source: BusinessDay.ng
Business
Nigeria second only to India in number of people without electricity – REA MD

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has said Nigeria is the second country in the world with the highest number of people living without access to electricity.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Aliyu explained that only India has more people without power supply than Nigeria.
He however stressed that the current administration has put in place a structured plan to address what he called electricity poverty.
“I recently came across a post by The Economist which showed that only India has more people without electricity access than Nigeria. But unlike many other countries, Nigeria now has a well-structured plan to address this challenge,” he said.
Aliyu noted that the REA does not operate on the national grid but focuses on off-grid and underserved communities.
“If you have a problem with your Disco, that’s not within our mandate. Our focus is on communities without access to electricity,” he clarified.
Highlighting the agency’s ongoing projects, the REA boss pointed to the Distributed Access to Renewable Energy Scale (DARES) initiative, describing it as the largest public renewable energy project in the world.
According to him, the $750 million programme aims to deliver electricity to 17.5 million Nigerians who currently live without power.
News
Anambra youths rescue man chained, confined in room for five years

Youths of Igboukwu community in Aguata Local Government Area have rescued a man who was chained and detained in a room by his father, who had falsely claimed he had travelled abroad.
A video of the rescue of the young man, whose name was given as Chogbo but who is popularly known among his friends in the community as Agudo, has been circulating on social media.
The man was rescued by the community youths after they suspected that he had been confined in a room in his father’s house, while the father allegedly told everyone that his son had travelled abroad.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed the incident, promising to launch an investigation into the matter and to ensure that anyone found culpable is duly punished.
A press statement by the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that the victim has been rescued and is currently receiving care.
He said: “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu has directed police operatives to immediately investigate a disturbing report circulating in the media regarding a young man identified as Chogbo (popularly known as Agudo) from Igboukwu.
“The man was allegedly kept in chains for five years by his father with claims that he had travelled abroad.
“Preliminary inquiries are ongoing to establish the facts, safeguard the victim’s well-being, and the Command assures that where culpability is established, those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“CP Orutugu commended the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.
“The Command commends the youths of the community for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, describing their action as a clear example of community partnership in policing.
“The victim has been rescued and is receiving necessary care, and further development shall be communicated to the public,” Ikenga stated.
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