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Alleged N528bn graft: EFCC pledges to probe Matawalle

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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.

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Nnamdi Kanu’s Radio Biafra paralyzed the economy of South east through the sit@home orders—-DSS

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The Department of State Services told the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday that the broadcasts by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East region.

The fourth prosecution witness, a DSS operative codenamed Mr DDD for security reasons, testified before Justice James Omotosho, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

Mr DDD, in his testimony, said Kanu’s broadcasts incited the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order through its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network.

“From my investigation, the defendant’s broadcasts directly contributed to economic paralysis in the South-East, as they fuelled the enforcement of IPOB’s sit-at-home order,”

 

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Chuba Okadigbo international airport in Ebonyi commenced full flight operations Today

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Commercial flight operations at the Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, have commenced following successful rehabilitation of its runway and six months of charter test flights.

Few days ago ‎the Commissioner for Aviation and Technology, Dr. Ngozi Obichukwu, revealed that United Nigeria Airlines will commence scheduled commercial flights from June 13, offering routes from Onueke to Abuja and Lagos and today that became a reality as first commercial flight has landed at the airport

‎For now operations will run twice a week—Abuja flights on Mondays and Lagos flights on Fridays.

‎ the commissioner for aviation in Ebonyi state, has stated that Honourable governor of Ebonyi Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, has made air travel affordable by subsidizing ticket prices to a flat rate of ₦100,000 for both Lagos and Abuja routes—less than half the typical fare,” Dr. Obichukwu stated.

‎The commissioner emphasized that Ebonyi State is set to leverage the airport’s cargo facilities for international export of agricultural produce and solid minerals, including yams, rice, cassava, salt, and limestone.

“We are in talks with partners from Dubai and Canada to establish cargo flight arrangements. Ebonyi is ready for global trade,”

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Explosions in Tel Aviv as Iran launches major missile attacks on Israel

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Iran has fired hundreds of various ballistic missiles towards Israel.

Iran described it as the beginning of its “crushing response” to Israeli attacks on the country on Friday.

The development comes after Ekwutosblog reported that Israeli military carried out dozens of airstrikes on Iran.

 

Many media outlets report that smoke could be seen rising from Tel Aviv, and explosions were heard in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem following the retaliation from Iran.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces, IDF, have confirmed that Iran launched major ballistic missiles against Israel.

IDF said defence systems were actively intercepting the threat.

Authorities in Israel have issued an urgent directive to all civilians to enter a protected space immediately and remain there until further notice.

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