News
Court declares Plateau lawmaker wanted over TETFund contract scam
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, wanted over an alleged fraudulent N73.6 million
Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, contract.
Aliyu, the member representing Jos North State Constituency, was declared wanted by Justice Emeka Nwite who issued the order following an application by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
According to court documents sighted by Ekwutosblog , a businessman, Mohammed Jidda, had petitioned the ICPC alleging that Aliyu had promised to help him secure an N850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos, with a signed Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
Jidda reportedly paid the lawmaker the sum of N73.6 million upfront, including N52 million meant for Imanal Concept Ltd, owned by one Saad Abubakar – who facilitated the said fake contract.
The court documents further revealed that Aliyu was accused of handing Jidda a fake contract award letter for a N500 million indoor sports hall project and directing him to deposit the initial funds into his personal GTBank account and Imanal Concept’s Zenith Bank account.
The ICPC in its investigations said the sum of N47.8 million was paid into Aliyu’s account, another N22.4 million paid into Imanal Concept’s account, and a further N3.2 million paid directly to Aliyu.
In its submission to the court, the
ICPC said during investigations, the University of Jos denied issuing the contract and later confirmed in writing that the award letter was forged.
The ICPC also told the court that despite repeated summons, the Plateau lawmaker, Aliyu, ignored and failed to honour its invitations to explain his role in the fraudulent contract award, even though he had severally acknowledged receipt of messages through the Clerk of the Plateau State House Assembly and on WhatsApp.
The anti-graft agency also told the court that it had credible intelligence that the lawmaker had allegedly concluded plans to flee country.
The Commission the court to declare him wanted.
In his ruling on the matter, Justice Nwite granted ICPC’s request to declare Aliyu wanted, authorising the Commission to publish his name in national newspapers and on social media.
The wanted order also empowered security agencies and private citizens to arrest the lawmaker and hand him over to the Commission to face a 32-count charge bordering on fraud, forgery and diversion of funds.
However, Aliyu has denied any complicity in the contract scam.
When contacted, he denied the allegations, insisting that at no time did he defraud Jidda.
The lawmaker claimed he has refunded N45 million from his account to Jidda’s Mohiba Investment Ltd, and argued that the matter was a civil dispute over consultancy services rather than a criminal case.
He also denied forging the contract award letter, saying his role was limited to delivering the document. He added that his lawyers had written to the ICPC, notifying the Commission that the matter was already before a civil court.
Business
Fuel price hike: Gov Makinde announces N10,000 transport support for workers
The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance as a palliative for the state workforce to cushion the effects of the increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as petrol.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, Kayode Martins, in a statement released on Monday, March 23, disclosed that the governor has granted the request of the union on the issue of transportation allowance.
The statement read
“Following the intervention and formal request made by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) earlier this morning, the state government has approved a N10,000 transportation allowance for all workers in the state.
The newly approved allowance is set to take effect from April 2026, providing much-needed relief to workers grappling with rising transportation costs amid current economic challenges.
This development comes as a direct response to sustained advocacy by the state NLC, aimed at cushioning the impact of increased living expenses on the workforce.
Further details on implementation are expected to be communicated by the relevant government authorities in due course.”
News
Former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation bags 72years imprisonment for diverting N868.46 million security funds
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, March 23, convicted and sentenced Chukwunyere Nwabuoku, former acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), to a 72-year jail term without an option of fine.
DailyTrust reports that in the judgment delivered, Justice Omotosho held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had been able to prove the nine-count money laundering charge beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the judge, the defendant is hereby convicted as charged.
Justice Omotosho convicted Nwabuoku in all the nine counts and sentenced him to eight years imprisonment in each of the counts, making 72 years.
The judge, however, ordered that the counts shall run concurrently.
Justice Omotosho, who described Nwabuoku’s act of diverting funds meant for security and defence while he served as Director of Finance and Account in the Ministry of Defence as “appalling,” commended the EFCC for being detailed in its prosecution.
The judge observed that the evidence of the 9th prosecution witness that Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded part of the siphoned money of over N200 million during investigation was not controverted by the defence.
Nwabuoku served as the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry of Defence between 2019 and 2021. He became acting Accountant General of the Federation in May 2022.
News
11 more arrested over Ozoro “r@ping festival”
The police in Delta state have arrested eleven more suspects over the sexu@l ass@ults recorded during what was described as a “r@ping festival” in Oramudu Quarters in Ozoro last Thursday, March 19.
In a statement released on Saturday, March 21, the spokesperson of the command, SP Bright Edafe, said the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) was tasked with conducting a detailed investigation into the incident.
Edafe said operatives of CP-SAT conducted a thorough analysis of available video evidence and intelligence, leading to the arrest of eleven additional suspects identified as Samson Atukpodo, Steven ovie, Ugbevo Samson, Afoke Akporobaro, Evidence Oguname, and six others. Edafe mentioned that these latest arrests bring the total number of suspects currently in police custody in connection with the incident to fifteen (15)
“The Command reiterates that preliminary findings indicate that the unfortunate incident was perpetrated by criminal elements who exploited the situation to engage in acts of sexu@l v!olence, which are in no way representative of any legitimate cultural practice.
The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Aina Adesola, condemns these acts in totality and reassures the public that the Command remains resolute in its determination to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Members of the public, particularly victims and witnesses, are once again encouraged to come forward with credible information that will aid ongoing investigations. The Command assures that all information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality.”the statement in part reads
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