News
Alleged Bribe for Budget Approval: Reps denies allegation of extortion – Official Statement
The House of Representatives has noted with concern a recent report by PREMIUM TIMES, alleging that some lawmakers in the National Assembly are demanding bribe from Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations.
The 10th House of Representatives is firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest ethical standards in all its legislative activities. These values form the bedrock of our operations. It is, therefore, imperative to address the baseless and sensational allegations in the report, which appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to undermine the integrity of the House and erode public trust in this hallowed institution.
The budget process is a constitutionally guided and transparent exercise. The 2025 Appropriation Bill was presented by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to a Joint Session of the National Assembly, attended by key members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the public.
Following the presentation, various Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been appearing at open Andrew public sessions to defend their budget proposals before the relevant committees. These sessions ensure rigorous scrutiny and accountability in public finance management.
It is concerning, however, that some heads of federal tertiary institutions have failed to appear for these Budget Defence Sessions, despite their constitutional obligation to do so. This disregard for the legislative process not only impedes legislative oversight and undermines the principles of accountability, but demonstrates disregard for the parliament, and the Nigerian people.
Furthermore, it is a matter of public record that some of these tertiary institutions have pending audit queries from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and have consistently failed to appear before the House Committee on Public Accounts to clarify these issues. This evasion raises questions about their governance practices and financial stewardship.
This is in addition to disturbing allegations of sexual harassment, abuse of office and high handedness in their dealings with staff and students, for which legislative oversight provides a crucial platform to address in the spirit of transparency.
It is also noteworthy that recent oversight visits by the House Committee on University Education have revealed troubling governance practices in certain institutions. While the final report is being compiled, preliminary findings in certain institutions suggest a pattern of serious malfeasance that demand thorough investigation. These engagements provide an opportunity for institutions to demonstrate accountability, yet some individuals have chosen to deflect with unfounded accusations and blackmail.
To be clear, the House acknowledges the commitment of the majority of university administrators, who are diligent and patriotic Nigerians working to advance education and national development. However, the actions of a few actors seeking to evade scrutiny cannot be overlooked. The House remains resolute in holding public institutions accountable while respecting due process.
Notably, PREMIUM TIMES has failed to uphold the principles of balanced journalism. The report in question, lacks any diligent investigative effort as they would want people to believe, and instead amplifies fabricated narratives by individuals seeking to evade accountability.
Unfortunately, the medium which has become their preferred outlet for such baseless sensationalism, did not seek a reaction from the House Spokesman before publishing the story, undermining its credibility and professionalism. A reaction was only requested on Monday, two days after the story was already in the public domain.
The House encourages anyone with credible evidence of misconduct to present it to the appropriate authorities, including the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges or anti-corruption agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to independently investigate any claim of impropriety. This is a challenge we have consistently put forth to PREMIUM TIMES, but rather than rising to the occasion in the country’s best interest, they continue to indulge in sensationalism.
Baseless allegations and media sensationalism will not distract the 10th House from its constitutional mandate to ensure accountability, good governance, and the welfare of Nigerians. Institutions that have adhered to laid-down procedures have had their budgets approved without issue, while those with outstanding obligations will be required to meet their responsibilities.
We call on all stakeholders, particularly the media, to approach their responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to nation-building. Together, we can strengthen our democracy and promote a more accountable and transparent governance system.
The Nigerian Council of Legal Education, the academic institute training lawyers before mobilizing for Call to the Bar said, the 2024 Bar Part results would be release any time soon.
The assurance came amid tension by the students who wrote the examination in November and are awaiting release of the results to determine if they have cleared or have to resit papers.
In a memo released and signed by the School management on Friday 28th March, 2025, the attention of candidates and the public was drawn to the fact that the Council has been working on the results and has progressed into a phase where the results will be released soon.
Part of the memo sighted by CAPITAL POST in Abuja said: Candidates who wrote the November 2024 Bar Final Examinations and the general public are hereby notified that the conventional processes leading to the publication of the results after approval by the Council of Legal Education are almost concluded.
“Candidates and the general public are assured that the results will be released shortly.
“The date for the Call to the Bar will be announced as soon as it is approved by the honourable Body of Benchers”, it concluded.
The Northern Senators Forum has expressed its sadness over the lynching of travelers in Uromi, Edo State, saying that they were taken aback over the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians because of the zone where the victims came from.
The Forum was reacting to the attack that led to death of individuals on 27th March, 2025 while travelling to the Northern part of the country after they were tragically stereotyped as Fulani kidnappers and brutally murdered in a despicable manner.
The Forum in a statement issued by its Chairman, Abdulaziz Yar’adua strongly condemn the killing and described it as a heinous act which must be investigated with the culprits brought to book.
It read: “We strongly condemn this heinous act, which is a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims. We urge the Edo State Government to take immediate action to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this gruesome murder.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, with a view to arresting the culprits.
“This swift action demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“As stated in Section 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and residence throughout the country. No citizen can be expelled from or refused entry into Nigeria. We must uphold these fundamental principles and ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
“We call on the Edo State Government, the security agencies, and all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We must promote a culture of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
The Ex-Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke has revealed how the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara ordered bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in 2023 to avoid impeachment moves by legislators loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike.
The governor who was suspended from office in the heat of crisis rocking the State however, swiftly denied the allegation and urged the public to disregard it.
The former HoS who resigned from office recently gave the revelation during a press briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt, adding that bag of money was allegedly handed over to the former House of Assembly leader, Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff to attack the Assembly complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He said, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Nwaeke stated that he resigned voluntarily, countering speculations that he was sacked or pressured to leave.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he clarified.
Nwaeke further alleged that another attempt was made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members but was thwarted by a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
According to him, Fubara had openly expressed a desire to demolish more state property, raising concerns about his leadership style.
He also claimed that Fubara had made comments about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, referencing control over oil pipelines and potential disruptions.
Reacting, Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
The governor described Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday.
“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President,” he said.
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