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BREAKING: Women Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye dragged to Court over alleged N2 billion fraud
Concerned Civil Society Organisations, a group that has bias in fight against corruption has approached Enugu State High Court, asking it to compel Women Affairs Minister, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye to account for $100M World Bank Intervention Funds for Nigerian Women.
This is even as the Minister of Women was also accused of siphoning N2 billion meant for the empowerment of the women in the country.
In the Court documents made available to CAPITAL POST on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu was also joined in the lawsuit as the group is seeking an order of the court compelling the minister to account for the whooping N2billion.
The plaintiffs in the case- Ambassador Onyinye Joy Mamah, suing for herself and on behalf of Heroine Women Foundation and Other Affected Nigerian Women and Amaka-Ajuzie Ogbu, for herself and on behalf of Net Bridge Empowerment Foundation, are asking Ohanenye to also account for $100M intervention funds granted to the ministry by the World Bank in aid of distressed Nigerian women.
The petitioners on behalf of themselves and Nigerian women expressed disappointment at the minister for siphoning intervention funds meant for the emancipation of the Nigerian women.
The petitioners said various actions of the Women Affairs ministry by Ohanenye raised serious questions about the management of funds meant for vulnerable Nigerian women and and children.
Court Document
They described the minister’s application of the various intervention funds available to the ministry as not only flawed but exploitative.
They demanded that Ohanenye provide a full and transparent account of how N2billion was utilised.
Court Document
Similarly, they requested the anti-graft agency to investigate and hold Ohanenye accountable for the misuse of public funds under her custody.
The petitioners said, “Over the years, the minister has diverted an estimated N2billion from various critical projects within her ministry under the guise of empowerment into questionable initiatives. The minister allegedly appoints the contractors for these initiatives, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.”
“We highlight the following examples of these so called empowerment projects: Purchase of Keke tricycles: The minister has proudly touted the purchase of just seven tricycles for women, from she now demands daily payments.”
Court Document
“Purchase of Iron dubbed Steaming Machines and scissors dubbed cutting machines at exorbitant rates of N680,000 per iron and N160,000 naira per scissors.”
“Faceless Benefiaries: A significant number of beneficiaries of these initiatives remain unidentified, leading us to question whether these individuals even exist or if the funds have been misappropriated.”
“Furthermore, we are in possession of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the minister with organizers of an event which she recently disrupted claiming ignorance of the event.”
“The organisers alleged that the minister reneged on the alleged revenue sharing formula few days to the event after they have had committed substantial funds to the event. They were then threatened with disruption unless they complied with her new terms. This type of extortionate behavior is unacceptable and undermines the credibility of the ministry.”
“We demand that the Minister of Women Affairs provide a full and transparent account of how the N2billion was utilised. It’s imperative that the funds allocated for the empowerment of women are used for their purpose and not as a tool for personal enrichment.”
“We call on relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the minister’s activities and hold her accountable for any misuse of public funds. The time has come to put an end to the exploitation of women and children under the guise of empowerment.”
Meanwhile, in the affidavit sworn to by Mamah and Ogbu, at Enugu High Court, they deposed that, “Not long ago during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a loan facility amounting to N100billion had been made available to this country by World Bank for use to better the lives of women.”
“The fund was wholly dissipated and none had gotten to the end users, i.e. the impoverished women of Nigeria, all that they heard was that the whole of N100M had been spent on consultancies, seminars and such other inanities.”
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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