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How Abubakar Sadiq-led faction of ICDA spent N118.892 million in 3 years [Investigation]
Amid conflicts of interest and supremacy battle that rocked the Igala Cultural Development Association of Nigeria (ICDA), the sum of N118,892,004.00 (One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand and Four Kobo) was generated by the Abubakar Sadiq-led faction of ICDA within three years.
According to the Bank documents which was exclusively obtained by CAPITAL POST at Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area in Kogi East Senatorial District, the ICDA account no. 4847576031 (Corporate Current Account) domiciled with First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and operated at Anyigba branch, ICDA had the cash flow from 4th May, 2018 to 5th July, 2021, a time that our correspondent commenced investigation into activities of ICDA.
Out of the total of N118,892,004.00, (One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand and Four Kobo). the sum of N118,879,375.26 (One Hundred and Eighteen Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira, Twenty-Six Kobo) has been withdrawn, leaving a balance of N12,646.74 (Twelve Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Six Naira, Seventy-Four Kobo, as at 5th July, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Abubakar Sadiq-led Executive jettisoned the former ICDA account no. 4847576017, a Corporate Current Account domiciled with FCMB which was handed over to them with the sum of N116,681.01 (One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, One Kobo, still in that account as at 5th July, 2021.
The ICDA account operated by Abubakar Sadiq was designed as “ICDA IGALA HOUSE PROJECT”, in which he personally deposited the sum of N5000 (Five Thousand Naira) on 4th May 2018 and thereafter had monies flown into it from Kogi State government, individual politicians, and businessmen.
CAPITAL POST gathered that Kogi State government made releases into the ICDA account as a way to penetrate the Eastern Senatorial district ahead of 2019 governorship election. For example, on 20th May, 2018, Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris lodged the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in the ICDA account.
It was also discovered that the State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello made contributions to the ICDA account at various times. Though, his name wasn’t on the manifest list of donors, but each amount he donated was itemised as ‘Governors support’.
Documents further showed that the Deputy Governor Mr. Edward Onoja who was the Chief of Staff to Yahaya Bello between 2015 and 2019 was the brain behind much of the funds generated into the coffer of ICDA, thus, the factional group enjoyed tremendous government patronages. Onoja was the highest donor, who donated on his personal capacity, on behalf of the governor and he did mobilise all the nine Local Government Administrators to contribute into the account at every month.
The ICDA house project having been completed, became the campaign bait by government of the day during the electioneering campaign, vis-à-vis, the ‘ene omuneme’ slogan to force Bello’s government down the throat of Kogi East people, a source who didn’t want his name mentioned told CAPITAL POST.
Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho who was an aspirant at that time gave N5,000,000 having N2,500,000 two times, while the highest fund Dangote Cement Factory donated was N3 million.
Out of the three House of Representatives members from Kogi East who were all aspirants, it was Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims who donated the sum of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
Unfortunately, the ICDA which is the Igala people’s apex socio-cultural group, has been mirred in controversy. Whereas, Abubakar Sadiq-led leadership was seen as government controlled leadership, to harvest and marooned the people into accepting Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s government and to vote him for a second tenure of office in November 2019 governorship election, some elders were of the school of thought that the ICDA’s boat has been rocked, hence, there was need for intervention.
It was the intervention of elders in the full knowledge of the late Royal Majesty, Dr. Idakwo Ameh Oboni II that set the stage for a ferocious battle, as the Board of Trustees dissolved the Sadiq-led executive on June 15, 2020 and inaugurated an 8-man caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the group. In apparent disregard to the BoT’s move, Sadiq-led group inaugurated their own board members in a manner that was opaque and strange to the ICDA constitution, even as his BoT ran into legitimacy crisis with Barr Usman Kabir and others distancing themselves from the purported appointment.
Though, the Sadiq-led executive is sustained by government patronage, the Caretaker Committee chaired by Chief Oyibo Samuel insisted that the latter’s activities were illegal, he has been dragged to Court, while they urged all well meaning Igala sons and daughters to ignore them.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar Sadiq’s phone number has been unavailable for days, hence, CAPITAL POST was not able to verify some questionable withdrawals, believing that before the next report, he would have been reached.
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.
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline is pleased to announce the resumption of flight services from Abuja to Jalingo and return. Overland Airways has also introduced Lagos to Jalingo flights through Abuja.
Overland Airways has been the pioneer airline on the route for years but flight services were temporarily suspended in November 2024 due to expansion work at the airport. The airline is now set to reconnect the two cities providing passengers with convenient and reliable travel options.
Effective April 3, 2025, Overland Airways will resume three (3) weekly flights on the Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights will depart Abuja to Jalingo at 10:00am and Jalingo to Abuja at 11:30am.
Passengers across Overland Airways network including Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Minna and Ilorin, amongst others can connect to Jalingo through our hub in Abuja.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: “We are excited to reintroduce our Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja services which will not only enhance connectivity but also boost economic activities in Taraba State in particular and the Northeastern region of Nigeria in general. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Governor of Taraba state, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the Danbaba Suntai Airport. We would like to also thank our customers for their patience and understanding and assure them of our usual excellent customer services.”
Jalingo has been a long existing route for Overland Airways, and for the very first time, Overland Airways will be operating our brand-new Embraer 175, a dual-class 88-seater modern jet aircraft featuring Premium class seats with spacious legroom and the regular Economy class on this route. We are keen on providing our Jalingo travellers with unparalleled convenience and comfort.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
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