News
Kogi former Commissioner for Culture in N69 million scandal as fear grips directors
The former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Yahaya Bello’s first tenure, Mr. Paul Ugbede Ebije allegedly carted away the sum of N69 million when he held sway.
The N69 million was meant for the rehabilitation of eleven tourist sites which spreads across the three Senatorial districts of Kogi State, CAPITAL POST learnt.
It was further gathered by CAPITAL POST that the former Commissioner allegedly diverted the funds, a matter that has resorted to investigation by officials of the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Kogi State Police Command on the prompting of the governor.
Following the complaint, all heads of department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the immediate past permanent Secretary of the ministry have been invited for questioning over the missing funds and were seen at the Command headquarters of the Nigerian Police.
Those who spoke to our correspondent under anonymity exonerated themselves and insisted that it was the Commissioner that should answer for the alleged missing fund.
Though, some Head of Departments feigned ignorance, fear however gripped the Ministry officials having being officially invited to explain the circumstances surrounding the missing funds.
Paul Ugbede Ebije was appointed in replacement of Mr. Arome Adoji who was sacked by Governor Yahaya Bello for unexplained issues.
In a statement dated December 5th 2018, Secretary to the State government, Mrs Folashade Ayoade announced Dr. Paul Ugbede Ebije as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism to take over from Mr. Adoji alongside 15 other aides.
Investigation by this newspaper revealed that Gov. Yahaya Bello refused to return him in his second tenure following “security checks that the former Commissioner suddenly acquired some properties in real estate in Abuja in less than one year in office.” A situation that infuriated the governor while he ordered that investigation be carried out into the matter.
As at the time, aides who served in Bello’s first tenure were lobbying to be returned shortly after the November 16 governorship election which Yahaya Bello purportedly won, the Commissioner’s name was among those lobby was being intensified for consideration, but did not pass, as the governor announced a different name.
The state police Command while confirming the development through the public relations DSP William Aya, that the matter is before the police criminal investigation department and that investigation into the matter is on to unravel those behind the missing funds.
Our correspondent could not get the details of statements made at the Police Command as at Tuesday, but would reveal those accomplishes, if any, as investigations continue.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has confirmed that the representatives of the petitioners seeking to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District have now provided their contact details.
In a statement on Wednesday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said:
“The contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission.”
He added that INEC has formally notified the senator about the recall petition.
“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address,” Olumekun stated.
He further explained that the same letter had been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.
Speaking on the next step, Olumekun said INEC would now verify the signatures to ensure that more than 50% of registered voters in Kogi Central signed the petition.
“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission,” he said.
Olumekun reassured Nigerians that the recall process would be conducted in an open and transparent manner.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has commended his principal for assenting to South West and South – South Development Commissions Bills as well as the Nigeria Anti – Doping Bill 2025.
Senator Lado who made the commendation in a personally signed statement, described presidential assets to the bills as monumental milestone and testament to visionary leadership and national progress.
The statement reads: “I extend my warmest congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for yet another historic achievement his decisive and visionary assent to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.
“His Excellency has once again demonstrated that leadership is not merely about policies—it is about impact, legacy, and a deep-rooted dedication to uplifting every citizen.
“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.
Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and North -West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions.
“These commissions will serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. This is the mark of a true statesman—one who understands that a nation’s strength lies in its ability to uplift all regions without bias.
“In the same vein, the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025 is yet another bold step that solidifies Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.
“President Tinubu has once again positioned Nigeria as a nation of high ethical standards, ensuring that our athletes compete on the world stage with honor and credibility. By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.
“This momentous occasion underscores President Tinubu’s unmatched leadership—one that is proactive, decisive, and deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His ability to enact groundbreaking policies that foster unity, drive economic prosperity, and elevate our international standing speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication to national transformation”.
News
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has acknowledged receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District but noted that key contact details of the petitioners were missing.
In a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission stated that the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the covering letter only provided a general location, “Okene, Kogi State,” without a specific address or multiple contact numbers as required by INEC’s regulations.
INEC emphasized that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The commission assured that once the petition meets all requirements, it will proceed with verifying the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open process involving petitioners, observers, and the media.
INEC is currently making efforts to reach the petitioners through other means and urged the public to disregard speculation on social media regarding the recall process.
BREAKING: INEC confirms contact details, begins recall process of Senator Natasha from Senate
APC support group trains over 50 women entrepreneurs
Kano residents benefit from Fidelity Food Bank initiative
Confusion in ISWAP, B’Haram camp, as top commanders eliminated in military’s fire power [Pictures]
Breaking: Bello appoints Ohinoyi of Ebira Chairman, Kogi Council of Chiefs
Amid endless salary cut, Bello takes delivery of Mercedes Benz S class, 2019 model worth N98 million
-
News1 week agoBill to establish National Cashew Production and Research Institute in Kogi passes first reading in Senate
-
News1 week agoReport of attack on Wike’s Port Harcourt residence false, misleading – Police
-
News1 week agoShehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence
-
News1 week agoPlateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm
-
Politics6 days agoOpposition leaders announce coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027
-
Interview1 week agoSenators Natasha-Akpabio saga should have been resolved privately – Rev. Mrs Emeribe
-
Opinion1 week agoSule Lamido, PDP, and the politics of defection.
-
Foreign4 days agoHouthis declare Ben-Gurion Airport ‘no longer safe’ after renewed Gaza fighting