News
N1.25 billion illegal spending: NESREA boss, Jauro indicts Senate, Reps Committee

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has kicked against the extra budgetary spending by National Environmental Standard and Regulatory Agency in 2019 amounted to N1.25bn without following due process of appropriation, describing it as illegal and total violation of the law of the land.

The Committee being Chaired by Hon Busayo Oluwole Oke has therefore resolved to probe the extra budget spending to unravel the mystery behind the illegal act.

Consequently, the Committee has therefore summoned the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committee on Environment to appear before it to explain their role in the spending following allegations by the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Professor Aliyu Jauro that the budget was approved by the Committees.
Responding to query from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation before the Committee, the NESREA boss claimed that the Agency had the mandate of the National Assembly to spend its Internally Generated Revenue IGR, insisting that the budget was approved by the lawmakers.
However, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Oke said that there was no evidence that the budget of the agency was ever tabled before the House at plenary neither was it debated nor approved by the House.
Oke directed the Clerk of the Committee to write letters to the chairmen of the Committees on Environment of both chambers of the National Assembly to invite them to come and explain their roles in the consideration and passage of NESREA’s 2019 budget without the budget being debated at plenary, as the laid down procedure for the budget passage of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government (MDAs).
Oke said that both chairmen be invited for questioning as there were no evidence of the Agency’s 2019 appropriation having been considered and passed at plenary or that it went through the mandatory legislative process of first, second and third reading.
He pointed out that if it was established that both the House of Representatives Chairman on Environment and his Senate counterpart considered and approved the N2.5 billion budget for the agency and authorized it to spend its Internally Generated Revenue in the budget, it would amount to acts of illegality and usurpation of the powers of the President as only he is authorized to assent to the budget for expenditure to commence.
According to him, “From details available in the 2019 submitted audited report of the Agency, there was no evidence of its budget having passed through the rungs of required legislative process of submission of its estimates from the Presidency; no evidence of its receipt at the legislature or that it was debated on at plenary by the House before being committed to relevant committees for the necessary checks before it was compiled along with those of other MDAs and sent to Mr President for assent to become an Act.
“If this is so, then it amounts to the two chairmen of the NASS Environment Committees just sitting back in the corners of their offices and unilaterally approving the NESREA budget and ordering commencement of expenditure without Mr President’s assent, amounting to an acts of illegality and gross insubordination.
Hon Oke also directed that letters be written to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Ojo Olatunde for proof that there was correspondences between the executive and the legislature on the movement of the Agency’s budget for the year under review.
He stressed the need to sanitise the budget process and enthrone accountability in such an important document as the Appropriation Bill.
Oke however warned heads of MDAs invited to respond to queries over their yearly financial statements but refused to honour such invitations to desist from dishonouring the parliament.
He threatened to report such MDAs to the president on the development, telling him that his choices as chief executives were not up and doing in their functions and were in fact undermining the president’s trust in their capabilities to perform and would not shy away from recommending their replacements.

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Rivers Crisis: Wike taunts Fubara, accuse governor of sharing money belonging to State

The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara of sharing Rivers State with those he surrounded himself with who cannot help him.

Speaking at a civic reception in his honor at Abalama Town in the Kalabari Kingdom, organized by NEW Associates, Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, blamed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for instigating the political crisis in the state.

The former governor who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT stated that Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule who recently won their case at the Supreme Court would not be stopped from doing their constitutional duties.
Wike stated this while addressing the large crowd that gathered to receive him, Wike said he attended the event despite threats from certain individuals, emphasizing that the occasion proved the opposition was merely making “radio noise.”
“I heard some people say I wouldn’t come here. Who are they, and how many are they? What you’ve done today shows the world that all the noise on the radio is not the reality. If you are from Kalabari and the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today, God will continue to bless you. I will always stand by you and support you.”
Wike also denied reports that he described the Ijaw people as a minority in Rivers State, stating that his words were taken out of context.
“Some people have deliberately misinterpreted my interview. However they choose to twist it is their business. I simply said we all worked together, and without unity, it would have been difficult to produce the governor. Chief Alabraba did not allow me to rest during the decision-making process; he nearly fainted when we were choosing the candidate.
“Himself, OCJ Okocha, Sergeant Awuse, and Celestine Omehia were present when we met. On the day of the primary, the current governor initially refused to run, saying my Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the candidate instead. Celestine Omehia insisted that Kamalu should run because he believed the governor couldn’t effectively carry out the responsibilities of the office.”
Wike alleged that those surrounding the governor advised him to withhold the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year. He stressed that he would not interfere with the Assembly’s constitutional functions.
“They told you to seize the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year, leaving them without income to feed their families or pay school fees. You were jubilating, and people encouraged you, assuring you that nothing would happen.
“Now, something has happened. I am not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to do its job. People who love peace do not threaten others.
“I told you that the House of Assembly members would not lose their seats. I told you that the local government shenanigans would not stand. I don’t need to be a governor to know that what is illegal is illegal. We fight it constitutionally, following due process. What did we do wrong?
“We simply said that the Assembly members, local government chairmen, and National Assembly members worked hard to make you governor—do not abandon them. But they claimed I was asking for money. Has the money come? Those you are sharing money with, how far?
“Yesterday, I was a bad man, a crook, and a criminal. But it was that same ‘bad man’ who made you governor against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I wouldn’t have done that, and nothing would have happened. I believe in the principle of ‘live and let live.”
Wike also criticized those surrounding the governor, labeling them “natural ingrates” and warning that money is not everything.
“Anyone who is not an ingrate would not associate with what is happening. I told the governor to enjoy what God had given him in peace and not to engage in unnecessary conflicts. But his advisers told him, ‘You are the governor, you have money.’ I agree, but money is not everything. These people have nothing to offer. Now, look at where we are. How far?”
Meanwhile, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, praised Wike for his political acumen and unwavering support for the Ijaw people.
“Wike has worked to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State by following the dispute up to the Supreme Court. We pray that peace will return to the state through this process.
“We will continue to support you at all times and uphold collaboration as a powerful force for advancing the interests of all parts of the state. Your contributions to Kalabari land will remain indelible for generations to come.”

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USPF Secretary commends ITU, UK-FCDO’s partnership on Nigerian rural connectivity

The Secretary of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Yomi Arowosafe, has commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), for their collaboration with Nigerian government to deepen rural connectivity for socio-economic development of the country.

Arowosafe gave the commendation at an Industry-Focused Stakeholders Engagement Session which was organised in Lagos over the weekend by the USPF in in collaboration with the UK FCDO and the ITU. The session built on USPF’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the achievement of wide network connectivity coverage in unserved and underserved communities across Nigeria.

The event was attended by the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Faruk Yabo; the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida; Chief Executives of telecommunications companies, State ICT commissioners, notable industry players, trade associations, development partners, key speakers, distinguished guests and staff of both NCC and the USPF.
The Minister spoke on the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to provide enabling policy directions and initiatives towards ensuring greater connectivity in Nigeria to transform the socio-economic development of Nigeria while the NCC boss, Maida emphasized the Commission’s resolve to continue to back all USPF projects through effective regulatory measures that help in accelerating deployment of necessary digital infrastructure that support the achievement of the Federal Governments’ priority areas and ministerial blueprint.
Speaking at the event, Arowosafe said the engagement reflected the USPF’s shared vision and commitment to expanding inclusive connectivity and that the presence of all other stakeholders at the event underscored the vital role of collaboration in achieving the goal.
He said the theme of this workshop, “Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth”, highlighted government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide, in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint, and Presidential Priority Areas.
“Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners, and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he said.
The USPF Secretary stated that ahead of the session, the USPF gathered input from stakeholders through questionnaires. He said the responses obtained shaped the panel discussions, focused on key strategies to foster connectivity through collaboration and partnerships, strengthen capacity building and security, and explore innovative funding mechanisms for sustainable connectivity.

L-R: Representative of the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), Udoh Indogesit; Nigeria National Consultant, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ogundipe Olubunmi; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMoCIDE), Faruk Yabo; Hon. Minister, FMoCIDE, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida and Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund, Yomi Arowosafe, during the Industry-focused Stakeholders Engagement Session organised by the USPF of the Commission in collaboration with ITU and UK FCDO in Lagos on Thursday (March 13, 2025).
He said the engagement, thus, offered a platform for robust dialogue and practical solutions that address our unique challenges and help improve telecommunications access in underserved regions, while encouraging participants to actively participate, share their expertise, and contribute to shaping outcomes that will strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem and improve the lives of all Nigerians.
“This event marks the beginning of a collective journey toward a more connected, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria. USPF is proud to lead this effort, and we look forward to what we can accomplish together,” he said.

News
Kano gov’t calls for calm, says Appeal Court didn’t set aside judgment recognizing Sanusi as Emir of Kano

Kano State Government has called for calm among residents, Friday’s Court of Appeal judgment did not set aside judgment recognizing Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano State.

The clarification was given on Saturday by the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bar. Haruna Dederi, while addressing erroneous media report on the Court of Appeal judgment.

CAPITAL POST reported on Friday that tension gripped Kano State with security agents taking strategic position to quell any eventualities after the reported Court of Appeal judgment setting aside recognition of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano State.
Derideri however, explained that Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, a party in the case who was dissatisfied with the Appeal Court’s ruling, had applied for a stay of execution pending the Supreme Court’s decision. The court granted the request, but this did not mean it had nullified its previous judgment.
“The Court of Appeal only ordered that the status quo be maintained; it did not set aside its judgment,” Dederi stated.
The State Attorney said: “On January 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal delivered a judgment upholding the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, and setting aside the ruling of the Federal High Court, Kano, which had nullified actions taken by the Kano State Government under the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024.
“Dissatisfied with this decision, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi appealed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and subsequently filed an application for a stay of execution of the Appeal Court’s judgment.
“The panel of justices granted the stay, pending the determination of the substantive appeal at the Supreme Court. This is a routine judicial procedure to maintain the status quo while an appeal is being heard.
“However, it is concerning to see misleading headlines and reports suggesting otherwise. These misrepresentations appear to be aimed at creating discord among Kano residents.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal did not set aside its judgment of January 10, 2025. That ruling remains valid and in effect until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.
“The Kano State Government has instructed its legal team to study the situation and determine the next course of action in accordance with the law.”
The Commissioner warned against attempts to distort judicial processes and called for restraint to ensure peace and order in the state.

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