Alleged N423bn Scam: Northern Christians Give EFCC 72 Hours To Arrest El-Rufai

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  ABUJA – As debate continues to heat up around the allegation of misap­propriation of funds by the for­mer Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; another group has come out to charge the anti graft agency to do its job by arresting him. In a statement made avail­able to newsmen on Thursday and signed by Barr. Gideon Jato and Bro. Sunday Adoka, Presi­dent and Secretary respectively of Northern Christians Accord (NCA); the group reiterated that, it was long overdue for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and probe Mallam El-Rufai. The group wondered why it would take the EFCC such a long time without taking action, even when series of petitions have been submitted at the national headquarters, after the Kaduna State House of Assembly indict­ed El-Rufai and some key officials of his government of allegedly embezzling the sum of N423 bil­lion. The Kaduna State Assembly ad-hoc committee probing the financial dealings of the eight years administration of former Governor El-Rufai had in June, 2024, indicted him and some key members of his cabinet for al­leged corruption in the awards of contracts and management of both domestic and foreign loans obtained by his government. In the report submitted to the House by the chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Henry Danjuma, it said that there was evidence of several cases of corruption in the running of the affairs of the Government, Ministries, Depart­ments, and Agencies in Kaduna State from 29th May 2015 to 29th May 2023. After adopting the report, the House recommended, amongst other things, that the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service with­draw the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account domi­ciled at Zenith Bank as Security for N20,000,000,000.00 guaranteed in 2023 forthwith and request the bank to refund all monies deduct­ed on account of the purported illegal guarantee together with the accrued interest thereof. The House also recommend­ed that all the Commissioners of Finance and the Accountants General of the State from 29th May, 2015 to 29th May, 2023 be referred to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for thor­ough investigation. Subsequently, a group under the auspices of Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG), in July 2024 took petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against Mallam E-Rufai and his men, over an alleged N423 billion fraud. Seven months after the indict­ment by the Parliament and the attendant petitions to the anti graft agencies, no action has been taken to arrest or probe the former Governor. “We perceive this as an affront and total disregard to the rule of law and a great insult to the sen­sibility of the people of Kaduna State, especially the institution of the State House of Assembly. “For the EFCC and ICPC to have closed their eyes and shut their ears against the indict­ments, petitions and cries of Ka­duna people, only means they are in support of corruption in Nigeria and as such, shielding El-Rufai. “It is very glaring that the law in Nigeria is centrifugally posi­tioned to favour some people and witch-hunt others. We remember how the EFCC was battling day and night a few months ago, looking for former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over a petition from a group in the state. “But the same EFCC has bra­zenly become blind, deaf and dumb over the El-Rufai issue, de­spite the indictment by the House of Assembly, and having received a series of petitions from various groups. Whereas, in the case of Kogi State, the Assembly did not indict the former Governor, but EFCC went for him, arrested and arraigned him. But Kadu­na is a special case that cannot be handled, because El-Rufai is untouchable? “The man who was alleged to have stolen N80bn is already standing trial. Why is it taking EFCC and others years to prose­cute a man who was indicted of almost N500bn? “The Northern Christians Accord is giving the EFCC and other agencies responsible for the arrest, prosecution and recovery of the N423bn confirmed by the Assembly to have been allegedly embezzled by El-Rufai, to do the needful and save themselves and the nation of this monumental embarrassment. “Failure to do so, we shall not hesitate to create awareness about the complacency of the agencies, both within Nigeria and to the international commu­nity. We shall also mobilise our members across the 19 northern states, to match the headquarters of EFCC and National Assem­bly”, the group added. Independent NG

Fraud: US To Deport Convicted Nigerian

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  The United States Department of Justice has disclosed that a Nigerian, Edwin Okoronkwo, who was sentenced to 75 months imprisonment for defrauding some Americans, will be deported after completing his jail term. Okoronkwo was said to have connived with his wife, Julie Okoronkwo, who was also sentenced to 25 months imprisonment for her role in the catfishing scheme that targeted unsuspecting Americans. The conviction was contained in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro from the US Department of Justice website on Thursday. The statement disclosed that the convicts who were permanent residents of the US, used stolen identities to disguise themselves as a high-ranking member of the US military to defraud their victims. ‘In some instances, they claimed to be high-ranking members of the United States military on overseas missions. Through the “catfishing” schemes, victims from all over the country were tricked into sending money through the United States Postal Service and other commercial carriers such as FedEx and UPS. “Julie Okoronkwo contacted ‘catfishing’ victims over the phone to further convince them of the legitimacy of their need for cash and obtained from her workplace – a hospital – victims’ means of identification, including their social security numbers and Nebraska driver’s licence information.” The statement noted that following their arrest and prosecution, Julie was sentenced to 25 months in prison on January 10, while Edwin was sentenced to 75 months in prison on January 29 by a US District Judge. The judge also ordered Edwin to pay restitution to the tune of $342,535.00 to some of the victims, a supervised release for three years and deportation. “United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced that Edwin Okoronkwo, age 36, of Nigeria, was sentenced on January 29, 2025, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Okoronkwo to 75 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. “After his release from prison, Okoronkwo will be placed on a three-year term of supervised release and will be deported by immigration authorities. Okoronkwo was also ordered to pay restitution of $342,535.00 to seven victims as a result of his crimes. “Julie Okoronkwo was previously sentenced to imprisonment for 25 months by U.S. District Judge Buescher on January 10, 2025. Judge Buescher stated at Edwin Okoronkwo’s sentencing hearing that the crimes were “truly a tragedy for the victims,” the statement noted. Punch

Minister Of Education Advocates 12-Year Basic Education In Nigeria 

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  The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has proposed a shift to a 12-year basic education model in Nigeria. Alausa made the proposal on Thursday, in Abuja, at the 2025 Extraordinary National Council of Education meeting, which is the highest education policy-making body in Nigeria. Nigeria currently operates the 9-3-4 system, which consists of nine years of basic education, three years of senior secondary education, and four years of tertiary education. However, Alausa pointed out that some of the issues influencing the convening of the extraordinary National Council of Education meeting include the introduction of a 12-year basic education system in Nigeria’s education framework and the approval of a national policy on bullying, among others. “It is important to acknowledge that while the 9-3-4 system of education has its merits, it also has drawbacks, such as the need for students to work to further their education,” Alausa explained. “It is therefore prudent to transition from the 9-3-4 to the 12-4 system of education. By doing so, Nigeria will align with global standards in preparing students for better tertiary education.” “A 12-year basic education model will ensure a continuous, uninterrupted curriculum, promoting better standardisation and fostering quality assurance in the education system,” Alausa said. He argued that a 12-year model will also guarantee that students receive a more comprehensive and continuous learning experience. This, he said, would improve educational outcomes and contribute to a more educated populace that drives Nigeria’s economic development. He also mentioned the planned conversion of federal science and technical colleges into federal technical colleges. The minister emphasised that technical education, which imparts practical and applied skills alongside basic scientific knowledge, is crucial for addressing the current skills gap in the labour market. “The provision of technical education allows a nation’s human and natural resources to be harnessed more effectively. Therefore, technical education contributes significantly to national development, driving cultural and industrial progress,” Alausa noted. He also mentioned that the council was looking at the 16-year policy on admission into tertiary institutions, to be incorporated into the national policy on education. “I am sure many of you have heard about the challenges we face as a nation with talented, bright students being disenfranchised from pursuing tertiary education. In any society, it is crucial to standardise the education of highly functional and exceptionally gifted students. “We are now preventing these students, after finishing secondary education at the age of 16, from attending university until they are 18. This delays their development and harms their futures. These students are capable and brave. If we leave them idle, we risk exacerbating mental health issues,” he said.

Senate Moves Against ‘Japa’ Syndrome

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  ABUJA – The Senate Committee on Di­aspora and Non-Governmen­tal Organisations ( NGO) on Wednesday, declared that the mass migration otherwise known as ‘Japa’ by Nigeri­ans to overseas countries on a daily basis, must be reversed . Chairman of the Commit­tee Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan, made the decla­ration at its maiden meeting held in hearing room 305 of the Senate wing of the Na­tional Assembly. Senator Natasha at the well attended meeting, said reversal of Japa syndrome, will be at the front burner of actions by the commit­tee because the tide must be stemmed. “This committee will do this by collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the area of making Nigerians, particularly youth, to believe more in their country and not the mindset of wanting to rush out of the country . “Patriotism is earned and not enforced or forced , mak­ing us identify a few steps that we can use in building our economy here using our diaspora energy. Advertisement “We’re going to look into countries like India, Paki­stan, even Egypt, in Africa here on how they have grown their capacities and making their countries attractive for a larger percentage of citi­zens to stay . ” The committee will start this process by getting the da­tabase of Nigerians in Dias­pora country by country and also collaborate with various International organizations on areas of focus that can attract many of them back home . ” India is a very good ex­ample of reversing the japa syndrome by being the ICT capacity hub of the world with attendant jobs for its citizens “, she said . Earlier , the immediate past chairman of the com­mittee, Senator Victor Umeh ( APGA Anambra Central) , expressed hope in the ability of Senator Natasha to take the committee to greater heights in the area of tap­ping required resources from Nigerians in Diaspora and at the same time, make the country attractive to those at home the through required collaborations. “I knew that a great suc­cess has come on board for this committee with Senator Natasha on board as Chair­man . “She has what it takes to break into the grounds and then galvanize all efforts to­wards tapping the potentials of Nigeria’s diaspora com­munities.and also collaborate with other stakeholders on reversing the Japa Syndrome “, he said. Independent NG

Abuja Residents Lament As NNPCL Shuts Stations Over Logistics Issues

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  Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have been left stranded and grappling with fuel shortages following the sudden closure of several retail outlets owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited within the capital city. It was gathered that the stations closed for some days, were allegedly ordered by the management of the national oil firm and will continue till next week. The closures, attributed to logistical challenges, have led to long queues at remaining stations, with many motorists and commuters facing hours of delays. At multiple stations visited by The PUNCH on Wednesday, such as those in Lugbe, Airport Road, Zone 3, Lifecamp, and Kubwa, motorists were turned away while attendants sat idly. An attendant at an NNPC station in Garki, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated, “We’ve been dry for two days now. There is simply no product to sell. We are awaiting directives from our suppliers.” Another attendant in Kubwa, identified as Peter, said they have been selling previous petrol stocks and haven’t received fresh products due to the challenge. “We finished our old stock yesterday. We only do not have products for today. We are expecting supplies and will definitely have them by tomorrow. But we have gas available for sale today,” he said. A station manager at the NNPC Life Camp station, who confirmed the challenge and the directive by the NNPCL management, said the closure was due to some internal adjustments that affected all stations. The manager, who declined to give his name, stated, “The reason why there has been no fuel in most of our stations in Abuja here in recent weeks is due to some internal adjustments/programmes being done at the management level. “But there’s no cause for alarm as it is being settled, and a few NNPC stations have started getting fuel and selling to customers. Very soon, between now and next week, hopefully, we are supposed to have fuel here as well. The price still stands at 965 naira per litre.” Our correspondent gathered that the impact of this decision was not immediately felt because its mega stations are still in operation, selling old stock to customers. This development caught many residents off-guard as fuel availability in the capital city rapidly diminished. Efforts to reach the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, on the reasons for the closure, were futile as the spokesperson didn’t respond to messages sent to his line. However, a source within the company confirmed that the closure of the stations was due to unanticipated “logistical issues.”. “We have product in all our depots, but we had some logistics challenges.” Residents have expressed frustration over the situation, with long lines forming at the few operational stations. A driver who spoke to our correspondent said the situation has forced motorists to patronise independent marketers who sell at a higher rate. “I am disappointed with how this situation is being handled. Now I have no choice but to patronise independent marketers who sell at a higher rate.” Punch

Protesters Raze Buildings Linked To Ousted Bangladesh Leader

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  Hundreds of Bangladeshi protesters smashed down buildings connected to ousted former leader, Sheikh Hasina, on Thursday, hours after students with excavators began demolishing a museum to her father. The museum and former home of Hasina’s late father, Bangladesh’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had been set on fire last year during the student-led revolution that ended her 15 years of autocratic rule. Late Wednesday, six months to the day since Hasina fled by helicopter to old ally India on August 5, crowds carrying hammers and metal rods began beating down the walls of the building in the capital Dhaka. Protests were triggered in response to reports that 77-year-old Hasina — who has defied an arrest warrant to face trial in Dhaka for massacres — would appear in a Facebook broadcast from exile. On Thursday morning, diggers were being used to knock down the remaining fire-blackened walls. Protesters also vandalised and torched other houses across the country linked to Hasina, including an arson attack on the Dhaka house of Hasina’s late husband. Prothom Alo, the largest Bengali daily, reported crowds used government-owned excavators to smash down a building owned by Hasina’s family in the city of Khulna. – Vandalised homes – In the western city of Kushtia, protesters vandalised the house of a leader of Hasina’s Awami League party, Mahbubul Alam Hanif. In Chittagong, protesters held a torch procession and smashed a mural of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. There has been no formal comment on the wave of attacks from the interim government, and security forces stood by allowing protesters to storm the buildings. A private security guard in the neighbourhood said he had called the fire service more than a dozen times fearing that the flames would spread to nearby buildings crowded with families. “We cut off the electricity line ourselves,” Jamal Uddin said. “I don’t know when the situation will return to normal.” A shopkeeper living near Rahman’s former home said he was worried about the chaos. “This vandalism is not a good sign,” he said, asking not to be named as he was fearful of reprisal for speaking out. AFP

Tunisia President Sacks Finance Minister

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  Tunisia’s President, Kais Saied, has sacked his finance minister and appointed a magistrate to the role. Michket Slama Khaldi will take on the country’s finance portfolio, the presidency announced on Facebook overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, alongside images of her taking the oath of office. The presidency gave no further details, nor did it mention outgoing minister Sihem Boughdiri Nemsia. The new finance minister had headed a national commission tasked with recovering embezzled public funds. Tunisia has over the past two years suffered sporadic shortages of basic items such as milk, sugar and flour. Recently, there has also been a scarcity of domestic gas cylinders, which are widely used for cooking and heating. AFP

Access Bank Champions Accelerated Action For Africa’s Sustainable Future

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  LAGOS – Access Bank PLC has reinforced its leadership in sustainable finance and climate action as the Gold Sponsor of the Nigeria Climate Change Forum (NCCF) in Abuja, which brought together Africa’s most influential policymakers, global investors, and sustainability pioneers to drive urgent action towards a net-zero future for the continent. At the NCCF, Dr. Gregory Jobome, Executive Director of Risk Management at Access Bank, delivered a compelling presentation on “The Role of Innovation and Technology in Africa’s Net-Zero Transition.” He emphasised the urgency for Africa to leapfrog traditional development models by leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable finance to accelerate the transition to clean energy. Dr. Jobome also highlighted Africa’s heightened vulnerability to climate change, particularly in scenarios where global temperatures exceed 1.5°C. He called for urgent, transformative action to mitigate risks and ensure climate resilience. During a high-level panel discussion, the Access Bank Group Head of Enterprise Risk Management provided insights on unlocking financing for renewable energy projects in Nigeria. The session showcased the Bank’s leadership in pioneering sustainable financing solutions, including green bonds, blended finance, and public-private partnerships (PPPs), outlining a roadmap for Africa’s energy transition. Access Bank: Financing a Green Future for Africa Access Bank continues to lead the charge in financing Africa’s low-carbon transition through groundbreaking initiatives: •Africa’s First Corporate Certified Green Bond – Investing in climate-resilient projects, setting a precedent in green finance for the region. •Securing Climate Finance – Attracting global capital to accelerate renewable energy, low-carbon transportation, and climate adaptation initiatives. •Driving Renewable Energy Investments – Financing solar farms, wind energy projects, and energy-efficient infrastructure to propel Africa’s clean energy revolution. •Leading the Decarbonisation Movement – Deploying solar-powered ATMs, championing paperless banking, and implementing waste recycling programmes to reduce institutional emissions. Pioneering Innovation for Africa’s Green Economy Recognising the critical role of innovation in sustainability, Access Bank is driving transformative financial and technological solutions to enhance Africa’s climate resilience: •Smart, Low-Carbon Infrastructure – Financing sustainable buildings, energy-efficient systems, and green supply chains to foster urban sustainability. •Circular Economy Innovations – Scaling investments in waste-to-energy technologies, biodegradable packaging, and sustainable manufacturing to promote a circular economy in Africa. A Unified Call for Accelerated Climate Action As Africa’s leading sustainability-driven financial institution, Access Bank is spearheading collective efforts toward a net-zero future. Through strategic collaborations with governments, international financiers, and industry innovators via the Sustainable Finance Accelerator Program, the Bank is mobilizing large-scale investments to drive Africa’s green transition. “Africa is experiencing a wave of innovation and technological advancement, much of it in collaboration with global partners. However, we are still at an early stage. To create meaningful opportunities for the continent’s rapidly growing youth population—who are eager to engage in the green economy—we must scale up efforts. Financial institutions have a pivotal role to play in this transformation,” said Dr. Jobome. Additionally, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, underscored the crucial role of women in driving Africa’s net-zero agenda. She noted that women are disproportionately affected by climate change and called for increased public-private partnerships to empower women in climate action. The NCCF served as a crucial platform for key stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions and shape actionable strategies for Africa’s sustainable future. Access Bank remains committed to driving impactful, long-term solutions that will ensure a resilient and thriving continent for generations to come. •About Access Bank PLC Access Bank PLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE. Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings Plc, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks. As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

Police Rescue Kidnapped ASP, Three Others In Edo

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  The police in Edo State have rescued Elisha Jeremiah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, who was kidnapped on January 29, 2025 while travelling to Anambra State. He was seized along Okhuesan-Ewohimi Road in Edo with other passengers, including Ayedele Ebenezer of Ogbidi Road, Uromi and Useni Inusa. Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) announced this on Tuesday night. Yamu said: “Following the kidnap of the travellers, operatives of Ubiaja Divisional Police Headquarters, in a joint operations with other tactical teams, immediately went on the trail of the kidnappers. “The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, ordered additional deployment of Police Mobile Force personnel to ensure the rescue of the victims and arrest of the perpetrators. “The team, acting on intelligence today (February 4) at about 1530hrs, mobilised to the bushes around Ugbebor, in partnership with local hunters and vigilance members. This effort paid off, as the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled, when they sensed that the operatives were closing in on them.” The PPRO also assured that the command was committed in its resolve to rid Edo of all forms of crime.

Shell Reports Oil Spill In Port Harcourt, Blames Saver Pit Overflow

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  Shell Petroleum, yesterday, reported an oil spill at Ogale, near Port Harcourt, after a saver pit overflowed during flushing operations. The company said its spill response team contained the overflow and informed authorities. Shell added that arrangements were being made for a regulator-led joint visit to determine the cause and impact of the spill, a Shell spokesperson said in a statement. Also, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria, said the spill occurred after an underground pit filled with crude started flowing to a pipeline that separates an area of the Ogoni cleanup project. Decades of oil spills have blighted Nigeria’s Niger River delta region, causing widespread environmental damage that has destroyed the livelihood of millions in the local communities and impacted their health. Vanguard

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