Home Blog Page 111

NASS to Tinubu: Police escorts withdrawal may stop us from visiting our communities

Marcus FATUNMOLE
-
0
NASS to Tinubu: Police escorts withdrawal may stop us from visiting our communities

THE National Assembly has expressed fears that President Bola Tinubu’s recent withdrawal of police escorts from VIPs might not allow its members to return to their homes and constituencies. 

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this at the presentation of 2026 Appropriation Bill by Tinubu on Friday, December 19.

Akpabio said many of his colleagues had expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s directive to the police authorities to withdraw all the officers protecting VIPs to core policing duties, following worsening insecurity in the nation.

Tinubu had on November 23 ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to executive the directive. He subsequently told his cabinet members to get clearance from him before they could enjoy police protection.

The president advised anyone seeking police escort to request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)

The president gave the directive on Sunday, November 23, during a security meeting he held with the Police, Air Force, and Army chiefs, as well as the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja, according to a statement from the Presidency.
“In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities. Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The Federal Government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide,” part of the statement stated.
The order came on the heels of ballooning insecurity in Nigeria. On November 18, two people were confirmed dead and an unspecified number of residents abducted after terrorists attacked Eruku town, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The Kwara State Police Command in a statement on Tuesday, November 18, said the attack left two men fatally shot and several others missing.

Subsequently reports showed that 38 worshippers were whisked away by the gunmen. Tinubu announced their released days later, after the abductors allegedly slashed their ransom to N20 million per head.

Earlier on Monday, November 17, gunmen stormed Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State and abducted several students. They killed the school vice principal.

Similarly, in the early hours of Friday, November 21, terrorists stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, and abducted dozens of students and teachers.

These incidents are just a few of rampant abductions, killings and other crimes by terrorists, bandits and other criminals who operate brazenly across Nigeria.

 

 

 

FEC approves ₦58.47tn 2026 budget, revises exchange rate to ₦1,400/$

Harrison EDEH
-
0
FEC approves ₦58.47tn 2026 budget, revises exchange rate to ₦1,400/$

THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a ₦58.47 trillion 2026 appropriation bill and an amendment to the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), clearing the way for President Bola Tinubu to transmit the budget to the National Assembly.

The meeting held earlier on Friday, December 19, was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who addressed newsmen after the meeting, said the budget consideration and approval for onward transmission to the legislature topped the agenda for the meeting.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, also informed that the Council approved a downward revision of the exchange rate assumption in the MTEF from ₦1,512/$ to ₦1,400/$, with consequential adjustments to the overall budget size.

According to him, the proposals were earlier presented by the Ministry of Budget and the Budget Office and reviewed by members of the Federal Executive Council before approval.

Providing further details, the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, said aggregate expenditure for 2026 was projected at ₦58.47 trillion, representing a six per cent increase over the 2025 budget estimate.

He explained that the figure includes ₦4.98 trillion in projected spending by government-owned enterprises (GOEs) and ₦1.37 trillion for grant- and donor-funded projects.

A breakdown of the spending plan shows statutory transfers of ₦4.1 trillion and debt service of ₦15.52 trillion, which includes ₦3.188 trillion for the sinking fund to retire maturing bonds issued to local contractors and creditors. Personnel costs, including pensions, are estimated at ₦10.75 trillion, incorporating ₦1.02 trillion for GOEs and reflecting a seven per cent increase over the 2025 provision.

Overhead costs are projected at ₦2.22 trillion, while capital expenditure stands at ₦25.68 trillion, about 1.8 per cent lower than the 2025 capital allocation and reflecting what officials described as a more conservative approach focused on completing ongoing projects.

Capital allocation priorities include ₦11.3 trillion for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), ₦2.052 trillion for multilateral and bilateral loans, and ₦1.8 trillion as the capital component of the Development Levy.

Yakubu said the 2026 budget was designed to balance macroeconomic stabilisation with the development objectives of the current administration.

He noted that budget assumptions were conservative and realistic, particularly on oil price, exchange rate and GOE dividends.

While revenues are projected to decline year-on-year, he said non-oil revenues would account for about two-thirds of total receipts, underscoring a structural shift away from oil dependence. Corporate income tax, value-added tax, customs duties and independent revenues are expected to remain the main fiscal anchors.

According to the Budget Office, expenditure growth is driven largely by debt service, wages and pensions rather than discretionary expansion, while the larger deficit reflects legacy fiscal rigidities rather than policy loosening. Financing of the deficit will rely mainly on domestic borrowing, complemented by concessional multilateral loans.

An earlier report by The ICIR revealed that there were doubts over 2026 budget projections after the Federal Government admitted that it realised just ₦10 trillion out of the ₦40 trillion revenue targeted for the 2025 fiscal year.

AI-generated misinformation we debunked in 2025

Fatimah QUADRI
-
0
AI-generated misinformation we debunked in 2025

As of 2023, most deepfake videos had red flags like blurred ears, odd lip-syncing, and glitchy shadows that made them detectable.

By 2025, these flaws had all but disappeared. Advancements in AI image generation and real-time face-swapping tools have made manipulated videos almost indistinguishable from real footage, turning simple smartphone clips into powerful misinformation weapons.

Read also: Watch out for these disinformation trends in 2025!

This year, AI-created images and deepfake videos blended so seamlessly into political debates, celebrity scandals, and even breaking news events that spotting what was fake often required forensic analysis, not intuition.

What used to be the domain of specialised creators suddenly became mainstream. Political actors, scammers, and propagandists quickly took advantage.

Here are some of the major deepfake videos and AI-generated videos that we fact-checked in 2025

AI-generated R. Kelly song

In January, a viral video claimed that jailed singer R. Kelly had released a new song titled My Soul Cries Out. The clip showed a man resembling R. Kelly performing in a prison jumpsuit and quickly spread on social media.

Upon fact-checking, we found the claim to be false. The video showed signs of AI generation, including unnatural movements, inconsistent facial features, poor lip and hand synchronisation, and even spelling changes on the prison uniform. Audio checks also failed to link the song to any official release.

The original video was traced to a YouTube user who disclosed that both the song and visuals were created using AI tools. The creator had a history of producing AI-generated music attributed to R. Kelly.

Image depicting Wole Soyinka as a hunter

In February, a viral image shared on X claimed to show a Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka dressed as a local hunter in Ogun State. The image resurfaced amid growing concerns about digitally altered visuals online.

Findings by The FactCheckHub showed the claim was misleading. Reverse image searches traced the photo back to 2014, when it first appeared on internet forums as a “funny” image. Visual analysis revealed blurring around the neck area, indicating digital manipulation. Further checks using TinEye confirmed that the original image does not depict Soyinka.

Video showing Kwankwaso and Ganduje in a fight

A viral Facebook video claimed to show former Kano State governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje exchanging punches after a photoshoot. The clip, widely shared in early 2025, appeared dramatic and resembled a Kung Fu-style fight, further fuelling existing political tensions between supporters of both men.

When we analysed the video, it was evident that it was AI-generated. A reverse image search traced the original image used to create the clip to a 2012 photo of Ganduje presenting an award plaque to Kwankwaso in Abuja. Further analysis revealed watermarks linked to an AI tool commonly used to animate still images into fake fight scenes. The claim was therefore misleading, with the viral video identified as a deepfake created from an old photograph.

Salah quitting Liverpool

A viral TikTok video posted in March claimed that Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season, blaming teammates Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota. The clip, shared in March 2025, quickly gained traction with hundreds of thousands of engagements and was framed as a post-match reaction after Liverpool’s Champions League exit.

Checks showed the claim was false. The video’s visuals were traced to a genuine January 2025 post-match interview with Salah after Liverpool’s win over Lille, where he spoke only about his goal record and the team’s performance. The TikTok version was digitally altered: it was mirrored, had manipulated audio, and carried a disclaimer admitting it was edited using an AI tool. The misleading clip highlighted how AI-generated and doctored videos increasingly fuel sports misinformation in 2025.

Wizkid’s ‘free school’

A Facebook post that circulated in early 2025 claimed that Afrobeats star Wizkid built and owns a “Wizkid FC School” offering free education as part of a philanthropic initiative. The image of the building, widely shared across Facebook pages and blogs, was presented as evidence of the project.

The FactCheckHub found the claim to be false. The image was AI-generated, bearing a Meta AI watermark and scoring 98 per cent AI-generated on detection tools. Visual errors, including misspellings on the building signage, further raised red flags. Searches across news reports, public records, and Wizkid’s official channels found no evidence that the singer owns or operates any school.

Burkina Faso tax-free under Traoré

In April, a video circulating on TikTok claimed that Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, had declared the country tax-free, lifting all taxes on salaries, businesses, and foreign investments. The video featured a scripted newscast-style voiceover over unrelated footage, and gained over 150,000 likes and 14,000 shares.

Fact-check by The FactCheckHub found the claim to be false. The video was partially AI-generated, with visual and audio inconsistencies such as staccato movements and out-of-sync speech. A key clip of Traoré was traced to his speech at the 2024 Academic Excellence Day, not an announcement of a tax-free policy.

Official records and credible media sources show no such tax-free regime exists. In fact, Burkina Faso’s 2025 Finance Act, passed in December 2024, expanded the country’s tax base, including e-commerce taxation.

Rihanna’s tribute to Diogo Jota

In July, A viral video claimed that Barbadian singer Rihanna released a tribute song for the late Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota. The 3-minute, 48-second clip showed a woman purported to be Rihanna in gardens, fields, and churches, with fast, staccato movements and inconsistent hand gestures.

The FactCheckHub confirmed the claim is false. The video and audio were digitally manipulated and AI-generated. Rihanna’s last solo release was Lift Me Up in October 2022, and the viral video does not appear on her verified channels. A nearly identical version on YouTube included a disclaimer noting it was created with synthetic media.

Nasarawa flyover collapse

A viral collage claimed that a newly constructed N10 billion flyover in Lafia, Nasarawa State, collapsed barely three weeks after commissioning. Checks by The FactCheckHub show the claim is misleading. The images were traced to an AI-generated video posted by a Facebook page known for its synthetic content, featuring clear visual distortions typical of generative AI.

The false claim gained traction following a real but separate incident in Keffi, Nasarawa State, where part of a flyover was damaged on July 18, 2025, after an overloaded truck struck a beam. No credible media report or official statement confirms a flyover collapse in Lafia.

Lekki flooding and Herbert Wigwe ‘s home

In August, a hyper-realistic AI-generated video shared by X user @classy_jesters sparked wide attention after appearing to show luxury cars being ferried through floodwaters in Lekki, Lagos. The 19-second clip was labelled as AI-generated satire but still amassed nearly one million views within days.

Despite the disclosure, the video’s realism led some viewers to believe it showed a real flooding incident—an assumption made more plausible by Lekki’s history of severe flooding. Comments revealed a split audience: while many recognised the satire, others took it at face value, raising concerns about how easily AI visuals can mislead.

The episode highlights a broader issue: older and less digitally literate audiences often struggle to interpret AI labels or may not understand what “AI-generated” means.

Later the same month, A viral video showing an abandoned house was claimed to depict the late Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe’s home. Findings by The FactCheckHub show the claim is misleading. Reverse image searches traced the video to a Facebook post by a comedian, Classy Jesters, who shared it as a generic, philosophical skit with no reference to Wigwe.

The video also carries a “Jester AI” watermark, confirming it was generated using an AI tool commonly used for hyper-realistic content. Archived footage of Wigwe’s actual residence, published after he died in 2024, shows a completely different property, confirming the viral video does not represent his house or assets.

What were some of the AI-generated, and deep fake videos you encountered in 2025?, let us know in the comment section.

This report is republished from The FactCheckHub.

Africa Travel Week opens submissions for 2026 media awards

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Africa Travel Week opens submissions for 2026 media awards

AFRICA Travel Week (ATW) has officially opened submissions for its 2026 ATW Media Awards, inviting journalists, photographers, videographers, and digital content creators across the continent to showcase stories that celebrate Africa’s diverse travel and tourism sector.

The annual awards aim to recognise outstanding work in journalism, photography, and videography that inspires wanderlust, champions responsible tourism, and highlights the authentic spirit of African destinations to a global audience.

A statement by the organisation noted that a distinguished panel of international experts including Ellie Rothnie, wildlife photographer and Canon ambassador; Kojo Bentum-Williams, founder of VoyagesAfriq; Barry Nield, Global Editor of CNN Travel; Divia Thani, Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast Traveller; and Tom Hall, Vice President at Lonely Planet, will evaluate entries.

The awards span five categories: Sustainability Feature, Visual Tourism, Tourism News, Destination Feature, and Young Talent, each recognising excellence in storytelling, visual presentation, or journalistic mastery.

Entries must have been published or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2025, with the submission deadline set for 16 January 2026. Participants can submit multiple entries per category free of charge and must comply with the awards’ format requirements.

Winners will be announced at the Africa Travel Week Travel Leaders Lunch, with dates and locations to be communicated in advance.

For submissions and more information, media practitioners can visit the Africa Travel Week website or contact wtmafrica.helpline@reedexpoafrica.co.za.

Senate confirms NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Senate confirms NUPRC, NMDPRA CEOs

THE Senate has confirmed the appointments of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Saidu Mohammed as the Chief Executive Officers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), respectively.

The confirmations were announced at plenary following the consideration and adoption of a report by the joint committees on Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), which screened the nominees.

President Bola Tinubu had forwarded Eyesan and Mohammed names to the Senate on Thursday, December 17, seeking its approval to fill vacancies created by the resignation of the former heads of the two regulators.

The appointments come amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies, particularly following the recent resignation of Farouk Ahmed as NMDPRA CEO.

Ahmed stepped down on December 17, after days of controversy triggered by corruption allegations levelled against him by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote. Dangote had petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing Ahmed of abuse of office, financial impropriety and violations of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Among the allegations was a claim that Ahmed spent more than $7 million in public funds on the education of his four children in Switzerland, an expenditure Dangote argued was inconsistent with the income of a career public servant.

The ICPC confirmed receipt of the petition and said it would investigate the claims.

Although the Presidency did not explicitly link Ahmed’s resignation to the allegations, the timing of his exit intensified public debate over the allegations in the petroleum sector.

Similarly, Tinubu announced the resignation of Gbenga Komolafe as CEO of the NUPRC and nominated Eyesan as his replacement.

Both the NUPRC and NMDPRA were created under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to regulate Nigeria’s upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum operations.

Mohammed, who replaces Ahmed at the NMDPRA, is a former Group Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Gas and Power Directorate at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He has previously served as Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Nigerian Gas Company.

AI-generated video of U.S. military announcing takeover of Nigerian army circulates online

Fatimah QUADRI
-
0
AI-generated video of U.S. military announcing takeover of Nigerian army circulates online

A video purportedly showing a United States military officer announcing that the U.S. military would “take over” the Nigerian Army to help end terrorism in the country has surfaced online.

The video, posted by singer and activist, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, shows a man dressed in a U.S. military uniform who appears to be giving an interview. In the clip, the individual is heard saying:

“The U.S. military will take it from the Nigerian Army, and they will do their best to end Boko Haram terror.”

The speaker also encouraged viewers to like and follow the page to “support” the alleged mission.

The accompanying caption read:

Humm, dem done land? Na only terrorist una come kill, or na something else una want? My people waiting una think?

Translated, this suggests that foreign troops may have arrived and questions whether their mission is limited to fighting terrorists or driven by other motives.

As of Thursday, December 18, 2025, the video had garnered over 300,000 views, 1,500 likes, 768 comments, and 675 reposts.

The post triggered concern among users, with many questioning the motive behind the purported U.S. intervention. Some interpreted the video as evidence of possible foreign interference in Nigeria’s security affairs.

One user, @pardox121, commented, “America is literally funding those terror groups. They are not doing that for free; they are definitely going to demand something from Nigeria later. Nothing is ever free.”

However, other users dismissed the claim, describing the video as fabricated.

Given the sensitive nature of the claim and its potential to mislead the public, The FactCheckHub subjected the video to verification.

CLAIM

Video shows U.S. military officer announcing takeover of Nigerian army

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of the claim; Insert false verdict
Screenshot of the claim; Insert false verdict

A keyword search was conducted to identify any official announcement or verified report indicating the presence of U.S. soldiers in Nigeria. No credible news organisation or official source has published such information.

Further examination of the video revealed inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. One of the microphones visible in the clip bore the name “Arise Mevon,” alongside a logo resembling that of Nigeria’s Arise News. However, the text appeared distorted, a known characteristic of AI-generated visuals—and no legitimate media organisation operates under the name “Arise Mevon.”

Additionally, the movement of the microphones during the interview appeared unnaturally swift and fluid, another indicator consistent with artificial intelligence–generated footage.

Closer inspection showed that the video was originally posted on TikTok, as indicated by the visible watermark and username. A review of the TikTok account, @ai_muna, revealed a clear disclaimer in the profile bio stating that the videos are “powered by AI.” The account predominantly features AI-generated content, including the video in question.

To further verify the findings, the clip was analysed using the AI-detection tool Hive Moderation. The results indicated a high level of manipulation, flagging the content as 99.9 per cent AI-generated overall, with 70 per cent AI-generated visuals, confirming that both the imagery and audio were largely produced using artificial intelligence.

Screenshot showing results from Hive Moderation
Screenshot showing results from Hive Moderation

THE VERDICT

The claim that the video shows a U.S. military officer announcing the takeover of the Nigerian army is false; it is an AI-generated video.

This report is republished from the FactCheckHub

FG reopens 47 Unity Colleges

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
FG reopens 47 Unity Colleges

THE Federal Government has reopened all 47 Federal Unity Colleges closed in November following a string of security incidents, including mass abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger States. 

The government, in a statement on Thursday, December 17, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring the continuity of education nationwide.

The closures, directed in a circular dated 21 November 2025, and signed by Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, came after armed men abducted at least 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and killed the school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, while attempting to protect the students.

Three days later, St. Mary’s School in Agwara, Niger State, was attacked, with scores of pupils and staff whisked away.

Following these attacks, the Federal Government ordered principals of Unity Schools to suspend academic activities immediately and release students.

Meanwhile, a statement by the Ministry of Education confirmed that academic activities had fully resumed after strengthening the security architecture around the affected schools,

It noted that students had returned safely, with many concluding their December academic programmes and others completing examinations.

The ministry also assured parents, guardians, and the public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remained its top priority.

It said the government continued to work closely with security agencies to sustain stability and restore normalcy across school environments nationwide.

“The Federal Government remains resolute in its responsibility to protect every Nigerian child and to uphold their fundamental right to education in a safe and secure environment.

“This administration places strong emphasis on human capital development and recognises education as a critical pillar for national growth and development. Accordingly, it remains determined to prevent any disruption to the academic calendar. The safe return of students and the successful conduct of examinations in several Unity Colleges underscore the Government’s resolve to keep learning on track despite prevailing challenges,” the statement added.

The affected Unity Colleges are spread across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and South-West regions, including schools in Minjibir, Zaria, Bakori, Potiskum, Buni Yadi, Bida, Suleja, Ilorin, Ikare Akoko, and Ijebu-Imusin.

Tinubu appoints Musiliu Oseni NERC chairman, reconstitutes board

Harrison EDEH
-
0
Tinubu appoints Musiliu Oseni NERC chairman, reconstitutes board

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mulisiu Olalekan Oseni as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) following the Senate’s confirmation of its members on December 16, in Abuja.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, December 18, said the appointment took effect immediately, as the president equally reconstituted the commission’s board.

Oseni, who was appointed commissioner in January 2017, has subsequently been appointed vice chairman and now the commission’s chairman.

The statement said his appointment took effect from December 1, 2025, and shall subsist until the completion of his 10-year tenure at the commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2023.

Other members of the reconstituted board are Yusuf Ali, an academic doctor (Vice Chairman), Nathan Rogers Shatti (Commissioner), Dafe Akpeneye  (Commissioner), Aisha Mahmud Kanti Bello (Commissioner) Chidi Ike (Commissioner) and Fouad Animashaun (Commissioner)

Ali was first appointed commissioner in February 2022. His designation as vice chairman took effect on 1 December 2025 and shall remain in effect until the completion of his first term. Also, Shatti is serving a second term as commissioner. He was first appointed in January 2017. Akpeneye is serving a second term, having been first appointed as a commissioner in January 2017.

Similarly, Aisha Bello is serving her second term, having been first appointed as a commissioner in December 2020. Ike is serving his first term, having been first appointed as a Commissioner in February 2022, and Animashaun is serving his first term, effective December 2025.

Tinubu charged the board members to deepen and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Nigeria’s power sector, in strict alignment with the letter and spirit of the Electricity Act, 2023.

Brief background about the NERC chairman

Musiliu Olalekan Oseni is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Before his appointment, he served as NERC vice chairman. He was a research associate in economics and finance of the Built Environment at University College London, and previously worked at the Energy Policy Research Group, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

As NERC’s vice chairman, he’s played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s electricity market, championing reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable growth.

He has also played a vital role in tariff reform policies, metering initiatives, and safeguarding the rights of electricity consumers.

 

 

Despite widespread criticism, Senate okays Omokri, Mahmud, 62 others as ambassadors

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Despite widespread criticism, Senate okays Omokri, Mahmud, 62 others as ambassadors

THE Senate has confirmed the appointment of 64 ambassadorial nominees, despite sustained criticism from opposition parties and many Nigerians over their nomination.

Of the confirmed nominees, 34 are career ambassadors, while 30 are non-career. Others are prominent political figures and allies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)

The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired a member of the 10th Senate, Sani Bello.

Among the career ambassadors confirmed by the Senate are Arewa Esther (Oyo), Adeola-Ibrahim Mopelola (Ogun), Ramat Omonbolale (Lagos), Monica Okechukwu Enebechi (Anambra), Adams Bassey (Cross River), Clark Efe (Delta), Mohammed Lele (Bauchi), Muhammad Dahiru (Kaduna) and Ahmed Monguno (Borno), among others.

More controversial, however, was the confirmation of several non-career ambassadors, including Reno Omokri (Delta), former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun), former Rivers State sole administrator, ex-Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Cross River) and former INEC chairman Mahmud Yakubu.

Others confirmed as non-career ambassadors include Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom), Chioma Ohakim (Imo), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Femi Pedro (Lagos), Isaac Adewole (Osun), Ajimobi Florence (Oyo), Sulola Akande (Oyo), Ugwanyi Ifeanyi (Enugu), Jerry Manwe (Taraba), Abas Braimah (Edo) and Onueze Okocha (Rivers).

The confirmations came amid strong objections raised by many Nigerians and opposition parties.

President Bola Tinubu had forwarded the ambassadorial list to the Senate earlier in December, urging lawmakers to expedite the screening to enable timely diplomatic postings.

Part of the nominations were read on the Senate floor on December 4 and referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Their nomination followed the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors by Tinubu in September 2023, shortly after he assumed office.

Opposition parties, particularly the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), had criticised Tinubu’s ambassadorial lists, describing them as ‘scandalous’ and alleging that the administration prioritised political loyalty over merit.

Many Nigerians also expressed outrage on social media, especially over the inclusion of high-profile political loyalists such as Omokri, Fani-Kayode, and Mahmud Yakubu, arguing that the appointments reinforced perceptions of patronage rather than professionalism in Nigeria’s diplomatic service.

The Senate had earlier confirmed three additional non-career ambassadors, bringing the total number of confirmed ambassadors to 67.

They are expected to represent Nigeria in key countries including China, India, Canada, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Kenya, as well as multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, African Union and UNESCO.

Court grants Ngige bail after six days in prison

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Court grants Ngige bail after six days in prison

THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, December 18, granted bail to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

Ngige is standing trial over alleged ₦2.2 billion contract fraud filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The presiding judge, Maryam Hassan granted the bail after hearing arguments from both parties, six days after the former minister was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail application.

Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, was arraigned on December 12 and pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office and receipt of gratification while supervising the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) between September 2015 and May 2023.

In her ruling, Hassan overruled the prosecution’s objection to bail, holding that bail conditions must be reasonable and not punitive.

She noted that imposing overly stringent conditions would amount to a denial of bail.

The court granted bail on the condition that Ngige produces one surety, who must be a director-level officer in a federal government establishment.

The surety is also required to own a landed property within Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and submit the property’s certificate of occupancy to the court.

Hassan further ordered that the former governor surrender his international passport after obtaining a replacement, following his claim that the original passport was stolen.

Pending the perfection of the bail terms, the judge directed that Ngige should continue on the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.

Ngige had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC in October 2025 on self-recognisance and one surety, which allowed him to travel abroad for medical treatment on the condition that he returned his passport upon arrival.

During his arraignment last week, EFCC counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, a senior advocate, urged the court to remand the former minister pending trial.

However, defence counsel, Patrick Ikwueto, also a senior advocate, opposed the request, citing Ngige’s health condition and the fact that he had already spent several days in EFCC custody before being brought to court.

Ikwueto argued that the offences were not capital in nature and did not warrant denial of bail, insisting that correctional facilities lacked adequate medical capacity to manage his client’s health challenges.

Following the ruling, EFCC counsel, Eunice Daylo, requested a trial date, and the court fixed January 28 and 29, 2026, for the commencement of hearing.

The ICIR reports that the EFCC alleged that Ngige abused his office by approving multiple consultancy, training, supply, and construction contracts in favour of companies linked to his associates.

According to the charge sheet, Cezimo Nigeria Limited allegedly received contracts worth ₦366.4 million, while Zitacom Nigeria Limited was said to have secured contracts valued at ₦583.6 million.

Other firms listed include Jeff & Xris Limited, Olde English Consolidated Limited, and Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, with combined contract values running into hundreds of millions of naira.

The commission further alleged that Ngige received cash gifts totalling over ₦93 million through organisations linked to him from companies doing business with the NSITF.

Ngige pleaded not guilty to all charges and will now stand trial beginning later in January.

1...110111112...3,441Page 111 of 3,441