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FG makes false completion claims over Akwa Ibom Highway project

Editorial
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FG makes false completion claims over Akwa Ibom Highway project

By Ekemini SIMON 

DESPITE billions of naira spent on the reconstruction of federal highways across the country, many of the projects have either been stalled or abandoned. Ironically, authorities have failed to hold to account contractors or the supervising ministries. Investigation reveals that one of such projects, the Nung Udoe-Etinan-Ekom Iman Federal Highway in Akwa Ibom State, has remained a pipe dream for over a decade, even though the Federal Government claims it has been 100 per cent completed.

In the morning of April 13, 2022,  a 33-year-old sculptor and designer from Mbak Ekpe in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Akaninyene Eyo, woke up like every other day with high hopes. He prepared to go out in search of his daily bread without the faintest inkling of what lay ahead. As he rode on his motorcycle to work, tragedy struck along the Nung Udoe-Etinan-Ekom Iman Federal Highway.

An approaching vehicle,  attempting to dodge potholes on the road swerved out of its lane and knocked down Eyo. His motorcycle was badly crushed. But that was the least of the damage from the accident. Eyo was left soaked in a pool of blood and gasping for breath. Although the car which hit him drove off immediately, he was rushed by good Samaritans to the Federal Teaching Hospital in the state capital, Uyo.

After he was stabilised and his wounds attended to, Eyo woke up to confront other serious injuries that he would have to deal with for the rest of his life. The accident had left him with a broken his arm and leg.  He was informed that the nerves on this part of the body had been seriously damaged  and would take time to heal.

Since then, Eyo had been bedridden, unable to walk or use his right arm despite treatment at a government owned hospital, including other private hospitals.

His brother, Innocent Eyo, recalls that his treatment had gulped up to N3.9 million as the family was forced to sell off their piggery, and plots of lands to save him.

“I even had to withdraw my four children from a private school to public school just to have money to take care of him. He is my only sibling,” he said.

Innocent Eyo pointing to the piggery farm they sold to save Eyo.

Eyo only returned home in September 2024 after spending 30 months receiving treatment even though one of his legs remained swollen and twisted, depriving him of standing on his feets beyond a few minutes.

“I cannot work because of my condition. I am now a burden to others, and my life ambitions are all buried. But I still thank God for my life because I am aware of at least five people who died instantly due to similar accidents on the Nung Udoe-Etinan Road,” he said with tears dripping down his cheeks.

Eyo showing his swollen leg

During a visit to a private orthopedic hospital, called Efi-Ekpaha Bone Specialist Hospital, along the highway, there were several survivors of accidents. Six victims who were receiving treatment either due to fractured legs or arms were sighted among them.  Some blamed their accidents on the Nung Udoe -Etinan- Ekom Iman Highway.

The head of the hospital, Aniefiok Ekpaha, said in 2024 alone, he treated 16 accident victims from the highway. He noted that there was consistent inflow of  victims during the rainy season when the ditches and potholes became multiplied.

Signpost of the orthopaedic hospital

A death trap 

Eyo and others who recounted their close encounters with death on the Nung Udoe -Etinan Highway were among the lucky ones who survived. Several others were not so fortunate.

On the evening of October 2, 2024, a 45-year-old man from Mbak Ekpe, Aniedi Udonnwa, while  taking a walk along the road to a meeting, was hit by a speeding vehicle. The accident occurred as the vehicle attempted to dodge a pothole and lost control, hitting Udonnwa. He died, leaving behind two teenage daughters that have become orphans as they lost their mother eight years earlier.

A family member pointing to the grave of a deceased.

Also, Mary Udoh, a pregnant woman from Afaha Offiong, which is along the Nung Udoe-Etinan highway, did not survive to tell her story.  In June 2023, on her way from the farm directly at the market where she went to sell produce to take care of her family, a vehicle knocked her down from behind. It was trying to avoid a ditch around Afaha Offiong roundabout along the highway.

Insight into FG reconstruction contract award

In December 2013, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Nung Udoe-Etinan-Ekom Iman Federal Highway in Akwa Ibom State to Mothercat Limited. According to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request response by the Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State office, the commencement date of the project was January 30, 2014.

The project, which cuts across three local government areas, namely Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ibom and Etinan, is 33.5km long, and 7.3m wide.

According to the information on the job, as contained in the contract document, the contract was awarded at N2.38 billion and the contractor was expected to clear the existing road, carry out earthworks, improve pavement, provide 200mm lateritic sub-base on the carriageway and shoulders, provide 200mm crushed rock base, provide prime coat on carriageway and shoulders and provide surface dressing on shoulders (2.75m on each side).

Others include provision of 60mm asphaltic concrete binder course and tack coat, provision of 40mm asphaltic concrete wearing course, provision of culverts and concrete lined drains, provision of kerbs along high embankments as directed, and construction of 1 No.30m (2X15m span) bridge.

Project abandoned five years after contract award

The FOI response by the Principal Civil Engineer, Madaki Illyasu, on behalf of the Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State office shows that the project was to commence on January 30, 2014 with a 14-month duration to be completed on April 29, 2015.

The FOI response revealed that the contract was further extended for 38 months with a completion date of June 30, 2018. Again, the project was not not executed. According to the Federal Ministry of Works, the contract deadline was extended by the ministry for Mothercat for another 18 months with a completion date slated for December 30, 2020.

It was only in 2019 that the contractor mobilised to site for the construction of a bridge as part of the project, it was gathered

Billions spent on project

In response to a FOIA request to the Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State office in March 2024 seeking information on payments made to Mothercat Limited on the project, it said its office in Abuja was in possession of the information.

A request made to the  works and housing, minister, David Umahi, in March 2024 on the payment was not responded to.

This left this medium with no option than rely on payments published on the Federal Government’s Open Treasury Portal which provide public access to collated data on government spending at the federal level for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The portal launched on December 9, 2019 does not have information on payments made before 2018.

Analysis of the day to day payments on the portal shows that between 2020 through 2023, Mothercat Limited received N1.096 billion for the reconstruction project. The payments breakdown is:

  • April 20 2020:  N174.19m
  • May 31, 2021: N89.29m
  • July 24, 2021: N218.17m
  • Dec 2, 2021: N125.67m
  • Feb 4, 2022: N219.93m
  • June 2, 2022: N179.5m
  • June 15, 2023: N89.77m

Data on the portal also shows that the company received additional payment of N376.97m on March 18, 2020 and N172.4m on June 24, 2022 although it is not indicated for which project it received the payments.

However, information on what the company had been paid between 2014 when they were expected to commence work and 2017 could not be accessed.  A request for information to the company seeking clarification on the total amount they have so far received was not honoured.

The Federal Government has also spent millions of naira on the supervision of the project.

Checks on the Open Treasury Portal show that on June 15, 2022 and November 3, 2022 the sums  of N8.65m and N10.7m respectively, were paid Amana Consortium Limited as part payment for the consultancy services supervision for the reconstruction of the road project.

Project Status Report 

The Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State office in its FOI request response noted that the reconstruction project was 100 per cent executed.

The ministry noted that the following had been done; earthworks for pavement improvement, 200mm thick lateritic sub-base on carriageway and shoulders – executed to 1.943Km, 200mm thick crushed rock base course executed to 2.328km, priming of carriageway and shoulders with bitumen emulsion, 60 mm thick asphaltic concrete binder course executed to 1.220km

Others are, bituminous tack coat on carriageway executed to 1.220Km, 40mm thick asphaltic concrete wearing course executed to 1.695km, surface dressing of shoulders 12.2km (on both sides of the road), concrete lined drains 11.5km, 1 No. 30m (2x15m span) bridge, road marking executed to 2.1Km, and signages 16Nos installed.

Status Report exposes 100 per cent completion as misleading 

An analysis of what the government said has been done with the scope of the work raises questions on its 100 per cent completion claims. For instance, according to the scope of the work, the road must be cleared and earth work must be carried out. Yet, in the status report, the government said earthworks were only done for pavement improvement.

The general state of the road.

Although the scope of the work states that there will be provision of 200mm lateritic sub-base on the carriageway and shoulders on the 33.5km long and 7.3m wide road, the status report said this was executed to 1.943km.

While the scope of work provides that there will be provision of 200mm crush rock base on the stretch of the road, the status report said this was executed to 2.328km

While the scope of the work noted that there will be provision of surface dressing on shoulders (2.75m on each side), the status report said this was executed up to 12.2km on both sides of the road.

The scope of the work provided for a 40mm asphaltic concrete wearing course. Yet, the status report said this was executed to 1.695km.

While the scope of the work provided for culverts and concrete lined drains, the status report claimed this was executed to 11.5km.

The scope includes provision of kerbs along high embankments as directed. This was not included as executed in the status report.

Government claims versus what is on ground 

When our reporter visited the entire stretch of the road, it was observed that a few sections were stable but, in most parts, it was characterised by alligator cracks, portholes, eroded shoulders and pavement failures.

The portion of the road from Nung Udoe to Afaha Offiong roundabout is riddled by potholes and ditches.

It was observed that a bridge has been constructed by Mothercat at the river that separates Ikot Obio Etan and Ikot Iwud in Nsit Ibom local government area.

The road was only well constructed around the bridge. Google Map, an Open-Source App, was used to measure the kilometers of work implemented.

The bridge constructed by Mothercat

From the bridge facing Etina, the road was asphalted to the drains at 500 metres while the asphalted portion which the width does not reach the drains was 300 meters.

There was surface dressing on the shoulders with crushed rocks on this portion.

Down the bridge facing Nung Udoe road, the asphalted portion with width to the drains was measured 600 metres while the asphalted portion without width to the drain was measured at 200.6 meters. The total kilometers of work executed aligns with the status report by the ministry but with discrepancies on the width not covering up to the length.

The crown Prince of Ikot Iwud, Akpaobot Isong, who hails from one of the villages where the width of the asphalted road is not executed to the drains said when they noticed the standard was dropped and the road was becoming thin in width, they approached Mothercat over it but nothing was done.

Also, while the government claimed that the drains have been provided up to 11.5km which would have been 34.3 percent of the stretch of the road, what was actually measured through the use of the Google map app was 6.5 kilometers. The drain covers intermittent stretches from Afaha Offiong down to the bridge and from Afaha Offiong roundabout to the road leading to the council secretariat still at Afaha Offiong.

There were a few remnants of some crushed rocks poured by the shoulders of the road around Ikot Annung and Ikot Ediom villages along the highway. However significant portions of the rocks have been washed away suggesting shabby execution.

Residents of these areas  said that the construction of the bridge by Mothercat commenced in 2019 while they carried out other works in 2021.

State government intervenes

Due to the poor state of the road, the government of Akwa Ibom State under the Udom Emmanuel administration had to intervene on the Etinan-Ekom Iman section of the road project. The road project completed by the state in 2023 has being dualised. This leaves the Nung Udoe -Etinan section still characterised by alligator cracks, several portholes, eroded shoulders and pavement failures leading to accidents that claimed many deaths.

Etinan-Ekom Iman section dualised by the government of Akwa Ibom State

Due to the significance of the road in connecting other parts of the state including Governor Umo Eno’s hometown; Nsit Ubuim, the state government in November 2024 intervened on the road by filling the potholes that riddled the road in preparation of the burial of the late Governor’s wife, Patience Umo Eno.

The state government has announced plans to dualise the Nung Udoe -Afaha Offiong section of the road to link with Eket -Etinan-Ekom Iman highway which has already been dualised. This project, as captured in the 2024 approved  state budget, cost N1.5bn.

Government claims contract review affected project completion

When the findings of this investigation were shared with the Principal Civil Engineer of the Federal Ministry of Works, Akwa Ibom State office, Madaki Illyasu, an engineer, that the stretch of the road has not been completed against government’s status report of the project which claimed 100 per cent completion, he admitted that only about 15 kilometres (km) out of 33.5km stretch has experienced various forms of intervention by Mothercat.

Going by the about 15km intervention admittance, it implies that only 44.7 percent of the entire stretch received attention from government.

While noting that Mothercat had initially surveyed the entire 33.5km stretch, did bush clearing for shoulder improvement on the road, the Principal Civil Engineer said that the failure to complete the reconstruction of the stretch of the road stemmed from the ministry’s decision in Abuja to review the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) thrice. BEME is a list of work items, their quantities, and their estimated costs. He said the review was caused by the variation of prices and inflation.

Illyasu, whom investigations reveal had worked as a staff of the contractor, Mothercat Limited between April 2009 to January 2013 before his work with the Federal Ministry of Works, said the main target of the project was the provision of the bridge as the project was facilitated by Senator Ita Enang. He added “The level of work executed on the road is based on the quantity of items provided on the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation. We have reviewed that BEME up to three times. The contractor worked based on the last review. Our directors from Abuja came and confirmed that those items as provided for in the last reviewed BEME are there. They had a one-year maintenance period and they used it to maintain the road. After one-year maintenance period, the contractor is not liable again.”

The claim by the government is questionable. In March 2024 this medium had requested for all the contract documents and information associated with the project. The documents on the BEME reviewed thrice were not shared. It only came into the picture when the newspaper queried how the ministry said the work was100 percent completed as against the provisions in the scope of the work provided by the ministry.

Also, the ministry’s claim of 100 percent completion of the “Reconstruction of the Nung Udoe Etinan-Ekom Iman Road in Akwa Ibom State” is misleading as less than a half of the stretch is worked upon and consequently diverted federal government attention on the need to complete the project.

When contacted, Senator Ita Enang who facilitated the project said it was not correct that the main purpose of the reconstruction was the bridge as claimed by the ministry. He said the reconstruction was to cover the entire 33.5km stretch.

Enang said he has observed that the project is not yet completed hence he plans to meet the Minister of Works, David Umahi, over the abandoned part and assured that even though the project is not captured in the 2025 budget of the federation, he hopes to explore other sources of funding to ensure the road is revisited and completed.

Mothercat silent over discoveries

Findings show that this is not the first time Mothercat Limited has failed to follow its scope of work in project execution. For instance, the contract for the dualisation of the Obajana-Benin Road awarded to Mothercat and two other companies in 2012 was recently terminated for non-performance.

A release signed by the the Minister for Works, David Umahi, said Mothercat and other contractors abandoned the project, showing no genuine commitment or good faith towards executing the projects.

Checks into the Open Treasury Portal show that between October 2018 and February 2022, Mothercat Limited alone had received N1.28bn for the road project yet showed no commitment in implementation as reported by the works minister.

In mid, late December 2024 and January this year several attempts were made to reach Mothercat Limited for response to the findings in this investigation. Mothercat currently does not have an office in Akwa Ibom State. The two phone lines provided on its website were not reachable. A mail sent to the Managing Director of the company through its official mail address on December 27, 2024 sought the company’s response on the findings.

The request specifically sought to know when the company plans to complete the project as captured in their scope of work, how much the company has so far been paid for the project and what is limiting the completion of the project and any other remarks from the company. This was not responded to before press time despite a reminder  on January 13, 2025.

As stated earlier the Federal Government had also spent N19.35 million to Amana Consortium Limited to supervise the work which is expected to give a report about the state of the project.

When the company was reached through the phone lines provided on its website in mid and late December for information on their report about the status of the road, the phones rang unanswered. Text, WhatsApp messages, and mail sent to the company on December 27, 2024 were not responded to. This newspaper visited their Ewet Housing Estate office in Uyo on January 13, 2025. Throughout the two hours of waiting at the security post of the company, no one attended to the reporter after filling the visitor’s note.

Despite its deplorable state coupled with the 100 per cent completion report, checks into the 2024 Appropriation Act and 2025 proposed bill of the Federal Government, the Reconstruction of Nung Udoe -Etinan- Ekom Iman Federal Highway is no longer captured, implying that attention is no longer on the road having been adjudged as completed in the books.

National Assembly to investigate project 

The National Assembly has assured that the controversies in the contract execution  of the project by Mothercat Limited will be investigated.

The Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Aniekan Bassey, assured that he will undertake findings and ensure the Senate investigates it.

Also, the member representing Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Uruan, Nsit Atai Federal Constituency, Mark Esset, expressed shock over the fact that the reconstruction of the road was awarded and money paid without impact.

He assured that he will personally undertake on-the-spot assessment and cause the project to be investigated by the House of Representative if he discovers issues of concern.

Gospel singer accused of killing ‘corper’ in Abuja pleads not guilty in court

Mustapha USMAN
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Gospel singer accused of killing ‘corper’ in Abuja pleads not guilty in court

A GOSPEL singer Timilehin Ajayi, charged with the murder of Salome Adaidu, a 24-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Abuja, has pleaded not guilty despite his earlier confession to the crime.

Ajayi, 32, was arraigned at the Nasarawa State High Court on January 17, on charges of culpable homicide punishable by death under Section 221 of the Penal Code. 

The court ordered Ajayi’s remand at the Lafia Correctional Facility, pending further hearings.

Ajayi was arrested on January 12 in New Karshi, Karu Local Government Area, while transporting Adaidu’s severed head in a polythene bag. 

The ICIR reported that police investigations revealed he had dismembered the victim’s body into more than 50 pieces after killing her at his residence, allegedly driven by jealousy over suspicions of infidelity.

During his parade at the Nasarawa State Police Command headquarters, Ajayi confessed to the crime, claiming jealousy and suspicions of infidelity drove him to kill Adaidu during her visit. 

He admitted to using a knife and machete to dismember her body, placing the remains in polythene bags.

“I killed her because we don’t have each other all the time. It’s not something I planned. It happened on that day and it happened. Not that I had the plan in mind, she was cheating. 

However, during his court appearance on Monday, January 27, Ajayi pleaded not guilty, prompting public outrage and calls for justice from advocacy groups and Adaidu’s family.

Afe Babalola drops lawsuits against Farotimi after Ooni, others’ pleas

Bankole ABE
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Afe Babalola drops lawsuits against Farotimi after Ooni, others’ pleas

THE founder of Afe Babalola University, based in Ado, Ekiti State, Afe Babalola, has agreed to drop the defamation cases he instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

This followed the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional leaders in the South-West.

Babalola had petitioned the police commissioner in Ekiti State that Farotimi defamed him in a book he authored. The police arrested Farotimi in Lagos State and whisked him to Ekiti state where they arraigned him before two courts. The courts eventually detained him for weeks.

However, in the early hours of Monday, January 27, Babalola, who spoke at ABUAD after the monarchs’ intervention at midnight of Sunday, January 26, said he had agreed to withdraw the litigations.

The senior lawyer said he would tell his lawyers to withdraw the case.

Among the monarchs who joined Ooni at the meeting hosted by Babalola were the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oloye of Oye Ekiti, and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti.

During the meeting, Babalola said he emphasised the significance of the Yoruba traditional institution and stressed its importance.

“The monarchs are here; they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt,” Babalola stated.

The nonagenarian said that he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption, the reason he said he rejected all earlier appeals to him to withdraw the cases from courts.

Babalola said other prominent Nigerians had reached out to him to drop the case against Farotimi, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.

He said it was the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, and other top Yoruba monarchs that ultimately led to his decision to withdraw the suits.

Babalola stated that Farotimi’s book contained personal attacks on many judges, including Supreme Court judges, but he was particularly bothered by the attacks because of his humble beginnings.

He explained that he was not motivated by a desire for personal gain, such as wealth or damages, but rather by a desire to use his resources for the benefit of others. Babalola said he found happiness in giving and that he would not benefit from Farotimi’s imprisonment or seeking damages.

The Ooni, who spoke on behalf of Yoruba monarchs, requested Babalola to withdraw the case in court, assuring him that “nobody can tarnish your name. Your name is more than silver and gold and you have stood for your name with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi acknowledged Babalola’s significant contributions to the development of Yoruba, Nigeria, and the world.

“We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution. We have heard you enough, enough, and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our way; we have done the needful.” the revered traditional ruler said.

The ICIR reports that a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State granted N30 million bail to Farotimi on Friday, December, 20.

The bail conditions granted him by the court’s judge, Abayomi Adeosun, include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens, and the defendant’s international passport seized by the court.

As part of the bail condition, Farotimi was restricted from media interviews during the pendency of the case.

Farotimi, renowned for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for justice, was arrested following a petition filed by Babalola.

Babalola claimed the accused defamed him in his book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

Davos 2025: Fact-checking Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum

Fatimah QUADRI,  Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA  and  Abdullahi MURITALA
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Davos 2025: Fact-checking Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum

FOLLOWING his inauguration as the 47th US President, Donald Trump, addressed the audience virtually at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Thursday last week.

The WEF‘s 2025 annual meeting took place from January 20-24 in Davos, Switzerland, as hundreds of notable public figures, including scores of heads of state and government as well as global CEOs gathered for the event. The forum provides a unique opportunity for global leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and explore solutions to these complex issues.

This year’s WEF centres around the theme: “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.” The theme highlights the growing divisions in the global community and emphasises the need for collective action to address critical challenges like the climate crisis, economic inequality, and geopolitical instability.

At the event, Trump spoke on various global issues including the US economic situation under the previous administration and his plans for the United States going forward. In this fact-check, we scrutinise some of the claims he made to check their accuracy and provide context.

CLAIM 1

Over the last 4 years, the immediate-past US government racked up $8 trillion dollars in wasteful deficit spending.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY TRUE.

Joe Biden, the immediate-past US President, was sworn in on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 as the 46th president of the United States after he won the presidential race against Trump in November 2020.

A look at the data curated by Bipartisan Policy Centre show that the budget deficits under the Biden administration were $2.8 trillion, $1.4 trillion, $1.7 trillion, $1.8 trillion and $710 billion for the fiscal year (FY) 2021, FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024 and so far in FY 2025 respectively. This amounts to  $8.41 trillion.

However, we could not independently verify if the deficit spending in the last four years was actually wasteful or not.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the immediate-past US government spent $8 trillion dollars in deficit spending is MOSTLY TRUE, according to publicly available data.

 

CLAIM 2

Inflation currently stands at 50 per cent higher than the historic target.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MOSTLY TRUE.

The US Federal Reserve, the central banking system of the United States, set a long-term inflation target of 2 per cent. This target aims to promote price stability and sustainable economic growth. By aiming for inflation that averages 2 per cent over time, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) seeks to ensure that longer-run inflation expectations remain well-anchored at this level.

However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly consumer price index (CPI) report, the United States’ annual inflation rate was 2.89 per cent as of December 2024, up from 2.75 per cent in November – 45 per cent higher than the target. The current rate for the month of January 2025 is yet to be published; as such we can’t categorically determine its percentage as at today.

THE VERDICT

The claim that inflation currently is 50 per cent higher than the historic target is MOSTLY TRUE; findings show that it is currently 45 per cent higher than the target.

 

CLAIM 3

National energy emergency declared as part of the executive order Trump signed on his first day as US President.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

Immediately after his inauguration on January 20, 2025, one of the executive orders signed by Trump (according to the list of Presidential actions on The White House website) include declaring a national energy emergency. In the order, he noted that the United States’ capacity for identifying, leasing, developing, producing, transporting, refining, and generating energy and critical minerals is insufficient to meet the nation’s requirements.

Multiple media reports from The Washington Post, Reuters and The Guardian quoted Trump saying that the nation’s inadequate energy supply and infrastructure was attributed to the harmful and shortsighted policies of the previous administration, and thus exacerbates high energy prices that severely impact Americans, especially those on low and fixed incomes.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Trump declared a national energy emergency as part of the executive order he signed on his first day as US president is TRUE, according to the list of presidential actions and multiple media reports.

 

CLAIM 4

The United States has the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.

According to the United States Energy Information Administration, the US became the leading global crude oil producer in 2018 and maintained this position through 2022. U.S. oil refineries process crude oil sourced both domestically and internationally, with various types of companies contributing to the global crude oil supply.

A 2024 report by Vox noted that the United States is the world’s largest crude oil producer, reaching an all-time high in 2023 by averaging nearly 13 million barrels per day, as reported by the US Energy Information Administration.

Further checks revealed that Venezuela and Saudi Arabia hold greater oil reserves than the United States. Venezuela leads as the country with the highest oil reserves, followed by Saudi Arabia; Nigeria ranks 10th while the United States ranks 11th.

Specifically, Saudi Arabia’s proven crude oil reserves are estimated at 267 billion barrels, significantly exceeding the United States’ nearly 36 billion barrels, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the U.S. has the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on earth is FALSE; while the U.S. is the largest crude oil producer, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have more oil reserves than the U.S.

 

CLAIM 5

Biden administration imposed $50,000 in additional regulatory costs on the average American household over the last four years.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is HALF TRUE.

A report by the United States House Committee on oversight and accountability noted that the Biden-Harris Administration imposed regulatory costs nearly double those of the Obama Administration, despite having only four years to do so compared to Obama’s eight.

The study estimates that the total regulatory burden could amount to $47,136 per U.S. household, which critics argue could negatively impact American families and the economy.

Another article by City Journal highlighted the intensity of the regulation under ex-President Biden as some estimates suggest that Biden’s regulations could lead to a lifetime cost of $47,000 per family.

Furthermore, the study highlights concerns over the regressive nature of these regulations, with low-income households reportedly bearing a disproportionately high share of the costs. In fact, the study suggests that low-income families could pay seven times more in regulatory costs compared to wealthier households, adjusting for their ability to pay.

Another report from Unleash Prosperity highlighted that, based on its main findings, the Biden-Harris administration is set to impose $47,000 in net present value regulatory costs per household from rules finalized during its first term.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the Biden administration imposed $50,000 in additional regulatory cost on the average American household over the last four years is HALF TRUE; while reports confirmed that the immediate-past US administration truly imposed additional regulatory costs, it also showed that the figure is around $47,000. That’s a difference of about $3,000.

 

CLAIM 6

Trump signs executive order to end government censorship saying the citizen speech will no longer be labeled as misinformation or disinformation.

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is TRUE.

On the day of Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president, dozens of executive orders were signed by him shortly before his official inauguration ceremony. These orders revolve around immigration, civil rights, trade, the hiring of federal workers, and U.S. foreign aid to demographic diversity.

Some of the executive orders have sparked concerns mostly among US residents and online. For instance, the order to end birthright citizenship has stirred public debates especially among immigrants in the country. Media reports also indicated that a US federal court has halted the execution of that particular order.

To verify the claim, our fact-checkers reviewed the list of presidential actions signed by Trump as published on the White House website and found out that actions to end government censorship was on the list.

Titled “Restoring Freedom Of Speech And Ending Federal Censorship,” it was among the 60 executive orders signed by Trump on January 20, 2025.

THE VERDICT

The claim that Trump signed an executive order to end government censorship on citizen speech is TRUE; the order was among the US presidential actions signed on January 20, 2025.

 

CLAIM 7

NATO defence spending was at 2 per cent.

THE FINDINGS

Checks by The FactCheckHub show the claim is TRUE.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a military alliance formed in 1949 to provide collective defence and promote stability and security among its member countries.

Established to counter the Soviet Union during the Cold War, NATO‘s mission includes a broader range of security concerns. NATO has 32 member countries as of January 2025, spanning from North America to Europe. These countries, called NATO Allies, are sovereign states that come together through NATO to discuss political and security issues and make collective decisions by consensus.

Defense spending is the payments made by a national government (excluding regional, local and municipal authorities) specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces, those of Allies or of the Alliance.

To verify the claim of the percentage they remit to the alliance, our fact-checkers reviewed the report of NATO Alliance obtained from its official website. It was discovered that 2 per cent of all the members countries’ annual GDP is collectively agreed as the payment terms for NATO allies since 2014 and it is still the benchmark as of January 2025.

THE VERDICT

The claim that the defence spending of NATO countries is 2 per cent of their annual GDP is TRUE; data obtained from NATO website revealed.

 

27 soldiers killed in suicide bombing in Nigeria’s North-East

Mustapha USMAN
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27 soldiers killed in suicide bombing in Nigeria’s North-East

A SUICIDE attack in northeastern Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 27 soldiers, including a commanding officer, AFP reported on Sunday, January 26.

The attack reportedly occurred on the night of Friday, January 24, as troops of the Nigerian Army launched an offensive against Islamic State-affiliated militants.

According to the military sources who spoke with AFP on the condition of anonymity, the suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle concealed in thick vegetation into a convoy of advancing troops in the Timbuktu Triangle, a notorious hotspot for activities by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

One of the sources noted that the suicide attack killed 27 soldiers, including the commander.

The source noted that several others were seriously injured during the attack.

“It was dark, which made it difficult for the troops to have a clear view of the surroundings,” another security source was quoted to have said.

He said the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in a “critical condition”.

The Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters have, however, not officially confirmed the incident or commented on the report, as calls placed to the Army’s spokesperson, Clement Onyeama Nwachukwu, were not connecting, and messages sent to his line were not returned.

This incident makes it another deadly incident where the Nigerian lost a significant number of personnel to attacks from militants and terrorists.

In March 2024, The ICIR reported how 15 military personnel, consisting of two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers were said to have been killed by some youths in Okuoma community in Bomadi Local Government Area (LGA).

The incident occurred on Thursday, March 14, 2024, when the troops responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State, were ambushed.

Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years, where terrorists and armed groups have killed significant number of soldiers.

In 2023, The ICIR reported how 36 military personnel were killed in a series of attacks in Zungeru and Chukuba communities of Niger State.

The incident which happened in Zungeru and Chukuba, both in Niger State, resulted in the death of three officers and 22 soldiers in an ambush in the Zungeru general area while seven personnel were injured.

Also, the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) helicopter which was on a mission to evacuate the deceased and wounded troops was allegedly taken down by bandits at Chukuba area of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state on August 13, 2023. 

The crashed helicopter, was carrying 14 of the 22 bodies of the previously killed soldiers and seven wounded ones, two pilots and two crew members, resulting in a total loss of 36 lives.

Beyond that, The ICIR has reported how terrorist groups, particularly ISWAP has been terrorizing the northern part of Nigeria, including offensive attacks on Kuje correctional Centre  and attacks on military checkpoints. 

The group has killed and displaced thousands of civilians since their emergence.

Monetary, fiscal policy alignment to drop inflation to 24.7% in 2025 – NESG

Ehime ALEX
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Monetary, fiscal policy alignment to drop inflation to 24.7% in 2025 – NESG

THE Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) said headline inflation could drop to 24.7 per cent in 2025 should there be improvements in fiscal and monetary policy alignment.

The economic advocacy group similarly forecasts the foreign exchange rate to stabilise at an average of N1,300 to the dollar.

It projected this in its 2025 macroeconomic outlook report, themed, ‘Stabilization in Transition: ‘Rethinking Reform Strategies for 2025 and Beyond,’ released this January.

It maintained that the anticipated reduction in inflation and improvement in the exchange rate could be achieved with better coordination between fiscal and monetary policies.

According to NESG, by aligning government spending with targeted monetary interventions, policymakers aim to curb the inflationary pressures that have plagued the Nigerian economy in recent years.

“Inflation is projected to decline to 24.7 per cent, signalling an improvement in the country’s macroeconomic stability. The exchange rate is projected to strengthen, averaging N1300/US$1 in 2025 under the ideal stabilization pathway.

“The effective coordination of fiscal policies with monetary policy measures will drive this anticipated reduction in the inflation rate,” NESG stated.

Nigeria’s inflation has surged to 34.8 per cent as of December 2024, and the exchange rate depreciates hover above N1,500/$1.

The inflationary pressure has continued to plague the Nigerian economy in recent years, especially since President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rates unification, The ICIR can report.

In its forecast, the NESG highlighted that disciplined government spending, strategic interventions in critical economic sectors, and measures to mitigate the effects of global economic uncertainties on Nigeria’s domestic economy were among the key measures responsible for its projected improvement.

It stated that the expected strengthening of the naira is tied to a combination of favourable economic conditions, which includes higher crude oil sales, the resurgence of oil refining, and expansion in agricultural production.

“This anticipated improvement reflects the combined impact of higher crude oil sales, expanded manufacturing output due to resuscitation of oil refining sub-sector, and increased agricultural production, all contributing to enhanced foreign exchange (forex) earnings,” NESG said.

The group’s inflation projection came close to the 27 per cent forecast by the Financial Derivative Company, chaired by renowned economist Bismarck Rewane, but far apart from the 15 per cent projected by President Bola Tinubu-led federal government.

The ICIR earlier reported that some analysts have argued that the federal government’s inflation projected to drop to 15 per cent in 2025 was unrealistic as economic indices do not support such an assumption.

The President, during the presentation of the budget estimates to the joint session of the National Assembly last December, said the federal government will prune down inflation to 15 per cent in 2025.

SERAP sues FG, NCC over telecom tariff hike

Mustapha USMAN
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SERAP sues FG, NCC over telecom tariff hike

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the recent 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs. 

The rights group, in a statement on Sunday, January 26, described the hike as arbitrary, unconstitutional, and a violation of citizens’ rights.

The lawsuit, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the NCC’s decision to raise the average cost of calls from N11 to N16.5 per minute, increase 1 gigabyte (GB) of data from N287.5 to N431.25, and raise SMS charges from N4 to ₦6. 

SERAP is arguing that the decision was made without proper consultation and is inconsistent with legal and constitutional standards.

According to SERAP, the increase breaches the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) Act 2018, the Nigerian Constitution, and international human rights standards, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

In the suit filed by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa,Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on behalf of SERAP, the organisation is asking the court for “a declaration that the unilateral decision by the NCC to authorise telcos to hike telecom tariff by 50 percent is arbitrary, unfair, unreasonable and inconsistent and incompatible with citizens’ freedom of expression and access to information, and therefore unconstitutional and unlawful.”

SERAP said it has also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the NCC, or any other person acting on its instructions from further implementing, and enforcing a telecom tariff hike by 50 percent.

“The NCC is required under the legal provisions on consumers’ rights and constitutional and international standards on freedom of expression and access to information to base its decision on reasonable interpretations of its enabling statutes and guidelines and other relevant legal frameworks, and to follow due process.”

“The exercise of the statutory powers of the NCC in approving the telecom tariff hike is a grave violation of the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party,” the statement added.

The group further contended that the tariff hike disregards the financial realities of Nigerians, citing the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report that over 133 million Nigerians live in poverty, with more than half of the population relying on wood, dung, or charcoal for cooking due to rising energy costs.

The organisation also noted that the increase comes amid a cost-of-living crisis marked by unemployment, high inflation, and the lingering effects of the fuel subsidy removal and electricity tariff hikes.

SERAP, meanwhile, asked the court to declare the NCC’s approval of the tariff hike unconstitutional, unlawful, and a violation of citizens’ rights.

It further asked to set aside the decision as unfair and extortive and to issue an order restraining the NCC and telecom companies from implementing the hike.

The ICIR reported on Monday that the NCC approved a 50 per cent tariff increase for telecommunications companies as telephone subscribers in Nigeria would have to pay more for data and airtime.

In a statement by the NCC spokesman, Reuben Muoka, the commission the price adjustment was considered taking into account ongoing industry reforms that would positively influence sustainability.

The NCC said it approved the increase, under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA), to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

“Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators,” the commission said.

FRSC confirms 18 died,13 rescued over petrol tanker accident in Enugu

Ehime ALEX
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FRSC confirms 18 died,13 rescued over petrol tanker accident in Enugu

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) have confirmed the death of 18 and the survival of 13 people in the fire incident involving a petroleum tanker that happened in Enugu State on Saturday, January 25.

It was confirmed in a statement posted on its X handle on Saturday night and signed by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

It said the crash, which resulted from a break failure, involved 17 vehicles in the category of one petroleum tanker, one water tanker, 15 other cars, and 1 tricycle.

“A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. 10 were rescued with different degrees of injuries while 3 got rescued unharmed.

“Unfortunately, the 18 remaining victims were burnt beyond recognition,” the FRSC confirmed.

According to the statement, preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker which was loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, experienced brake failure, and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt.

“The Executive Governor of Enugu State, Bar. Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, Honourable Commissioners for Transportation and Health, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 ENUGU, the Sector Commander Enugu and State Director Department of State Services all participated in the rescue operations,” the FRSC stated.

To ensure ease of movement along that route, the FRSC said traffic has been diverted to the inward Enugu lane. While the evacuation of burnt vehicles is ongoing.

“The Corps Marshal has therefore called on motorists plying the said road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement while he commiserates with the families of the victims and wishes the injured quick recovery,” it added.

The Enugu tanker incident occurred barely a week after a similar incident in Suleja, Niger State, claimed over 98 lives.

In the Suleja inferno, a tanker carrying 60,000 litres of petrol overturned at Dikko Junction, spilling its contents as residents gathered to scoop fuel and leaving 98 residents killed.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar has gone to his social media X page to sympathise with the families of the victims.

He said, “Oh dear, not again! My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all the victims of the fuel tanker explosion in Enugu state. May their souls find eternal rest.”

He expressed worries that the incidents of tragic tanker explosions have reached emergency levels, calling on the government to establish an inquiry into this issue.

I remain Lagos State speaker – Obasa

Ehime ALEX
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I remain Lagos State speaker – Obasa

SUSPENDED speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has declared that he remained the speaker despite his replacement by his deputy, Mojisola Meranda.

He further denied the allegations levied against him that led to his suspension, describing the allegations as “fictitious and unsubstantiated.”

He said this on Saturday, January 25, during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja.

“My status in the house? I believe strongly I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it.

“I’m a Muslim and I believe in fate. But let’s do it the way it should be done, Obasa said.

On January 13, Obasa who had served for nearly 10 years as the state speaker from June 2015 to January 2025, was suspended by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences, The ICIR reported.

Obasa believes he was not immune to suspension but that due process should have been followed.

“I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.

“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state,” the former speaker maintained.

He accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process of his suspension while he was out of the country.

He asserted further that security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.

Dismissing the allegations of misappropriation against him, Obasa mocked the allegation of a gate construction said to have cost N16 billion.

He asked, “Is it the Wall of Jericho?”

Citing the case of a former speaker, Jokotola Pelumi, who was removed, he said, “We did not invite policemen.

“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the house, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”

Obasa challenged his critics to provide proof of allegations showing exactly what he had done.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.

“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother,” he added.

Following his suspension on January 13, his deputy, Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker.

She became the first female to lead the legislative body of the Lagos state chamber, representing the Apapa 1 constituency.

At the time when Obasa was impeached, The ICIR contacted the former as well as the elected speakers for comments, however, neither of them responded to calls, WhatsApp, and email messages sent to them.

Tinubu to attend Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania

Mustapha USMAN
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Tinubu to attend Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania

NIGERIAN President Bola Tinubu will, on Sunday, January 26, travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit. 

The two-day event, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is being hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the World Bank, according to a statement by the president’s special adviser on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga. 

The statement released on Saturday, January 25, noted that the summit is aimed at advancing Mission 300, an initiative to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030. 

It noted that the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector representatives, development partners, and civil society groups to strategise on expanding energy access across the continent.  

According to the statement, discussions at the summit will focus on accelerating energy access in underserved regions, renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and fostering private sector investment.  

“On the first day, at the ministerial level, participating countries, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, termed compacts, detailing their approaches to achieving universal energy access within five years. 

“On the second day, Heads of State will endorse the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, outlining a unified roadmap for Africa’s progress towards the Mission 300 objectives,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Onanuga stated that the president is expected to deliver a national address, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership in the African energy sector. 

The President will be accompanied by key officials, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu; and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen.  

Tinubu is scheduled to return to Abuja following the conclusion of the summit, but the date was not mentioned. 

This latest trip is coming a few days after the president returned from the United Arab Emirates, where he participated in the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

The ICIR reported how Tinubu and his vice president, Kashim Shettima, pocketed N1.7 billion respectively as honorariums outside their regular salaries as of September 2024.

This was according to data from GovSpend, a portal tracking the government’s expenditures.

The ICIR findings showed that the N1.7 billion could cover a month’s salary of 24,511 civil servants, based on Nigeria’s national minimum wage of N70,000.

In addition, the president and his vice, including the first lady, have spent N6.8 billion on foreign trips and related expenses this year. The data which was accessed by The ICIR on October 11, 2024, captured money spent by the government till September 15, 2024.

These expenditures were recorded amid nationwide frustration due to economic hardship triggered by President Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.

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