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Condemnation Trails Freezing of Benue Govt Accounts by EFCC

Published

8 years ago

August 9, 2018

Eric

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, on Wednesday, said it was unconstitutional for the EFCC to freeze the account of any state government.

Yari, who is also the Zamfara State Governor, said this in an interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He was reacting to the decision of the EFCC to freeze the accounts of the Benue State Government.

The governor said it was unfair to hinder a state like Benue that is facing security challenges from getting access to money.

He said although he was not privy to the reason behind the anti-graft body’s position, the decision was wrong.

The governor expressed the belief that the Federal Government would take a position on it, the same way it quickly addressed the invasion of the National Assembly by security agents.

Yari said, “The freezing of accounts of any state government, whether Benue or anywhere, is unconstitutional and is not right. That is shutting down the government.

“The government must spend, most especially Benue that is facing insecurity challenges.”

The NGF chairman said he did not know why the EFCC froze the accounts of the Benue State government but vowed that if it was discovered that the commission acted illegally, the leadership would be disciplined like that of the Department of State Services.

Yari added, “Well, we don’t know why the EFCC took the action. But if indeed EFCC did so, from my point of view, it is wrong.

“This government will not sit down and oversee unlawful operation from security agencies. From what happened yesterday, (Daura’s sacking), everyone can understand that this government is following due process and the laws of Nigeria.

“For one to just send security agencies to shut down the National Assembly, and the action that followed, that is what gave credit to this government by the local and international communities.

“A similar thing had happened in 2011 and 2014 respectively, but nothing was done about it. This time round, the government said enough is enough.

“The government of Muhammadu Buhari is following due process and will never oversee an unlawful activity by any security agency. So in the case of Benue, I believe something must be done.”

The Benue State Government has also accused the commission of freezing five bank accounts.

The action was a sequel to a report by the EFCC accusing the governor of diverting N22bn from the state’s accounts between 2015 and 2018.

The Benue State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mike Gusa, when contacted on the phone, confirmed the freezing of the state accounts but said the state government had gone ahead to challenge the case in court.

“Yes, I am aware of the development but right now I am in Abuja but let me tell you that we have gone to court to challenge it.”

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Governor, Mr Terver Akase, the government confirmed the freezing of the accounts, describing the action as a political witch-hunt.

He said, “Yes, it is true that accounts of the Benue State Government have been frozen by the EFCC. It is part of the political witch-hunt against Governor Samuel Ortom. The action of the EFCC is already having a negative impact on the running of government in Benue State.

“It is a move that will affect salaries, pensions and other sundry payments.

“The question we are asking is; why did the EFCC not investigate the governor’s security votes when he was still a member of the APC? Why start the investigation now?

The Punch

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Certificate Forgery: Group Seeks Tinubu’s Disqualification from 2027 Election

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

Eric

The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the 2027 presidential election over allegations of certificate forgery.

‎According to court documents seen by Daily Trust, the plaintiff alleged that Tinubu presented forged academic certificates from Chicago State University and a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2023 elections.

‎‎The suit, marked FHC/K/CS/312/2026, lists Tinubu, INEC, and Chicago State University as defendants.

‎The plaintiff contended that Tinubu never attended Government College Lagos as claimed, noting that the school was established in 1974, four years after Tinubu allegedly graduated.

The CSO further argued that Tinubu does not possess a valid secondary school certificate, which is the minimum constitutional requirement to contest for the presidency.

‎It claimed that INEC had failed to act on its petition dated June 19, 2026, demanding clarification on Tinubu’s eligibility.

‎‎In its statement of claims, the group referenced a 2023 U.S. court ruling in In Re: Application of Atiku Abubakar (No. 23 CV 05099), which compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records.

‎The plaintiff insisted those records revealed false entries and inconsistencies, including a forged University of Cambridge General Certificate of Education.

‎The prayers asked by the plaintiff included declaration of forgery against Tinubu’s Chicago State University certificate, issuance of an order directing INEC to disqualify him from the 2027 presidential election, directing CSU to strike Tinubu’s name from its records and perpetual injunction restraining INEC from uploading Tinubu’s name as a candidate.

‎The plaintiff also submitted affidavits of non-multiplicity of action, witness statements, and letters to the NYSC and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding disclaimers on the alleged fake NYSC certificate.

Featured

Lagos Island Red Cross Holds Annual Thanksgiving Service

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The Lagos Island Division of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has held its 2026 Annual Thanksgiving, to express gratitude for another year of provision of succor and comfort to as many that are in need.

The thanksgiving service, which was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the last Sunday of June, was led by the Division Coordinator, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi.

Speaking to The Boss on the activities of the Island Division of the Red Cross over the years, Olori Elegushi noted that it has been a thing of joy to be at the forefront of releasing the milk of human kindness to as many that needs it, and when they need it.

Coordinator, Lagos Island Division Nigerian Red Cross Society, Chief (Olori) Aderonke Elegushi (m), Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile (2nd left), Secretary Ajibola Adu (2md right) and Saheed Ayinde Yusuf (1st right)

“This is what I love to do, and this is what the Red Cross is all about; lending helping hand and spreading love across borders, especially here in Lagos Island.

“In everything, we won’t forget our Maker, the Almighty God, through whose power we are able to do the little and much we can do. That explains why we here today to give thanks as it’s a tradition every year,” Olori Elegushi said.

Olori Elegushi also noted that as an not for profit organization, the Society seeks support well-meaning Nigerians and Lagosians to come to their aid so that the gospel of continuous lending of helping hand to the needy will continue unabated.

“We also seek the support of well-meaning individuals, organizations, and the Church in our efforts to expand our humanitarian activities. With adequate funding and partnerships, we can organize first aid and health awareness programmes for public school students, train more volunteers, equip communities with emergency preparedness skills, and carry out outreach programmes that will positively impact lives across our society,” she concluded.

Olori Elegushi, who will soon join the octogenarian club, was accompanied at the thanksgiving event, by Vice Coordinator Abimbola Adeshile, Secretary Ajibola Adu, Saheed Ayinde Yusuf, and a host of other members, dressed in their sparkling white uniform.

The Red Cross Society is an international organizational saddled with the responsibility of providing healthcare services among other humanitarian services to the people of the world. The Society is domiciled in every part of the world.

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Insecurity: Adeboye, Oyedepo Urge More US Military Action in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

June 28, 2026

Eric

The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for recent military action against terrorism in Nigeria, urging Washington to do more to halt the unrelenting attacks.

Both clerics spoke at the “Faith Heroes Award Gala” in Washington D.C. on June 26, 2026, organised by Save Nigeria Group USA, SNGUSA, with the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.

The event honoured Trump, Congressmen Chris Smith and Riley Moore, and other advocates of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Addressing a packed audience of activists, policymakers and faith leaders at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Adeboye said the scale of violence has moved beyond what any religious leader can handle alone.

“Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” he said. “If you want to help us, help us more.”

The RCCG leader, who had faced criticism for not speaking out earlier, said he chose “spiritual warfare” instead of public escalation. He noted that Trump’s December strikes on terrorist camps did not surprise him because the U.S. President had warned of consequences.