News

I took N7bn loan to pay May salaries, says Abiodun

Published

7 years ago

June 25, 2019

Eric

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that he took a loan of N7bn to pay workers’ May salaries.

He said this on Monday while addressing leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

He added that he would rather focus on ensuring good governance in the state than pre-occupy himself with the actions or inactions of his predecessor.

He said “We have by far too many things to do than to begin to be bogged down by what someone did or what he did not do or what he left behind.

“I cannot begin to describe in the open to you the Ogun State that we inherited. I cannot begin to describe it to you. I will not because I have made up my mind that publicly and privately, I will not discuss anything about the past administration.

“We have resolved to draw the line and to move forward from there. We need to be focused. We are going to rebrand and re-launch the security trust fund.”

Abiodun added that his first challenge in office was how to pay the May workers’ salary, saying he had to call his friends who are managing directors of banks to get a credit facility of over N7bn to pay the workers.

He said, “30th day of May was our first day in office. And on the 31st, it dawn on me that it was the end of the month and we need to pay salaries.

“But here we are on our second day in office. I don’t even have an office; I don’t even know how to sign any document; I don’t even know what the protocols are. Suddenly, we realised it was 31st and I intend to keep my end of the tripartite agreement. So, I called the Head of Service; I told him we must pay salary. But he said to me, ‘You are new in government and everybody understands that you just assumed office and we don’t have that expectation of you paying salaries now. They (workers) will understand. There is very little or no money. We can talk to them.’

“I told the Head of Service, whether they (the workers) were expectant or not, it was my promise to the people that salaries would be paid as and when due.”

He added, “So, I picked my phone and called my friends who are MDs in different banks. I told them I needed to pay salaries and this is the little I have; almost nothing in the state account.

“I requested for a credit facility to allow me to pay over N7bn which is the state wage bill. That day, my intention was that maybe one or two will oblige me, but the five banks I called obliged me.”

He said civil servants received their alerts that evening and that gave a sense of fulfillment, being his first task in office.

The governor later held a closed-door meeting with the APC chiefs.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Publicity Secretary of party’s caretaker Committee, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, said the governor called the meeting to brief them on the activities of his administration in the last one month.

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

1 hour ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

8 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.