News

Explain How N266.2bn Was Spent, Ex-Lawmaker Tells Obaseki

Published

6 years ago

March 20, 2020

Eric

Former Deputy Majority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iriase, on Thursday said Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki has not adequately explained how he spent over N266.2 billion in 38 months as there’s nothing on ground to show that Edo got such a huge sum in less than four years.

The Edo former Secretary to State Government, SSG made this demand in a statement made available to the media on Thursday.

He said” previously I made it abundantly clear that the Obaseki Government is suffering from lack lustre performance” and I still stand by that position, despite paid propaganda and media hype.

“In the last 38months Obaseki has earned over N266.2bn from FAAC distributions and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR but come to Edo State there’s nothing on ground to show for this huge some of money.

“As we speak now, all the public schools are in a comatose state, as communities have to employ adhoc teachers to teach their children.

“Under the red roofs that became the hallmarks of the Oshiomhole initiated school projects, there was no follow ups by Obaseki, learning has become a mockery in the face of acute shortage of teachers.

“The health sector in the state is also begging for attention as there’s no functional state owned hospital. God forbids if Covid-19 comes here, we will be in big trouble.

“So what happened to all the money Obaseki collected within this period? After boasting that he constructed over 2000km roads in the state, in reply to my earlier revelation, the issue now is, where are the roads, the ones Oshiomhole constructed or the ones in Obaseki’s imagination? Iriase wondered.

“Before Oshiomhole left office he had done so much work on urban roads and major rural roads across the state.

“It’s unfortunate that as at November 2019 Obaseki got over N251bn and if you add what he collected in the last month of 2019(December) and January 2020 in allocations and IGR, over N266.2bn has entered Edo coffers in 38months.

He further explained that “3 years upto November 2019 total Revenue comprising FAAC receipts and IGR alone was N251bn as earlier revealed.

The update is that they further received N7.4bn and N7.8bn in December and January respectively. Therefore the total in 3years and 2months upto January 2020 is now N266.2bn.

“Edolites are asking what happened to their money as this is a Government of renovations, as they have renovated Ogbe Stadium and old Secretariat.

“But since Oshiomhole left, the state has remained abysmally backward, where is the Dry port at Gelegele and the Industrial park Obaseki promised? Where are the rural roads for evacuation of agricultural products he promised?

Godwin Obaseki has no landmark, capital intensive project worthy of Mr President’s visitation for commissioning anywhere in Edo State, in his entire tenure.

We Edolites are waiting for an adequate explanation in this election year. Iriase added.

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

13 hours 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

14 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

20 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.