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Adeleke Unveils Cooperative Movement Reform Plan, Allocates N1bn As Revolving Loan Scheme

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Governor Ademola Adeleke today received encomiums from cooperative society movement in Osun state for hosting the first statewide summit and approving One Billion Naira as a revolving loan scheme for the Cooperative movement.

In an event members of the cooperative movement described as the first of its kind since the creation of Osun state, Executive Secretary of the Federation of Osun Cooperative Union, Wasiu Bello said the previous administration diverted cooperative savings, leaving the societies in crisis and financial challenges.

Expressing deep appreciation that Governor Adeleke is repaying the diverted savings, the leader of the cooperators applauded the creation of the Ministry of Cooperatives and Empowerment, calling it the first of its kind in Nigeria.

Declaring the State Cooperative Summit opened, the Governor who was conferred with an award, announced far-reaching reforms, including the allocation of One Billion Naira revolving loan scheme through the cooperative and micro-credit agency .

The Governor narrated his reform agenda further: “As we plan to inject huge funds, we must work on the following areas to inspire confidence and sustain continuous government financial contributions.

“The Cooperative law is due for review: After enactment dating back to first or second republic, an amendment of the act is necessary to take into account modern trends and practices;

“Upgrading the operational standard of the cooperative movement: We all must admit that the operational standard among the cooperative platforms is very low and substandard. The old laws are hardly complied with, and the practices across the societies are quite below any confidence inspiring rating;

“The need to review compliance with democratic governance: The cooperative society mostly lacks democratic governance. In other words, there is no regular election of leaders. This blocks innovation and frustrates the potentials of the grassroots financial platform;

“Crisis of Accountability and transparency: The greatest challenge is the low level of transparency and accountability in cooperative operations. The rot is deep, we must all admit. The external and internal auditors are mostly compromised, and managers are mostly ill-equipped. We must reform to achieve the potential of the movement”, the Governor noted.

Directing the Commissioner for Cooperative and Empowerment to submit a reform plan for execution, the Governor announced that his administration has resolved to invest a billion naira in the state cooperative movement to create a pool of revolving loans at single digit interest rate through the cooperatives and micro credit agency.

He informed the gathering that he has approved the complete rehabilitation of the Cooperative College, Odeomu, directing the Commissioner to take necessary action to implement the approval.

“Because of the importance of cooperative movement to the local economy, we may also consider the possibility of cooperative studies becoming a programme of study at polytechnics and universities in the state.

“The executive arm will also consider sponsoring an executive bill for the review of the cooperative law. Let us make the operating law conform with realities of the 21st century”, he noted while declaring the summit open.

The Cooperative summit which conferred the award of Grand Matron of the Cooperative Movement in Osun on Yeyeluwa Mrs Dupe Adeleke Sanni, was attended by top government officials including the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye; the host Commissioner, Bayo Ogungbangbe among others.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

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Court Grants Malami N200m Bail in DSS Terrorism, Firearm Charges

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Justice Joyce Abdulmalikof the Federal High Court Abujahas admitted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulazizto N200 million bail in the charges bordering on alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications, which were argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

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Fubara Appoints New SSG, Chief of Staff

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff, after the recent shake-up of the State’s political and administrative structure.

The appointments were announced on Thursday in a Special Government Notice signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists. Both appointments take immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor appointed Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff.

The statement said the appointments take immediate effect, adding that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The development comes amid the protracted political crisis in the State, which recently escalated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the State House of Assembly. The crisis was eventually diffused following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had last week announced during plenary that the Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy after the President’s intervention.

Political observers suggest that the dissolution of the cabinet may be part of efforts to rebalance the power structure in the following the peace accord. However, it remains unclear whether the new appointees are aligned with the governor or loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the Secretary to the State Government and Barrister Sunny Ewule as the Chief of Staff.

“Both appointments are with immediate effect. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 pm.today, Thursday, February 26, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

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Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Ozekhome As FG Withdraws Charges

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The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt pause to a case that had drawn public attention.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
It followed a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to the late former FCT minister, Jeremiah Useni.

In January, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter from the ICPC for what it described as effective prosecution.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Tuesday at the FCT High Court.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Peter Kekemeke that the Federal Government was withdrawing the case file for “further instruction”.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel to the defence, Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that his team had no objection to the withdrawal of the charge.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was not opposed, it was granted.

He consequently struck out the charge and ordered that the case be dismissed.

The withdrawal effectively halts legal action against Ozekhome over the alleged forgery linked to the disputed property transaction.

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