Politics

Gunmen assassinate owner of 16 Hour Hotel in Kwara state, kidnap his friend

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A group of gunmen invaded a hotel named 16 HOUR hotel, Alomilaya area of Ganmo, Ilorin, shot indiscriminately, killing the owner of the hotel, Kayode Akinyemi, 47, while his manager named Emmanuel Olushila Ojo was seriously injured and presently receiving treatment at the general hospital Ilorin.

A statement released by SP Okasanmi Ajayi, spokesperson of the state police command, said the hotel owner’s friend , Ori ‘m’ who was with him on the day of the incident was abducted.

Ajayi said the command’s Tactical teams in conjunction with vigilantes and hunters have since been mobilized to the scene to comb the surrounding bushes for possible rescue of the abducted victim and arrest of the hoodlums, while the corpse of the victim has been deposited in the general hospital mortuary for autopsy.

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Tuesday Assayomo, has declared a total lockdown of the area and a result-oriented manhunt for the perpetrators of the heinous act, adding that enough was enough for the criminals, as stringent security action is already emplaced to checkmate the activities of the criminal elements in the state.

Entertainment, Politics

Shettima trends over outfit he wore to the NBA Colloquium in Lagos

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Shettima is currently trending on Twitter over the outfit he wore to the NBA Colloquium today, August 22, in Lagos State. The vice presidential candidate for the All Progressive Congress (APC) political party represented the Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For the event, Shettima, who regularly wears native attires, wore a loose suit and paired it with a pair of sneakers, a combination Nigerians found fault with. While many slammed his stylist, others questioned why the presidential candidates for other political parties were present while Tinubu sent his vice presidential candidate.

Politics

Buhari has done his best, everybody’s best is different – Isa Yuguda

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Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, has said that President Buhari has done well in leading the country.

Yuguda shared this opinion when he appeared on Channels TV this morning. “Mr President has done his best. Everybody’s best is different.

So I can say the President has done his best. And he has appointed actors to assist him to manage the country – they are also doing their best. It all depends on somebody’s assessments.

As far as I’m concerned, the President has done his best.” he said Yuguda argued that despite the fact that the Nigerian economy and security were “a little bit depressing”, the President has done well.

“Any rational Nigerian will know that it could not have been any better no matter who was there on the driving seat.

Most of these things that are happening to us are historical. If you are coming from an environment where the foundation has been distorted then what you reap is what you sow.

Security, for instance, is a historical thing. it didn’t start with Buhari’s government. It started in 2008, 2009.” Yuguda argued that security challenges cannot be associated with the President.

“Yes, he is the overall head, but if you see something going wrong in terms of security, you hold the Governor responsible.

You (Governor) are sworn in to protect life and property because you own the land.

The President does not have land, so you don’t expect the President to secure your land.”he said

Lifestyle, Politics

Bandit kingpin Turji has repented and now kills terrorists – Zamfara deputy governor

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Hassan Nasiha, Deputy Governor of Zamfara state has said that notorious bandit kingpin in the state, Bello Turji has embraced peace overtures by the government.

Speaking at a conference on security organised by the Students Union of Medina University, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday August 21, Nasiha who claimed that Turji’s repentance has brought about peace in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs in Zamfara, added that the erstwhile bandit kingpin is now killing his unrepentant colleagues.

He also revealed that Turji has met with bandits in the 14 LGAs of the state.

Nasiha said;

“In the last three months, there has not been any bandits attack at Magami district as a result of the peace initiative with bandits.

“Everyone knows the notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji who has operated on that axis.

“The state government through the peace committee entered into a peace deal with the bandits’ leader and he agreed to stop the criminality and to embrace peace.

“Turji is now killing unrepentant bandits who unleashed terror on innocent citizens in Shinkafi, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji local government areas.”

The Deputy Governor who further noted that a peace committee set up by the state government met with nine bandit groups in their camps at Magami and Dansadau emirates where they raised their concerns, said the state government has ordered the return of cattle grazing routes, lands, water for livestock and other property seized by Hausas to the herders.

Reiterating that the order must be respected by both parties to enable the return of law and order in the communities, he also revealed that the Fulanis appealed to the state government to consider freeing their youths currently in detention in correctional centres and in police cells.

Nasiha added;

“They said Hausas always attacked and raped their women, killing the Fulani on their way to or returning from markets.

“They equally requested for schools for their kids and other social services including fertilisers and farm inputs.

“They said lack of education would influence a 12-year-old Fulani boy to kill a 70-year-old man using AK-47 rifle.”

Politics

Abducted Nasarawa commissioner regains freedom

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The abducted Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Yakubu Lawal, has regained freedom after five days in captivity.

Lawal was kidnapped by gunmen who stormed his residence on Monday night and whisked him away to an unknown destination.

The gunmen, who stormed Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state, shot indiscriminately before they took their target away.

Speaking with our correspondent in Lafia on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said the commissioner was released due to sustained pressure from officers of the command on the gunmen.

He said,

“The abducted Commissioner has been released around 6pm today and he has been reunited with his family.

“Based on credible information, we gathered that the kidnappers took the commissioner to Tawa-Gali area around Mada station in Nasarawa Eggon LGA. So, we mobilised our men to go after them.”

Lifestyle, Politics

Mummified bodies: Edo government, police call for calm

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With the controversy generated over the discovery of 20 mummified bodies in Benin still on, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has called for calm and has given the police seven days to carry out a comprehensive investigation to unravel the ownership and purpose of the facility.

Obaseki stated this at a joint press conference with the police at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command on Friday.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, Obaseki said the public would continuously be briefed on the progress of the investigations.

He said:

“We want to call for calm from the public. We don’t want to preempt the outcome of police investigation but the police are actively doing their investigations.

There are a lot of speculations going around; some people suspect that the place is a quack morgue or a place for ritual purposes.

“People have been apprehended and they are undergoing questioning. Some people are still being looked for. The governor has given seven days for them to come back to us with the details of what they have found out. Was it just a morgue or is there any ritual involved? No conclusions have been reached yet so police will be allowed to do its work.

“We are going to continuously brief the public and we are also taking measures through the Ministry of Health to ensure that there is no public health crisis in that area. Edo is safe and there is no evidence yet that anything ritual is involved until the police are through with their investigation.”

On his part, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Olawore Oluwole who is handling the investigation assured that the police would do a thorough job.

He said, “Based on credible intelligence, a bungalow located at Asoro was found to have some dried bodies and some items like generator, gas cylinder, oxygen cylinder.

Five suspects were arrested and they are Chimaobi Okoewu and Samuel Okoh both from Ebonyi State, Gideon Sunday from Akwa-Ibom, Victor Obeche from Anambra and Yusuf Lawal from Katsina State.

“So far, we are still looking for one of the suspects and efforts are being made to get him and his name is Otu Chukwu who is alleged to be the owner of the bungalow.

I want to appeal to all members of the public to remain calm as the command is assuring that everything will be done to ensure that all hidden facts are unraveled,” he added.

Politics

Strike: If students must sue anyone, they’ll sue the minister of education and the federal government – ASUU President reacts to Minister’s comment

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Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reacted to Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu asking students to sue the union for compensation. Reacting to this in an interview with Channels Television on Friday August 19, Osodeke said students know that the problem is with the government and not the union.

He also said that if students must sue anyone, they’ll sue the minister of education and the federal government.

Osodeke said;

“You need to read the response by the president of NANS, Comrade Asefon. He said ASUU is not their problem that their problem is the government and if they must sue anybody, they are actually doing that, they are consulting lawyers, they are going to sue the minister of education and the federal government for forcing ASUU who is an employee of the system and fighting for their (students) interest.”

Osodeke also said the issues that pushed lecturers in the country into going on strike, can be resolved in a day if the government is committed to the education of the youths.

He said;

“What we are saying is that we can resolve this issue within one day as Jonathan did in 2013.

“When it got to this stage in 2013, Jonathan summoned everybody to hear the truth. He heard the truth and we resolved the issue within one night.

“That can be done at this level either by a committee or people that are patriotic, not these ministers that already have bias. We can resolve this issue in one day and our children will go back to school.”

Politics

“I don’t like movies like that again. I will not return to Nollywood” Tonto Dikeh reveals plans after 2023 election

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Tonto Dikeh has disclosed that she would not be returning to Nollywood after the governorship election in Rivers State.

The actress, who was announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, made this disclosure during an interview with BBC News Pidgin.

She added that even if her party loses the governorship election in Rivers State, she will not return to acting.

When asked if she has completely retired from acting, the mother of one said: “I don’t like movies like that again and it’s been a long time since I acted on screen, you know.

“I’ve acted in about two films in 10 years, I appreciate that my path started from Nollywood, it is something that I respect, but it’s not something that has been in my life.

“So even after the election, it’s not something I’ll return to, but I’ll love to contribute to the industry when I get into power.”

She went ahead to commend her colleagues, Funke Akindele and Banky W for getting involved in politics.

She said: “It is not easy for Funke and Banky W at their level to put themselves out there to effect change because criticisms and so many things are involved.

“I believe in Funke, I believe in Banky. With them, I can hold onto something and say I believe that they have a vision for the people.”

Politics, Videos

Femi Gbajabiamila Dances ‘Buga’ In Surulere Speaker of the House of Representatives

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Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, danced to Kizz Daniel’s hit song Buga at a constituency meeting in Surulere.

In the video, Gbajabiamila encouraged those in attendance to vote in the upcoming election telling them to show their Permanent Voter’s Card saying, “Operation show your PVC la wa yi.’’

https://www.instagram.com/tv/ChaCvFpombE/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Lifestyle, Politics

ASUU must compensate students for wasted time – Minister of Education says as he asks students to sue the union

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Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has said that the Academic Staff Union of Universities should be compensating students for the time wasted during the six-month strike, and not the Federal Government.

Punch reported that the Minister who said government will not concede to the union’s demand to pay lecturers their emoluments for the six months of no academic activities in his speech at the 47th Session of the State House Ministerial Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, further asked affected students to “take ASUU to court” to claim damages incurred over the strike period.

Adamu insisted that the federal government bears no liability to compensate millions of students grounded for six months over lost time.

He also said if the students are determined to get compensated, they should take ASUU to court.

Politics

Everything he has said is a bundle of lies – Bode George attacks Tinubu

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bode George, has slammed the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

George described everything Tinubu attributed to himself as a “bundle of lies”.

He said Tinubu did nothing to alleviate the sufferings of residents of Lagos State despite serving as a governor for two terms.

Speaking with Channels Television last night, August 17, George said: “I absolutely have no qualms, no quarrel with Tinubu, but all I know is that everything he has said he was or his name is this or his school is that it’s a bundle of lies.

“I’m a bonafide Lagosian, we knew what Lagos was like, and Lagos remains the commercial nerve centre, not only in Nigeria but in the whole of West Africa. What has this fellow done to us?” The PDP chieftain charged Tinubu to open up on the ownership of Alpa Beta company.

He said the APC presidential candidate should tell Nigerians how much the company has allegedly stolen from the Lagos State Government.

George said: “I have asked a very simple question and none of them has been able to answer it: who owns the Alpha Beta company? How much has the Alpha Beta company stolen from the coffers of our treasury in Lagos state?

“What has he done to alleviate the pains of the people of the state?”

Lifestyle, Politics

Abuja Police Burn Down Criminal Hideout

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A combined team of five divisions of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Capital Territory Command, Wednesday night, razed a criminal hideout in the Dawaki Zone 7 area of Abuja.

It was reported that the hoodlums occupying the hideout fled upon sighting policemen.

Lifestyle, Politics

Two kidnappers gunned down, others escape with bullet wounds in Kogi

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Two kidnappers were killed while two others escaped with different degrees of bullet wounds during a gun duel with security operatives in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State on Tuesday, August 16.

According to reports, the kidnappers have perpetuated havoc within the area of their operations and security operatives had been on their trail.

Confirming the development on Wednesday, August 17, the Chairman Idah Local Government, Hon. Abuh Odoma disclosed that with support from the governor, the people have continued to secure victories over some of the miscreants terrorizing the council.

Odoma said he and constituents of his local government are committed to ensuring that as severally declared by the State governor, every nook and cranny of Kogi State is safe and secure.

In his reaction, the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara stressed the need for continued vigilance by citizens particularly those within the rural communities.

Omodara added that the business of security was such that required collective responsibility by every stakeholders hence all hands must be on deck to ensure that the entire state was permanently rid of criminal elements and their sponsors.

Lifestyle, Politics

Abductors of Nasarawa Commissioner contact family, demand N100m ransom

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The abductors of the Nasarawa state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Yakubu Lawal, have contacted his family and demanded N100 million as ransom before he will be released from captivity.

The kidnappers invaded Lawal’s home in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of the state on Monday night, August 15 at about 8:45pm and abducted him.

The abductors contacted his family at about 4.30pm on Tuesday, August 16, and said the only way they would release the commissioner is if the sum of N100 million is paid as ransom.

The state police has since confirmed Lawal’s abduction and stated that efforts are being made to rescue him unhurt.

Lifestyle, Politics

Governor Matawalle signs death penalty for kidnappers, bandits, others in Zamfara

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Governor Matawalle signs death penalty for kidnappers, bandits, others in Zamfara.

The Zamfara state governor, Bello Matawalle, has signed into law a death penalty on anybody found guilty of banditry, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant.

The Governor announced this in a broadcast to the people of the state on Tuesday, August 16.

He said

“On the 28th of June this year, I assented to the bill on Prohibition and Punishment for Banditry, Cattle Rustling, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Incidental Offences, 2022.

The law provides a legal instrument for prosecuting banditry-related offenders.Based on the new law, anyone found guilty of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism, or serving as a bandits’ informant is subject to the death penalty.

Similarly, anyone found guilty of supporting in any manner the aforementioned offences faces a sentence of life in prison, 20 years in jail, or ten years in prison, without the option of a fine.”

Matawalle stated that the measures were part of his administration’s unrelenting efforts to tackle the problem of banditry that has plagued the state and the neighboring northwestern states for more than a decade.

“Gladly, the latest measures are beginning to yield the intended results despite the pockets of attacks here and there by the bandits”he said

He described the activities of informants as a major change towards addressing insecurity challenges in the state, expressing optimism that the situation would soon come to an end.

“With regards to the issue of informants, which is the major impediment in the fight against banditry, I am glad to inform the peace-loving people of Zamfara State that we have succeeded in apprehending many of them.

They are currently being interrogated before being prosecuted in accordance with the fullest extent of the law.”he said

Politics, World News

India offers to help Nigeria fight insecurity

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The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, on Monday, pledged his country’s readiness to provide the needed support to end insecurity in Nigeria.

This is as he promised to further deepen the India-Nigeria relations and economic ties with social investments in solar energy, artificial intelligence, fintech and scientific intelligence.

He stated this while speaking with journalists at the flag-hoisting to mark the 75th independence of India which was held at the High Commission of India in Abuja.He said,

“As you know, much of the defence training has been given in India; various security outfits have been trained in military installations and training institutes.

“So, we will be happy to continue the partnership in cooperation with the Nigerian government, and we are ready to assist in that direction.”

He also commended the relationship between the two countries, describing it as one of the best.“India-Nigeria relationship is one of the best. We started our relationship even before Nigeria’s independence in 1958 when we had established our office in Lagos.

Since then, our relationship has developed; we have partnered in human capacity development, we are very happy that with the cooperation of the Nigerian government, we can now say that our relationship is strong and very cordial,” he said.

The recently appointed commissioner noted that although India had invested $14.9m in the country, he is looking forward to strengthening relationship with Nigeria in all areas.

“Whether it is training or trade, economic relations, political relations, I am looking forward to improving bilateral ties in all these areas,” he added.

Politics

Fulani group rejects Miyetti Allah’s comments on Peter Obi

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A group of Fulani professionals, Coalition of Fulbe Professionals in Africa, on Monday, August 15, condemned a statement credited to one Alhaji Alhasan Salah, said to be National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

Alhasan had said in an interview that the Fulani nation would not support Peter Obi in the coming general elections. He described Obi as a tribal bigot and also as someone who did not like the North, and by extension, the Fulani tribe.

Alhasan had said: “As far as Miyetti Allah is concerned, Obi is out of the options of persons to be voted for in the forthcoming elections.

“As far as we are concerned, we know those we cannot vote for. You see the one that they call Obi or OBIdient, any Fulani man who votes for him must be questioned because he may not be a true son of the soil. “Obi represents the Biafran interest.

So, we know those we cannot vote for and those that cannot be President of Nigeria. He is a tribal bigot.” Reacting to Alhasan’s statament, the Coalition of Fulbe Professionals described the move as “politically sponsored.”

The Fulani organisation called on Nigerians to disregard any statement from Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore, saying it did not speak for Fulani ethnic group.

COFPIA, in a statement signed by its National President, Prof. Mohammed Gidado, and Secretary, Hajiya Mairo Modibo, said while it acknowledged their right to freedom of expression and opinion, it would say “they don’t have the right to speak for the entire Fulani in Nigeria, especially when they havd not lived up to expectations.”

COFPIA said Fulbe people all over Nigeria “will not be binded by that politically sponsored statement of Miyetti Allah.”

The statamenet reads in full:

“Our attention has been drawn to a sectional, unpatriotic, ungodly and senseless statement credited to one of our brothers, Alhajji Hassan Saleh, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the most controversial Fulani group in Nigeria, which no doubt, is responsible for the bad name Fulani nation has been branded with in Nigeria.

“The Fulbe all over Nigeria will not be binded by that politically sponsored statement of Miyetti Allah anymore.

“The Fulani people are wise now and cannot be used as tools of extortion and religious sentiment any more. We will enlighten our people to vote for competence and capacity come 2023.

We will never vote for any candidate who has nothing to offer. We have gone far beyond religious and ethnic sentiments.

“We will vote for a President that will tackle poverty and acute hunger that have held our people hostage for so long. We will vote for a President that will fight insecurity with every commitment and unbiased mind, no matter who is involved.

“Our respected tribal group, Miyetti Allah, should channel their campaign to redeem the bad image they have created for Fulani people in Nigeria rather than casting aspersions on Peter Obi, who has demonstrated capacity to rescue Nigeria from the current hopelessness.

“We wish to also make it categorically clear that we have not endorsed Obi or any presidential candidate in the forth-coming general election and we are not Obi’s mouthpiece, but it is wrong for our people to continue to brand Peter Obi as a tribal bigot and that he doesn’t like the North. Available data has shown Obi as an ardent nationalist that believes in the unity of Nigeria.

“We, therefore, call on our brothers in the Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore to only speak for their group, rather than misleading Nigerians that they are speaking for the entire Fulani people.

“They lack the moral, spiritual, and religious rights to speak for the entire Fulani people in Nigeria, especially when they have reduced themselves to tribal bigots that has no regards for other tribes and faiths.

“Nigerians have taken position in the forthcoming elections to vote for the best man for the job and cannot be distracted by any selfish agenda and blackmail.

“As campaigns start, we shall mobilise and enlighten Fulani, young and, old to every ruga’s and town to sensitize our people so as not to be deceived by Miyetti Allah Kauta Hore and its like.”

Politics

Termites allegedly eat up N17.128B expenditure evidence at NSITF

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The Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) has put the current and past management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under scrutiny.

The committee said it discovered that the fund’s management failed to produce relevant documents to justify alleged spending of N17.158 billion in 2013. Some of the documents to back the expenses were said to have been eaten up by termites, according to the Nation.

The Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF), in its 2018 audit report – now being considered by the Senate panel chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo South) – had queried the agency over the disbursed sums without appropriate supporting documents.

In his report, the OAuGF said the N17.158 billion represented the total sum of money, transferred by the agency from its Skye and First Bank accounts, into various untraceable accounts belonging to individuals and companies between January and December 2013.

The OAuGF had, in its 2018 audit report, raised 50 different queries bordering on alleged misappropriation of funds against the agency. The AuGF’s query reads:

“Management of NSITF, as shown in statements of account number 1750011691 with Skye Bank Plc, for the period 1st January, 2013 to 20th December, 2013, and statements of account number 2001754610 with First Bank Plc for the period January 7, 2013 to February 28, 2013, transferred amounts totalling N17,158,883,034.69 to some persons and companies from these accounts.

“However, payment vouchers relating to the transfers together with their supporting documents were not provided for audit. Consequently, the purpose(s) for the transfers could not be authenticated.

“These are in violation of Financial Regulation 601 which states that ‘all payment entries in the cashbook/accounts shall be vouched for on one of the prescribed treasury forms.

Vouchers shall be made out in favour of the person or persons to whom the money is actually due’.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee, Urhoghide, had summoned and interviewed NSITF’s past and present managements on where the said N17.158 billion was transferred to between January and December 2013.

It was learnt that no official of the former management could offer satisfactory explanation on the alleged multiple transfers with necessary documents.

Members of management in charge of the agency in 2013 had told the committee that relevant cash vouchers pertaining to the transactions were left behind by them.

But the current NSITF Managing Director, Dr. Michael Akabogu, was said to have claimed that no such documents were in the organisation’s custody.

The container the said documents were kept by past management has not only been beaten by rains over the years but even possibly been eaten up by termites.

“As directed by this committee, I told the past management officers on the need for them to help us out in answering this query with necessary documents which have not been made available for us,” Akabogu allegedly said.

The Managing Director of NSITF from 2010 to 2016, Mallam Umar Munir Abubakar, allegedly claimed that he was aware of the query and had no explanations to render since the audit exercise was not carried out during his tenure.

But his successor, Mr. Adebayo Somefun, who was head of the agency from May 2017 to July 2020, allegedly insisted that those in the agency’s account section should be able to trace the documents.

But the current General Manager Finance of the agency allegedly said that the container in question had been under lock and key and abandoned in an isolated area within the premises of the organisation in Abuja.

In his ruling, Urhoghide expressed worry over the development and ordered both members of past and present management of the NSITF to re-appear before the panel with all necessary evidence concerning the transactions unfailingly on Thursday, September 22, 2022.

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