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FG’s CCT Beneficiaries Raise Alarm Over Extortion by Traditional Rulers

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.

The beneficiaries of federal government Conditional Cash Transfer(CCT)programme, on Thursday, raised alarm over what they described as their being allegedly extorted by community leaders.

The victims spoke at a meeting organized by The Resource Centre for Human Rights and  Civic Education, CHRICED titled Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT  Redress Mechanism held at Chilla Luxury suites, in Kano.

They alleged that they were compelled to pay between N500  and N1000 each from their monthly CCT  allowance of N5000 to some corrupt ward and village heads in some parts of the state.

A woman leader, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said “to be honest, initially I was afraid to speak out at this meeting,  but with what is happening here today, I feel I should speak out.

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“ as a group woman leader, I normally collect monies from the beneficiaries and proceed to hand over the monies  to traditional heads in my area in Gwarzo local government.”

Also, a CCT payment monitoring exercise conducted by  CHRICED led by Huraira Isiyaku revealed most of the beneficiaries had alleged that they were been intimidated to remitted parts of their transfers for onward transfer to community  leaders in their domain.

Huraira stated  that  investigations conducted by her in  Mallamawa community in Gwarzo local government area revealed how community leaders were illicitly benefiting from the federal government initiative at the expense of the targeted benefactors.

Kano state CCT  Grievance Redress Officer, (SGRO) Halima Mohammed confirmed that several complaints bordering on  extortion of CCT beneficiaries  have been severally  lodged against community  leaders, in the state.

Halima stated that those leader queried  over the allegation have continued to explain  that “ the proceeds been remitted to them by CCT beneficiaries is in respect the agreement they had reached with the beneficiaries before they were been enlisted into the programme.”

The head  Kano state Cash Transfer Unit(SCTU) Aisha Sani Gezawa cautioned that the era of extorting the beneficiaries of the CCT project were numbered.

According to her,   beneficiaries of the federal government initiative have continually complained of been victimized by their communal leaders.

She warned that mechanism have been erected to address the ongoing abnormally surrounding the project, stressing that any staff caught in the act of extortion would be severely penalized..

She decried that  a vast number of the beneficiaries were extorted by their community leaders, hinting that some of the beneficiaries are been extorted by their husbands.

Explaining that some husbands deny their wives the vacuum to properly utilize the monies transfer to them to improve their household economy and hygiene.

The chairman,  CCT, Grievance  Redress Officers Forum, Nalado  Saidu, said to  proffer solutions to the challenge  confronting the CCT project in Kano state would require the  continuous sensitization of beneficiaries o nCCT  policies  and  their rights  to access and enjoy the benefits that accrue from the FG project

 

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Murder: Family of Slain Teenager Plans Protest, Legal Action Against Kaduna Govt

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29 days after ‘AHMED MUSA’ was brutally killed in Government Technical College Malali Kaduna, family of the deceased planning to go to court to demand justice and adequate compensation for the unfair treatment meted to them.

In a statement on Monday, jointly signed by the deceased father Comrade Musa Mohammed (Moonlight), and the members of the family.

They stated that the incident was a “reflection of how insecure and unsafe” Nigeria has become for young people striving for a better future.

The family demanded “an expedited, transparent, and decisive legal process” to ensure justice is served, warning that they “will resist any attempts at political interference or compromise.”

Among their demands, they called on the state government to acknowledge that “students are no longer safe in their communities. If young people can be killed in such gruesome circumstances, what hope is left for the future of Nigeria? a formal apology from the kaduna state Government and comprehensive compensation for the family.

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We demand Five Hundred and Sixty Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N560,300,000), as compensation from kaduna state government.”

“We think the time has come for the Kaduna State Government and all who are on the side of humanity to respond to the cry for remediation of the family and relations of the deceased student.
That is why we will go to court.”

“Also, we warn kaduna state government, that if they didn’t meet up with our demands we will be forced to mobilise the full strength of the masses movement across kaduna State in protest.

“This is about the fundamental right to life that every Nigerian student deserves. We will not sit idle while students are hunted and butchered.

Recall, the father on a petition dated 24th February 2025which was addressed to the executive governor of Kaduna state through the honorable commissioner of education, appealing for comprehensive investigation to un-cover those behind his son death, and whoever is found to have a hand in the death of his son should be punish accordingly.
And also demanded from kaduna state government adequate compensation for negligence being the custodian of the deceased Ahmed Musa.

In another development, the Chief Magistrate court of Kabala Doki in Kaduna State has adjourned the Ahmed Musa murder Case again, against 4 kaduna state vigilance service (KADVIS) personnel on charges of criminal conspiring and negligence which cause the death of Ahmed Musa.till 17th April 2025 because the witness and the prosecutor are absent in the court, because the witness and the prosecutor are absent in the court.

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Rivers Assembly Initiates Impeachment Of Gov. Fubara, Deputy

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Rivers State House Of Assembly has passed a resolution raising impeachment allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu

The Assembly mandates Clerk to publish in national dailies, letter of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Sim Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu pursuant to Section 188 of 1999 Constitution (as amended)

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Amnesty International to NYSC: Stop threatening corps member who criticised Tinubu

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Amnesty International has condemned officials of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for allegedly sending threatening messages to a corps member who criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over rising inflation and economic hardship.

Daily Trust had reported how the corps member in a widely circulated video shared on Tiktok expressed frustration over the deteriorating economic conditions in Nigeria.

 

She openly tackled President Tinubu, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned what steps the government is taking to ease the suffering of citizens.

After her video gained traction, the serving corps member claimed she began receiving threatening messages, allegedly from NYSC officials.

 

She shared another video in which she was receiving calls from an NYSC official.

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In the video, the official could be heard saying, “Are you normal? Keep quiet and bring down the video you posted.”

Reacting, Amnesty International, in a post on X, said instead of threatening her, the authorities “should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes.”

“It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for her opinions on rampant inflation, the authorities should be prioritizing addressing the country’s economic woes.

“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty. So far, the authorities have failed to put in place effective mitigation measures, leaving millions of people without the hope of getting out of the economic challenges and enjoying their human rights.

“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions — in utter disregard for Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the human rights organisation said.

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