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Pandora Papers And The Paradox Of A Propaganda

Published

5 years ago

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By Bala Ibrahim.

It is no longer news that few weeks ago, the media space was filled with the report of a global investigation, that exposed the alleged offshore hideaways of some of the world’s most powerful people. Under the name, The Pandora Papers, and carried out by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, ICIJ, the project was said to have sieved through nearly 12 million confidential files, that revealed how some people, including high profile Nigerians, flout extant laws and legislation.

What may be new is the contradictions in the reports, alongside the perceived purpose of the project, and the motive behind the propaganda, especially where some people were unfairly accused of seeking to conceal their financial dealings, by setting up shell companies to warehouse large assets in illegal jurisdictions.

Through misconceptions, factual mischief, crafty and deceitful methods of putting out reports, the propagandists aim at silently and skillfully smearing the names of some people, living and dead, with the Abacha family evidently amongst the targeted dead. It is sad that even death, and after over 20 years in the grave, some people wouldn’t allow Abacha to sleep in silence.

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This article intends to look at the journalistic jiggery-pokery used by some colleagues of the pen profession, to wrongly rope in some people in underhand dealings, by giving insights into some of the facts that have been muted deliberately in the propaganda, especially the lies to smear the name of the Abacha family, using Governor Bagudu of Kebbi state, as a sitting duck.

The report of the mischief in the Pandora papers began thus, “Eleven years ago, Abubakar Bagudu, the current governor of Kebbi State, then a senator, dispatched a delegation to Singapore in search of a new haven to shelter his controversial wealth, which is a target of ongoing forfeiture proceedings by the United States Department of Justice.

The propagandists say the huge funds, warehoused offshore, is part of billions of dollars Mr Bagudu helped the Sani Abacha family to steal from Nigeria in the 1990s. Mr. Bagudu’s choice of secrecy provider in Singapore was Asiaciti Trust, an entity notorious for helping clients hide behind opaque offshore trusts to launder dirty money across borders”.

Investigations have shown that this is untrue, and in addressing the contradictions in the story, and also in order to particularly absolve Governor Bagudu from the framework of these fabrications, I would start by publishing the response of Bagudu’s UK lawyer, to one of the enquiries from Mr. Begley, a foreign media editor, viz:

Dear Mr. Begley.

Thank you for your email of 21st September 2021. Mr. Bagudu has had similar enquiries from Premium Times of Nigeria and the Guardian and it may be convenient for you to liaise, since there seem to be some shared misconceptions and factual errors.

Your questions rest on a premise that there is something illegal or nefarious about the Blue trusts or the monies they hold, and that AsiaCiti were in some sense complicit in underhand financial machinations. This is incorrect and in fact the trusts, the assets they hold, and the interests in both, have been disclosed to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the authorities in the UK, where the monies have been held, for at least 22 years, at least 11 years before any involvement of AsiaCiti.

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All monies held by the Blue Family Trust are lawfully held, following settlement of disputes with the Federal Republic of Nigeria (“FRN”) during the Presidency of President Obasanjo. Even before that, the fact of those holdings, their location in the UK and their ownership has been known to the FRN and/or the UK authorities from (at the latest) 1999 to date.

To the extent that the settled disputes concerned allegations of corruption against Mr Bagudu, those are, and have always been, denied. It should be noted that there are no findings of any wrongdoing against Mr Bagudu, either civil or criminal, in any jurisdiction, nor has Governor Bagudu been indicted by the United States.

Between 1999 and 2003, there was extensive civil litigation and investigations, including in Nigeria, the UK, Jersey and Switzerland, concerning allegations of corruption relating to certain transactions from the period when General Sani Abacha was Head of State of Nigeria.

Mr Bagudu reached a compromise with the FRN in 2003 (“the Settlement”) by which all claims against him and his family were ended and the FRN received cash and certain rights with an approximate value of $300m. This was in addition to the more than $750 million that Mr Bagudu assisted the FRN to recover immediately following the death of Gen Abacha.

The Settlement was executed with the express authority of President Obasanjo of Nigeria, who provided a signed confirmation that could be produced to third parties, to confirm that the Settlement resolved and released all claims and liabilities of any kind (civil, criminal, or regulatory) that might exist against Mr Bagudu and his affiliates (defined to include certain individuals and entities associated with Mr Bagudu and his family).

The Settlement was the subject of an Order of the English Court. It was implemented with the consent of the relevant English authorities, being the National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS, subsequently replaced by the Serious Organized Crime Agency (“SOCA”) and the National Crime Agency (“NCA”). NCIS was informed of the allegations that had been made by the FRN, the settlement reached with the FRN and their permission was sought for the transfers, on behalf of Mr Bagudu and related parties and the legal professionals involved. The Settlement was carried into effect with the cooperation and assistance of the Jersey, English and US authorities.

Further, the existence of the trusts were disclosed to the Code of Conduct Bureau in Nigeria by Governor Bagudu and he has at all times complied with all his obligations under Nigerian law. All the circumstances of the monies held and how they were owned had in any event been known to the FRN since 1999.

Your queries to Mr Bagudu suggest that you believe that there is some revelation or surprise about the Blue trusts and their assets or how they came to exist when in fact they are assets that have not moved in more than 22 years, or are fully disclosed and held with the express agreement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

From the foregone submission, it can be seen that the paradox of the Pandora papers, as it affects Governor Bagudu, was foregrounded in the paragraph that reads, “The settlement was executed with the express authority of President Obasanjo of Nigeria, who provided a signed confirmation that could be produced to third parties, to confirm that the settlement resolved and released all claims and liabilities of any kind (civil, criminal, or regulatory) that might exist against Mr. Bagudu and his affiliates.”

If indeed there was a settlement, to which the then presiding President of Nigeria, in the person of Olusegun Obasanjo, provided a signed confirmation, it would be mischievous, malicious and malevolent, to change the narratives to contemplate something illegal or nefarious.

The intent of the Pandora papers is undoubtedly similar to that of the Panama papers of 2016, which exposed offshore companies linked to a number of politicians in Nigeria, that sparked outrage across the country, calling for probes and prosecution of the prominent Nigerians mentioned in the shady deals, but none of the alleged violators was found culpable or guilty enough to be sanctioned.

However, unlike the Panama papers, the Pandora papers has come with a peculiar bias of intentional impairment of the truth. And late Abacha and Atiku Bagudu are two of the targets intended for incivility.

There seems to be a grand design to even question the integrity of President Muhammadu Buhari, who has time without number, doubted the allegations levelled against late Abacha, and whose regime has been working assiduously to recover all looted monies within and without.

Two of the major responsibilities of journalists are upholding the truth, through verification and unbiased reportage. If findings in the Panama papers could not hold waters because of the failure to fulfil such responsibilities, the same fate awaits the Pandora papers, whose revelations are not only contradictory, but condescendingly contemptuous.

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Kano Amirul Hajj Blasts NAHCON Over Poor Treatment of Pilgrims

Published

12 hours ago

on

May 29, 2026

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By Lamara Garba

The Kano State Amirul Hajj and Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the poor treatment meted out to pilgrims from the state by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) during the ongoing 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Amirul Hajj, who spoke through his deputy, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammadu Maharaz, made the remarks while receiving officials of NAHCON at the Kano Pilgrims Camp in Mina.

He openly complained about several challenges faced by pilgrims from the state since the commencement of the Hajj operations.

The Emir particularly lamented that Kano pilgrims were among the last batch of Nigerian pilgrims to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia, a development he said caused unnecessary hardship and anxiety for intending pilgrims from the state.

According to him, the airlift operations involving Kano pilgrims suffered repeated delays, adding that if not for the timely intervention and commitment of the Kano State Government as well as the airline handling the operation, the situation would have been worse.

He noted that the delays disrupted the movement schedule of many pilgrims and exposed them to avoidable stress during the sacred journey.

The Amirul Hajj further stated that the late arrival of Kano pilgrims to the Holy Land denied many contingents adequate time to comfortably stay and worship in Madina before proceeding to Makkah.

According to him, most contingents from Kano State barely spent 24 hours or, at most, two nights in Madina instead of the usual four or five days enjoyed by pilgrims from other states.

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He explained that the situation rushed the activities of pilgrims and made it difficult for many of them to properly observe prayers and other spiritual engagements in the holy city.

The Emir also complained bitterly about the poor quality of food served to pilgrims both in Madina and Jeddah, saying the meals provided fell below acceptable standards.

He revealed that in some instances, pilgrims were not served food at all, a situation he described as unfortunate considering the huge amount paid by pilgrims for the Hajj exercise.

The Amirul Hajj also expressed concern over the failure to issue Nusuk cards to some pilgrims, saying the development negatively affected the smooth performance of Hajj rites by the affected persons.

He disclosed that several dozens of Kano pilgrims were forced into seclusion and faced movement restrictions due to the non-issuance of the Nusuk cards, which are mandatory for access to some holy sites and Hajj services.

“At a point, some pilgrims were kept inside buses for over five hours after arriving in Makkah because they could not disembark due to the absence of Nusuk cards for some of them,” he said.

According to him, the development subjected many pilgrims, particularly women and the elderly, to severe hardship.

The Amirul Hajj said the challenges generated serious concern among pilgrims and officials from Kano State, stressing that the welfare of pilgrims should remain a top priority for all agencies involved in Hajj operations.

He therefore urged NAHCON to urgently address the problems to prevent a recurrence, especially during the return airlift of pilgrims back to Nigeria.

The Emir expressed hope that the return journey would be better organised and free from the difficulties currently being experienced by pilgrims.

Responding, the Director of Training and Research of NAHCON, Professor Abubakar Abubakar Yargawal, assured the Kano delegation that all the issues raised would be adequately addressed by the commission.

Professor Yargawal apologised for the inconveniences and operational hitches experienced during the Hajj exercise, assuring that efforts were already underway to improve services to pilgrims.

He thanked the Kano State leaders for openly informing the commission about the challenges faced by their pilgrims and commended the Kano contingent for demonstrating patience, maturity and restraint despite the difficulties encountered.

The NAHCON official further assured that the commission remained committed to ensuring the welfare, comfort and successful Hajj exercise of all Nigerian pilgrims.

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Kebbi Governor Pays Hadaya for State Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

Published

13 hours ago

on

May 29, 2026

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By Lamara Garba

The Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, has approved a comprehensive welfare package for over 4,000 pilgrims from the state currently performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The State Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Makkah, saying Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu had fully paid for the pilgrims’ Hadaya sacrifice as part of the welfare package provided for the state contingents.

According to him, the governor paid 720 Saudi Riyals for the Hadaya of each pilgrim, an amount equivalent to about 200 US dollars, in order to ensure that all pilgrims perform the important rite without financial difficulty.

Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega further revealed that the Kebbi State Government also provided an additional 350 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim to ease their stay in Makkah and assist them in meeting some personal expenses during the pilgrimage.

He added that the state government equally distributed free Ihram materials to male pilgrims and Hijabs to female pilgrims as part of efforts to ensure comfort and adequate preparation for the Hajj rites.

According to the Amirul Hajj, the gesture by Governor Nasir Idris was aimed at easing the burden on pilgrims and ensuring that they perform their religious obligations with comfort, dignity and peace of mind throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

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He explained that the payment of the Hadaya and other incentives formed part of several welfare initiatives introduced by the Kebbi State Government for this year’s Hajj operations, noting that the administration had demonstrated strong commitment towards the wellbeing of the pilgrims from the commencement of the exercise.

Alhaji Ahmad Ja’afaru Jega further revealed that the state government secured decent accommodation for the pilgrims at locations very close to the Grand Mosque in Makkah, thereby enabling them to conveniently participate in the five daily congregational prayers at the Holy Ka’abah Mosque.

“Because of the proximity of our hotels to the Grand Mosque, our pilgrims have been attending prayers at the Ka’abah regularly without stress. This is a great spiritual privilege for them,” he stated.

The Amirul Hajj observed that the welfare support introduced by the governor had significantly reduced the challenges usually encountered by pilgrims during Hajj operations.

He commended Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as a rare demonstration of leadership, compassion and commitment to the welfare and safety of Kebbi pilgrims in the Holy Land.

Alhaji Ja’afaru Jega also praised the conduct of the state contingents, saying the pilgrims had exhibited high levels of discipline, patriotism and orderliness since their arrival in Saudi Arabia.

“Despite being one of the states with the largest contingents from Nigeria, Kebbi pilgrims have remained peaceful, disciplined and orderly in all places of worship and public gatherings. This is a good omen not only for Kebbi State but for Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

The Amirul Hajj added that officials of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Board and other support teams had continued to work tirelessly to ensure the comfort, safety and successful completion of Hajj rites by the pilgrims.

He urged the pilgrims to continue praying for lasting peace, unity and development in Kebbi State and Nigeria, while also encouraging them to obey Saudi regulations and maintain the good image of the country throughout their stay in the Holy Land.

Many of the pilgrims who spoke on the development expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State Government for the unprecedented support and welfare packages provided to them, describing the 2026 Hajj exercise as one of the most organised and pilgrim-friendly operations in recent times.

They offered prayers for Governor Nasir Idris, asking Allah to reward him abundantly for prioritising the welfare of the pilgrims and for demonstrating genuine concern for their spiritual and social wellbeing.

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Eid Al-Adha Message from the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC Faith, Sacrifice, and Our Shared Duty to Protect Life”

Published

13 hours ago

on

May 29, 2026

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Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

On this blessed 3rd day of Eid Al-Adha, I extend heartfelt greetings and prayers to His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State, and to the people of Kano whose faith, endurance, and sense of community continue to inspire all of us who serve in public health.

Eid Al-Adha calls us back to the essence of sacrifice. It reminds us that true devotion is shown not only in worship, but in how we stand for one another in times of ease and in times of trial. In public health, that lesson is lived daily. Every early report from a village health worker, every sample tested in our laboratory, every rapid response launched in a remote ward; these are acts of sacrifice made to protect the lives of strangers.

It is in this spirit that I speak today.

Your Excellency, Kano is fortunate to have a leader who understands that health security is not a luxury but a foundation for progress. Your administration’s commitment to strengthening disease prevention, surveillance, and emergency response has given KNCDC both the mandate and the means to act swiftly and decisively.

Because of your support, we are building systems that detect threats earlier, respond faster, and communicate more clearly with communities. You have shown that when government treats health security as a priority, the people feel it directly in their homes, markets, and schools.

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On behalf of the entire KNCDC team; surveillance officers, epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, field officers, and support staff, I thank you for your leadership. Your readiness to back science with resources and policy has placed Kano in a stronger position to face current and emerging health threats. We do not take this trust lightly.

To the Good People of Kano State

KNCDC exists to serve you. Our mandate is clear: to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemic-prone diseases across all 44 local government areas. But we cannot achieve this alone.

Under the strategic guidance of the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, we are working to ensure that every community in Kano has access to early warning, accurate information, and rapid assistance when needed. Our surveillance networks are active, our laboratories are functioning, and our rapid response teams remain on alert.

Yet our greatest asset remains you, the people. The early report from a mother in a rural clinic, the cooperation of a community leader during an outbreak investigation, the willingness of citizens to share accurate information: these are the actions that turn preparedness into protection.

As we continue our Eid celebrations, I urge every Kano resident to continue being part of this collective defense. Report unusual illness early. Listen to and share verified health information. Support the health workers who serve you, often under difficult conditions. A safer Kano is built when government, institutions, and citizens move as one.

*Our Pledge*

This Eid, KNCDC renews its pledge to remain vigilant, professional, and accountable to the people of Kano State. We will continue to strengthen our systems, expand our reach, and work transparently so that no community is left behind in our response.

May Allah (SWT) accept the sacrifices of the pilgrims in Makkah and of every household celebrating here in Kano. May He grant healing to the sick, strength to our health workers, wisdom to our leaders, and peace and prosperity to Kano State and to Nigeria.

Eid Mubarak.
Let us celebrate today with gratitude, and tomorrow return to the work of building a healthier, safer Kano together.

 

Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas
Director General
Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC

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