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NMDC DG, Four Others Face Corruption Charges

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Director-General of the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC) in Jos, Professor Linus Okon-Asuquo, is set to face prosecution. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed criminal charges against him and four others. According to court documents dated October 14, 2025, the charges include multiple counts of corruption, abuse of office, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act.

The ICPC’s action comes after the DAILY NIGERIAN published investigations alleging that the NMDC leadership misused over ₦2.5 billion. The reported misuse involved awarding fraudulent contracts, diverting government intervention funds, and violating procurement rules.

The document, titled: “FRN vs. Prof Linus Okon Asuquo & 4 Others”, listed the DG alongside other senior officials and contractors who allegedly collaborated in awarding and executing questionable contracts running into hundreds of millions of naira.

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The ICPC’s charges detail that the defendants conspired to inflate contract sums, issued award letters in violation of procurement regulations, and approved payments that significantly exceeded the financial authority granted to the Director-General.

This legal action follows recent staff protests at the NMDC headquarters, where employees demanded Professor Asuquo’s removal over allegations of corruption, maladministration, and the victimization of staff.

Following the internal unrest, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development dispatched a delegation led by its Permanent Secretary, Mr. Chris Osokpunwu, to assess the situation. The Ministry pledged to take decisive action based on the delegation’s findings.

A senior official at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) confirmed that the investigation has been concluded and the case filed for prosecution. The official declined to provide further details, citing the sub judice nature of the matter as proceedings are now active before the court.

This prosecution represents a critical juncture in the ongoing scandal at the National Metallurgical Development Centre (NMDC). The Centre, a strategically vital national research institution established to propel industrialization through metallurgical innovation, is now grappling with serious allegations of fraud and systemic administrative failures.

The professor, alongside two other chief executive officers, was appointed by the late president Buhari on the 19th of July, 2018, into the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

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Group warns Kwankwaso Against Using Social Media Handlers To undermine security and public order in Kano .

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Kwankwaso

 

The Kano Peace Coalition Group, has uncovered a report on how the Leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, allegedly manipulate Youth groups to create uncertainty and chaos in the ancient City of Kano.

The State Coordinator of the Group, Datti Datti Tukur, said in a release, Tuesday, that the Youth’s who are members of Kwankwasiyya Movement from the branches of the Social Media, have recently taken on their accounts attacking prominent political figures including the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abdullahi U GANDUJE and anyone that disagrees with his self serving political philosophy.
The group specifically singled out a case in which the Kwankwasiyya handlers degnirated the personality of Gov Yusuf depicting him in female attires wearing makeup.

Datti further added that, One of the characters involved in these atrocities was Abba Ibrahim Hussain aka Aiha, a notorious cyber stalker allegedly on the payroll of KWANKWASO.

“Available record shows that Hussain has been charged to a Magistrate Court 47 Zungeru Road, and reminded in Prison on 23 February 2026 for the offences of Cyber Bullying, Stalking and inciting public disturbances” by the DSS kano command.

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Similarly the Group also cited a case of one Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda who was cautioned in the past by the security operatives for allegedly being used by Kwankwaso to denigrate the character of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and creat tension in the state.

The group further added that “Despite clear facts against him, Danbilki was neither detained nor harassed by the security Agency”.

They said, reports available to them, also identified one Samir Sani Hanga, Son of the Senator representing Kano Central, Sani Hanga, who was also accused of Cyber Bullying and Staking but cautioned by the security to desist from such criminal behavior in the presence of his father.

“Investigation also uncovered the involvement of one Abdullahi Aminu Warkal, another Kwankwasiyya social media handler who was alleged to have been harassed by the Security operatives.

“Report however indicated that Warkal was invited by the security agency to explain how he defrauded the government of N10 Million.

The Coordinator, appealed to Amnesty International who was said to have issued a statement alleging harassment of Political opponents in Kano to verify every claim with the spirit of fairness and professionalism before taking stand to avoid compromising the group’s reputation and credibility.

“That as a respected INGO, Amnesty International should not allow itself to be compromised by anybody but including KWANKWASO.”
The need to investigate and verify claims before rushing to the press is sacrosanct and complementary to the efforts of security agencies towards eradicating the menace of cyber bullying and disrespect for constituted authority.

He said, “Kano is a respected State with People of dignity, integrity and religious consciousness. No one will be happy to see some misguided individuals sponsored to disrespect elders and leaders. The Amnesty International should look at the issues of cyber bullying, stalking and incitement that clearly violates the law.

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President Tinubu Decorates Disu as New IGP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, with his new rank at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The decoration took place during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday and attended by top government officials and some family members of the new acting IGP.

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With the swearing-in, the Acting IGP, Disu becomes Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.

His appointment follows the resignation of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The Presidency linked Egbetokun’s resignation to pressing family considerations.

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BREAKING: DSS Stalls Own Case Against El-Rufai, Claims Ex-Governor Not in Their Custody

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the scheduled arraignment of Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, until April 23.

Mr. el-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) related to the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation. The charges stem from comments the former governor made during a television interview.

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The court had initially set Wednesday, February 25, for his arraignment. However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr. el-Rufai was not produced in court.

Oluwole Aladedoyin, counsel for the prosecution, informed the court that the former governor is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a separate matter.

“Unfortunately, the defendant is with the ICPC, and I do not know how far the investigation with the ICPC has gone,” Mr. Aladedoyin explained to the court.

The charges against the former governor pertain to an alleged breach of the Cybercrimes Act.

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