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Pandora Papers And The Paradox Of A Propaganda

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4 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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Governor Dauda Lawal Defects to APC After Stakeholder Consultations

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2 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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The Zamfara State Government has announced that Governor Dauda Lawal has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following what officials described as “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.” This was contained in a statement signed by Nuhu Salihu Anka, Director General, Media and Communication, Office of the Governor.

According to the statement, Governor Lawal’s decision was driven by the overriding interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development in Zamfara State. “After careful consideration, His Excellency has decided to formally defect to the APC,” Anka said, noting that the move followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP at both national and state levels.

The government explained that unresolved leadership disagreements and structural challenges in the PDP had created uncertainty and distractions that threatened effective governance. “These challenges have continued to hinder the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement emphasized.

Governor Lawal reiterated that his primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State. “It became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” Anka quoted the governor as saying.

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The statement further revealed that the final deliberation leading to the defection was held at the Government House in Gusau, under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders. “This was a collective decision reached after wide consultations,” Anka explained.

Governor Lawal expressed appreciation to PDP members and supporters for their cooperation over the years. However, he noted that the prevailing political realities and unresolved crises within the party made it necessary to take what he described as “a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”

By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government. “This is a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development,” Anka stated.

The government therefore called on citizens, political leaders, party supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm and supportive. “We urge everyone to embrace this transition peacefully as Zamfara enters a new chapter of political cooperation and progress,”

 

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Petrol Price Surge to Deepen Cost-of-Living Crisis as Dangote Refinery Hikes Rates Again

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4 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The financial burden on Nigerian consumers is set to intensify following a sharp increase in petrol prices by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, marking the third adjustment in less than a week.

Effective Monday, the refinery raised the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦1,175 per litre. This represents a significant jump of ₦180, or approximately 18.1%, from the ₦995 per litre price announced just last Friday. In a parallel move, the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) was also revised upward to ₦1,620 per litre.

Confirming the development to our correspondent, a senior official at the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on public commentary, stated that the changes have been formally communicated to marketers and depot operators.

“Yes, the gantry prices have been adjusted. PMS is now ₦1,175 per litre while Automotive Gas Oil is ₦1,620 per litre,” the official said. “The market has been extremely volatile, and replacement costs have shifted significantly in recent days. These adjustments reflect prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”

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Data from the industry pricing platform, petroleumprice.ng, confirmed that the revised rates have been integrated into depot pricing systems nationwide, effectively resetting the benchmark for downstream marketers.

This latest surge—which has seen gantry prices climb from ₦774 to over ₦1,175 in a matter of days—is already translating to higher costs at the pump. Retail outlets in several states are now selling petrol for approximately ₦1,200 per litre, adding another layer of economic strain on households and businesses.

The increase is expected to trigger a fresh wave of price adjustments across the country. Higher fuel costs invariably lead to increased expenses for transportation, logistics, and production, costs that are typically passed on to consumers. This dynamic threatens to exacerbate Nigeria’s already high cost of living.

The price hikes underscore the challenges facing the Federal Government’s efforts to stabilize the downstream sector. Through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the government has been working to secure crude oil supply for the Dangote refinery via third-party international traders in a bid to sustain local refining and, ultimately, moderate prices.

However, officials caution that these interventions may not yield immediate relief for consumers. As the 650,000-barrel-per-day Lekki-based refinery adjusts its prices in response to volatile market realities, Nigerians are left grappling with the immediate consequences of a deregulated market where pump prices are increasingly subject to global and local market forces.

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ADVERT:KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

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4 hours ago

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March 9, 2026

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KANO STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD
IMMUNIZATION PLUS AND MALARIA PROGRESS BY ACCELERATING COVERAGE AND TRANSFORMING SERVICES (IMPACT PROJECT)

CREDIT NO. IDA-65390

Request for Bids – Goods

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB

Date of Issue: March 9, 2026

1. The Kano State Government through the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has received a credit from the International Development Association toward the cost of the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the Contract for the Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

2. The Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Procurement of the following:

Item No.
Description / Identification of Items
Qty
Bid Security
Delivery Period
Location(s)

 

Procurement of 44 Nos. Ultrasound Scan Machines for 44 Secondary Facilities in Kano State.

NG-KANO MPA-536529-GO-RFB
44
₦19,700,000.00
90 days
Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project, State PIU Office, Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, Kano State

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Bidding Procedures
3. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Bidding using Request for Bids (RfB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”) available on www.worldbank.org/procure and is open to all Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations. In addition, please refers to paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 in the “Procurement Regulation” on the conflict of interest.

Invitation
4. Interested and eligible bidders may obtain further information from the State Project Manager, Kano State IMPACT Project, and inspect/obtain the bidding documents at the address below, between 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Mondays to Fridays, except on public holidays.

5. Qualifications requirements include:

The Bidder should demonstrate that it has successfully completed the supply/installation of a minimum of 30 (Thirty) Ultrasound Scan Machine within the last 5 (five) years.”
Audited financial statements for the last three (3) years, to demonstrate the financial capability of the Bidder in terms of Profitability and adequate working capital,
Registration with Professional organizations/Licenses to sell Medical Equipment in Nigeria.
Company Registration,
Certified Manufacturers Authorization,
Evidence of after-sales services in Nigeria

A margin of preference for eligible national contractors shall not apply; Additional details are provided in the Bidding Documents.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of ₦ 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only). The payment method will be a Bank Draft in favour of the Kano State IMPACT Project. The Bidding Documents will be collected by the representative of the Bidder or by courier services on request, which shall be at the bidder’s cost.

7. Bids must be delivered to the address below at 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Electronic bid submissions will not be accepted; Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below 11:00 am local time on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of ₦19,700,000.00 in local currency or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

8. The address referred to above is:

The State Project Manager,
State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU),
Kano State Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Project,
Address: Na’ibawa Zaria Road, Opposite Gidan Fiat, P.M.B 3295, Kano State.
Telephone: +234 803 530 7255 / +234 806 558 1226
Email address: piukanoimpactproject@gmail.com

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