Connect with us

News

CSO Appeals To PMB,Bawa To Curb Excesses Of Ilorin EFCC Zonal Head

Published

on

President Muhammad Buhari

 

A Civil Society Organization, (CSO), Social Integrity Network, (SINET) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrashid Bawa to check the excesses of the Ilorin Zonal Head of the agency, Michael Nzekwe, over what they termed as witch-hunt of investors in Kwara State.

The Group noted that as part of the backward integration policy of the federal government, it is expected of manufacturers to depend heavily on the solid minerals available in the land for production processes among others

At a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday by its national coordinator, Mr. Oluseyi Adedoyin, the CSO expressed sadness over the unfortunate incidence of unlawful arrest of legal Miners in Kwara State by the EFCC calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Abdulrashid Bawa to order urgent replacement of Mr. Michael Nzekwe with immediate effect.

SINET also attributed the continuous arrest of innocent investors both locals and foreigners to an act tantamount to abuse of power, deliberate attempt to impoverish the state by chasing prospective investors from the state stressing, “Mr. Nzekwe is fanning the ’ember’ of crises in the state.
It was gathered that Micheal Nzekwe was dismissed in February, 2014 by EFCC for desertion which is a serious offence against discipline going by the provisions of Section 43(e) (i) of the EFCC Staff Regulation which states that “Any officer who willfully absents for twenty one (21) consecutive days shall be guilty of the offense of desertion and shall be dismissed from the Commission as a deserter.”

Advert

According to the EFCC statement of defense, he was directed to seek approval for his casual leave of 7 days before travelling overseas which he did not and later absconded for 21 days.

A source at the commission said he has a record of not obeying constituted authority.

EFCC To Arraign Idris On Friday

He contested his dismissal at the National Industrial Court and was ordered to be reinstated in October, 2015, according to the judge, he should have be tried and punished on disciplinary offences as provided by the rules.

According to Oluseyi Adedoyin , “He doesn’t honour the licenses and documents issued by the Federal Ministry of Mining and the Mining Cadastral, being the agency in- charge of authorization of mining activities in the country. He doesn’t respect anybody and he is already over stepping his boundaries and perpetrating huge sum of tribalism and religious sentiments in the state.
“He spares Igbo of any offence the commit and ensure that he victimise people of other tribes. That has being his stock in trade since his assumption of office in April 2022. We are in support of EFCC going after Internet fraudsters, financial crimes offenders and cybercrime thieves but we are totally against creating religions crises and ethnicity in the state. Don’t let foreign investors desert our land.

He further stressed that, “Nigerians are guided by laws and not by anyone’s assumption. Let Mr. Nzekwe respects the law and stop harassing innocent souls. His conducts does not actually reflect nor portray the ethics of a patriotic Nigerian. All his acts are unwarranted, unacceptable, and totally condemnable.”

News

Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

Published

on

Court Sign

 

A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Advert

The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

Continue Reading

News

Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

Published

on

 

The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

Advert

According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

Continue Reading

News

Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

Published

on

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

Advert

Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

Continue Reading

Trending