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Senate Grills AGF Over Zero Capital Allocations, Unpaid Contracts in 2025 Budget

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Dr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, faced intense questioning on Thursday as the Senate Committee on Finance scrutinised the 2025 budget implementation, citing zero capital allocations to several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), mounting unpaid contracts and concerns over the Centralised Payment System.

The heated exchange occurred during the AGF’s budget defence session, where lawmakers voiced frustration over what they described as poor fund releases and low implementation levels despite increased government revenues.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), opened the session with sharp criticism, accusing the Office of the Accountant-General of maintaining what he termed an “unfriendly” posture toward the committee.

“We are not going to take your budget until we are satisfied that your office is ready to do things that will make things work for Nigerians,” Musa said.

He also questioned the continued use of the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it had failed to deliver desired outcomes and should be replaced with a more performance-based framework.

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Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) described the current situation as “embarrassing,” noting a surge in complaints from contractors over unpaid jobs since 2024.

“We have never seen contractors bombarding us weekly for intervention on non-payment of executed contracts,” Goje said.

He queried the impact of recent fiscal reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, which were expected to boost government revenues.

“The impression given to Nigerians is that more money is available. Where is the money now? Why are contractors owed? And why was there zero allocation for capital votes of most MDAs in 2025?” he asked.

Senator Muntari Dandutse (Katsina South) raised concerns over reports that revenue-generating agencies recorded N28 trillion, yet many contractors remain unpaid and several MDAs have no capital allocation.

“What happened to the N28 trillion?” he asked, adding that the Centralised Payment System had not improved the situation and was allegedly affecting government operations.

Other lawmakers, including Senators Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North), Aminu Abbas (Adamawa Central) and Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), urged the AGF to advise President Bola Tinubu on the need to prevent possible internal sabotage within the system.

Responding, Ogunjimi attributed the funding challenges to indiscriminate contract awards by some MDAs without confirmed budgetary backing. He said a directive had been issued prohibiting agencies from awarding contracts without available funds.

“As Accountant-General, my office can only disburse funds that are available. I must have the funds before I can release them,” he said.

He also noted that the previous reliance on “Ways and Means” financing had been discontinued in the interest of economic stability.

While acknowledging operational challenges with the Centralised Payment System, the AGF assured lawmakers that steps were being taken to address the issues and improve efficiency.

The committee later moved into a closed-door session with the AGF for further deliberations.

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Kano Gov’t Meets Lawyers, Approves 75% of Demands, Orders Salary Payments

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved 75 percent of the demands put forward by the state’s lawyers’ association, following their recent industrial action.

The decision is part of the government’s broader efforts to address challenges within the judiciary sector and enhance the welfare and working conditions of government-employed legal practitioners.

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As part of the measures, the governor also directed the immediate payment of two months’ outstanding salaries owed to newly recruited lawyers who had yet to receive their entitlements. The directive was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs.

The lawyers’ association has welcomed the development, describing it as a clear indication of the administration’s responsiveness and commitment to addressing their concerns.

The resolution is expected to bring the industrial action to an end and pave the way for the full resumption of legal and judicial activities across Kano State.

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FG Amends Charges Against Malami, Withdraws Terrorism Financing Allegation

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The federal government has amended charges filed against Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF), and his son Abdulaziz, removing the allegation bordering on terrorism financing.

At the court session on Wednesday, Akinlolu Kehinde, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), informed the court about the amendment and applied to substitute the former charge.

The amended charge borders on illegal possession of firearms.

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Shaibu Aruwa, counsel to the defendants, confirmed that his clients were served with the amended charge and agreed that the fresh charge be read to the defendants.

Consequently, the amended charge was read to the defendants, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding judge, allowed the defendants to continue on the bail terms and conditions granted to them on February 27.

The case has been adjourned to May 26 and June 15 for trial.

In the amended charge, the prosecution alleges that arms and live cartridges were found in Malami’s residence in Birnin Kebbi.

Malami and Abdulaziz were first arraigned by the DSS on February 3 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms.

The DSS accused Malami of refusing to prosecute terrorism financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to the office of the attorney-general for prosecution.

On February 27, the ex-AGF and his son were each granted bail of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

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Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Climbs to 15.38% in March

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a rise in Nigeria’s headline inflation rate, which increased to 15.38% in March 2026, up from 15.06% recorded in February.

According to the NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Wednesday, the 0.32 percentage point increase marks the second consecutive monthly rise in inflation this year. The March figure also represents a significant jump compared to the same period last year, underscoring persistent price pressures across key sectors.

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Analysts point to rising food and energy costs, coupled with lingering supply chain disruptions, as primary drivers of the uptick. The NBS noted that food inflation remained elevated due to higher prices of staple items such as bread, cereals, and vegetables, while core inflation excluding volatile agricultural produce and energy also edged upward.

The development puts additional pressure on households and businesses, and may influence the Central Bank of Nigeria’s monetary policy stance in the coming months.

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