Puts current figure of out-of-school children at 989,234

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, yesterday, revealed that upon assumption of office on May 29, 2023, his administration met no fewer than 4.7 million pupils sitting on bare floors in primary schools across the state.

Yusuf, who spoke while declaring state of emergency on Education in Kano at the Open Arena, Kano Government House, said the lack of instructional materials further compounded the problem.

According to him, it left teachers and students to struggle with outdated and insufficient resources.

His words: “Above 4.7 million pupils are sitting on bare floors to take lessons while about 400 schools have only one teacher for all classes subjects and all pupils. Rather than building more classrooms and providing basic furniture in the schools, as well as hiring more teachers, the administration we took over from chose to butcher the land belonging to those schools. In some places, it demolished classrooms to create space for shops.

“Those schools that they could not sell, they closed them down and got them vandalized. The encroachment of public school lands and the conversion of these vital institutions into private business premises is an affront to our communal values and a direct assault on our commitment to public education. This reckless appropriation of educational spaces for commercial use is unacceptable and must stop immediately.

“Today, I stand before you with a profound sense of duty, compelled by the pressing need to address the precarious state of our education sector. As your elected governor, entrusted with the solemn responsibility of steering our state towards prosperity and progress, I cannot ignore the glaring reality that confronts us in the realm of education.

“And with education being our number one priority, and believing that education is not only a public good, but is also the greatest asset that any people can bequeat to its upcoming generation because no people can grow beyond the quality and standard of their education system, we must, therefore, take radical but practical measures to reposition education provisioning in our state.

“It is with a heavy heart that I bring forth this discourse, as the challenges we face in the education sector are as formidable as they are alarming, and the urgency with which we must act is undeniable.

“Our educational landscape, once a beacon of hope and opportunity for our youths, and an example for other states to copy, now stands shrouded in the shadows of unacceptable neglect and decay. Our beloved state is witnessing an alarming proliferation of out-of-school children, with the current figure standing at 989,234 children.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have confirmed that they have not received any formal report or petition regarding the alleged ₦423 billion misappropriation by the administration of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Kaduna State House of Assembly had previously established a 13-man panel chaired by Deputy Speaker Henry Danjuma to investigate El-Rufai’s tenure.

This followed claims by the current Governor, Uba Sani, about inheriting a significant debt burden which he detailed during a town hall meeting. According to Sani, the state was left with “$587 million, ₦85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities.”

The assembly’s probe was initiated to scrutinize the finances, loans, and contracts awarded under El-Rufai, amid allegations of rampant financial mismanagement.

During a session on Wednesday, Danjuma reported that numerous loans were misapplied and some procurements breached due processes.

Speaker Yusuf Liman, upon receiving the committee’s findings, declared that El-Rufai’s government had misappropriated N423 billion, resulting in massive financial liabilities for the state.

Despite these severe allegations, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare informed Sunday PUNCH that the state assembly has yet to approach the commission with an official petition concerning the matter.

Bakare said, “They made that statement, but we have not received the report; but if they bring it, we know what to do. It’s an intention. It’s still an intention, and they have not sent the report to us for investigation.”

Concerning whether the ICPC would commence a probe into the matter if it receives the report of the Kaduna State Assembly, the spokesperson answered in the affirmative.

He said, “That is what we are established to do, if we receive a report, we don’t want to be criticised as killing the report; hence we’ll look into it, and if we’re able to establish a prima facie case, we’ll bring it to a logical conclusion. But we have not received any report in this regard.”

Also, impeccable EFCC sources, who spoke with the platform on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak, confirmed that the EFCC had yet to receive a petition from the Kaduna State Assembly concerning the money laundering allegations against El-Rufai.

A source said, “The EFCC does not work just based on what is reported. But if they (Kaduna Assembly) bring a petition to us, we’ll look into.”

Another source revealed, “There are processes and procedures, however, if they send a petition to the EFCC, we’ll act on it.”

Bukola Saraki, the 8th Nigerian Senate President, has accused former president, Muhammadu Buhari of trying to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to frame him up of fraud to weaken his tenure.

Saraki who ruled under President Buhari between 2015-2019, made the accusation on his official facebook handle, while celebrating the Supreme Court’s judgement delivered on Friday, overturning the Federal High Court’s 2018 decision regarding an alleged N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Limited.

Prior to the judgment, the EFCC had accused Melrose General Services Limited of obtaining N1.4bn from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through false claims.

The Commission therefore, secured the final forfeiture of the said N1.4bn through the Federal High Court, but being dissatisfied with the court ruling, Melrose General Services approached the Supreme Court for redress.

At the resumed session held on 14th March 2024, counsel to the appellant, Kehinde Ogunwumiju informed the apex court of a motion seeking to set aside of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

He premised his argument on the fact that the money involved in the forfeiture suit is not a proceed of any unlawful activity, but payment for a contractual and consultancy agreement.

He therefore prayed that the decision of the high court on the forfeiture be reversed.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court of his counter-affidavit dated 11th March 2024, praying the court to adopt his brief of argument and dismiss the appeal of the appellant

He said: “My Lords, we seek the leave of your noble Lordships to undertake a brief overview of the concept of forfeiture granted by the two courts below in a bid to drive home the 1st respondent `s case.

“There are generally two types of forfeitures used to recover the proceeds and instrumentalities of crimes. They share the same objective, namely the forfeiture to the state of the proceeds and instrumentalities of crime. Both share common two-fold rationales”, he said.

“Recall that appellant filed his notice of appeal against the well-considered judgment of the Federal High Court which was equally dismissed by the Court of Appeal on May 31, 2019, having found that the appellant failed to show that the said funds are not proceeds of crime.

“Further to the background of the matter, the EFCC carried out investigations which revealed among others the sum of N3.5bn was fraudulently paid to the appellant to carry out a consultancy job for the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, under the guise that the appellant carried out a consultancy job for the NGF entitling it to the money when it did not do any such work.

“The appellant made several withdrawals within a short time leaving N1,222,384,857.84 before the EFCC intervened.

“Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional sum of N220m which the appellant had paid to WASP Networks Ltd and Thebe Wellness Services”.

Meanwhile, after listening to all the submissions, the five-man panel of the apex court reserved judgment on the matter till 7th June, 2024.

However, delivering a judgment on 7th June, the Supreme Court panel led by Justice Akomaye Agim set aside the judgments of the lower courts and ruled in favour of the appellant, Melrose General Services.

Celebrating the victory of Melrose, Saraki said: “Yesterday’s ruling by the Supreme Court, which overturned the 2018 decision of the Federal High Court regarding an alleged N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Ltd., has brought a long and arduous legal ordeal to a just and welcome conclusion.

“As much as this case was between the EFCC and Melrose General Services Limited, it was a proxy war, with Melrose serving as a mere pawn in a larger scheme to victimise and persecute me.

“It was always clear that this case, just like my CCT case, was a thinly veiled attempt by the Buhari administration to use the EFCC for political gain.

“The allegations of “Paris Club Fraud” were nothing more than a smokescreen designed to weaken my office as President of the Senate and tarnish my reputation through spurious accusations similar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, from which I was also acquitted.

“As I said at the CCT, this case too was a politically motivated attack, not on corruption, but on the very foundations of our democracy.

“It aimed to undermine the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, and checks and balances—principles I have always fiercely defended.

“They hoped that by targeting me, they could sow discord within the legislature, turning colleagues against each other, ultimately weakening the institution of the Senate, and silencing dissenting voices.”

The former Senate President said because of this he is grateful to Almighty Allah (SWT), the ultimate arbiter of justice, for guiding the Supreme Court to this righteous verdict.

He also commended the judiciary for their meticulous examination of the evidence and adherence to due process, which ensured that justice prevailed.

“I also thank Melrose’s legal team for their tireless efforts in seeing this case to a just conclusion.

“Moving forward, we all have to canvas for fairness in the fight against corruption.

“We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions, and tolerate divergent views,” he said.

Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, has shared his thoughts on the call for the merger of political parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Bafarawa, in an interview with Punch, noted that the problem in the country is not the political party, the politicians are the problem of Democracy.

He noted that most politicians in the country were once members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bafarawa, who spoke on the claim that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, visited him and the move for the merger of political parties, said, “I was not visited by Peter Obi. But this merger that is being talked about will not help matters. It’s still the same people in the PDP and APC. It’s not the political party that’s the problem; we, the politicians, are the problem of our democracy. So, it’s not a question of changing A, B, C, or D. There’s nobody who’s not once a member of the PDP or the APC. They are in the same category. It’s like a football game where they’re passing the ball to their colleagues. While they’re doing that, no umpire blows the whistle; that’s why everything is messed up.

“Unless we tell ourselves the truth, be honest with ourselves, and see how we can commit ourselves to moving the country forward together, nothing much can be achieved.”

Speaking on the PDP’s possible presidential candidate in 2027, Bafarawa said if Obi decides to return to the party, “The people, Nigerians, will decide who the flag bearer will be.”

The Federal Government has banned hoteliers across the country from lodging teenagers and underage girls in their facilities.

Naija News reports that the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, read the riot acts on Saturday at the ‘Unlock Training and Grants’ ceremony in Abuja.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade, organised the programme, which saw 200 young entrepreneurs receive N100 million.

Speaking at the event, Kennedy-Ohanenye vowed it would no longer be business as usual as hoteliers who lodge underage girls risk being sanctioned.

To further depict the seriousness of the Federal Government, the minister disclosed that hoteliers, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, have been directed to mount a signpost outside their hotels warning prospective clients not to lodge underage girls in their premises.

She also extended the riot acts to school proprietors across the country, warning that they should ensure that no student is allowed to be bullied by either teachers or students.

She said, “Nigeria must be better. From 20th (June), we have directed hotels to put a sign outside from the Ministry of Women. No lodging of underage girls. (Otherwise) what happened in Niger State will be an understatement of what will happen in the FCT and I mean it.

“No more lodging of underage girls and no more bullying in schools.”

While speaking with journalists, Kennedy-Ohanenye said the FG has commenced a probe into the distasteful viral clip of 10 Nigerian teenagers who were rescued from neighbòuring Ghana, where they were trafficked for prostitution.

The minister promised that the government would take decisive action on the matter next Monday.

She added, “Women are suffering in this country. Today, we have talked about the need to allow the poor to breathe in this country.

“Meanwhile I am sure you saw the video circulating about our girls taken to Ghana. Did you see it? Very good. Action will start on Monday. You will hear about our action first thing on Monday morning. That is the first thing I am going to approach and see what we can do about it.”

The federal high court sitting in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of NOK University and all of its assets said to be linked to one Anthony Hassan, a former director of finance and accounts at the federal ministry of health.

In a 2022 ruling on an ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/688/2022, and filed by Ekele Iheanacho, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the federal high court had ordered that the institution be temporarily forfeited to the federal government.

The commission had alleged that Hassan diverted public funds with which he acquired the identified assets.

The EFCC also alleged that the former director diverted the funds running into billions of naira through the government integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS).

GIFMIS, an IT-based system for accounting and budget management, was designed by the federal government to actualise integrated and automated information systems and promote modernised fiscal processes.

In a statement on Saturday, the EFCC said it had filed an order of final forfeiture of the said properties.

The statement said Iheanacho established before the court the fact that Hassan built NOK University using proceeds of unlawful activities traced to him.

Physical assets of the university forfeited include the senate building, ICT building, faculty of medicine building, science deanery building, two academic buildings, a faculty hall and other buildings.

The judge also ordered the interim forfeiture of Gwasmyen water factory, Gwasmyen event centre and Gwasmyen international hotel, all said to be linked to Hassan.

“The Commission, had, through its investigative Officer, Adaora Asabe Oragudosi investigated some verified intelligence bordering on criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering against some staff of the Federal Ministry of Health where the properties ordered forfeited were traced to the defendant,” the statement reads.

Delivering judgment on the matter on Friday, the court held that the respondent failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidence in his favour.

Nollywood actress cum movie producer, Peju Johnson, has opened up about using financial demands to scare men requesting a romantic relationship with her.

Naija News reports that the movie star, in an interview with Punch, condemned women’s financial demands from men who desire to date them.

However, Peju stated that some men keep disturbing women even when they are uninterested in the relationship, and she uses financial demands to chase such men away.

She said, “I wouldn’t say it’s right (to make financial demands from men). But, I like to chase men away (from me) by making financial demands. For example, after telling some men that one is not interested in a relationship with them, they would still keep sending one lots of messages daily, professing how they love and care for one, even when most of what they are saying are lies. Many of them, especially married men, just want to sleep with one. That can be disturbing and exhausting for me. So, instead of blocking them, I use financial demands to chase them away. One won’t see their ‘brake light’ after that.”

On what she considers the most challenging role she has ever played, Peju said, “That would be the role I played in the movie I produced titled, ‘Payback’. I played the role of a tout. I did not believe I could play the role, and it was really challenging for me. But, with the help of the director, I pulled it off.”

Asked about the biggest sacrifice she had ever made for love, the actress said, “Many years ago, my former boyfriend, who I thought I would settle down with, asked me to stop my acting career for his sake. He did not want me to be an actress, because he is a jealous type. He wanted me only to himself. And, I actually quit acting because of him. But, he ended up cheating on me and impregnated someone else. Thereafter, we broke up and I went back to acting.”

President Bola Tinubu has named the M18 road in the Guzape district of the federal capital territory (FCT) as Chinua Achebe expressway.

Olusegun Dada, special assistant to the president on social media, said the president inaugurated the expressway on Saturday before naming it after the late renowned novelist.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Commissions the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District of Abuja. Names road after Nigerian Novelist and Poet, late Professor Chinua Achebe,” he wrote.

Achebe died in 2013 at the age of 83. He was a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic who is regarded as one of the fathers of modern African literature.

On Tuesday, Tinubu named the inaugurated arterial road N20 from the northern parkway to the outer northern expressway (ONEX) in the nation’s capital after Wole Soyinka, a famous playwright. 

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, had said the naming of the road after Soyinka was recommended by the FCT administration.

Soyinka is the first African to win the Nobel Prize for literature.

In May, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, named Abuja’s southern parkway after Tinubu.

The southern parkway stretches from the National Christian Centre to ring road one and is considered one of the city’s major spines.

A young lady who recently confessed on a podcast to engaging in sexual activities with her dogs has tragically taken her own life.

The confession was made during a candid discussion on a podcast hosted by Nollywood actress, Abiola Adebayo, where the lady discussed her struggles stemming from early trauma and subsequent exploitation.

Throughout the episode, the lady’s identity was kept confidential as her face was blurred, while she shared her distressing experiences of abuse during her childhood.

The woman shared, “When I was in school, in my room, I would lock my room and call my two dogs to lick my private parts. I would start crying afterwards and start cursing myself. I was not attracted to any man.”

However, in a short video on her official Instagram page on Saturday, Adebayo revealed the news that the woman had taken her own life.

Through tears, Adebayo said, “For the first time in my life, I feel like a failure. Nike died. The lady I just interviewed who said she slept with dogs committed suicide. People heard her story. They abused me. They said we formulated the story that they are not real. I gave her a listening ear, but she didn’t tell me she was going to die.

“She committed suicide. I sent her number to therapists. I didn’t know she was going to commit suicide.”

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on the Joint Task Force, South South Operation Delta Safe, to intensify efforts against oil theft and illegal refineries.

He described those who engage in the stealing and illegal refining of the nation’s crude oil as enemies of the state and should be treated as such.

Governor Otti stated this on Friday when he received a delegation of the sector commanders of the Joint Task Force team, charged with the responsibility to secure oil and gas operations in 10 states of the South South, South East, and South West.

“Those who operate illegal refineries and other activities, those are the enemies of the state and should be treated as such.

“Be they in Aba or in Ukwa or Port Harcourt or Bayelsa or any of the other 10 states, where you operate. The long arm of the government must be made to catch up with them.

“For us, we do not support any illegality by anybody in any form. You can take it for granted that we, as a government, will give you all the support to carry out your operation here,” Otti stated.

He implored the task force to also work to secure the Abia Innovation and Industrial Park (AIIP) at Owaza, in Ukwa West and assured them of the support of the State Government in terms of logistics and intelligence sharing to make their assignment easier.

Otti noted the importance of security for development. He pointed out that citizens of Abia State had enjoyed relative peace within the last one year, until the incident at Obikabia Junction, on Thursday, May 30, where five soldiers of the Nigerian army were brutally assassinated by criminals.

He assured the task force of the government’s ongoing investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Rear Admiral John Okeke, Commander of the JTF South South Operation Delta Safe, stated that he was in Abia to familiarise with the State as one of their coverage areas in the fight against oil theft and illegal refineries among the oil producing states.

The Commander, who used the opportunity to intimate the Governor of activities of the task force, said that part of their mandate is to curb illegal activities in the oil and gas sector.

“The Federal Government thought it wise to come up with Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe with a mandate to protect oil and gas infrastructure and stop militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of militancy that could impact negatively on the economic activities, with emphasis on the oil and gas sector,” Okeke said.

He assured that the task force would collaborate with the State Government as well as other security agencies in the area of information sharing, adding that they were determined to curb illicit activities within their areas of operation.

The Commander requested logistical support from the state government to achieve their objectives.