Reassures public about safety of their bank deposits

The Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday said there are no plans to revoke the operating licenses of Fidelity Bank, Wema Bank, Polaris Bank and Unity Bank

Acting Director of Corporate Communications of CBN, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali stated this in a statement averring that rumours of a plan to revoke the licences of the banks were false.

She also noted that a circular issued by CBN on January 10, 2024, notifying the public about the dissolution of the Boards of Union, Keystone, and Polaris Banks, was being re-circulated as though it was issued on June 10, 2024.

She blamed unscrupulous people for the development aimed at creating panic in the system.
Sidi Ali reassured members of the banking public of the safety of their deposits stressing that the banking system is resilience.

She emphasised that the defunct Heritage Bank was an isolated case, adding that allegations of further revocation of licences prior to the completion of the bank recapitalisation exercise were mere fabrications of those who didn’t wish the banking sector well.

She added that even customers of Heritage Bank needn’t worry about the safety of their deposits, adding that the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) had commenced payment of the bank’s insured deposits.

Mrs. Sidi Ali, therefore, urged the public to continue their regular banking activities without concern, dismissing any false reports regarding the health of specific Deposit Money Banks.

She confirmed that the CBN, with its robust regulatory framework, was proactively ensuring the stability of Nigeria’s financial system, thereby guaranteeing the safety of depositors’ funds in all Nigerian financial institutions.

While reiterating the assurances of the Governor (Olayemi Cardoso) that the recapitalisation of banks in Nigeria was intended to bolster the banking system and safeguard the sector against risks, Sidi Ali urged all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the success of the process, which she noted would be for the overall growth of the Nigerian economy.

She said: “Without prejudice to the ongoing recapitalisation process, I want to restate that the Nigerian banking industry remains resilient. Key financial soundness indicators remain within current regulatory thresholds.

“Customers are, therefore, encouraged to proceed with their transactions as usual, as the CBN is committed to ensuring the safety of the banking system.”

The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed anger at the mix-up by the Beninoise Football Federation in playing the old Nigeria national anthem before Monday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Abidjan.

NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said the NFF handed a recording of the new national anthem of Nigeria to the Benin FA authorities at the Match Coordination Meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening.

He said: “We gave them the recording of our new national anthem, only for them to play the wrong one at the beginning of the match. We protested strongly, and insisted that the Super Eagles would not start the second half until the new national anthem of Nigeria was played.”

The Benin FA authorities eventually played the new national anthem of Nigeria before the commencement of the second half of the match.

The match ended 2-1 in favour of Benin Republic, which propelled them to the top of the Group C with seven points from four games.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has demanded a detailed technical report from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) following the Super Eagles’ poor performances during the June FIFA window.

The Super Eagles managed to secure only one point from a possible six, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan in its third and fourth game respectively in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

These results leave the Super Eagles with a total of just three points from a possible twelve of the four games played thus far in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Senator Enoh expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcomes, especially considering the substantial support the NFF has received from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in addition to the open and positive working relationship between the Ministry and the NFF.

He said, “The recent results are unacceptable. Despite the immense support from President Tinubu and the high expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Super Eagles have underperformed.

“The NFF must provide a comprehensive technical report explaining the reasons behind this poor showing and give cause why there mustn’t be consequences for the disappointment caused both Government and the generality of Nigerians.”

Senator Enoh emphasized that Nigerian football fans demand and deserve answers and accountability from the NFF.

He said: “Our supporters are passionate and devoted. They deserve an explanation for why our national team has not been performing to the expected standards since after the last AFCON.”

Ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has attacked President Bola Tinubu describing the president as being helpless and displaying nonchalance in the face of routine acts of banditry and terrorism.

Atiku was reacting to the attack in Katsina State on Monday. The attack reportedly led to the deaths and kidnapping of some women and children.

While condemning the attacks on Tuesday, Atiku in a statement he shared on social media expressed sadness “by reports of the attack on Yargoje village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State, which claimed scores of lives and the kidnapping of vulnerable women and children.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lamented that “It is also sad that the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, killing four police officers and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.”

He added, “Most worrisome to me is that these acts of banditry and terrorism have become routine, with the government seemingly helpless and nonchalant about it despite the enormous annual budget for defence.”

He expressed sympathy and called “on the government to be alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens.”

The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has stated that the Nigeria Government is rich enough to afford any amount as the new national minimum wage.

Recall that Organised Labour, which initially demanded ₦494,000, later reduced its demand to ₦250,000, while the government offered ₦62,000.

Amid the ongoing negotiations, state governors had declared that they couldn’t pay the ₦62,000 proposed by the government.

Reacting to the development on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television, Lamido argued that if the government could spend ₦17 trillion for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway without passing through the National Assembly, then it can afford to pay any amount as minimum wage.

He said, “Nigeria is very rich with resources and can overcome any problem and pay any amount we feel is responsible for Nigerians.

“If the government can embark on an N17 trillion project that is not in the budget, not advertised, not tendered for, or did not go through due process, it means that Nigeria got the money.

“How can a government execute a budget of N17 trillion without a budget or passing through the National Assembly, it means the money is there; there is money in Nigeria.

“If they can carry out such a project then they can pay any minimum wage.”

Some passengers travelling along the Maiduguri/Kano highway have been kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Tuesday morning revealed that the insurgents carried out the abduction between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari village near Auno, which is located along the Damaturu highway, at approximately 5:50 pm on Monday.

Daily Trust quoted a source to have disclosed that the terrorists barricaded the highway and forcibly took away several passengers.

As a result of this incident, numerous travellers and commuters found themselves stranded on both ends of the usually bustling road.

Consequently, many of the commuters were left with no choice but to return to Benishek and Auno, respectively.

“There was an incident between Mannanari and Garin Kuturu where some Boko Haram fighters came out to block the upcoming vehicles and some passengers were abducted.

“We are not sure of the number as we speak but certainly there was an abduction on Monday evening,” the source noted.

Some residents who spoke to journalists on the development narrated how many commercial drivers took refuge in their community momentarily when the insurgents were operating between Garin Kuturu and Mannanari villages.

“They came out with three wheelbarrow and I believe they were looking for food stuff. We don’t know how many people abducted but some commercial drivers came back and later returned to Maiduguri before reinforcement of military arrived,” the residents noted.

A passenger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters that he, alongside others were stranded for hours.

“We were heading for Kano from Maiduguri when the driver got hinted about the attack and took a detour.

“We have been waiting for the military to clear the road but we don’t know when. We are stranded here,” he said.

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said the continuous spraying of foreign currencies like the US dollar during parties is anti-democratic and sends wrong signals in the direction the country’s democracy is headed.

Jonathan stated this on Tuesday while speaking at the 25th Anniversary Democracy Day Public Lecture in Abuja.

Jonathan advised actors to stick to the rule of the game noting that citizens cherish and prefer civilian rule to military rule.

He advised that Nigerian democracy must be protected at all costs and commended the country for 25 years of unbroken democracy.

Details later…

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, June 12, as a public holiday to commemorate the 2024 Democracy Day celebration.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja in a statement signed by Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

Dr. Ndayako conveyed the declaration made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who congratulated Nigerians on the occasion.

Tunji-Ojo was quoted as saying, “As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us all reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains a united, secure, peaceful, and indivisible entity.”

He emphasized the importance of unity and security, urging Nigerians to appreciate the progress made and look forward to a brighter future for the nation’s democracy.

The minister also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to implementing positive reforms aimed at reviving the economy and enhancing security.

Historically celebrated on May 29, former President Muhammadu Buhari changed the date to June 12 in honour of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by the then military president, Ibrahim Babangida.

Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) had won the election against Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

However, Abiola was never declared the winner and died in detention while striving to actualise his mandate.

The Nigeria Police Force said it has commenced a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of self-styled British/Nigerian businessman, Andrew Ochekwo accused of luring a married woman and a young girl with N1m, whose whereabouts have been unknown for the past 45 days.

The official reaction from the police on Monday night followed the controversies and varying narratives surrounding the disappearance of the ladies who left their base in Port Harcourt to visit Ochelwo in Aba, Abia State for the weekend on the condition of paying the said sum.

Since April 27, when the duo left for Aba, their whereabouts have been unknown even as the major suspect was allegedly killed while being transferred in the company of police operatives to Abuja.

The police said, “In light of the public interest and the gravity of the allegations, the IGP has deemed it necessary to institute a meticulous investigation into the roles played by the team which carried out the initial investigation in Abia State, and the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT), to unravel the veritable facts of the matter.”

“The Monitoring Unit has been given a two-week timeframe to complete its investigation and present a comprehensive report.”

Despite the call to investigate the death of Ochekwo and the disappearances of the ladies, the suspect was reportedly declared wanted by the United Kingdom government in June 2019 over sexual assault on a woman.

He, however, returned to Nigeria and settled in Aba city where he conveniently flaunted his wealth on social media with claims to run a company that recruits people.

Meanwhile, when the said ladies appeared to have been missing, the case was reported to the police in Aba, where Ochekwe was arrested and detained for the possession of the missing ladies’ belongings.

While in detention, the suspect was said to remain mum on the whereabouts of the ladies but had allegedly functioned freely.

He was then transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Aba, then to Umuahia, and then to Abuja following a petition to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun requesting the suspect’s transfer to Abuja.

Sadly, Ochekwo was allegedly gunned down for attempting to escape while en route to Abuja in the company of police officers. Those who allegedly killed him are said to be in police custody.

While many Nigerians have called for a thorough investigation of all parties including the police in Abia State on the matter, his death has also raised eyebrows on the possibility of a syndicate who may have wanted him dead.

Reports revealed that he attempted to escape in Benue State where he was killed, and his body was later deposited in a mortuary.

Residents in the suspect’s vicinity told security operatives during a search operation that a dismembered human was disposed of in a deserted area and covered with a curtain which was later discovered to match the design of curtains at Ochekwo’s apartment.

However, the Nigeria Police has assured that the case will be handled with the utmost professionalism and integrity, urging Nigerians to remain calm and allow the investigation process to proceed without interference.

“Similarly, all persons/groups with relevant information regarding this case are encouraged to come forward and assist with the investigation, and all such information provided will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality, reach us via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and our social media accounts.

“The Nigeria Police Force appreciates the cooperation and support of the public and hereby reassures that timely updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” the police said.

A special task force of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to commence a full-scale investigation into the alleged fraud case involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Naija News understands the task force held a long session on Monday, during which it considered the content of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, which indicted the former Governor for alleged misappropriation of N423 billion.

According to a source quoted by The Nation, the EFCC is set to invite El-Rufai and others who worked with him during his administration for questioning.

Others set to be questioned include individuals who held the position of Finance commissioners between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023; all the accountant generals during his eight-year tenure, and the chairpersons of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) from 2018 to 2023.

Others include all former managing directors of the Kaduna Market Development and Management Company Ltd within the period from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, and the former managing directors of Kaduna Roads Agency (KADRA) from October 11, 2017, to November 2021, with the exclusion of Amina Ja’afar Ladan, an engineer who had a brief one-month tenure.

“We are in receipt of a petition from an NGO. So, we have started investigation in the matters raised in the petition.

“The report of the Ad-Hoc Committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly is also handy. We will soon invite el-Rufai and some members of his team for interrogation.

“The Special Task Force on Monday (yesterday) held a long session on the contents of the petition and the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee.”

“The report of the House of Assembly has actually laid a solid foundation for the probe by our team,” the source said.