Former Nigerian model, Olajumoke Orisaguna, popularly known as Olajumoke Onibread, has opened up on her sudden disappearance from the public after coming to the limelight.

Recalls that Olajumoke became a social media sensation in 2016 after accidentally walking into a photoshoot featuring British rapper, Tinie Tempah, photographed by Nigerian photographer, TY Bello.

In an interview with City FM, Olajumoke shared a heart-wrenching ordeal about domestic violence from her husband, Sunday Orisaguna.

She revealed that their marital challenges began while they were still in Ire, Osun State. She cited her mother-in-law’s mistreatment and Sunday’s alleged physical abuse as major contributors to her ordeal.

She said the physical abuse continued despite their relocation to Lagos state and persisted even as her career blossomed.

Olajumoke admitted that societal pressures and the stigma of separation, especially as a mother of two, kept her silent about her struggles for a long time, adding her ex-husband worked to tarnish her reputation and that of her supporters.

She said, “What I am saying now, I have never said it out before. Even when I met TY Bello and I told her that I had a husband, my friend was furious when she found out. She was like I do not have sense, why would I say someone who beats me is my husband? I had to explain that I had to say that because I have children. That was how he came to Lagos. Even in the house that was rented for me in Surulere, he would still beat me up.

“I did not even tell TY Bello what was going on. I could not even admit that we were not married. I am a very gentle person so I did not tell anyone what was going on, I was enduring all of it. Sometimes when he goes out to drink, because he is someone to have a good time, when he gets back and a minor misunderstanding happens, he would start beating me again. It is almost four years since we separated.

“While he was beating me, he did not have a job. I was the one who would go out to hustle for us because I did not want my children to suffer. He would just stay at home and sleep or go out to drink. I did not even disturb him from doing these things, I just wanted him to stop beating me. Then he also started monitoring me when I went to work. If I go for photoshoots, sometimes I come back very late. He would accuse me of sleeping around with other men.

“So I decided to finally leave him. It got so bad that he would even start insulting my parents. It was when I separated from him, that was when everything started going down the drain because he started spoiling my name. All those who had helped me then, he started saying bad things against them. Since then, things started going down.”

President Bola Tinubu has decried that his economic reforms weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power; he promised to prioritize social investment programmes to help the most vulnerable.

President Tinubu stated this on Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, paid him a courtesy call on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that “While acknowledging that the reforms had weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power, President Tinubu said his administration will continue to provide social safety nets to cushion the unintended consequences”.

Congratulating the IMF Chief on her election for a second term in office, President Tinubu appreciated her support in implementing the reforms, calling for more institutional backing for stability and sustainable growth.

He emphasized the critical need for educational access, stating “We have too many children out of school, and we know that education is a way out of hunger and poverty. That is why we are designing ways and incentives to keep these children in school, and we need your support for these kids who want to stay in school.”

President Tinubu stressed that substantial resources must be invested to stimulate the much-needed infrastructural development in the country.

The President further noted that Nigeria is working on tax reforms to stimulate the economy further.

“We are engaging stakeholders and sensitizing Nigerians to expand the economy’s tax base for inclusive developmental growth. We are doing this without necessarily increasing the taxes on our people who have already given a lot. We will require your support on this,” he appealed.

In her remarks, the Managing Director, who expressed a desire to visit Nigeria, commended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.

She assured the President of further support in diversifying the Nigerian economy. She specifically lauded the social investment programmes as a way of cushioning the effects on the most vulnerable and promised the assistance of the body in this regard.

Contrary to popular perception, she said that the IMF is focused on developing vulnerable societies and devoting substantial resources to emerging economies.

The managing director expressed the Fund’s readiness to offer technical support for the budgeting process, adding that it will assist Nigeria in achieving the best possible results from loans.

Georgieva said the world had suffered some shocks from the pandemic that caused damage to world economies. Over the last two years, the IMF has injected about $1 trillion into the world economy.

While the developed countries managed the shocks better, the developing nations did not do so, she noted. She said the IMF is working with developing countries to build resilient institutions to better manage future global economic shocks.

She stressed that it is the right of every country to benefit from the Fund after a critical analysis of its priorities.

The IMF Managing Director informed President Tinubu that the organization’s Executive Board has approved the 3rd Chair for Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), enhancing the African voice.

She congratulated Nigeria on hosting the IMF’s African Caucus meeting in Abuja in August. Georgieva also advocated for deepening regional economic ties, ensuring the IMF is ready to support this process.

Acclaimed leader of Eastern Security Network (ESN), alleged armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, has been reportedly arrested in Finland.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Pidgin Service, Simon Ekpa was remanded in detention by Finland authority for alleged terrorist activities.

BBC reported that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, in Finland, sent Ekpa, who is a Lahti-Nigerian municipal politician, ‘to prison on probable cause and on suspicion of publicly inciting people to commit crime with terrorist intent“.

The court reportedly said Simon Ekpa allegedly spread separatist propaganda on social media.

It reported that Ekpa allegedly committed the reported crime on 23 August 2021, in Lahti.

In addition to Ekpa, BBC reported Finnish National Bureau of Investigation also arrested four other men on suspicion of terrorist offences.

Recall that Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, had called on the federal government to expedite action for the repatriation of Ekpa.

Governor Mbah accused Ekpa, who claimed to replace IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, of disrupting the security of the South East region through his Monday sit-at-home order.

On his social media handle, Ekpa consistently described Nigeria as a ‘zoo’. According to him, he wants a separate country for the people of South East.

However, IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in press statements, condemned Ekpa’s sit-at-home order. Emma Power also emphasized that Ekpa was not a replacement for Nnamdi Kanu.

A United States-based Nigerian, Ifeanyi Ozoh, has been sentenced to 72 months in prison for his role in a $6m bribery scheme aimed at defrauding a US insurance company, Medicaid, through kickbacks.

Ozoh was also ordered to pay a sum of $4.9m as restitution to the insurance company with a three-year post-release supervision.

This was announced in a statement by US Attorney Alamdar Hamdani, published on the US Department of Justice website on Wednesday.

PUNCH Metro gathered that 54-year-old Ozoh was sentenced following his conviction for conspiring to pay bribes to bring patients who were registered under the Medicaid insurance to a non-existent clinic in the guise of receiving treatment which was used to receive claims from the insurance company.

The statement read, “A 54-year-old man has been sentenced following his conviction for conspiring to pay and receive health care kickbacks and payment of kickbacks to marketers, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

“A federal jury deliberated for an hour following a three-day trial before finding Ifeanyi Ozoh guilty on all counts February 14.

“The US District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Ozoh to serve 72 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. Ozoh was also ordered to pay restitution to Medicaid for $4.9 million.

“At the hearing, the court heard Ozoh was integral to the kickback scheme as he bribed marketers and parents to bring their Medicaid-insured children to a sham dental clinic.”

In handing down the sentence, the court noted the overwhelming evidence of Ozoh’s guilt presented at trial.”

Ozoh, who lived in Houston, Texas, reportedly worked for a dental clinic known as Floss Family Dentalcare Centre. The clinic filed an insurance claim from Medicaid for $6m and received a payment of over $4m.

It continued that marketers for the insurance had testified against Ozoh to have paid them between $20 and $100 for each Medicaid-insured child referred to Floss.

“The marketers testified that Ozoh secretly paid them in cash and out of sight of other witnesses, sometimes putting their illegal kickback payments on top of a vending machine down the hall from the clinic.

“One clinic manager testified that she repeatedly warned Ozoh that paying marketers was illegal. The jury also heard that Ozoh paid out over $163,000 in bribes to marketers and received bonuses for reaching a quota of patients.

“From 2020 to 2021, Floss billed Medicaid over $6m. Floss received over $4m on those claims, most of which were predicated on a kickback paid to marketers and for dental services that were not provided.”

The statement concluded that the judgement however permitted Ozoh “to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.”

The Arewa Consultative Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to address the pressing issues of insecurity, education, and economic development in northern Nigeria.

Specifically, the ACF urged the President to review and reassess his administration’s economic policies to ensure they have a human face, given the current hardship Nigerians are facing.

The pan-northern socio-political organisation stated this in a communique released to newsmen at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna, on Wednesday.

The communique, signed by ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, expressed dissatisfaction with the current economic policies, which the forum claimed have worsened the condition of Northern Nigeria.

“The policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse, with little indications of needed sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewa people.

“The time to think big is now. Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring challenging economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the ACF said.

The forum also expressed concerns over the escalating security situation, noting that it had become a major challenge to human existence.

It noted that security was an irreducible minimum of human existence, adding that the government must take responsibility for safeguarding lives and property.

“Those whose responsibility it is to provide security saying they are doing their best is unacceptable. The minimum duty of the government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure,” the communique added.

On education, the forum emphasised the dire state of Northern Nigeria’s education system, particularly the alarming number of out-of-school children.

“Statistics of out-of-school children, of which Arewa has an overwhelming proportion, are cogent pointers to the situation.

“A lot has been done, but the truth is, far more needs to be done,” the ACF noted.

It urged northern governors to adopt a strong, coordinated approach to policy planning and implementation, particularly in areas such as security, education, and agricultural production.

The communiqué stated, “Despite the dire economic conditions in Arewa, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to worsen the situation, showing little sensitivity to the precarious existential challenges faced by the Arewa people.

“Succinctly stated, economic reforms, while indeed desirable, should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve; the people may not be alive to reap the putative benefits.

“In view of the above, the meeting resolved as follows: calls on the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review, reassess, reevaluate and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.

“Strongly calls on the governors of the northern states to adopt a strong, coordinated approach to policy planning and implementation, as these relate to security, education, skills acquisition, agricultural production, health services, etc.

“Calls on the Federal Government to be receptive to criticisms, suggestions, etc., not only in line with the principles of democracy but also because they improve, not retard the policy process for the ultimate benefit of the people.

“Calls on the northern elite, in all spheres of life, to take it upon themselves to counter negative narratives about the North and also imbibe the spirit of community service, individually and collectively. The interests of the North will be best served by northerners.”

It added that “The growing food crisis with every through short and long term measures, including imports where needs be, but the ultimate solution is to achieve food self-sufficiency.

“People should take responsibility for our fast-growing population. Public policy and the law should be adopted to achieve a balance.

“Poor electricity supply will continue to hamper efforts to ameliorate poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in the region. These have to be addressed with utmost urgency.”

Speaking earlier on insecurity, the ACF lamented the operations of bandits and terrorists, killing and abducting citizens.

Its Chairman, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), stressed the urgent need for collective action to address the deteriorating situation.

Osuman highlighted the alarming rate of attacks, kidnappings, and killings in the region, stressing that these incidents had become too common.

He said, “The North is currently under siege from various threats, including bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and unjust treatment. We must come together to address these challenges.

“As leaders, we must demonstrate prudence and concern for domestic and environmental problems affecting our region.

“It is imperative that our governors and legislators work in synergy with traditional leaders to combat the ills plaguing our region.

“We must address the internal crimes perpetuated by our sons and daughters, and work towards preventing these trends.

“There is a need for public awareness campaigns to educate our people on the importance of self-defence and preservation.

“We must develop local strategies to combat illegal mining by foreigners and locals in our region.”

The forum endorsed the Shekarau-led League of Northern Democrats, convened by elder statesman, Dr Umar Ardo, and recently launched at a meeting attended by key Northern elites in Abuja.

The League of Northern Democrats is a group comprising former governors, senators, and other prominent figures from the region.

According to the chairman, the objectives of the group aligned with the ACF’s goals.

He, however, stressed the need for inward reflection and immediate action, rather than focusing solely on long-term political solutions.

The chairman emphasised the importance of collective action, inclusive leadership, and collaboration among stakeholders to address the region’s security challenges.

“The  ACF commends the League of Northern Democrats’ objectives, which align with our goals, but we must focus on immediate action and inward reflection.

“We must prioritise economic empowerment, education and skills development, infrastructure development, and security and justice to revitalise the North,” Osuman said.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has recommenced the purchase of crude oil from the United States in its ongoing efforts to ramp up oil production and enhance its refining capacity.

The new purchase comes after a three-month hiatus in purchasing crude from foreign countries, focusing instead on domestic supply.

A report by Bloomberg on Wednesday said the cargo conveying two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp is due to be delivered to the refinery next month.

The latest development may be an indication that the naira-for-crude initiative by the Federal Government may have stalled or that the refinery is not getting enough crude supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

“Dangote refinery purchased its first shipment of US oil after a hiatus of three months as the site continues to ramp up production.

“The plant purchased about two million barrels of WTI Midland crude from Chevron Corp,” the report said.

Chevron booked the supertanker Azure Nova to load crude from the US Gulf around December 5 to Dangote, according to tanker fixtures seen by Bloomberg.

Earlier this year, Dangote was typically receiving one or two supertankers of US crude every month alongside domestic supplies.

However, these imports were reduced around August following an agreement with the federal government that the NNPCL would supply crude oil to the refinery in naira rather than dollars.

The agreement stated that the refinery would take up to 400,000 barrels a day of Nigerian crude paid for in local currency.

Dangote is taking a growing role in US and European oil markets, after gradually raising purchases of crude from Nigeria and the US.

The plant’s pull on those barrels increases the competition for the oil faced by traditional buyers in Europe.

The report added that reasons for the return to US imports remain unclear, though a report from Sparta Commodities earlier this week suggests lower shipping costs may have made US oil more affordable in Europe recently.

On Monday, The PUNCH reported the refinery was seeking to raise billions of dollars to import crude oil and increase production.

The report said the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, was in concrete talks with commercial lenders, development banks, oil traders, and other industry participants to raise funds for crude supplies to turn into refined products.

According to the report, the refinery would need a minimum supply of 300,000 b/d to secure more crude to reach its refinery’s capacity.

On Tuesday, the plant began refined petroleum product shipping to West African countries,  a sign to traders that the mega-refinery’s operations could soon potentially shake up regional fuel markets.

IOCs couldn’t build refineries

In another development on Wednesday, the Dangote Group said it had done what international oil companies could not do by building a refinery in Nigeria.

The Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, stated this while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment at the refinery complex in Lekki, Lagos State.

During the visit led by the Chairman of the committee, Sadiq Umar, Edwin told the senators that the Dangote Group did what Shell, Chevron, or ExxonMobil has never done in any part of the world.

According to him, a Nigerian company took up the challenge to build the largest single-train refinery in the world.

He said about six companies in the world could do the same.

“Here, a Nigerian company took up the challenge which nobody like Shell or Chevron or ExxonMobil has ever done in any part of the world. So, the Nigerian company—Dangote Projects Limited—took up the challenge and built the refinery on time. And this is the world’s largest single-train refinery,” he said.

Speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Umar, assured the refinery of the National Assembly’s support.

According to him, the $20bn project is a national asset that must be protected.

“For us as legislators, you can rest assured that we know what you have done here, we know what it means to the country. We will do anything within our power to see how we support you to succeed so that Nigeria can succeed.

“This investment we have seen here is an investment for the country and for the world, not necessarily for Dangote himself. It is our responsibility to see what we need to do to encourage him.

“I am sure you can see a lot of actions in what the president has done to support him so that the country will be better for it,” the senator said.

Located within the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, the 650,000-capacity began production in January this year, releasing diesel and aviation fuel into the local market while exporting to other countries.

In September, the facility started producing premium motor spirits. This is after weeks-long controversies with IOCs over crude supply.

The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, repeatedly accused the IOCs of refusing to sell crude to him, saying it was an attempt to sabotage the refinery.

After presidential interventions, the refinery started getting crude in naira to boost the local supply of petrol in naira.

It was learned that the refinery might export petrol to other West African countries soon.

Consular officers deployed to embassies in Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, others, concerns raised over state of country’s missions abroad

The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.

This move comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023.  Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy led to the recall of the 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to take place.

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.

The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.

However, the delay in appointing successors has raised concerns.

In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries, but these interim measures fell short of filling the leadership vacuum in key missions.

Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.

On May 28, the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.

A few days later, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments would depend on budget allocations.

“I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.

The prolonged absence of ambassadors echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.

Some diplomats fear Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.

This perception, according to them, can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.

A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, voiced concerns over the lack of communication and direction from the government.

“There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on,” the official stated.

Diplomats and foreign policy experts also warned that Nigeria’s absence from the international stage could have long-term consequences for its reputation.

However, speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, a senior government official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing deployment of consular officers to missions abroad.

“They are deploying them to our various missions and embassies abroad. Some are going to Malaysia and Spain while others will go to Brazil where the President participated in the G20 Summit,” the official said.

According to another source, some officers have already reported to their new posts, while others are scheduled to assume their roles later this month.

“Yes, some of us left last week. Others even left the last two weeks. But I’m going later this month. They have brought new hands from the Ministry (of Foreign Affairs) to replace us here [at the State House] because we are being posted out of the country,” the official revealed.

Another source from the Presidency said, “I was posted because I was due for posting.”

Many within Nigeria’s diplomatic community are calling for immediate reforms to address the country’s diplomatic challenges.

A retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, had voiced his concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.

“That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges,” he said.

Similarly, a retired Consul to Cameroon and Delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie, echoed the need for reform.

“It is not the best option not to have resident ambassadors at a post. Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. A chargé d’affaires can generally only relate with foreign ministries and other officials,” Akinkuolie explained.

He also expressed concern that host governments might question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors, potentially seeing the prolonged absence as a sign of instability.

Akinkuolie noted that diplomatic missions should be funded from dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support for operations abroad.

He also stressed the need for a more streamlined process in deploying ambassadors, urging the government to prioritise ambassadorial appointments and ensure that the foreign missions are properly funded and staffed.

“Diplomatic missions should be funded from a dollar account, dedicated for the purpose at the CBN while running the ministry at home should be in the local currency,” the retired diplomat noted.

The People’s Democratic Party said the failure of President Tinubu to appoint ambassadors 13 months after the former envoys were recalled shows ‘’the ineptitude and indifference of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.’’

In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the situation as unfortunate and stressed that it should be a concern for all Nigerians.

He stated “Well, every time one has to comment on Tinubu’s performance as President or as Chief Administrator of this country, one is forced to do so with a melancholic feeling of despair.

‘’It is not about Tinubu anymore or about me criticizing him; it’s about the system that his ineffectiveness has created for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The truth is, a man who cannot even appoint a single spokesperson and needs three spokespersons—no one needs to tell you that the man is clueless and has nothing to offer Nigerians. That’s why he needs more than one, two, or three people to explain to Nigerians what he’s doing or what he’s about to do.

“That he cannot even appoint ambassadors speaks volumes. The current situation regarding the ambassadorial appointments tells you the level of ineptitude and indifference he has brought into government in this 21st century.

“It is critical, given the role that these ambassadors play in their respective countries, their importance to the lives of Nigerians abroad, and the diplomatic status of Nigeria globally.”

Osadolor alleged that those surrounding the President may have isolated him from reality.

The opposition party youth leader stated, “It is unfortunate, and it’s something that all Nigerians should be concerned about. This President has shown time and again that his trust is complicated, and he is not addressing the issues around him.

“I can tell you for free, the President may not even be aware that ambassadors have not yet been appointed to these embassies and foreign missions. I can tell you for free—he may not even know because he is clueless about what’s happening around him.

“The people around him have boxed him into a cocoon. The man lives in a world of his own, isolated from what’s happening around him. If his life were connected to the realities around him, I’m sure he would have made efforts to address it.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, lamented that the current administration came into power without a clear vision of its foreign policy.

Ifoh said this explained why the government has been unable to appoint envoys from the numerous qualified Nigerians.

He said, “The implication is that a consul or consul-general cannot meet with foreign ministers of any nation. It takes an ambassador to present the position of a country to his country of residence.

“To even think this government touts itself as one going around seeking foreign investments. In as much as we have not seen any, this is a big low for Nigeria.

“Now the question we want to ask is this:  Is there a paucity of personalities, career diplomats or even politicians that this government can send to foreign nations?”

He added, “Everything about this government is politics. Nobody is even saying you should appoint a Labour Party member. Just go ahead and appoint your party members to man these foreign missions. We think that the President should wake up to his responsibilities.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated it is unaware of any plans by the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to visit its Abuja headquarters.

Yahaya Bello is currently facing charges of laundering N80 billion, with an additional 16 counts of money laundering offenses amounting to over N110 billion filed against him by the EFCC.

Reports had surfaced that Bello, who has been on the run since April when EFCC operatives attempted to arrest him at his Abuja residence, was planning to surrender to the agency.

However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, when contacted, denied any knowledge of such plans.

“I am not aware of that information,” Oyewale told The Whistler on Wednesday.

Despite multiple court orders and arraignment notices, Bello has failed to appear in court. In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, ordered the service of a hearing notice to him. The Federal High Court, meanwhile, has adjourned the matter until January 21, 2025, to rule on a prosecution request to proceed with the trial in Bello’s absence.

During a hearing on October 30, EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, urged the court to allow the trial to proceed without Bello’s presence, citing Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). Pinheiro argued that entering a plea on Bello’s behalf would not prejudice the defendant and would enable the prosecution to present its case. He criticized the delays caused by Bello’s refusal to cooperate and warned against setting a precedent that could undermine the justice system.

“This is someone who refused to write a statement when asked by the EFCC and failed to honor court summons on six occasions,” Pinheiro lamented. “The court cannot succumb to tactics designed to derail the trial, intimidate witnesses, or allow evidence to deteriorate over time.”

However, Bello’s counsel, Michael Adoyi, opposed the application, arguing that it contravened court rules requiring the defendant’s physical presence for arraignment. Adoyi maintained that the prosecution’s request was “a dangerous invitation” and urged the court to reject it.

Justice Emeka Nwite, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the case to January 21, 2025, for a ruling on the application or arraignment.

The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has strongly opposed a recent directive from the Federal Ministry of Education alleging the dissolution of its Governing Council and the removal of Vice-Chancellor, Professor Benard Odoh.

Recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had given approval to the Ministry of Education to dissolve the university’s Governing Council and sack Odoh.

The directive, issued in a letter signed by Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, accused the university of violating regulations and disregarding federal directives. It claimed that the Governing Council had appointed an unqualified Vice-Chancellor, resulting in unrest and a breakdown of order at the institution.

Responding in a statement on Wednesday, Charles Otu, Media and Publicity Assistant to Professor Odoh, dismissed the Ministry’s actions as “mischievous” and aimed at disrupting the university’s operations.

Otu argued that the Ministry had overstepped its authority, pointing to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Act, LFN 2004, which grants the President, as the university’s Visitor, exclusive rights to dissolve the Governing Council or remove the Vice-Chancellor.

He further alleged that the Ministry acted improperly by failing to notify or interrogate the affected parties before taking action.

Otu maintained that Professor Odoh’s appointment followed due process and had received widespread acceptance from stakeholders.

Odoh’s spokesman also accused the Ministry of contempt of court, highlighting ongoing legal disputes over the Vice-Chancellor’s appointment at the National Industrial Court.

According to him, the case’s sub judice status renders the Ministry’s actions both premature and inappropriate.

Contrary to claims of disorder, Otu stated that its campuses remain peaceful and that Professor Odoh continues to perform his duties effectively.

The authenticity of the Ministry’s letter was also questioned, with the spokesman noting its unusual signing by a Public Relations Director instead of the Permanent Secretary or Minister of Education. The absence of direct communication with the Governing Council’s chairman, Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe, was also criticized.

He called on the public and university community to remain calm while urging a judicial resolution to the matter.

The former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has declared that the opposition party will not die and is far more matured in handling governance issues than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Showunmi, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, dismissed opinions suggesting that the PDP is doing so poorly in playing its role as an opposition party.

The PDP chieftain condemned APC’s style of opposition before ascending to power, stressing that people cannot expect PDP to play opposition in the way that will demarket Nigeria.

According to Showunmi, playing opposition is having an alternative viewpoint to the policies of the ruling party, which the PDP does, insisting that playing opposition should not involve telling lies about the country and making it ungovernable.

He said, “Do you think that nonsense they (APC) were doing, calling people into the streets every day, shaming the country, running up and down the place demarketing the country, refusing Jonathan to buy arms to fight insecurity, is how to run a country?

“We (PDP) are far more matured than them because we understand what it means to protect the territorial integrity and the brand equity of Nigeria, that is why we don’t go out of the way to go and demarket the country like they were doing.” 

Speaking further, Showunmi, who is among those seeking to take up the party’s national chairmanship position, insisted that despite the current leadership crisis, the party will never die.

He added, “PDP is this PDP is that; who killed it? A party that did not die when Obasanjo tore his card, a party that did not die when Jonathan stood down, a party that did not die all these years is going to die, PDP dieth not.”