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Shame of a country: MINT Disqualified from Printing WAEC Papers for lack of contract performance

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

A Nigerian government company, Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting company also known as MINT has lost the bid to print this year’s West African Examination Council WAEC examination papers, on safety concerns and unpreparedness, LeadingReporters can authoritatively report.

This comes as a result of reported perennial inefficiency of the current acting leadership of MINT.  A discreet source from the WEAC office who spoke to LeadingReporters said that WAEC management had been patronizing MINT prior to this time, but had to withdraw their patronage after what he described as the MINT management’s unreadiness to deliver on time amongst ‘other concerns’.

LeadingReporters gathered that just a few weeks before the examination, MINT could only deliver less than 50% of the total printing contract awarded it by WAEC, a situation that irked WAEC.  The contract was invalidated due to a lack of performance and ineptitude.

“We have been a MINT client for a very long time.  However, this time around, we did not get guarantees of timely delivery and efficiency.  We had a series of meetings, and they gave a lot of complaints, which bordered on internal issues.  We felt that would not be in our best interest.  So we resorted to handy alternatives.

An insider source in MINT confirmed internal wrangling and corruption as the reason why MINT’s fortune continues to decline.

“When you throw expertise to the winds and allow your thoroughbred technicians and professionals to walk away, you cannot get it right.  Most of the staff of MINT who left recently were all professionals who were trained on the technicalities of the job.  MINT is a purely technical outfit.  You do not pick technicians and currency experts on the road or from beer parlours.  These men and women have been trained and retrained for and on the job. Some of them have been trained in Nigeria and overseas, and suddenly, you are throwing these ‘assets’ away and hoping to achieve results.  No way!

The source also stated that MINT of yesteryears has gone and would only be revitalized if the right people are at the helm of affairs. The source said that there are cliques in MINT working against the CBN Governor’s plan to reposition the company for optimum performance.

“We have management team members who were picked from the back door.  Some of the Executive Directors working in MINT and claiming to pilot the affairs of the company are just busybodies who come to enrich themselves.  You can never get it right when there is no synergy, fairness between management and staff, as well as sound professionalism.  That is the bane of MINT’s growth today, as it were”.

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Exclusives

Exposed:  Face of  MINT Acting Director Adesoji Ogungbesan Who Wasted N86m On Rat Gum

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The last may not have been heard of the level of wastefulness, stealing, corruption and ineptitude bedeviling Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting company, as information has revealed that the Acting Director Corporate Services, Mr Adesoji Ogungbesan cornered a staggering  Eighty Six Million Naira (N86,000,000) to buy 100 pieces of Rat Gum as seen in the pictures. This is the latest of the untamed stealing that has characterised the current management staff, whose ineptitude is fast rendering the company near-moribund.

Recall that more than 200 staff of the company were pressed into involuntary resignation over the dwindling fortunes of the company.  A move Mr Adesoji claimed was a cost-cutting exercise.  A source who spoke to LeadingReporters on condition of anonymity revealed that MINT, as it stands now, is bereft sense of direction, despite the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria governor at repositioning the corruption-infested government company.

The source, one of the coerced early retirement victims, said that MINT will soon become a company no progressive-minded person would desire to work in.  He attributed the current abysmal status of the company to the activities, ineptitude and overzealousness of the Acting Corporate Services Director, Mr Adesoji Ogungbesan and his clique in the company.

“MINT, as it stands now, prints and imports over 70% of the Nigerian currency from Europe.  The staff welfare is nothing to write home about. Most staff now house themselves in the factory and only go home on weekends due to transportation challenges.  Their morale is at the lowest level, and they are not going to take it lightly again, from the information we gathered. Do not be surprised if you hear about a showdown between the management and the staff soon.

The source said that the corruption is so untamed, and the company owner, the Central Bank of Nigeria, has been making frantic efforts at redirecting the affairs of MINT in a productive and profit-oriented direction, a move that has repeatedly boomeranged owing to vested interests in the company.

“Mr Adesoji Ogungbesan and a few other management staff were brought to the company by elements in CBN.  We understood that one of the aides to a deputy governor of CBN brought him through the backdoor. He was interviewed for a lesser position, but suddenly, he was placed in the position of acting executive director.  He does things his way and rebuffs everyone.  He claims he is a product of “Aso Rock” and cannot be touched. That could have been why the CBN Governor, Dr Olayemi Cardoso, is helpless under the circumstances.

Meanwhile, LeadingReporters investigation has revealed that the rat gum project was one of the many avenues used by Adesoji to siphon money from the coffers of the company.

“I just heard about it.  Unfortunately, that is how heartless the new management has become.  Wasting resources at the expense of the staff who toil under horrible work conditions.  We lost more than 200 staff recently who got fed up with suffering and left the company.  I think the rat gum is the smallest of the brazen embezzlements that the subject person and his co-travelers, popularly known in MINT as the “Villa Boys”, are perpetrating in MINT.

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Life Style

11-Year-Old Kuku Hamidah Steals the Spotlight as First Youngest Female Rider at Ojude Oba 2025

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

At just 11 years old, Kuku Hamidah Anjolaoluwa rode her way into the hearts of thousands at Ojude Oba 2025, earning recognition as the youngest female horse rider in this year’s grand cultural parade.

Representing the prestigious Kuku Royal Family, Hamidah made a stunning return for her second official appearance at the annual celebration — and this year, she delivered a performance that wowed the crowd and drew admiration from all corners of the festival ground.

Hamidah began horse riding at the tender age of 6, trained diligently by her father — a seasoned horseman and cultural custodian who saw not just potential in his daughter, but purpose. She had appeared alongside him for years, quietly learning the ropes and earning respect behind the scenes.

But it was in 2024 that everything changed.

That year, Hamidah stepped into the spotlight solo, commanding attention with a rare blend of poise, confidence, and elegance that stunned even the elders. Her performance instantly made her a standout — and the first youngest female rider to ever shine in the historic parade.

“Ojude Oba is more than a festival to me. It’s a celebration of our heritage and unity,” Hamidah shared. “Riding symbolizes strength and courage. It reminds me that being a young woman doesn’t limit me — I ride to represent tradition and progress.”

In a heartwarming twist, her 2025 appearance came with extra meaning: Hamidah was joined by her 6-year-old younger brother, marking his debut ride and adding another layer of legacy and family pride to the moment.

“Before the festival, I remind myself who I am, who I represent, and why I ride,” she said.

Her father, proud and emotional, added:

“This isn’t just about riding horses. It’s about raising children who understand the richness of where they come from and are proud to represent it.”

The crowd’s reaction said it all — cheers, applause, and phones lifted in the air capturing the moment a young girl, trained by her father, rode with the spirit of royalty and inspired a new generation.

Kuku Hamidah’s story is more than just a festival highlight. It’s a powerful reminder that the future of tradition is already in motion — galloping forward with pride, purpose, and possibility.

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Investigation

FRSC boss Shehu Mohammed to spend N1.2b on tours, N350m on house rent out of N10.8billion 2025 overhead budget

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Federal Road Safety Corp Marshal, Shehu Mohammed has budgeted to spend the sum of N1,180,000,000 in local and international travels out of the N10,829,243,787 it budgeted for overhead expenses under the 2025 budget proposal of the commission, a LeadingReporters finding has revealed. The budgets which has organizational code no 0161007001, account code no 22020101, and programme code no POH001000687 has local travel and transportation expenses placed at N250,000,000, N800,000,000. Other travels include two international and local travels and transportation put at N65,000,000 each, totaling N130,000,000. Another N120,000,000 was earmarked for international training and another N650,000,000 for local training.

Other frivolous conduits through which monies are budgeted and diverted through overhead expenses include N87,500,000 to be spent as sitting allowance, another N87,500,000 earmarked for fumigation.  The Shehu Mohammed-led FRSC also earmarked N740,000,000 purportedly for publicity and advertisement.  This is despite owning and operating its own radio station. 

Our findings revealed that more than four years after floating a radio station, FRSC has not remitted any money as proceeds from that investment.  Rather, in its capital expenditure proposal, the commission is asking the national assembly to allow it spend N290,037,631.84 with which to acquire software for its radio communication renewal license fee for 2017 to 2023 vide programme code ERGP29227969, while the sum of N90,000,000 was budgeted for tea and meals.

The Corp Marshal 2025 residential rent is put at N350,000,000 while another N900,000,000 was requested for the purchase of two (2) units of 5 bedroom duplexes for Deputy Corp Marshals in Abuja N435,000,000 each, and purchase of 6 flats for senior officers’ official residence put at N30,000,000 each.

Another incredible spendings are N52,000,000 to be spent as grant to private companies and N70,000,000 to be spent in preparing and administering 2025 budget.

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Investigation

Group threatens to sue OAGF if it obliges FRSC N2.3b ‘Operating Surplus” reimbursement request without a forensic audit of revenue leakages  

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

A pro-accountability group, League of Patriots has threatened to sue the office of the Accountant General of the Federation if it obliges the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC a request to refund it the sum of N2,308,843,267.20 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Seven Naira, Twenty Two Kobo) which the FRSC described as operating surplus for 2024 fiscal year.  

The group said that the time has come for the Federal Government and all the relevant anticorruption agencies to shine a forensic searchlight on the FRSC. It further said that there are high chances that the FRSC is not remitting all that comes to it. The group said it is aware of the many grants FRSC receives from local and foreign donors, which are unaccounted for to date.

“Leakages and unreported revenues have continued to characterize the operations of the current Shehu Mohammed-led Road Safety Management Team.  There are many unreported sources of revenue.  Road safety has its radio station.  While many privately owned stations that started operation later than the road safety’s have continued to rake in millions of naira in profit, FRSC has not declared a dime as revenue from that investment.  Instead, it keeps cornering hundreds of millions of Naira as money spent on publicity and advertisements.

The group said that in the 2025 overhead budget proposal, FRSC has projected to spend a whopping sum of N740,000,000 on publicity and advertisement despite owning and operating its own radio station. The group said this money would end up in the personal pockets of the commission’s management staff. It also said that FRSC’s claim that it only generated N30,306,700 from sales of unserviceable items in 2024 is another falsehood taken too far.

The League accused the commission of pocketing grants running into hundreds of millions of naira it receives from local and international partner organisations and donor agencies.

“The Federal Road Safety Commission is one of the agencies that receive grants from international donor agencies.  These grants are supposed to aid its operations and efficiency.  To date, these grants have not been accounted for in any of their financial records.  We have a list of these donors and our next step is to write them to stop those grants until the commission braces its culture of accountability”

The group reiterated the need for the Federal Government to initiate a forensic audit on the Federal Road Safety Commission to ascertain why a revenue-generating agency like road safety was boastful of remitting a paltry N3,251,311,832.27 into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account.  The group said it was high time the Federal Government reviewed the perennial anomalies, glaring diversion of funds under guises of operational expenditures, including the inability of the Commission to creatively position the commission for optimum performance. 

“Despite allocating huge resources to safety campaigns, and personnel training, accidents on Nigerian roads have continued unabated, and the commission’s personnel have continued to engage in woeful manners with motorists across the country.  Unfortunately, a once revered Corp has become a laughing stock in the eyes of the public because of poor management.

Speaking during a virtual meeting, exclusively monitored by LeadingReporters, the group said that it is time the FG either repeals the act establishing the commission or merges it with the VIO that has shown better innovative strategies in road safety monitoring and enforcement.

The League of Patriots, popularly known as the “League” is a Texas-based Nigerian Pro-Good Governance group that works in collaboration with many Nigerian anti-corruption civil society organizations.  Its membership is drawn from patriotic Nigerian professionals across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The group meets virtually every month to assess performances in strategic government agencies and ministries and proffer workable solutions.

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Exclusives

Exposed: How NPA Tincan Island Port Manager Sylvester Othuke Egede allegedly diverted N511m government funds through his relatives and companies

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Nigerian Port Authority, Tincan Island Port Manager Silvester Othuke Egede has allegedly leveraged his position for nefarious activities, including the diversion of N511m funds believed to be proceeds of corruption, using Egede Oghenefejiro and companies linked to him and his family members.   

According to information uncovered by this media outfit, Mr Sylvester uses a series of accounts domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria to receive and move funds suspected to be proceeds of corruption.  The account numbers include First Bank Account Nos 2024456751, (Dollar Account), 2030422407, 2009369654, and 2000646514.

A discreet source told LeadingReporters that Mr. Sylvester uses his personal accounts to corner the government’s funds and thus moves those monies the moment they hit his account.

Our investigation revealed that on the 2nd of February, 2016, Mr Sylvester allegedly received the sum of N315,596,160 (Three Hundred and Fifteen Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Naira via his First Bank Account No 2024456751, described via transaction Code OFT/CAD/FAA/451/ REV TENTATIVE AMT DD 69. 

Mr Sylvester also allegedly received the sum of N105,445,800 on the 15th of February, 2016 via his First Bank Account No 2024456751.  Our investigation revealed that no sooner was this money paid into his account than he moved the fund through his relative, Egede Ogbenefejiro.

In contravention of Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act, Mr. Sylvester Egede also floated Seashore Logistics and Marine Ltd where he and his family members sit on the board as directors and shareholders.  Our investigation revealed that the company with RC no 1875979, registered on the 21st December 2021 has a paid-up share capital of N30,000,000 and is situated at Taofeek Adelekan Crescent, Lagos mainland offers marine and logistics support services. Other Directors of the company include Egede Oghenefejiro, Egede Fancisca, Egede Christy Kevwe, and Egede Francis Oke

Another company linked to My Sylvester Egede’s family member is Bon Apetit Enterprises which owns a series of properties and buildings where it offers both indoor and outdoor catering services.

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GeneralLatest Articles

Breaking: Mele Kyari allegedly acquires two aircraft from Canada; may have secretly acquired Max Airline

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL, Mele Kyari has allegedly acquired two aircraft from Canada, using a proxy identified simply as Mustapha. Kyari is also said to be in secret talks with Max Air which will manage the aircraft for him.

A discreet source revealed to LeadingReporters that the airlines currently undergoing upgrades in Canada will soon join Max Air Limited’s air fleet in a matter of months.

The source also said that the choice of routing the aircraft from Canada was to forestall any possible eyebrow and to avoid the possibility of the transaction being traced to him.

“Using the United States of America for such transaction is considered dicey for a public office holder like Mele Kyari.  Because of Donald Trump, most Nigerian public officeholders avoid transacting with US companies. Those aircraft will soon hit the Nigeria airspace, under Max Air Limited.

Recall that MaxAir was suspended by The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for three months following a near-fatal incident at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on 28 January 2025, a move Kyari cashed in on and offered to help the airline restore its license and quash the suspension.

The source hinted that a group of Nigerian professionals in the United States of America, the League of Patriots is currently liaising with authorities in Canada to unravel further information on the transaction which they vowed to publish to the knowledge of Nigerians once they finish their investigations.

Engr Mele Kyari has been in the eyes of the storm for years now.  While his friends and associates see him as a patriot who has contributed immensely to the growth of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria, most Nigerians believe that his administration as the head of the oil and gas umpire in Nigeria has been laden with untamed corruption.

All efforts to reach the NNPC Ltd GCEO were unsuccessful as all his known lines were switched off at the time of this publication.

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Headlines

Exposed: How UBA top officials allegedly stole £138,924 from international Airline Accounts

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Four United Bank of African (UBA) staff have been allegedly arrested for stealing £138,924 (over N270 million) from international airlines’ accounts.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s public relations officer, made this disclosure in a statement on Monday. Though the police did not reveal the name of the bank, an investigation by The Witness revealed that the suspects are employees of UBA Plc.

Also Read: Breaking: CBN sacks Deputy Governor’s aide Olakunle Abiola for certificate forgery

“The suspects conspired to siphon funds from UBA domiciliary accounts into personal accounts before redistributing them to multiple destinations,” Hundeyin stated.

“The fraud was uncovered when the UBA detected unauthorized transactions and alerted the police.”

Providing details of the arrests, Hundeyin said, “Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the following suspects: Shuaib Oluwatobiloba Olaleye, male, aged 27, was arrested on March 12, 2025, in Ogun State. A Toyota Camry 2012/2013, suspected to be a proceed of the crime, was recovered from him.

“Oladunjoye Adegoke, male, aged 33, was arrested on March 13, 2025, in Victoria Island, Lagos. “A Toyota Camry (Pencil Light), suspected to be another proceed of the stolen funds, was also recovered.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of Austin Alfred, male, aged 38, the Supervisor of the bank’s Trade Services Department, and Jude Uzobuaku, male, aged 36, a processor in the same department. Both facilitated the illegal transfer of funds to foreign accounts.”

Police investigations revealed that the stolen funds were initially funneled into an account belonging to one of the suspects before being distributed to multiple other accounts to evade detection.

Authorities are now working to identify additional accomplices and recover the remaining funds.

“The suspects are in custody and will face prosecution as the investigation continues,” CSP Hundeyin stated.
Meanwhile, the police have urged the public to report suspicious financial transactions, reiterating their commitment to tackling economic crimes.

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Headlines

Breaking News: Wike Revokes PDP Secretariat Land in Central Area, Abuja

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

In a stunning move, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has officially revoked the land allocation for the new Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Central Area of Abuja. The decision, announced earlier today, is expected to have significant political and administrative repercussions.

Political analysts have suggested that the move could signal a deepening rift between the ruling administration and the opposition party, especially as the 2027 general elections approach. It remains unclear what legal recourse the PDP will pursue, but the political landscape in Abuja is likely to be further complicated by this latest development.

The FCT Administration has yet to confirm any plans for the reallocation of the land, but sources within the government suggest that the site may be repurposed for other public or developmental use.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the PDP’s next move, as well as the political implications of Wike’s decision on the upcoming electoral cycle.

According to a statement released by the FCT Administration, the land allocation for the PDP’s proposed new headquarters, which had been a subject of controversy since its approval, has now been rescinded. The Minister cited “inconsistent documentation and non-compliance with regulatory procedures” as primary reasons for the revocation.

Wike, who has been at the forefront of several administrative reforms in the FCT, emphasized that the move aligns with his administration’s commitment to transparency and the enforcement of land-use policies in the capital. “The decision was taken in the interest of the public good and to uphold the integrity of our land administration system,” Wike said in a brief statement to the press.

The revocation of the PDP’s new Secretariat land comes as a surprise to many, considering the proximity of the land to the heart of Abuja’s political and commercial districts. The PDP had previously lauded the land allocation as a major step toward consolidating its administrative presence in the nation’s capital.
In response, the PDP condemned the action, describing it as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine the party’s growth and operations. “This decision is an outright attack on the PDP and an attempt to stifle the opposition in the country,” the party said in a statement, vowing to challenge the revocation in court.

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Tinubu
Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu appoints Babatunde Ogunjimi as Accountant General of the Federation

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday approved the appointment of Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation.

A statement issued by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointment came “after a rigorous selection process.”

He said the appointment takes effect from March 7, 2025, the same day the incumbent AGoF, Oluwatoyin Madehin, is expected to retire.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday approved the appointment of Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation.

A statement issued by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the appointment came “after a rigorous selection process.”

He said the appointment takes effect from March 7, 2025, the same day the incumbent AGoF, Oluwatoyin Madehin, is expected to retire.

“Ogunjimi, 57, was first named as Madehin’s successor last December.

“A selection committee later chose him through a competitive, rigorous, and merit-based process involving Directors of Accounts in the Federal Civil Service.

“The committee conducted the process through three stages: a written assessment, an ICT proficiency test, and oral interviews.

“The selection process underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to promoting transparency, excellence, and competence in key public service positions.

“Ogunjimi graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. He also obtained a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Lagos.

“He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

“President Tinubu congratulates Ogunjimi on his appointment and urges him to discharge his duties in the service of Nigeria with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” Bayo said.

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