Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $4.7 million, ₦830 million, and multiple properties linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Yellim Bogoro, in a judgment delivered on Friday, also ordered the forfeiture of investments worth $900,000 traced to Anita Joy Omoile, a close associate of Emefiele. Additionally, the court approved the forfeiture of a $4.4 million investment linked to Deep Blue Energy Services Ltd and ₦283 million in a Zenith Bank account held by Liman Investment Ltd. Other forfeited assets include €20,000 and £1,999.50 traced to Exactquote Bureau De Change.

The ruling followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Bogoro granted the final forfeiture to the Federal Government after holding that the funds and properties were linked to corrupt practices.

Among the forfeited assets are 94 units of an 11-floor building under construction at 2 Otunba Elegushi 2nd Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos; AM Plaza, an 11-floor office space in Lekki; Imore Industrial Park in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos; Mitrewood and Tatler Warehouse, a furniture plant in Ibeju-Lekki; and two properties purchased from Chevron Nigeria located in Lakes Estate, Lekki.

Other forfeited properties include a plot at Lekki Foreshore Estate, an estate in Coppel, Texas, owned by Lipam Investment Services, land on Bunmi Olowude Street in Lekki Phase 1, and a property on Bayo Kuku Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The EFCC, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Bilikisi Buhari-Bala, and six other prosecutors, told the court that Emefiele, while serving as CBN governor from 2014 to 2023, used close associates and allies to conceal and disguise proceeds of illegal activities through various accounts in Nigeria and abroad.

Former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has dismissed claims that the 1966 military coup was an “Igbo coup,” stating that its leader, Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, was more Hausa than Igbo.

In his newly released book, A Journey in Service, Babangida described Nzeogwu as a fluent Hausa speaker who was Igbo only by name. He noted that Nzeogwu, born and raised in Kaduna to parents from Okpanam in present-day Delta State, was deeply integrated into Hausa culture.

Babangida condemned Nzeogwu’s role in the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello and his wife, Hafsatu, calling it “heinously callous” given their widespread admiration.

He wrote: “Nzeogwu and his original team probably thought, even if naively, that they could turn things around for the better in the country. However, the coup was soon infiltrated by outsiders, giving it an ethnic color, especially since no related coup activities occurred in the Eastern Region.”

Babangida also highlighted that some senior Igbo officers were among the coup’s victims. He cited Lt-Col. Arthur Chinyelu Unegbe, who was killed by his fellow Igbo officer, Major Chris Anuforo, for being perceived as a threat to the coup.

He further pointed out that non-Igbo officers, including Major Adewale Ademoyega, Captain Ganiyu Adeleke, and Lts. Pola Oyewole and Olafimihan, participated in the coup, while another Igbo officer, Major John Obienu, played a key role in crushing it.

Addressing claims of ethnic motivations, Babangida referenced the plotters’ alleged plan to release Chief Obafemi Awolowo from prison and install him as Nigeria’s executive provisional president. He suggested this action contradicted the notion of the coup being an Igbo conspiracy, though he admitted his view might be speculative.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the relocation of 29 correctional centres from urban areas across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the development on Friday during the unveiling of new operational vehicles for the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Further details on the relocation are expected to be provided later.

Stakeholders from the six states of the Niger Delta region have strongly condemned Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for her recent remarks against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement issued on Friday, Comrade Alice Omo-Ovie, leader of the Niger Delta Mothers for Good Governance, along with leaders of youth groups and women’s organizations, criticized Natasha’s conduct, calling it “unwomanly” and an embarrassment to her constituents.

The group dismissed as “frivolous” the sexual harassment allegations Natasha made against Akpabio, which led to her outburst during Thursday’s Senate plenary. They accused the senator of disrespect and uncontrolled pride.

“It is unacceptable for a woman to insult a man, especially the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Omo-Ovie stated. “We call on Natasha’s husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri, to issue a public apology to the Senate.”

Omo-Ovie further urged Natasha to apologize to Akpabio, emphasizing that the Niger Delta women would not tolerate disrespect towards the Senate President.

She dismissed Natasha’s allegations of sexual harassment as a “defeatist ploy” aimed at tarnishing Akpabio’s reputation, questioning why such claims were not made earlier.

Mrs. Faith Adaga Timisetei, President of the Niger Delta Women for Tinubu, also weighed in, advising Natasha to refrain from making statements that could damage her credibility as a senator. She warned that further investigations into the matter could lead to damaging revelations.

“Senator Akpabio has demonstrated strong leadership, and Natasha should apologize and allow the issue to rest,” Timisetei said.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has retained the country’s benchmark interest rate at 27.50% in its January meeting, maintaining the same rate set in November 2023 despite a decline in inflation.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced the decision on Thursday in Abuja after the 299th MPC meeting. He stated that the pause in rate hikes was necessary following the recent drop in inflation, which fell to 24.48% in January after the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rebase.

“The members of the MPC unanimously agreed to retain the interest rate at 27.50%,” Cardoso said.

Other monetary policy parameters were also left unchanged, with the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 50%, the Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30%, and the asymmetric corridor at +500/-100 basis points around the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR).

This marks the first pause in interest rate hikes since Cardoso assumed office in September 2023, aligning with calls from economists and financial experts for a policy pause. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise has been among the leading advocates for a halt in rate increases.

On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a decline in Nigeria’s inflation rate, with headline inflation dropping to 24.48% in January from 34.80% in December, while food inflation fell to 26.08% from 39.93%.

The Senate has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intervene in the alleged removal of the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, by the state assembly.

The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro and two other senators from Benue State, who argued that the circumstances and process of Ikpambese’s removal violated constitutional provisions.

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed a bill to amend the Federal Universities of Agriculture Act, aimed at facilitating the establishment of more such institutions to enhance agricultural activities and strengthen food security.

A mild drama unfolded at the commencement of plenary over the allocation of a new seat for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The situation was contained after lawmakers intervened, as she initially refused to move to the designated chair.

According to Rule 6 of the Senate Standing Rules, the President of the Senate has the authority to allocate and reassign seats within the chamber.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its withdrawal from the local government election scheduled for Saturday, February 22.

The decision was conveyed in a letter dated February 17, signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Alao Kamorudeen, and addressed to the Secretary of the State Independent Electoral Commission.

According to the letter, the party’s withdrawal follows the February 10 Court of Appeal judgment, which reinstated its previously elected chairmen and councillors.

“Recall that the judgment of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHF/OS/CS/94/2022 was meritoriously nullified on February 10 by the Court of Appeal in Akure, in appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022 between APC and three others v. People’s Democratic Party and others.

“By the judgment, the elected officers have resumed office as allowed by the Appeal Court. The implication of the Court of Appeal judgment is that the seats are no longer vacant,” the letter read.

The APC described the upcoming election as “unnecessary, superfluous, and unlawful” in light of the court ruling.

However, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022. The dispute led to violent clashes on Monday as both parties laid claim to local government secretariats across the state.

Police authorities confirmed that six people were killed and several others injured in the unrest.

Former military President Ibrahim Babangida received nearly ₦17 billion in donations from top Nigerian business figures during the public launch of his autobiography, A Journey in Service.

Leading the contributions was billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, who pledged ₦8 billion, structured as ₦2 billion per year over four years. Abdulsamad Rabiu followed with a ₦5 billion donation, while other prominent figures, including Folorunsho Alakija, also contributed undisclosed amounts.

The event, organized by the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, celebrated Babangida’s legacy and attracted key figures from Nigeria’s political and business sectors.

The autobiography is now available at major bookstores, including Roving Heights, with the paperback priced at ₦40,000 and the hardback at ₦50,000.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian military’s commitment to eliminating wanted bandit leader Bello Turji.

Speaking on Thursday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, Oluyede stated that Turji remains on the run, but assured that the military is actively pursuing him.

“Bello Turji is on the run as we speak, and wherever he goes, we follow. Let him keep running—it is only a matter of time before he is eliminated,” he said while addressing journalists at the Headquarters of Operation Fasan Yamma.

The army chief highlighted recent successes in the fight against banditry, noting that several prominent bandit leaders, including Samaila, Boga, and Boderi, have been killed in recent months. He reiterated the troops’ determination to restore security in Zamfara and the wider North-West region.

“We are actively pursuing these criminals and remain committed to making the North-West safe,” he added.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by troops in the ongoing operations, Oluyede expressed confidence in their ability to overcome them. He also called on Nigerians to support the military by providing timely intelligence.

Earlier, Oluyede inspected the quarter guard under tight security before receiving an operational briefing from the Theatre Commander, Major General Oluyinka Soyele.

His visit, the first since his appointment on October 30, 2024, comes at a time when troops are intensifying efforts to combat banditry and other security threats in the region.

Operation Fasan Yamma remains a key part of the Nigerian Army’s strategy to restore peace and stability in the North-West, which has been plagued by rising incidents of banditry and kidnapping.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) for a five-year term.

The announcement was made in a statement on Thursday by Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

Until his appointment, Enyiekere, an environmental specialist, served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President.

The President also approved the appointment of two commission members from each of the six geopolitical zones. The appointees are as follows:

North West:

• Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi
• Hon. Yusuf A. Yusuf Tabuka

North East:

• Aminu Ibrahim Malle
• Alhaji Lawan Maina Mahmud

North Central:

• Mark Hanmation Tersoo
• Salihu Umar Agboola Balogun

South West:

• Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga
• Hon. Afeez Ipeza-Balogun

South East:

• Hon. Dr. Nnanna Uzor Kalu
• Festus Ifesinachi Odii

South South:

• Patrick A. Giwa
• Mrs. Mary Ekpenyong