Headlines

The Senate Public Accounts Committee has rejected a request for a closed-door session by an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) during an inquiry into the disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles.

Chairman of the committee emphasized that its proceedings must remain open to the public, citing transparency practices in countries like the United States, where Public Accounts Committee sessions are televised.

“The AIG’s response on the missing rifles should be made in full public view, particularly before journalists,” he stated.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole also opposed the closed-door session, stressing that the police routinely parade minor offenders but must now provide accountability on the missing firearms.

“The AIG should inform Nigerians about the steps taken to recover the missing rifles, those responsible, and the extent of recovery so far,” Oshiomhole said.

In response, the AIG was only able to account for 15 out of the 3,907 missing rifles, stating that 14 were lost due to personnel killed in active service, while one had been missing since 1998. His response further angered committee members.

The committee ruled that the matter would not be overlooked and directed the AIG and his team to provide a more detailed response. They were ordered to reappear before the committee on Monday at noon. Consideration of the remaining five queries was suspended.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State is set to hold a mega rally to formally welcome a large number of defectors from various opposition parties.

Chairman of the rally’s Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, Hon. Salisu Tanko Wusono, described the wave of defections as a testament to the growing confidence in the party’s policies.

He attributed the development to Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, which he said has prioritized inclusivity and implemented people-centered policies that have strengthened the APC’s presence in the state.

“The governor’s approach has ensured that all voices are heard and interests represented,” Wusono stated. “This has earned the party widespread trust and support.”

He added that the defections further consolidate the governor’s political influence and reflect increasing momentum for the APC in Kaduna.

“As preparations for the mega rally continue, the APC looks forward to welcoming the new members and working together to build a more united and prosperous Kaduna State,” he said.

The House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy to suspend the approval granted to telecommunications companies (telcos) for a 50% tariff increase.

The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State.

In January, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved telcos’ request for a tariff increase, marking the first review since 2013. Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, had stated that the new tariff would enable telecom companies to invest in infrastructure and enhance connectivity.

However, Oforji argued that the tariff hike is unjustifiable, given the economic hardship and poor service delivery faced by consumers. He emphasized that telecom operators must first improve network quality before implementing any price increase.

“The far-reaching effects of these price hikes will deepen financial struggles for the average Nigerian, threaten the country’s vision of leveraging technology for economic revival, exacerbate poverty, and widen existing inequalities, hitting lower-income families the hardest,” he said.

He further noted that affordable connectivity is crucial for sectors such as digital banking, education, healthcare, agriculture, and e-governance. He warned that small businesses relying on telecommunications for operations, marketing, and customer engagement would face additional financial strain, potentially leading to closures.

According to Oforji, a 10% increase in telecom costs could reduce small business profitability by up to 7%, highlighting the economic impact of the proposed tariff adjustment.

The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of three students from the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, while working at a farm near Akure Airport.

The incident occurred at a farm settlement in Oke Oge, Oba-Ile, in Akure North Local Government Area on Saturday evening. The victims, who were undergoing Industrial Training (IT) at the farm, were reportedly kidnapped while returning home.

Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, said anti-kidnapping operatives have been deployed to the area to track down the abductors.

The Commander of the Amotekun Corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, also confirmed the incident, stating that his personnel, in collaboration with other security agencies, were combing the area in search of the victims.

Meanwhile, a family source revealed that the kidnappers have contacted the victims’ families, demanding a ₦15 million ransom.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has raised the application fee for establishing private universities in Nigeria by over 400%.

In a statement on Monday, NUC Executive Secretary Abdullahi Ribadu said the fee hike aims to improve coordination and ensure that newly established private universities are equipped to meet 21st-century challenges.

Under the new structure, the cost of purchasing an application form for a private university license has increased from ₦1 million to ₦5 million. Additionally, the processing fee has been raised from ₦5 million to ₦25 million.

The Commission stated that applicants who had purchased the application form at the previous rate of ₦1 million but had yet to pay the processing fee would be required to pay the revised ₦25 million fee within 30 working days or risk forfeiting their applications.

Furthermore, the NUC announced the suspension of inactive applications, including those for private open universities that have made no progress or submissions for over two years.

A one-year moratorium, effective February 10, 2025, has been imposed on:

• Inactive applications for new private universities to allow for a comprehensive review of their viability.
• Applications at Step 1 of the 14-step process, where only a letter of intent has been submitted.
• Acceptance of fresh applications for private universities, including private open universities.

However, the Commission clarified that it would continue processing active pending applications and make recommendations to the Federal Executive Council for approval.

Since 1999, the Federal Government has approved the establishment of 149 private universities based on the NUC’s recommendations.

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Tuesday ordered the forfeiture of 6.3 billion units of ordinary shares in Keystone Bank Limited, valued at N1 each, to the Nigerian government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The ruling followed a guilty plea by Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, represented by its Chairman, Umaru Hamidu Modibbo, over the fraudulent conversion of N20 billion belonging to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited was arraigned alongside former AMCON Managing Director Ahmed Kuru, who pleaded not guilty to the charges. The company had entered a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC filed a six-count amended charge, alleging that AMCON funds were diverted through Heritage Bank to facilitate Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited’s acquisition of Keystone Bank. The anti-graft agency also accused Kuru and Ifie Sekibo, the former Managing Director of the now-defunct Heritage Bank—who remains at large—of dishonestly converting N20 billion of AMCON’s funds through Heritage Bank for Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited.