Nigeria Roundup: President slashes travel cost, corruption investigations, murder of chief
President slashes entourage
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reduced the number of officials on his entourage for foreign trips as part of efforts to cut costs. He has also cut officials joining the Vice President and other ministers and federal government appointees on such official trips. In its place, the president has directed that local security agencies should rather be used for his protection for such travels. According to Premium Times, the decision follows widespread criticism after reports that Nigeria had one of the largest delegations to the COP28 Climate Change conference held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Police invade armed group camp
Nigerian police and military on January 8 invaded the suspected camp of the Eastern Security Outfit ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB at Ihite Owerre. They found among other things a pump action gun, other guns, military uniforms, and locally made explosives., according to Vanguard. The police in a statement said, “Following cases of kidnapping involving Mr Sabinus Ugwuebu, ‘m’, a Road Safety Officer, and HRH Eze Ohiri, former Eze Imo as victims, Police operatives in robust synergy with the Military on 08/01/2023 at about 0330hrs stormed a suspected terrorist camp at Ihite Owerre, in Orlu LGA of Imo State, and arrested one suspect while others escaped with gunshot injuries after a protracted gunfight with the terrorists”.
Murder of Ogun State Chief
Ogun State Police have confirmed the murder of the traditional ruler of the Itunsokun community in Sagamu, Ogun State, Chief Adeyinka Folarin. Police Spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola who confirmed the incident said the chief was killed by suspected gunmen around 9.45 PM GMT. The report further noted that the suspected gunmen were said to have come in a Toyota Camry car and shot to disperse the crowd before proceeding to shoot their victim, Bashorun Abiodun Folarin according to The Guardian.
Corruption allegations
The suspended Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Betta Edu is set to undergo investigations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters over allegations of N585 million (US$ 639,000). The minister allegedly paid the said amount meant for payment of grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Cross River, and Ogun States into a private account, according to Punch Newspaper in Nigeria. She was subsequently suspended by the President, Bola Tinubu. She is said to be the first minister to be suspended from office since the swearing-in of members of the Federal Executive Council in August.
Money laundering investigations
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, is being interrogated by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to Daily Post. Umar-Farouq submitted herself for investigation on January 8, 2024, after allegations of laundering N37.1 billion (US $ 40 million) under her watch. In a tweet, she wrote, “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating”.
