General
Senate Probes FG’s Spending On North-east Crisis
By Ebitonye Akpodigha
The Senate on Tuesday set-up an adhoc committee to probe spendings by the Federal Government on the humanitarian crisis in the North-east in view of the allegation of massive diversion of relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The Adhoc Committee chaired by Senator Shehu Sani from Kaduna State is also to hold a public hearing to unravel the funds already committed to ameliorating the plight of the IDPs, and how the fund is being expended by the agencies of government saddled with the responsibility. The Senators also resolved to donate N32.7million to be contributed by the 109 Senators in support of the IDPs in the area of welfare.
These and other resolutions of the Senate followed a motion titled “Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno Central) and co-sponsored by 18 other senators.
Senator Garbai in his lead debate urged the Senate to note with grave concern the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the North Eastern part of the country which has continued to be of concern to the international community and the media.
He noted that according to UNICEF report, about 4.5million people are in dire need of assistance, while one million of the number were in danger of extreme malnutrition.
He lamented that about two million people are beyond the reach of aid and presently at the risk of starvation, thereby making Western diplomats to describe the response of the Federal Government to the crisis as a “disgrace.”
He urged his colleagues to note the disturbing development on the prevailing degrading condition in the various IDP camps, and added that “already we are losing so many of our children under five years to this extreme conditions in the affected areas.”
He stated that in spite of the earlier resolution of the Senate that raised the budget for the IDPs from N6billion to N10billion in recognition of the dire situation in the North East, the Presidential Initiative on the North East is yet to show tangible result on ground with half of the appropriated sum released.
“…Notwithstanding the huge budgetary allocation by the National Assembly, and the various releases by the executive…including significant donations from many donors, the situation on ground is not cheering,” he said.
He further called on the Red Chamber to be “worried that rather than use the money appropriated for the IDPs and the North East to ameliorate the problems, the focus of the disbursement so far made have been used to feather other interests.”
The Senator insisted that the “incoherent and largely fragmented state of procurement in the usage of the released funds so far points to a vague and corrupt scheme that is not in tune with helping our people in the North East out of their present harrowing experience and misery.”
He added: “the government has made concerted efforts at ameliorating the sufferings of the IDPs, some other people are working towards undermining same efforts; there are some allegations of diversion of 63 trucks of grains released from the strategic grain reserve allocated to IDPs in Borno State by the Federal Government.
“The gap in the state of affairs, where so much money has been made available by government with very little to show for it, has created and overburdened the cash strapped states and local governments in the affected states. Also, the intensity of the crisis was exemplified in August when IDPs took to the streets to obstruct vehicular movement and grounding business activities along the Maiduguri- Kano/Jos Road – the major road leading into Borno, to protest what they claimed was a shortage of food”, he stated.
Other Senators in their contributions to the debate on the motion, decried the pitiable plight of the IDPs and urged the Senate to stand up for the suffering, displaced persons.
Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, lauded the sponsors of the motion and those who made contributions during its debate. He described the revelations emanating from the handling of the humanitarian crisis as serious and portraying poor coordination, lack of transparency and slow response among those entrusted with the care of the IDPs.
“As a serious chamber, we cannot fold our arms and let these things continue to happen. This investigation, I believe, will give hope to the IDPs and the international community that the country is ready to do something to stop the diversion of aids and misapplication of appropriated funds meant for the upkeep of the IDPs,” Mr Saraki said.
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By Adedapo Adesanya
Lagos-based socialite and chief executive of Oceangate Engineering Oil & Gas Ltd, Ms Aisha Achimugu, has denied reports that $13 million was discovered in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Ms Achimugu denied the claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday, where she addressed allegations surrounding a raid on her home by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Addressing the widely circulated claim, Ms Achimugu insisted that no such sum was recovered from her residence.
“Let me also correct an impression that 13 million dollars was not found in my house when my house was raided. And let me also correct that what is published on the website of EFCC is a certain state. I want to believe that it is not Lagos state because the state was not clear.
“So, it’s what is out there. So I won’t also entertain that it’s a Lagos state because that hasn’t been thrown at me. My house was raided, yes, but only $50,000 and 13 million naira belonging to my mom were found in my house and then again, my personal belongings. I don’t know where Nigerians got the impression that I had 13 million dollars in my house. I’m not a bank, so I won’t keep 13 million dollars in my house,” she stated.
She, however, declined to comment extensively on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings, but explained that the foreign currency in her possession was kept for practical reasons, noting that her children study abroad.
“It is important to have some foreign currency available for emergencies,” she said.
Speaking on the source of her wealth, Ms Achimugu maintained that her financial success is rooted in legitimate business ventures.
She disclosed that her company participated in oil block bidding rounds between 2022 and 2024 and emerged successful through what she described as a transparent process. Achimugu also dismissed suggestions that her success is tied to political connections.
Recall that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite in March.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the Federal Government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Reports that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been “ordered to resign on health grounds” have been debunked.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, in a statement on Monday night, described the reports, which first emanated from Sahara Reporters, as false.
It was alleged that Mr Sanwo-Olu was asked to leave his position to allow his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, to take over.
This came shortly after the Governor endorsed Mr Hamzat as his successor after consultations with stakeholders in the state.
The political calculation is that if the deputy governor is allowed to finish his boss’ term, he will most likely be eligible to run only for a single term from 2027 to 2031.
In the statement yesterday, Mr Akosile said nobody has asked the Lagos Governor to resign, describing it as “another fake news, which has become a pattern of Sahara Reporters.”
According to him, Governor Sanwo-Olu remains in good health, of sound mind, and is actively discharging his duties as Governor of Lagos State.
He explained that the clarification was issued “to prevent the public from being misled by deliberate falsehoods. We would ordinarily ignore such baseless reports, but the need to reassure Lagosians makes this response necessary.”
The governor’s aide advised the public to disregard the story and treat it as fake news because the platform “has a track record of publishing disinformation.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has endorsed his deputy, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election, under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Hamzat on Monday declared his intention to run for governor during a closed-door meeting at Lagos House, Marina, attended by members of the State Executive Council, party leaders and members of the Governor’s Advisory Council.
Among those present were former Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, and former senator, Mr Ganiyu Solomon.
Mr Sanwo-Olu described the endorsement as a consensus decision reached by stakeholders, saying his deputy possesses the experience and competence to lead the state.
“We just received Mr Deputy, who had come with a very powerful delegation of our leaders in the state to inform us of his intention to contest for the seat of the governorship position of the state,” the governor said.
“It was unanimous with all of us to say that Mr Deputy Governor is a man who is fit and well-prepared for this job. He is a man who knows where all the rooms in the house are,” he added.
The governor cited Mr Hamzat’s record in office and their working relationship over the past seven years as reasons for his support, describing him as loyal, committed and prepared for leadership.
“This is a deputy governor that is worth a governor from day one; this is a man that has been built for this job, and we believe that he deserves to be given a chance to go and run this state,” he emphasised.
Mr Sanwo-Olu also linked the political development to President Bola Tinubu’s longstanding influence in Lagos politics.
“We thank our father, our leader, Mr President, who saw the vision… that long run is what is already being manifested here today,” he noted.
He characterised the meeting as a family-style consultation involving party stakeholders and government officials, saying there was broad agreement in support of Mr Hamzat’s aspiration.
“It’s been a very warm family meeting, and at the end of the day, it was unanimous that Mr Deputy Governor is fit, ready, well baked… for this job,” he added.
The endorsement comes more than a year before party primaries are expected. However, political analysts say it suggests early alignment for the ruling party in the commercial capital.
Mr Hamzat is a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state and a two-term deputy governor.
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