General
Smart Schools: EFCC Recovers N1.2bn from Sujimoto for Enugu
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About N1.2 billion has been recovered from a prominent real estate company, Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and handed over to the Enugu State government.
Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited is owned by Mr Olasijibomi Ogundele.
The EFCC handed over the money to the state government on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, after recovery from the company in line with its unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes and the recovery of public funds misappropriated or unutilized by fraudulent actors.
Sujimoto was contracted by the Enugu State government for the construction of 22 smart schools in the state.
On February 11, 2025, the EFCC received a petition against Sujimoto, stating that the sum of N2.289 billion was paid to Mr Ogundele as an advance fee for the construction of the 22 smart schools in the State.
“As the completion date stated in the contract awards lapsed on January 2, 2025, the persistent non-performance of the contractor as shown by the documents, is clear evidence of intention to defraud the state government.
“We identify Ogundele as the Group Managing Director of the company and jointly liable for the refund of the state funds, following an irremediable breach of the terms of the contract and diversion of the project funds towards personal or other uses unconnected to the contract,” the petitioner said.
Reacting to the petition, operatives of the Special Task Fraud Section attached to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the commission, swung into action and the sum of N1, 234,350,000 was recovered for the state government.
Representing the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, during the handing over, the Zonal Director, Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission, Commander of the EFCC, Mr Daniel Isei, reiterated the commission’s commitment to recovering public funds.
“Where there are instances of economic and financial crimes against an individual or an agency of government, against government itself, the EFCC will ensure that every act that is contrary to law is dealt with, and where possible, restitution is made to the victim. It is on this basis that we received your petition as a state government that there was a case that needed EFCC to do as mandated by law. We are glad to announce to you that in doing our job, we have been able to recover some of those monies that were given to Sujimoto Construction,” he said.
While warning contractors, especially those entrusted with public funds to be mindful of the Procurement Act and be guided by integrity while handling public funds, Mr Olukoyede said that the commission will look at every facet of the petition against Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited and ensure that every kobo of Enugu State government that is not accounted for, is traced, tracked, and recovered.
“Where cases of criminality are established, the EFCC will take further steps of prosecution. That must be clearly understood. For us, we will continue to expect that people align their activities to processes and procedures. People must work clearly in line with extant laws, particularly the Procurement Act. Also, it is very important that where due diligence is applied in all cases, prevention will come into play.
“I advise that we continue to entrench professionalism in all that we do and on the part of other Nigerians that will be doing contracts for local governments, state or the federal governments to ensure that they are always guided by integrity, accountability and transparency in all they do. Every public fund that is given out must be adequately utilized or accounted for, else, the EFCC will move in and ensure that issues of economic and financial crimes are speedily dealt with”, he said.
Receiving the draft on behalf of the Enugu State Government, Mr Onyia lauded the commission for its professionalism and dedication exhibited while recovering the money. He noted that when the state submitted the petition, there were lots of distractions in the public space but the EFCC maintained its professional posture, followed the money and thorough investigations were done.
“EFCC, we thank you for being very focused on helping us recover this fund. This, for us, is a remarkable testimony of intergovernmental collaboration and transparency,” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu has been praised by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump, for his decisive leadership against terrorists.
The presidency, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that the American leader conveyed the commendation in a letter dated July 6, 2026, to President Tinubu, saying the Nigerian leader’s “to tackle the issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities” have not gone unnoticed.
According to Mr Trump: “It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
The US-Nigeria relationship flourished in recent times, with the two sides working closely in key areas, especially in tackling security challenges afflicting parts of Nigeria.
In November last year, President Trump and President Tinubu agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States. Through the work of the working group, the two sides agreed on several steps, including training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to roll back terrorist activities.
A highlight of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which led to the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and many of his lieutenants
Last week, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja, where he held meetings with senior government officials and pledged to strengthen the cooperation between Abuja and Washington DC in security and other areas of collaboration.
Below is the full text of the letter;
Dear Mr President,
Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people. I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.
The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.
I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.”
Sincerely,
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) has warned that 17 states across the country face a medium flood risk between July 21 and July 27, 2026, urging governments, emergency agencies and residents in vulnerable communities to take immediate precautionary measures to minimise potential loss of lives and property.
The warning was contained in the agency’s National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday, following hydrological assessments indicating rising water levels in several rivers and critical monitoring stations nationwide.
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NiHSA, Mr Umar Mohammed, said the forecast identified Bauchi, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue among the states expected to experience flooding during the period, alongside 11 others.
According to Mohammed, the latest hydrological data revealed that water levels at key monitoring stations, including Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River, have exceeded established watch and warning thresholds, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along major river channels and adjoining floodplains.
He disclosed that 16 hydrological gauging stations across the country have recorded elevated river stages, placing several communities at heightened risk of inundation.
“Our hydrological monitoring network indicates that river stages at critical monitoring stations have exceeded watch and warning thresholds. Communities located along these river channels face imminent localised flooding, and we strongly advise state governments, local authorities and residents in flood-prone areas to take immediate preventive action,” Mohammed said.
NiHSA’s impact assessment showed that Bauchi State has the highest level of exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified within areas vulnerable to flooding.
In Edo State, the agency identified 148 communities, 131 schools, 123 health facilities, four markets, seven religious centres and approximately seven hectares of farmland as being at risk.
The advisory also listed 415 communities, 423 schools, 198 health facilities, 49 markets, 111 religious centres and 75 hectares of farmland in Imo State as vulnerable to flooding, while Kaduna State has 168 communities, 16 schools, three health facilities and three religious centres within areas likely to be affected.
For Plateau State, NiHSA identified 205 communities, 137 schools, 44 health facilities, 16 markets, 81 religious centres and 64 hectares of farmland as susceptible to flooding, while Benue State has five communities, eight schools, two health facilities and four religious centres within the projected flood-risk zone.
The agency urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs, local government authorities and community leaders to activate emergency response measures without delay.
Among its recommendations, NiHSA advised the immediate evacuation of residents, livestock and valuables from flood-prone communities to designated safe locations, while emergency agencies were urged to pre-position food supplies, medical equipment, potable water and other relief materials in vulnerable areas.
The agency also called for the activation of community-based early warning systems, continuous public sensitisation, regular clearing of blocked drainage channels and strict adherence to safety guidelines, warning residents against attempting to walk, drive or ride through flooded roads or fast-flowing water.
NiHSA further advised state governments and the public to monitor its daily flood forecasts and advisories to support timely decision-making and reduce the impact of anticipated flooding during the forecast period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it is ready for a major nationwide struggle to secure a new national minimum wage and better pensions for retired workers.
NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, said the union would not accept a review of workers’ salaries without a corresponding increase in pension benefits, adding that organised labour would also push for the creation of a National Minimum Pension.
Mr Ajaero made this known during the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja, noting that rising inflation and the high cost of living have made the current minimum wage and pension inadequate, leaving many workers and retirees struggling to survive.
“We are currently preparing for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage,” Mr Ajaero said.
“But it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have retired after years of service.”
He said the NLC would campaign for both a new minimum wage and a National Minimum Pension.
“It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth and productive years to serving this nation should be forced to live below the poverty line after retirement,” he said.
According to the unionist, the rising cost of food, healthcare and transportation has made life increasingly difficult for pensioners.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he added.
The NLC president urged pensioners to remain united and prepare for the struggle ahead, describing the newly inaugurated Legacy House as a centre for mobilisation and solidarity
He also called on workers to stand together, saying unity would strengthen labour’s ability to compel the government to fulfil its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.
Mr Ajaero further demanded the immediate payment of outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension system that guarantees every retiree a decent standard of living.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve,” he said.
