General

Tribunal Sacks Bauchi Reps Member

Published

7 years ago

30/08/2019

By Adedapo Adesanya

The election of Mr Abdulkadir Sarki as the House of Represenatatives member for Katagum Central Federal Constituency in Bauchi State was short lived as the Bauchi state House of Assembly and National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday ordered a re-run election in seven polling units of the constituency.

According to the Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Abdulkadir Abdullahi, who made the decision known, the three members of the tribunal led by its Chairman, Justice Bello Tukar ruled that the certificate of return issued to the first respondent, Mr Sarki be withdrawn.

“The judges directed that the certificate of return issued to the first respondent as a result of the election of February 23 should be withdrawn,” he said.

Mr Abdullahi also added that the tribunal ordered that the re-run election be conducted within 90 days from the day the judgement was delivered.

“The petition with number EPT/NASE/BA/4/2019 in the case of Ibrahim Baba against Rep. Sarki and four others. The conclusion is that the petition succeeds in part, to the extent that the seven polling centres cancelled by the third respondent, that is INEC, an election for re-run has been ordered in those centres,” he disclosed.

Also, the tribunal in its judgment in the petition between Hamma Misau, Haliru Jika and two others, dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

“The petition number EPT/NASE/BA/14‎, Isa Hamma Misau and another, that is his political party and Haliru Dauda Jika and two others, the petition is dismissed for lacking in merit by the same panel unanimously,” Mr Abdullahi said.

General

EFCC Arrests Ex-Skye Bank Chair Tunde Ayeni Over Alleged Diverted Loans

Published

41 minutes ago

25/04/2026

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.

Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.

He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.

After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.

The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.

This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.

The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.

General

Customs, Police Commence Tighter Security at Ports to Protect Oil Trade

Published

8 hours ago

24/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Police have begun securing the country’s maritime corridor as part of critical moves to safeguard oil and gas trade flows through the nation’s ports.

This follows a recent strategic engagement between the Ibeto Seaport and Terminals Command of Customs and the Eastern Port Police Command in Port Harcourt, where both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to joint operations.

Customs Area Controller, Mr Usman Yahaya, described inter-agency cooperation as essential to protecting critical economic infrastructure.

“This visit is timely and highly appreciated. It reflects the importance of sustained cooperation among agencies entrusted with the security of our nation and the protection of critical economic assets,” he said.

Mr Yahaya stressed that collaboration between Customs and Police remains central to maintaining order and preventing criminal activities within port environments.

“Customs and the Police share common responsibilities in safeguarding the port environment. Synergy remains the cornerstone for achieving our collective mandate,” he added.

He further assured continued support for the Police Command to enhance operational effectiveness.

“Customs Area Controller Usman Yahaya (sitting, right) and Commissioner of Police Shuaibu Audu (sitting, left) with other Customs and Police personnel

“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”

On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port Command, Mr Shuaibu Audu, said the visit was aimed at strengthening existing ties between both agencies.

“My presence here today is to reinforce the cordial relationship between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service. No organisation can function effectively in isolation,” he said.

Mr Audu emphasised the strategic importance of ports to Nigeria’s economy, particularly in the energy sector.

“Our ports are strategic national assets, and we must work together to keep them secure,” he stated. “Synergy among security agencies is essential to addressing emerging threats.”

General

FG Boosts Civil Servants’ Pay with New Allowance Review

Published

9 hours ago

24/04/2026

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has approved a sweeping increase in peculiar allowances and other welfare benefits for civil servants, aimed at improving take-home pay and boosting morale across the public service.

The announcement was made on Friday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing in Abuja, where she outlined key reforms endorsed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

According to Mrs Walson-Jack, the review affects workers under both the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) and the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), ensuring a broad-based impact across all cadres.

She said the revised peculiar allowances have been structured to reflect across all grade levels, resulting in a meaningful increase in earnings for both junior and senior officers.

In addition, the government approved an upward review of several key allowances, including duty tour allowance (DTA), estacode, and book allowance.

Mrs Walson-Jack noted that virtually all allowances listed under the Public Service Rules have now been revised.

A major highlight of the reform is the approval of 100 per cent Duty Tour Allowance for civil servants attending approved training programmes, regardless of whether travel is involved.

Beyond salary-related adjustments, the government also introduced a new exit benefit scheme for retiring civil servants under the Contributory Pension Scheme. The scheme provides 100 per cent of a retiree’s total annual emoluments as an exit package, in addition to their pension, effective January 1, 2026.

Mrs Walson-Jack described the move as a step toward ensuring dignity in retirement, stressing that no public servant should leave service without adequate financial support.

The government also confirmed the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme, designed to provide financial protection for workers who suffer job-related injuries or death.

The reforms come amid growing calls from labour unions for improved welfare, as rising living costs continue to put pressure on workers. Analysts say the combined measures could significantly enhance financial stability for civil servants and improve overall productivity in the public sector.