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NDDC Scandal: SERAP Urges Tinubu to Break Silence, Punish Those Shielding Audit Findings

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to urgently investigate claims that top officials and politicians implicated in the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2000 to 2019 deliberately blocked the release of the report.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to swiftly investigate allegations that prominent politicians and officials named in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic audit report deliberately blocked its publication.

In a letter dated July 5, 2025, signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP also called on President Tinubu to direct relevant anti-corruption agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for obstructing justice and to ensure the immediate release of the forensic audit report.

The organisation further demanded that all individuals implicated in the alleged misappropriation of over ₦6 trillion from the NDDC between 2000 and 2019 be named, shamed, and prosecuted, and that any stolen funds be recovered. It also called for appropriate compensation to be paid to affected victims in the Niger Delta.

According to SERAP, “The continued secrecy surrounding the audit undermines public trust and denies justice to victims of corruption in the region. Hiding or delaying the report’s publication is a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and protect the powerful.”

It added that if no action is taken within seven days, it will initiate legal proceedings at the ECOWAS Court of Justice to compel the government to act.

SERAP emphasized that public interest demands transparency, stating: “There is a constitutional and moral obligation to publish the report and implement its recommendations. Doing otherwise will send the wrong message and reinforce impunity.”

Citing the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the group stressed that the Nigerian government must sanction any act that interferes with investigations or impedes justice. “Victims of corruption will lose confidence in public institutions if nothing is done,” the letter stated.

SERAP expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, communities in the Niger Delta continue to suffer from abandoned projects, poor infrastructure, and failing public services due to entrenched corruption and impunity.

It noted that the Buhari administration, which commissioned the audit, failed to act on it after receiving the report in September 2021, and allegedly left it to gather dust to shield powerful interests. Some individuals, including the wife of a former minister, were alleged to have received billions in fraudulent disbursements.

SERAP concluded that publishing the forensic audit report and prosecuting those responsible would be a critical step in restoring public confidence, promoting justice, and ensuring accountability in one of Nigeria’s most corruption-plagued institutions.

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“Name Anyone In ADC As Corrupt As APC Members” — Ex-Osun Governor Osunbor Sparks Debate.

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A former Governor of Edo State, Oserheimen Osunbor, has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the strongest platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Osunbor said the ADC represents hope for improved governance in Nigeria, insisting that the country is in urgent need of a leadership reset.

He made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he reacted to recent political developments and defections involving the party.

Osunbor dismissed concerns over defections from the ADC, arguing that the party is actually recording more gains than losses.

He said, “There are more people joining the ADC than those leaving. That should give you cause to be happy.

“There is freedom of association, but if at the end of the day there is net gain rather than net loss, we should be satisfied. We don’t have any right to tie anybody down.”

The former governor maintained that the ADC remains a credible political alternative for the 2027 presidential election, adding that Nigeria urgently needs a proper leadership selection process capable of producing competent leaders.

He said, “It offers the best option to rescue Nigeria, to reintroduce good governance in Nigeria because nothing will work unless the leadership recruitment structure is gotten right.”

He further stressed that democratic institutions must be strengthened and allowed to function independently for meaningful national progress.

“Unless democratic institutions are allowed to function as they should, unless the laws and regulations and due process are followed, we will continue to sink deeper into the morass of underdevelopment,” he added.

Osunbor Alleges Plot Against ADC

Osunbor also alleged that some of the legal challenges facing the ADC were politically engineered to weaken the opposition party.

He said, “The legal problems confronting the ADC are orchestrated. I just gave you an example of somebody who was already out of the ADC for a long time, but he was encouraged to stay there and scatter them, fight them.”

He further expressed concern over what he described as increasing executive interference in state institutions, particularly the judiciary.

“What bothers Nigerians is executive interference and the judiciary,” he said.

Responding to criticisms that the ADC is filled with politicians who have held office without significant achievements, Osunbor defended the party’s members.

He said, “Name anybody in ADC who is as bad, who is as corrupt or who is as vile as those in APC.

“If you tell me one corrupt person in ADC, I can show you ten in APC. There is no perfection in this world. Because if we are bad, we are not as bad as the APC.”

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MURIC Raises Alarm Over Alleged Religious Bias In Airport Chapel Project, Relief Distribution.

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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Federal Government of showing bias in the proposed construction of a N25 billion ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Friday, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the project—reportedly being developed in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)—raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment of religious groups in the country.

MURIC also criticised what it described as uneven distribution of relief funds, pointing to the alleged allocation of N2 billion to victims of violence in Plateau State, while claiming that other affected states such as Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kwara received no comparable support.

The group further questioned reports that N1.2 billion was shared among the 19 northern states for Eid al-Kabir celebrations, arguing that the amount was disproportionately lower compared to the Plateau intervention.

“How can only one state be given N2 billion while all the 19 states in the North are asked to share N1.2 billion? But is it right to treat Muslims like second class citizens, animal farm?” the statement read.

MURIC also called on the Federal Government to clarify its plans regarding Muslim religious infrastructure, urging equal consideration in the allocation of resources.

“So we must ask the federal government to tell Nigerians when land of equal size will be given to Muslims to build their grand national mosque. Of course, the federal government must not forget the N25 billion cooling off somewhere in the Central Bank which will accompany the land allocation for Muslims,” the group added.

The organisation urged authorities to uphold fairness and inclusivity in governance, warning that perceived imbalance could heighten religious tensions in the country.

As of the time of this report, neither the Federal Government nor the Christian Association of Nigeria has issued a response to the allegations.

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Shock Reward: E-Money Gifts Carter Efe ₦50 Million Following Portable Boxing Defeat

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Lagos socialite and businessman, Emeka Okonkwo, popularly known as E-Money, has confirmed that he will fulfil his ₦50 million pledge to social media comedian Carter Efe.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This comes after Carter Efe secured a unanimous decision victory over street-hop artist Habeeb Badmus, popularly known as Portable, at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event held on Friday night at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

E-Money reaffirmed his promise after the Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Group Promotions, Ezekiel Adamu, raised the issue at the end of the event.

He congratulated Carter Efe on his win and reiterated his commitment to the reward.

E-Money said, “You know we put our money where our mouth is, and so congratulations Carter on your win. ₦50 million for you.”

Adamu also praised the success of the event, noting that it met expectations.

He said, “We promised Chaos in the Ring and we have delivered very entertaining fights tonight. There is more coming, thanks to everyone that made this a success and to the fighters for the great display.”

The fight between Carter Efe and Portable was preceded by weeks of heated exchanges between both entertainers.

Portable came into the bout with prior celebrity boxing wins over Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington, which had earned him two belts. Before the fight, he confidently declared that Carter Efe would be his next opponent to secure a third title.

He said, “I will use you to collect my third belt. Charles Okocha was bigger than you, Speed Darlington was bigger than you and I beat them. I will beat you now.”

Carter Efe responded simply, saying, “One punch and you fall.”

When the fight began, Portable opened aggressively with wild punches, but Carter Efe controlled the pace using his height and reach advantage.

As the rounds progressed, Portable continued with wide swings and clinches, while Carter Efe landed cleaner, more effective combinations.

At the end of the bout, all three judges scored it 27–30 in favour of Carter Efe, awarding him a unanimous decision victory and the celebrity boxing title.

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