Connect with us

latest

The ₦210 Trillion Question: Senate Demands Kyari’s Immediate Arrest After Repeated No-Shows.

Published

on

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has formally issued an arrest warrant for Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following his repeated failure to appear before the panel. The committee is currently investigating 19 audit queries issued by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation regarding the NNPCL’s financial activities between 2017 and 2023, which include an alleged unaccounted sum of ₦210 trillion.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Disagreement Over the Arrest Warrant

The decision to issue the warrant followed a contentious debate among committee members:

  • Calls for Lenience: Senators Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye urged Chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo to grant Kyari additional time, citing reports that the former executive is currently receiving medical treatment in Germany.

  • Opposition to Delays: Other senators, including Abdul Ningi and Victor Umeh, argued that these verbal excuses were insufficient without formal documentary evidence.

  • Final Decision: Deputy Chairman Senator Peter Nwaebonyi characterized further delays as a “wild goose chase,” noting that this was the ninth committee meeting regarding these queries. Consequently, Chairman Dankwambo ordered that Kyari be arrested and brought before the committee to assist in concluding the assignment.

Defense Against Financial Allegations

Umar Ajiya Isa, a former Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, appeared before the committee to refute the allegations:

  • Impossibility of the Figure: Isa asserted that the ₦210 trillion figure is impossible, noting that the NNPCL’s total revenue for the period 2017–2023 was approximately ₦54.5 trillion.

  • Commitment to Transparency: He emphasized that the company had published audited accounts, a practice that had not been maintained for over 40 years prior to their tenure.

  • Broader Impact: Isa warned that circulating unverified claims harms Nigeria’s international reputation, credit ratings, and national projects, specifically pointing to how past petitions disrupted financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline.

The committee has directed Umar Ajiya Isa and Bala Wunti, the former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, to reappear in two weeks to continue the investigation.

Advertisement

latest

June 12 Showdown: Falana, Falz, And Activists Mobilize Mass Protest Against Crippling Insecurity And Economic Hardship!.

Published

on

A broad coalition—comprising civil society, youth groups, trade unions, faith-based organizations, and social movements—has announced plans for nationwide demonstrations on June 12. The group stated that this mass action is a direct response to the deepening economic distress and rampant insecurity affecting millions of Nigerians.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Leadership and Signatories The call to action was officially announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by notable figures and organizational leaders, including:

  • Femi Falana (SAN), National Chairman of the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond.

  • Yinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.

  • Hassan Soweto, representing the #EndBadGovernance Movement (Lagos State).

  • Folarin “Falz” Falana, prominent musician and activist.

  • Other key signatories include Yusha’u Yankuzo, Ali Attahiru, Mike Igaga, Rufus Olusesan, Segun Oladunni, Abiodun Olamosu, Jonathan Ugbal, Richard Inoyo, Salako Kayode, Omole Ibukun, and Adaramoye Michael.

Demands and Concerns The coalition argues that there is little cause for celebration on June 12 given the pervasive climate of fear caused by bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. Their core demands include:

  • Release of Captives: Immediate efforts to secure the release of Nigerians currently held hostage in states such as Borno, Oyo, Ekiti, and Kwara.

  • Insecurity: The group condemned what they termed “inadequate and ineffective” government responses to the ongoing killings, displacement, and abduction of innocent citizens.

  • Policy Criticism: The coalition strongly criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, specifically citing the fuel subsidy removal, currency devaluation, rising electricity tariffs, and the commercialization of essential services as drivers of widespread poverty.

  • Economic Relief: The statement highlighted that despite higher government allocations, citizens face skyrocketing food prices, rising transportation costs, and collapsing small businesses, all while wages fail to keep pace with inflation.

Call to Action Emphasizing that the protest is a fight for “collective survival,” the coalition is urging all Nigerians, civil society groups, and progressive movements to unite. They aim to use the June 12 demonstrations to force the government to prioritize the protection of life and property and to reverse economic policies they view as harmful to the populace.

Continue Reading

latest

“From Danger To Dignity: Federal Government Receives 268 Nigerians In Emotional Return!”.

Published

on

Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is scheduled to receive 268 Nigerian citizens evacuated from South Africa this Thursday, following recent outbreaks of xenophobic violence. The returnees are expected to arrive at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport on an Air Peace flight, with an estimated landing time of 5:00 a.m.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided further details regarding the operation:

  • Ambassador Enikanolaiye will serve as the Federal Government’s representative to formally receive the evacuees, who are being escorted to Nigeria by Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, the Acting High Commissioner in Pretoria.

  • To assist additional Nigerians wishing to leave South Africa, the government has extended the voluntary return screening process until Sunday, June 14, 2026.

  • This extension underscores the Federal Government’s dedication to protecting the welfare of its citizens residing abroad.

  • Comprehensive arrangements, including reception, documentation, and various support services, have been finalized by relevant agencies to assist the returnees upon their arrival.

Continue Reading

entertainment

“Enough Is Enough! Ruth Kadiri Joins Outcry Against Crushing Cost Of Living!”.

Published

on

Nollywood actress Ruth Kadiri has expressed deep concern regarding the escalating cost of living in Nigeria, highlighting that many families are struggling to afford basic food items. In a video shared on her Instagram page this past Wednesday, Kadiri emphasized the severe impact the current economic situation is having on households, noting that the increased prices of essentials are taking a toll on people’s emotional well-being.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

  • Growing Economic Pressure: While Kadiri stated that she is not typically one to complain, she admitted that recent events have left her deeply troubled.

  • Concerns for Low-Income Earners: She reasoned that if individuals who are financially stable are beginning to feel the economic strain, the situation is likely much more dire for those living on modest monthly salaries of ₦25,000 to ₦50,000.

  • Rising Food Costs: Kadiri pointed to the exorbitant price of basic food items like tomatoes and peppers—citing a scenario where a person might spend ₦5,000 just on these items—as evidence that basic nutrition has become a significant financial luxury for many Nigerians.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 NIVONEWS