Nigeria's economic crimes agency said on Monday night it had arrested the country's accountant general over charges of diverting public funds and money laundering to the tune of N80 billion.

Africa's biggest economy and energy producer, Nigeria has struggled for decades with endemic corruption among senior public servants and the political elite, who many Nigerians blame for widespread poverty in the country.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement it had invited Ahmed Idris, the administrative head of the national treasury, on several occasions to answer questions on the charges but he had failed to present himself.

Idris could not be reached on his mobile phone for comment.

EFCC said Idris used "proxies, family members and close associates" in deals and schemes to defraud the government and invested the proceeds in real estate in the nation's capital Abuja and his home state of Kano in northern Nigeria.

The agency has in the past successfully prosecuted a former head of police and former state governors among several high ranking government officials and politicians.

Earlier this year, the government said EFCC recovered at least $750 million in local and foreign currency linked to corruption and fraud in 2021.

Amid fuel scarcity that has gripped the nation’s capital in the past week, it has emerged that top politicians of political parties procured fuel in most petrol stations in Abuja ahead of their primaries.

Many Abuja hotels have also been fully booked on Saturday, including smaller hotels on the outskirts. THISDAY checks showed that some presidential hopefuls paid for fuel in most petrol stations.

A source told THISDAY that one top politician paid for fuel in eight filling stations for the benefit of his delegates.

“You are seeing long queues everywhere because the politicians involved have purchased fuel in most of the petrol stations,” stated the source.

“One popular politician paid for petroleum products in eight filling stations while others are also competing to buy up fuel in other stations to enable the movement of their delegates.”

The source also mentioned that political parties had secured accommodation in various hotels in Abuja for delegates.

“All the hotels in Abuja are fully booked. My boss sent me to secure a hotel which we were initially told was available, but when I got there, we were told another group beat us to it,” revealed the source. “Even in Gwagwalada and other hotels in the outskirts, it is the same thing. They are all booked.”

Another source said, “The same politicians buying up petroleum products as we were told even booked hotel accommodation two weeks ago.”

During political party primaries, most parts of Abuja are flooded with party delegates and their teeming supporters. Some delegates sleep inside party support vehicles and sometimes on the streets.

A socio-political organization, Yoruba Referendum Committee (Agbajoowo), has called on the Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States’ Houses of Assembly, to pass into law, the bill for a referendum which has already been sent to them twice.

The group in a release in Ibadan, by Femi Odedeyi and Shenge Rahman hinged the call on the Yoruba aphorism that says, “One’s head cannot be shaved in his/her absence”, stating that the 1999 Constitution shaved the peoples’ heads in their absence. 

It charged the Houses of Assembly to rise to the occasion especially as the demand is supported by a growing number of Yoruba who have signed the petition to that.

The Committee submitted that current suggestions by notable Yoruba individuals and organizations advocating for a government of National Unity or an Interim Government are direct means of subverting the legitimate quest for true federalism in the country. 

It stated further that such a move denies the sacrosancy of the people in whom power resides but tends to arrogate power and authority to the leadership, noting that being the creator of the problem in the first instance such leadership cannot be the solution. 

While emphasizing that it is not calling for the cancellation or boycott of the 2023 elections, it recalled that in 1960 when the idea of a government of National Unity was proposed by the Northern Peoples’ Congress (NPC), the Action Group (AG) rejected it on the ground that such a coalition government was not feasible between two political parties of vastly divergent political philosophies. 

The group added that the Interim Government of 1993 was instituted as a half-measure to address the crisis emanating from the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections, stating that because of its shaky foundation it did not take long for the military that set it up to torpedo it.

“There is no evidence till date that the political upheaval or crisis engendered by the ‘June 12 annulment’ has disappeared to warrant such calls. Instead of the said crisis abating, problems of structure and power relation in the country are getting worse by the day", it said.

The group then maintained that the option before the Yoruba is to organize a referendum within Yorubaland to decide the framework for their aspirations and self -actualisation while also advocating a similar template for other regions to facilitate the re-federalization of the country.

The group in advancing this course of action, noted that the only period of social and economic development experienced in Nigeria was during the federal and regional administrations attested to by the references to the Western region as “our Golden Era” by the Yoruba and lately the President Muhamnadu Buhari administration’s recourse to showcasing its economic achievements via the “rice pyramid”, an admission of the developments in the then Northern region as exemplified by the “groundnut pyramids”.

The group further stated that despite the limitations of that period, the Western region between 1951 and 1959 under Obafemi Awolowo, was and is still recognized as the “Golden Era” which the 1960 Independence Act and the 1963 Constitution attempted to later neutralize by the virtue of their pernicious provisions. 

The group said, “Thus, the said two Constitutions cannot be a foundation to build on. Instead, a new constitution that takes care of our aspirations must be fashioned out anew. It is therefore necessary to create a Roadmap towards creating the political, economic and cultural atmosphere that will ensure continuous and unfettered development as envisaged and pursued by the then Western region as a categorical Imperative which we hereby dub as Yoruba referendum.

"Furthermore, in order to avoid the huge expenses associated with every electoral cycle, the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be anchored on a valid Federal Constitution with a “Federal Presidential Council, whose members will be selected or elected from each of the Nationalities as Federating Units and from whom a Head of State will be selected or elected as the primus-inter-pares with an agreed term. 

"This will make the need for country-wide campaigns by a candidate unnecessary thus cutting off avoidable expenses. Such will also compel the aspirant or candidate to concentrate on the real needs and aspirations of the People he or she is representing".

While reiterating that it is not opposed to the planned 2023 elections, the Yoruba Referendum Committee said it noted the spirited efforts of all Yoruba politicians who have declared their intention to contest for the Presidency, urging them to anchor their aspirations on not only good governance for Nigeria but also on ensuring that the Yoruba Nation and Nigeria as a whole are “rescued from the continuous cycles of underdevelopment.”

The group contended that given the historical political reality of Nigeria, it was clear that what is today regarded as ‘our Golden Era’ occurred when the country was practising parliamentary system of government while advocating a return to that system of government which ensured less monetization of electoral politics as there was no need for even a region-wide canvass for votes to become the Premier. 

"This is sharp contrast to what obtains today, under Presidential System in which Gubernatorial and Presidential Elections cost a colossal amount of money which keep increasing at every electoral cycle", it stated.

The Yoruba Referendum Committee insisted that what it is advocating now can be achieved without having to postpone it till when successors of those in power currently come to  take over, calling on those in the corridors of power now to make “this referendum a priority as it represents the collective aspirations of the people.” 

"Those being called upon included Governors, Speakers, Legislators, Presidential hopefuls and other aspirants into various political offices in the land. Community, religious and opinion leaders are also called upon to ensure that this initiative come into reality to avoid being seen as part of the conspiracy against the re-establishment of the Peoples’ ownership of the apparatus of their own governance", the group added.

Emmanuel Garba, Deborah’s father, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, said he paid N120,000 to transport the remains of his daughter from Sokoto State to Niger State.

Garba, who said he would not seek any legal redress, disclosed that the government had not contacted him despite the gruesome killing of her daughter.

He stated, “I have yet to get a call or message from anyone concerning the incident. Nobody called me; I decided to go on my own. I went to the state CID (Criminal Investigation Department) office and begged them to help me get the corpse so I could bury it because leaving it there might make it decompose. Then they took me to the mortuary, did some paperwork and released the remains to me.”

“I was the one who paid to transport the remains. I was charged N120,000 which I was forced to pay because that was the cheapest I got as the  majority of people don’t like transporting corpses.”

Garba, a security guard with the Niger State Water and Sanitation, said his wife had fallen ill, adding that she had just finished receiving injections.

He also stated, “We are not seeking redress in any court over the killing of our daughter. We are firm believers in Christ who always leave everything in the hands of God. No vengeance, nothing. Everything is left to our creator.

“We don’t want anything (from the government) but it is just unfortunate that we used all our resources to send her to school and now she is dead. She was my eldest child and I have seven others left.”

Her mother, Alheri Emmanuel, who broke down in tears, said, “I have no demands; I don’t want anything but one thing I know is that my children will never go to school again.”

Delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state have expressed their support for the presidential bid of Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation.

Amaechi’s visit to the state comes two days after the Kaduna delegates had enthusiastically assured Bola Tinubu, another APC presidential hopeful, of their allegiance.

The transportation minister met with the delegates for a consultative meeting on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, addressed the delegates about their preferred presidential candidate.

The governor said the delegates made the choice to support Tinubu without listening to the other contenders.

“I told you when you made that pledge to Asiwaju that others may not come, because of what you have done. You made that choice without listening to anyone else. Today you have seen the difference,” el-Rufai said.

“You’ve heard Amaechi, you’ve seen what he has done. And he has brought a very strong security team. So you know what will happen with our security if he is in charge.

“So I want to ask you two questions. Are we in Kaduna state APC committed, as a matter of fairness and justice, to the presidency of Nigeria going to the south?

The governor repeated the question multiple times and the delegates responded with “yes” each time.

Continuing, he said: “Now the second thing. You’ve seen Governor Amaechi. You’ve heard his history, you’ve listened to his pitch. What are you going to do? Who are you supporting now?”

In response, most of the delegates chanted “Dan Amanar” — Amaechi’s traditional title from Daura, Katsina state — while some retorted with “your choice”.

To clarify their stance, the governor asked again “are you supporting Dan Amanar” and the majority responded with a chorused “yes”.

Reacting, the governor said: “I thought you said you were supporting Asiwaju [Tinubu]. You know, people say that delegates will never see heaven. Because today you say something, tomorrow you do another thing.

“You are the delegates. I have only one vote. You are the leaders of the party in Kaduna. Whatever you decide is what we will do.

“You have a huge mandate on you and you must choose what is best for Kaduna and Nigeria.”

Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Yusuf Zailani, speaker of the state house of assembly, said the Kaduna delegates have reached the conclusion to give all their votes to Amaechi.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned the public of an ongoing cyber-vulnerability that allows a nearby hacker to unlock vehicles, start engines wirelessly and make away with cars.

In a statement on Saturday, Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC’s director of public affairs, said the notice was in accordance with the latest advisory released by the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) of the commission, the cybersecurity centre for the telecom sector.  

NCC said the vulnerability is a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack or, more specifically, a replay attack in which an attacker intercepts the RF signals normally sent from a remote key fob to the car, manipulates, and re-sends them later to unlock the car at will.

It added that the latest type of cyber-attack can manipulate the captured commands and re-transmit them to achieve a different outcome altogether. 

“Multiple researchers disclosed a vulnerability, which is said to be used by a nearby attacker to unlock some Honda and Acura car models and start their engines wirelessly. The attack consists of a threat actor capturing the radio frequency (RF) signals sent from your key fob to the car and resending these signals to take control of your car’s remote keyless entry system,” the CSIRT said. 

It, however, offered some precautionary measures that could be adopted by car owners to prevent falling victim.

“When affected, the only mitigation is to reset your key fob at the dealership,” it said.

“Besides, the affected car manufacturer may provide a security mechanism that generates fresh codes for each authentication request, this makes it difficult for an attacker to ‘replay’ the codes thereafter. 

“Additionally, vulnerable car users should store their key fobs in signal-blocking ‘Faraday pouches’ when not in use.”

It added that car owners in the stated categories are advised to choose passive keyless entry (PKE) as opposed to remote keyless entry (RKE), which would make it harder for an attacker to read the signal as criminals would need to be at close proximity to carry out their operations.

The PKE is an automotive locking system that operates automatically when the holder is in proximity to the vehicle.

The RKE system, on the other hand, represents the standard solution for conveniently locking and unlocking a vehicle’s doors and luggage compartment by remote control.

Additionally, in a related advisory, the NCC, based on another detection by CSIRT, announced the resurgence of joker trojan-infected android apps on the Google Play store. 

“This arose due to the activities of criminals who intentionally download legitimate apps from the Play Store, modify them by embedding the Trojan malware and then uploading the app back to the Play Store with a new name,” it said. 

“The malicious payload is only activated once the apps go live on the Play Store, which enables the apps to scale through Google’s strict evaluation process. Once installed, these apps request for permissions that once granted, enable the apps to have access to critical functions such as text messages and notifications.” 

Consequently, it said a compromised device would subscribe unwitting users to premium services, billing them for services that do not exist.

“A device like this can also be used to commit Short Messaging Service (SMS) fraud while the owner is unaware,” CSIRT added. 

“It can click on online ads automatically and even use SMS One Time passwords (OTPs) to secretly approve payments. Without checking bank statements, the user will be unaware that he or she has subscribed to an online service. Other actions, such as stealing text messages, contacts, and other device data, are also possible.

“To avoid falling victim to the manipulation of hackers deploying Joker Trojan-Infected Android Apps, Android users have been advised to avoid downloading unnecessary apps or installing apps from unofficial sources.”

The NCC also advised telecom consumers to ensure that apps installed from the google play store are heavily scrutinised before download. 

“In conclusion, NCC recommends that unauthorised transactions be checked against any installed app. Indeed, any apps not in use should be deleted while users are also advised to ensure that a device is always patched and updated to the latest software,” it said.

...parents disagree with state govt over burial

The remains of late Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, have been laid to rest in her hometown, Tungan Magajiya in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State today amidst controversy.

This is even as the Sokoto State Government allegedly insisted that the body be kept in the mortuary until it concludes its arrangement on the matter.

Deborah was stoned to death and burnt on Thursday by her fellow students for allegedly making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group.

The deceased, it was gathered, had been living with family members in Sokoto since she was in primary school before her death.

It was learnt that while the body of Deborah was being transported home for burial, an official of the Sokoto State Government allegedly called that the body should be returned back as it belongs to the government.

The government had asked the family to deposit the deceased in the mortuary until burial arrangements are concluded.

However, the parents disagreed with the government’s position, while insisting that their daughter’s body would be buried today.

Nigerian Newstrack learnt that since the news of the incident reached the parents of Deborah, the mother has been unconscious while the father has been in a state of grief and pain.

Reacting, the Pastor of the family in charge of 1st ECWA in Tunga Magajiya, Pastor Emmanuel Maaji explained that the family are insisting that their daughter be buried today as against the state government’s position to wait until it completes its own arrangement.

According to him, the parents are not happy with the way and matter the government is handling the issue.

The cleric said the body of the deceased was transported back home in a chartered bus and not a government vehicle.

Maaji further stated that the government only called and said that it is not right for the family to take the body like that without informing them.

They said that they shouldn’t bury the body as the body is for the government and not for the family. They asked them to put the body in the mortuary.

When asked the name of the government official that asked that the body be returned back to Sokoto State, the pastor stated that he cannot recollect the name, but that the person claimed to be a representative of the state government.

Confirming the development, the CAN Coordinator of the Rijau Local Government Area, Reverend Danjuma Doma explained that the family and church are preparing to bury the remains of Late Deborah, adding, “we will update you on the situation as it goes, but we are all here to support the family at this moment of grief.”

Earlier, there was a disagreement over the burial site prepared for her at the town’s cemetery, when some group of youths appeared and claimed that she cannot be laid to rest in it, saying that it was dug for another deceased person in the area.

Also, confirming the development, Pastor Maaji said as a result of the action of the youth, the family and church decided to suspend the burial and deposit the deceased in the morgue to avoid further argument.

” But, when we pravailed on the youth, they saw reason with us and allowed us to burry her in the grave under contention. This is because, the body is burnt and not good to the eyes,” the cleric added.

As protests rocked some parts of Sokoto State on Saturday, some residents, believed to be Muslims, decrying the arrest of the suspected killers of Deborah Samuel, who was lynched on Thursday for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed have allegedly destroyed some churches.

According to SaharaReporters, the protesters attacked some churches along Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital, while demanding the release of the suspects.

A Catholic church and a building of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, were reportedly destroyed by the protesters. Some shops belonging to indigenes of the southeast who reside in the area were also destroyed during the incident.

Efforts by journalists to reach the Sokoto State Police Command failed as the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sanusi did not take calls and repeatedly shunned text messages forwarded to him.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has imposed a 24-hour curfew to curtail the riot.

Muslim youths in Sokoto, on Saturday, trooped out in their numbers to protest against those accusing them of the killing of Deborah for alleged blasphemy.

They also called on the state government as well as security agencies to as a matter of urgency release those arrested in connection with the killing.

Shouting “Allahu Akbar, God is great” while carrying different placards, the youths were all protesting in an orderly manner along Maiduguri road.

The movement started at the roundabout of Zabira mall where they march through Gao-Nama onwards flyover within the metropolis.

Meanwhile, a team of combined security operatives including soldiers from the 8 Division, Police, DSS, and NSCDC were seeing monitoring the protests to avert being taken over by hoodlums while others were stationed in a strategic position accordingly.

The late Deborah Emmanuel, who until her death was a 200 level student of Home Economics at Shehu Shagari College of Education was attacked and killed before her corpse was set ablaze within the school premises on Thursday.

The late Deborah was accused of blasphemy in a voice note she dropped on the WhatsApp platform of her class, in which she was alleged to have used a a bad language against Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja bade farewell to outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), affirming that a significant number of them have been sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President.

Speaking at a valedictory session for appointees leaving the cabinet to pursue political ambitions, the President said:

”I have no doubt that if the next President emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be part of our legacies to Nigerians.”

The President, who commended the departing public officers for serving the nation sacrificially, ”with dignity and honour”, had at the last FEC meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 directed that all Ministers and other political appointees who aspire to contest for elective offices in the 2023 General Elections should resign their current appointments.

”I note that some have complied while others are in the process of doing so.

”I would like to use this opportunity to commend your decision and courage to contest for elective offices and your compliance with my directive.

”I also wish to thank you for your invaluable services to this nation through your contributions as Cabinet members.

”I wish you success in the upcoming elections and in your future endeavours,” he said.

Buhari told the ministers that looking back as the head of the team over the years, he had fond memories of incisive and robust discussions during cabinet meetings, rendering of performance reports during special sessions and presidential retreats.

”In 2015, citizens of this country overwhelmingly voted for me to become the President of this nation on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

”Selecting members of the Cabinet went through a careful process so that the best and most competent could emerge. The performance of that class of 2015 proved me right.

”In 2019, Nigerians similarly re-elected me as President. Again the selection went through another meticulous process.

”That re-election was significant because it served as a referendum on our performance during the first term and it inspired me to bring back some of the members of the first cabinet either to their old Ministries or re-assigned to other sectors.

”New Members were also brought on board to inject fresh energies, skills and ideas to enhance the execution of government’s programs and policies.

”With these and much more, I am happy to note that a significant number of cabinet members have become sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President. This shows the impact of the experience gathered while serving as members of the Federal Executive Council,” he said.

The President acknowledged that prior to some of them joining his cabinet; they had made their marks in other areas as governors, legislators, entrepreneurs and core professionals.

He added that the experience and expertise they brought on board have significantly resulted in enormous development in various sectors and the accomplishment of government programmes.

”These include infrastructure, agriculture, health systems, financial management, administration of justice, building social safety net systems,” he said.

Noting that the departure of some cabinet members has undoubtedly created a vacuum that should be filled, the President said appointments would be made without delay so that the business of governance will not suffer.

Buhari urged the remaining members of the cabinet to show more diligence, resilience and commitment to serve Nigerians better, saying ‘‘the journey to the finish line is still very far ’’.

”Like always, there will be challenges to address, programmes to deliver and policies to implement.

”You must therefore brace up for more work and target increased accomplishments.

”The determination to leave important legacies for Nigerians should never be compromised,” the President told members of his cabinet.

The following outgoing members of FEC were present at the valedictory session: ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio; Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva; Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.

Others are the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Tayo Alasoadura.

Minister of State (Education), Emeka Nwajiuba, who had earlier tendered his resignation, was not present at the valedictory session.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing ministers, Akpabio thanked the President for giving them the opportunity to serve and contribute their quota to nation-building.

He described working with the President as a ‘‘fantastic and knowledgeable experience,’’ adding that as they step aside they will continue to be great disciples of Buhari.

”As we step aside from FEC, I want you to know that you have disciples in us. I want you to know that it is time for us to propagate Buharism.

”I want you to know that we are going to be working closely with Minister of Information and Culture to take your message of transformation, love, patience, administrative sagacity to Nigerians,” he said.

The Niger Delta Minister told the President that from his interactions with colleagues leaving the cabinet, it was like the story of the Spanish play of ‘‘sadness and joy.’’

”Sadness in the sense that we are going to miss the continuous daily and weekly interaction with a Father and learning from him; joy because we now have an opportunity to go to the wider audience in Nigeria to speak more of your achievements for this country.”

Lauding the President’s deep patriotism, Akpabio said he is the ”best president Nigeria could ever have had at a time of difficult circumstances.”

He prayed God Almighty to grant the President a successful tenure and protect his family, adding:

”May one of us succeed you in order to continue the good legacies you have laid on ground. We have seen and know your vision. We know where you want the country to be.”