A Nigerian Pastor in the City of David, in Kildare, Ireland, Ebenezer Oduntan, has been convicted of a range of theft charges, involving more than €125,000, as well as multiple breaches of company law and deception. Ebenezer Oduntan is the former pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) City of David in Kildare, Ireland. The Pastor, who was also convicted of stealing money, faced 87 charges and found to operate an elaborate fraud, generating payments from the Revenue Commissioners. When his bank accounts were analysed as part of a criminal investigation into his finances, Oduntan was found to have passed five times more than his declared income through his accounts for the years 2012-2018. His trial concluded with guilty verdicts on Wednesday at Naas Circuit Court after a three-week hearing. He was convicted of nine company law offences, 73 counts of theft and five counts of deception. The court was told that he stole church funds, including cheques made payable to cash and cheques of up to €20,000 made payable to him personally. He was said to have ran “an elaborate fraud” involving the inflation of donations made to the church, which resulted in the Revenue Commissioners reimbursing more than it should have under the Charitable Donation Scheme. The church he once led claims to operate on “a mandate to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people and nations, and its members to live a lifestyle of holiness.” It also defines itself as “a bible believing church under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit.” The church, at one point, had a membership of more than 100 families, many of whom were the source of the donations from which Oduntan benefited. Current Pastor of the RCCG City of David in Ireland, Albert Adewunmi said that number of members declined in the wake of the scandal. Midway through his trial, Oduntan pleaded guilty to nine charges of furnishing false information to the Companies Registration Office, five counts of deception and 19 counts of theft. The jury in the case, before Judge Martina Baxter, on Wednesday returned guilty verdicts on all 54 outstanding charges. After the verdicts were returned, Oduntan was remanded in custody by Judge Baxter and is due to appear before the court again on April 10th.
No fewer than 60 civil servants, including nurses, other medical personnel in hospitals and those in education sector in the service of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are currently battling with the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and suspected syndicating scammers over millions of Naira February Salaries that have not been paid to them as at the middle of March. Investigations show that operatives of the IPPIS diverted the workers salaries to a group of suspected scammers, in the name of loans taken by the concerned workers from one man, David Chukwuma, using no fewer than 15 mushroom Micro Financial Institutions as accomplices. It was gathered that the IPPIS, which was not party to the terms of the loan from David Chukwuma and his syndicating scammers, came from no where to empty the salaries of the workers, who were beneficiaries of the loans, to the syndicating group and individuals. It was gathered that the syndicate is made up about 15 mushroom Banks, including Loan Book, Credit Direct, Essential Finance MF, Accello Micro Fnances, Letshego MF, Zedvance MFB, Teago Global, Liquid Crest, Link MFB, Penny Lender MFB and a company called Hi-Breed Consultant Services Limited. The syndicating scammers were said to have given out various forms of loans to the workers based on private arrangements that had nothing to do with the IPPIS.
David Chukwuma It was learnt that the IPPIS, without consulting with the workers, who are the loan beneficiaries, decided to be giving the salaries of the concerned workers to the syndicate, for the syndicating scammers to be paying the workers after deducting the agreed amount to service the loans. However, luck ran out of the IPPIS and the syndicate when workers could not access their entire February salaries, in breech of agreement to deduct the amount for servicing the loan and paying them the balance. It was gathered that the concerned workers, last Monday, gathered at the Hi-Breed Consultant Services Limited to know what went wrong, but were told that David Chukwuma, who has been the principal actor in the scam was not part of them in Hi-Breed Consultant. It was learnt that efforts by the frightened civil servants to get David Chukwuma on his mobile phone failed because he switched off the line. A lawyer, who claimed to be representing Hi-Breed Consultant, Barrister Monday Ehimare Jeffrey, begged the aggrieved civil servants to give him time to fish out David Chukwuma with a view to resolve the matter.
Barrister Ehimare Jeffrey However, as March is getting to an end and they have not heard from Barrister Ehimare Jeffrey, and not sure of the fate of their March salaries, the frightened civil servants have engaged an independent lawyer to confront the IPPIS on the propriety of handing over their entire salaries to a third-party like the syndicate, without any written agreement from them. The lawyer, Barrister Charles Audu is currently looking at the matter and promised to soon file the case in an Abuja Court against IPPIS. Barrister Ehimare Jeffrey have refused to respond to our reporter’s request to know his role in the whole scamming processes even as David Chukwuma switched off his line. Also, efforts to get the position of the IPPIS have not produced positive response as the new Director is yet to settle down to know what actually happened before he took over.
What was the motive of Distinguished Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for raising a controversy over the 2024 federal budget? Since the Senate at its Plenary of Tuesday 12th March, 2024 deliberated over the matter and handed a three-month suspension to the Bauchi Senator, there have been countless commentaries in the media on the issue but few of them have considered the pertinent questions that would have helped Nigerians see what Senator Ningi sought to achieve by essentially stirring up a hornests’ nest. To start with, Ningi is not just a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a ranking Senator with vast experience in legislative business. Ningi was first elected to the House of Representatives at the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 and is one of the longest serving federal lawmakers in Nigeria. He was the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, and Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate for another four years between 2011 and 2015. Those were privileged positions that made him a Principal Officer in both chambers of the National Assembly. That also means that the Bauchi Senator has participated actively in the passage of the federal budgets at the highest level. With his experience from all those privileged positions in his long tour of duty at the National Assembly, Ningi understands the nitty-gritty of the legislative and Appropriation processes in both Chambers of Parliament. Also, as a Distinguished Senator, he has unfettered access to all legislative documents. So it should be disturbing when a Senator of that calibre claimed that there were two versions of the 2024 budget and that the budget, which he actively participated in its passage, was padded with projects costed at trillions of Naira and skewed against his own section of the country. Let’s note at this point that Ningi never said in his hell-raising BBC (Hausa Service) interview or at that Tuesday Plenary or in any of his subsequent media shows that he was denied access to the budget document, whether as proposed by the Executive or as passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly. He has the entire document, like every other Senator or Member of the House of Representatives. Are you not wondering then why he didn’t raise his observations when the document was being processed and during the final passage by the two Chambers? Given his many years in parliament, it is incredible that Senator Ningi said at that Tuesday Plenary that he didn’t know the full details of the budget. Even more so the claims that he was unaware that the National Assembly jerked up the original budget proposals by N1.2 trillion, from N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion, and that he had no knowledge of Statutory transfers of N3.32 trillion to Government institutions and agencies on first line charge. And curiously, Senator Ningi has not stressed in his media campaign the fact that he is a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee, which anchored the processing of the national budget in parliament. So he is familiar with the document, its content and processing more than many other of his colleague Senators. The 2024 Appropriation Bill was signed into law on 31st December, 2023. But Ningi waited until 7th March, 2024 to rally some members of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) to complain to the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, about the budget. Why did it take an experienced ranking Senator and a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee two months and seven days after passage to realised that something was amiss with the Appropriation Bill, which is often the most important law passed by Parliament? Why did Ningi wait that long after the Bill had been signed into law to hire a consultant (for N30 million) to scrutinise a document that was presented to the National Assembly on 29th November, 2023? It was commendable that Senator Ningi at least drew the attention of the Senate President to his “discoveries,” however belatedly. The Senate President asked to see the details of the “discoveries” made by the consultant. A fellow member of the NSF, Distinguished Senator Ali Ndume, said he also asked Ningi for the same information. But rather than availing them with it, Ningi headed to BBC Hausa Service, the day after the meeting with the Senate President, to grant his explosive interview. Why? And why BBC Hausa Service? Was it to play the ethnic card? The members of the NSF at the meeting with the Senate President agreed on the need to establish the facts before any further step was taken. So why was Senator Ningi impatient to have his claims verified, even by members of his own Forum, and exhaust internal mechanism for correction of any anomaly before escalating it to an international audience? Senator Ningi has said repeatedly that the “discoveries” are known to him and only him alone. He has exclusive knowledge of the report of the consultant that he hired, most likely in the name of the NSF. No other member of the Forum is privy to the findings of the consultant. Isn’t that awkward? Why is he keeping the “findings” to himself? Why is he reluctant to share them with even Distinguished Senators in his Forum? Some of them implored him to apologise at the Plenary after his claims had been established to be fictitious. But rather than heed their advise, Senator Ningi flew from the main issue to unrelated matters like the take home pay of the Senate President and the number of aides the Senate President and other Principal Officers have! Why? According to the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Ningi’s astonishing fiction was merely the opening salvo in a plot for Senate leadership change. As it turned out, that plot failed because the protagonist has no backing of any group in the Upper Chamber, not even of the Forum he chaired before the gambit forced him to step aside from the chair.
***Awoniyi, Media Aide to Senate President, wrote in from Abuja
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have announced a seven-day warning strike, commencing on March 18, 2024.
This decision stemmed from the unions’ demand for the payment of four months’ withheld salaries following the 2022 nationwide strike.
In a statement today, March 17, SSANU President Mohammed Ibrahim emphasized that this strike is a last resort after exhausting other avenues to address the salary issue.
“After a joint meeting in Akure over the weekend, the unions’ joint action committee resolved to embark on the warning strike due to the Federal Government’s alleged abandonment and failure to respond to their previous communications.”
The unions warned of further action if the government fails to act positively. This development follows accusations from the unions of being treated with disdain by the Federal Government despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive to pay withheld salaries.
SSANU and NASU stressed their role in university administration and urged the government to fulfill its obligations to ensure industrial harmony.
President Bola Tinubu who is the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces has commanded Defence Headquarters and the Chief of Defence Staff to act decisively in dealing with those involved in killing 16 soldiers, including officers on a peace keeping operation to Okuoma Community in Delta State. The President, who expressed grief over the unexpected killing of the officers, asked the military authorities to do justice to the perpetrators of the sad development. In a statement today, March 17, President Tinubu said: “On Saturday morning, the Nigerian people and I woke up to the dreadful news of the unprovoked killing of our brave military personnel during a rescue mission to Okuoma Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. “The incident occurred on Thursday 14 March, 2024 when our troops, responding to a crisis between Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State were ambushed. A Commanding Officer, two Majors, one Captain and twelve soldiers sadly lost their lives. One civilian was also killed. “As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers. “I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished. “This incident, once again, demonstrates the dangers faced by our servicemen and women in the line of duty. I salute their heroism, courage and uncommon grit and patriotism. “As a nation, we must constantly remember and honour all those who have paid the ultimate price to keep our country safe, strong and united. “The officers and men who died in Okuama community have joined the pantheon of great men and women who gave their all, with honour, in the service of our fatherland. “Members of our armed forces are at the heart and the core of our nationhood. “Any attack on them is a direct attack on our nation. We will not accept this wicked act. “The Defence Headquarters and Chief of Defence Staff have been granted full authority to bring to justice anybody found to have been responsible for this unconscionable crime against the Nigerian people. “My government will not relent until we achieve peace and tranquillity in every part of Nigeria. “May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep the members of our armed forces safe.” Bola Ahmed Tinubu President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 17th March, 2024
“The government must take decisive measures to prevent such atrocities from recurring. The culprits, especially the youths involved, must be swiftly brought to justice. The traditional rulers overseeing this tragedy must face the consequences for their negligence.” This is the position canvassed by the Alumni of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in a statement reacting to the killing of 16 military personnel in Delta State on March 14. NIPSS described the killing which was carried out by youths when the soldiers responded to a distress call over the clash between Okuama and Okoloba communities, as an “unforgivable affront to our nation’s values.” The statement by the NIPSS President, Emmanuel Okafor, demanded that the perpetrators, including the community leaders, must face the law. The statement read: “The Alumni Association of the National Institute vehemently condemns the spine-chilling assault on our brave troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi LGA, Delta State. This is an unforgivable affront to our nation’s values, therefore our hearts bleed for the families of these fallen heroes and all Nigerians. “Consequently, this despicable act of barbarism must not be swept under the rug. We demand swift and decisive action from both the Federal and Delta State governments. The perpetrators, including the community leaders, must face the full force of the law. “No one who dares to spill the blood of our defenders and attack Nigeria should escape justice. The perpetrators must face swift justice, with no leniency shown to those who dare to spill the blood of our beloved soldiers for whatever reason.” The NIPSS alumni feared that the attack could discourage future peace efforts, urging the government to prevent a recurrence of the incident. “This cowardly attack not only dampens our spirits but also threatens future peace efforts as it strikes at the heart of our nation’s resolve for peace.” NIPSS is a policy formation centre for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, military officers and medium – rank and senior civil servants.
On March 14, 2024, a community launched a senseless assault on the troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.
This attack resulted in the tragic loss of Lt. Colonel Ali, two Majors, one Captain, and 12 soldiers who were committed to brokering peace between warring communities. Lt. Col. Abdullahi Hassan Ali, a valiant and results-driven officer, had a distinguished career marked by courage, focus, and unwavering dedication to his duty. From his early days with the 198 Special Forces Battalion to his leadership in successful operations in the Northeast and beyond, Lt. Col. Ali exemplified the qualities of a true military leader. His leadership was tested in challenging missions, such as the operation in the Timbuktu Triangle and the retaking of Dikwa and Marte from terrorists. With each operation, Lt. Col. Ali displayed extraordinary bravery and strategic acumen, leading his troops to victory while securing critical objectives. Beyond the counterinsurgency operations in the North East, Lt. Col. Ali demonstrated his valor in combating bandits and stabilizing troubled regions in Kaduna and Niger States. His unwavering commitment to his duty, his men, and the mission resulted in numerous successes against criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the region. Lt. Col. Abdullahi Hassan Ali’s legacy is one of bravery, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to serving his country. His meticulous attention to detail, commitment to the welfare of his officers and soldiers, and relentless pursuit of excellence set him apart as a true hero worth honoring. Lt. Col. Ali’s tragic end at the hands of those he swore to protect serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by brave men and women in uniform. His story, along with that of his fallen comrades, resonates with the profound impact of their service and the ultimate price they paid in the line of duty. As we reflect on the life and service of Lt. Col. AH Ali and his brave comrades, let us remember their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to defending their fellow countrymen. Their sacrifices shall not be forgotten, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of soldiers and leaders. In a world marked by uncertainties and dangers, it is the resilience and valor of individuals like Lt. Col. Ali that shine as beacons of hope and strength. May their memory be honored, their deeds celebrated, and their sacrifices remembered as a testament to the enduring spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the noble profession of arms.
The gallantry of Lt Col Abdullahi Hassan Ali
The story of the hard-fighting, ever-focused, result-oriented Lt Col Ali has not been told before now. An officer of great courage, focus and determination with an uncompromising disposition, Lt Col Ali’s article of faith as a leader of his troops is the encouragement to be courageous in operations and to ensure that successes are achieved while all assigned tasks are accomplished. Taken on the strength of 198 Special Forces Battalion on the 6th of October, 2020, Lt Col Ali is acclaimed for his commendable sense of responsibility in training, operation, administration and welfare of his troops. His success-oriented style of command has always been his guiding philosophy while leading his unit in various successful clearance operations in the Northeast and down to the North Central region where he has operated. On the very first day of January 2013, Lt Col Abdullahi Hassan Ali led his unit into the once notoriously impenetrable Timbuktu Triangle under the auspices of Op TURA TAKAI-BANGO. The mission was the total destruction of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ enclaves which included Gorgi, Kafa, Abagajiri, Dusula, Buk, Manguzum, Gorgore Forest, among others. The operation in which his unit was complemented by troops of 134 Special Force Battalion, 199 Special Force Battalion and 402 Special Force Brigade, saw the total obliteration of the targeted enclaves, killing of scores of the terrorists and capture of assorted weapons including Gun trucks, General Purpose Machine Guns, etc. In continuation of Op TURA TAKAI-BANGO, 402 Special Force Brigade was on 21 February, 2021, tasked to retake Dikwa and Marte from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. In that operation, Ali exhibited extraordinary leadership, bravery and gallantry that ultimately led to the overwhelming success which saw the elimination of scores of the terrorists and capture of assorted weapons. Of course the ultimate mission of the operation which was the retaking of Marte was achieved. Less than two weeks later, precisely on the 6 March, his unit alongside the Brigade cleared Missense and Chukun Gudu of terrorist elements while capturing over 20 AK 47 rifles, gun trucks, FN rifles and so on. A few days later he proceeded with his troops to clear Krenoa, Chukun Gudu and environ. In furtherance of the Army’s offensive tactics, the 402 Special Forces Brigade was tasked on the 8 March 2021 to conduct clearance operations in Sambisa Forest. The indefatigable Ali was to yet again bring to bear his high sense of courage which he knew he needed to increase the morale of his advancing troops who were advancing to summarily destroy various BHTs/ISWAP enclaves. By the time the smoke of their superior firepower died down, enclaves such as Alafa 1 and 2, Njimia, Parisu, Somalia, Kuraba, Sabil Huda, Gobara and Dure, were cleared. Ali also showed heroic impacts in the other exploits which included the destruction of ISWAP fighters at Bulabulin and Alagarno in the general area of Damasak on 24 April 2021. The officer was also tasked to recapture Kanama from Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and to reinstate the unit in conjunction with 402 Brigade and 199 Special Force Battalion. Lt Col AH Ali’s heroic exploits were not limited to the counterinsurgency operations in the north east. Having noted his exceptional bravery and brilliant command style, Ali was directed to conduct the movement of his troops to Kaduna and Niger States on 13 July 2021. The mission of the operation was to combat and clear some Bandit Camps and kidnappers’ hideout under the auspices of Op DOMINION STORM in 1 Division of Nigerian Army area of responsibility. The officer and his gallant troops conducted a clearance operation along Rijana and other Bandit camps, neutralizing several bandits in the process while a number of weapons including AK 47 rifles and 120 rustled cattle were recovered. This brings to mind, the intricate tapestry of life, with its twists and turns, highs and lows, moments of joy and sorrow, and contrasts between humility and arrogance, which lead our paths to either sweet or bitter ends. Life, as described in the Holy Book, is fleeting. Fashioned from clay, we shall all return to dust, leaving behind only memories of the moments, good or bad, that we crafted in our time on earth. In this fleeting existence, where we chase power, wealth, and ego-driven pursuits, there is one universal truth that binds us all – death. It comes spontaneously, without regard for status or position – a sobering reminder of our mortality. Nigerians, and indeed the world, are familiar with the harrowing tales of attacks on Nigerian troops by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the northeast. However, the story of an attack on Nigerian troops by the very community they were deployed to protect is a rare and tragic occurrence. Zagazola @ZagazOlaMakama
Residents of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State are said to have deserted the community after the youths killed 26 soldiers, some of who are highranking. The residents, whose houses were completely razed down by fire yesterday, migrated to neighboring Ughelli for fear of a reprisal by the soldiers who have been patrolling the creeks. There are allegations that some angry soldiers may have perpetrated the act razing the community with fire after their colleagues were killed. This is even as the manhunt for the killers of the soldiers, a commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers, is still ongoing and some arrests have also been made by the soldiers, led by the General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam. Fourteen lifeless bodies of killed soldiers were in the early hours of yesterday , March 16, recovered by soldiers of the joint task force under the supervision of the General Officer Commanding 6 division Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, at Okuama community, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State. Some of the recovered corpses were said to have been beheaded, while the stomachs and hearts of others were ripped off. At the NDDC jetty in the coastal Delta community, the bodies of the commanding officer and the two killed majors were seen floating by the river bank as others were separated on land. The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, has ordered a probe into the tragic killing of four senior officers and 12 soldiers. It was gathered that the slain military personnel responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, both in Delta State, before they were killed on Thursday, March 14. Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the victims were surrounded by some community youths when troops of the 181 Amphibious Battalion were on a peace mission in the Bomadi Local Government Area of the state. “The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.” “The reinforcement team led by the commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the deaths of the commanding officer, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers.” The defence spokesman said that the incident has been reported to the Delta State Government, adding that the CDS has also directed that the culprits be unmasked. According to him, some suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. He reiterated the commitment of the military to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in various parts of the country. “The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government. “However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.” Source: Channels Television.
Two students of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna State, Ahmad Abdullahi and Adam Isa Adam, have emerged overall global winner in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) competition, with focus on computer engineering, in far away China. While Ahmad Abdullahi hails from Babura local government area, Adam Isa hails from Roni local government area, and are currently level five Computer Engineering students of ABU, Zaria. Here, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, receives the winners with handshake. The world competition was organised by the Huawei ICT Innovation Competition in China. The winners were part of a 3-member team who represented Nigeria and emerged the overall global winner in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Competition, with focus on machine learning. Ahmad Abdullahi, in particular, made three exceptional inventions: built a floods detection robot, a cancer detection machine as well a guiding goggle that can guide a blind person navigate the road as well as convert text into spoken words.
The board overseeing Immigration, Correctional, NSCDC, and Fire Service recruitment has clarified that recruitment is only ongoing for the Federal Fire Service (FFS).
In a statement today, March 16, the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed, refuted rumors circulating on social media regarding recruitment into immigration, NSCDC, or Correctional services.
Ahmed assured FFS applicants of timely notification via provided phone numbers and email addresses. The board emphasized that online publications about recruitment in their services are false and cautioned the public against fake recruitment schemes.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Budget Padding: Salient Questions Nobody Is Asking Ningi, By Ola Awoniyi
What was the motive of Distinguished Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi for raising a controversy over the 2024 federal budget?
Since the Senate at its Plenary of Tuesday 12th March, 2024 deliberated over the matter and handed a three-month suspension to the Bauchi Senator, there have been countless commentaries in the media on the issue but few of them have considered the pertinent questions that would have helped Nigerians see what Senator Ningi sought to achieve by essentially stirring up a hornests’ nest.
To start with, Ningi is not just a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a ranking Senator with vast experience in legislative business. Ningi was first elected to the House of Representatives at the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 and is one of the longest serving federal lawmakers in Nigeria. He was the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, and Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate for another four years between 2011 and 2015. Those were privileged positions that made him a Principal Officer in both chambers of the National Assembly. That also means that the Bauchi Senator has participated actively in the passage of the federal budgets at the highest level.
With his experience from all those privileged positions in his long tour of duty at the National Assembly, Ningi understands the nitty-gritty of the legislative and Appropriation processes in both Chambers of Parliament.
Also, as a Distinguished Senator, he has unfettered access to all legislative documents. So it should be disturbing when a Senator of that calibre claimed that there were two versions of the 2024 budget and that the budget, which he actively participated in its passage, was padded with projects costed at trillions of Naira and skewed against his own section of the country.
Let’s note at this point that Ningi never said in his hell-raising BBC (Hausa Service) interview or at that Tuesday Plenary or in any of his subsequent media shows that he was denied access to the budget document, whether as proposed by the Executive or as passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly. He has the entire document, like every other Senator or Member of the House of Representatives.
Are you not wondering then why he didn’t raise his observations when the document was being processed and during the final passage by the two Chambers?
Given his many years in parliament, it is incredible that Senator Ningi said at that Tuesday Plenary that he didn’t know the full details of the budget. Even more so the claims that he was unaware that the National Assembly jerked up the original budget proposals by N1.2 trillion, from N27.5 trillion to N28.7 trillion, and that he had no knowledge of Statutory transfers of N3.32 trillion to Government institutions and agencies on first line charge.
And curiously, Senator Ningi has not stressed in his media campaign the fact that he is a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee, which anchored the processing of the national budget in parliament. So he is familiar with the document, its content and processing more than many other of his colleague Senators.
The 2024 Appropriation Bill was signed into law on 31st December, 2023. But Ningi waited until 7th March, 2024 to rally some members of the Northern Senators’ Forum (NSF) to complain to the President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, about the budget. Why did it take an experienced ranking Senator and a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee two months and seven days after passage to realised that something was amiss with the Appropriation Bill, which is often the most important law passed by Parliament? Why did Ningi wait that long after the Bill had been signed into law to hire a consultant (for N30 million) to scrutinise a document that was presented to the National Assembly on 29th November, 2023?
It was commendable that Senator Ningi at least drew the attention of the Senate President to his “discoveries,” however belatedly.
The Senate President asked to see the details of the “discoveries” made by the consultant. A fellow member of the NSF, Distinguished Senator Ali Ndume, said he also asked Ningi for the same information. But rather than availing them with it, Ningi headed to BBC Hausa Service, the day after the meeting with the Senate President, to grant his explosive interview. Why? And why BBC Hausa Service? Was it to play the ethnic card?
The members of the NSF at the meeting with the Senate President agreed on the need to establish the facts before any further step was taken. So why was Senator Ningi impatient to have his claims verified, even by members of his own Forum, and exhaust internal mechanism for correction of any anomaly before escalating it to an international audience?
Senator Ningi has said repeatedly that the “discoveries” are known to him and only him alone. He has exclusive knowledge of the report of the consultant that he hired, most likely in the name of the NSF. No other member of the Forum is privy to the findings of the consultant. Isn’t that awkward?
Why is he keeping the “findings” to himself? Why is he reluctant to share them with even Distinguished Senators in his Forum?
Some of them implored him to apologise at the Plenary after his claims had been established to be fictitious. But rather than heed their advise, Senator Ningi flew from the main issue to unrelated matters like the take home pay of the Senate President and the number of aides the Senate President and other Principal Officers have! Why?
According to the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Ningi’s astonishing fiction was merely the opening salvo in a plot for Senate leadership change. As it turned out, that plot failed because the protagonist has no backing of any group in the Upper Chamber, not even of the Forum he chaired before the gambit forced him to step aside from the chair.
***Awoniyi, Media Aide to Senate President, wrote in from Abuja