In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dismissed twenty seven (27) officers from its workforce in 2024.

The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct.  Their dismissal, FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE STAFF Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head. The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.

The Commission also wishes to alert the public of the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.

Two members of an alleged syndicate,  Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority,  Mr. Mohammed Bello-Kaka  and demanding $1million  from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation. Such characters are still on the loose seeking victims.

Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences.  The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.

Additionally,  the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means.  Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw.  Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.

Media & Publicity

January 6, 2025

ATIKU ABUBAKAR TO FELIX MORKA:  ISSUE A FORMAL APOLOGY TO OBI AND THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE FOR DISGRACEFUL LANGUAGE

The inflammatory remarks issued by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, directed at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, serve as a disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in addressing opposition figures. This threat against Obi, coupled with the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent voice of dissent and others, signals a worrisome shift towards an authoritarian governance model, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated.

The choice of words used by the APC’s spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has “crossed the line,” reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles. Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme. A true democracy thrives on the healthy exchange of ideas, where the criticisms and contributions of opposition leaders, like Peter Obi, are seen as vital for the betterment of governance and the promotion of public accountability.

It is not merely the right, but the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, to engage in meaningful dialogue, and to allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints. Instead, we are faced with a chilling threat that suggests Obi must “be ready for whatever comes his way.” What, exactly, does Mr. Morka imply by this? It is imperative that the ruling party provides clarity on this disturbing insinuation.

Equally troubling is the crude and disparaging manner in which the APC spokesperson has framed Peter Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a lawless Wild West scenario. Such reckless and derogatory expressions cannot be tolerated, and it is incumbent upon the APC to issue a formal apology to Obi and the Nigerian people for such disgraceful language.

The case of Mallam Shehu, languishing in detention without any clear explanation for his continued imprisonment, adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedoms in Nigeria. If there is anyone who has truly “crossed the line,” it is the Tinubu administration, whose continuous vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed is a dangerous precedent.

It is now time for all men and women of goodwill to intervene, urging the Tinubu government to recalibrate its approach to dealing with dissent and opposition. The time has come to put an end to this stifling of voices that are crucial to the health of any functioning democracy. -AA

Mahama will bring positive change to Ghana: President Tinubu

REMARKS BY H.E. BOLA AHMED TINUBU, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE SWEARING-IN  OF PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA IN ACCRA JANUARY 7th, 2025.

PROTOCOL

It is always good when a friend and brother can visit the home of a close neighbour to celebrate his success and progress with him.

We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another. This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society. It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

Today, I am here not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people. This moment is a source of pride and honour for you, the entire Continent, and its Diaspora.

The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.

While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.

The spirit of  Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher.  Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.

May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.

Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.

Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core. He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.

President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.

I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress. With laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.

May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity.

God bless Ghana and its Beloved People.

God bless Nigeria and its Beloved People

God bless ECOWAS

God bless our Beloved Africa.

I thank you for your kind attention.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES NNPCL GCEO, MELE KYARI, ON 60th BIRTHDAY

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on his 60th birthday on January 8.

The President commends Kyari’s diligence in transforming the NNPCL into a profitable organisation.

The President recalls that despite cynicism in some quarters, the NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership has recorded notable achievements, including the resuscitation of two refineries, an increase in domestic natural gas consumption and a boost in oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day.

The President applauds Kyari’s dedication to service and the professionalism he has maintained throughout his distinguished career at the NNPC, OPEC and as the first Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL.

“Kyari is a shining example and embodiment of the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda. I commend his commitment to creating new opportunities and ensuring the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s energy sector”, President Tinubu says.

He prays to Almighty Allah to continue to grant Kyari sound health, wisdom, and strength to serve the nation while mentoring the next generation of energy sector leaders.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 7, 2025

PDP disowns Emmanuel Okoronkwo, expresses commitment to Rule of Law, democratic tenets of freedom of the Press

January 7, 2025

Press Conference

Gentlemen of the press, the leadership of our great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has respectfully called you to address a very unfortunate and regrettable incident that occurred at the National Secretariat yesterday, Monday, January 6, 2025.

The leadership of the PDP has received a very disturbing report that a staff of our Party, Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo yesterday assaulted, a correspondent of the Sun Newspapers, Mr. Ndubuisi Orji, locked out and forcefully prevented other journalists accredited to cover the activities of the PDP from gaining access into the premises of the National Secretariat of our Party to conduct their legitimate duties.

The PDP, as a Party committed to the Rule of Law and the democratic tenets of freedom of the Press, transparency and openness strongly condemns and completely dissociates itself from such act of violence and attack on members of the Press and the institution of the Media which is critical to the activities of our Party and the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

For clarity, whereas the PDP National Secretariat is closed for secretarial activities to enable our staff to participate in the Yuletide festivities with their families, it does not preclude anybody particularly the press from having access to the Secretariat to conduct their legitimate business.

Moreover, Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo is not in the security department of the Party and has no business whatsoever regarding the regulation of movements into the complex. He acted on his own, in violation of democratic and all-inclusive principles for the which the PDP is known and outside the code of conduct guiding activities of staff at the PDP National Secretariat.

The PDP is reputed for its uncompromising stand in support and defense of the Constitutional freedom of the press and cannot by any means or under any guise whatsoever engage in or condone any act that tends to abridge such legitimate freedom of the Media or any person for that matter.

The NWC, therefore assures that the issue will be handled in strict compliance with the Party’s established Code of Conduct guiding activities of staffs at the PDP National Secretariat to serve as deterrent against such condemnable act which has no place whatsoever in the character and comportment of the PDP as a political Party.

The PDP regrets the incident and assures of its unalloyed respect for the Press, particularly members of the PDP Press Corps as we continue as partners in progress for accountability, probity and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

Thank you and God bless.

Hon. Debo Ologunagba

National Publicity Secretary