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We won’t relent in fight against corruption — EFCC chairman.

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Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, on Monday, July 8, 2024, reiterated the Commission’s determination to intensify the fight against economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption without let or hindrance.

He stated this in Abuja while addressing representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS who were at the EFCC’s headquarters, Abuja on a solidarity visit. According to him, fighting corruption is a collective responsibility of every stakeholder in the anti-corruption corridor, promising that the EFCC would not relent even as he charged Nigerian students to join the Commission in the fight.

“It is a collective responsibility to fight corruption in Nigeria, EFCC will not relent, I promise you that whatever it is going to cost us to fight this fight we will fight it. As Nigerian Students, you have a future and it is our responsibility to protect you to ensure that you successfully run through your educational system and pass out and get a good job”, he said.

Olukoyede insisted that leaders at all levels of government should be accountable to the people, pointing out that every opportunity to serve Nigerians should be considered a privilege with readiness to offer maximum benefits to the people.

“There is nothing personal about it, what we are saying is we must be able to hold people accountable, if you have spent eight years, four years, even if it is one year, by the time you come out, the position you are holding is a position of trust on behalf of all Nigerians – so what we are simply saying is that when you finish, come, we want you to explain how you spent our common wealth while you are in the office,” he said.

He urged the youth to join hands with the EFCC and be foot soldiers of the Commission, as well as extending the message of the EFCC and support the good cause and direction of the EFCC to the thirty-six states of the federation. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating the Students Loans Scheme adding that it will help the students in securing a better future. He assured the students that the EFCC would work in concert with the handlers of the Scheme to ensure that its purpose is achieved.

Olukoyede also reacted to a shadowy group threatening to invade the Commission’s offices across the country in the guise of drawing their concerns to some operations of the EFCC. “I know they are being sponsored by the people we are investigating”, he said. He assured that there shall be no sacred cows in the anti-corruption fight. “Some of you have been asking questions about one or two people that we have been investigating. Don’t worry everybody will have his day in court, I promise you that,” he said.

He dismissed insinuations being made about recent operations of the EFCC in Akure and Lagos, explaining that out of the 127 suspects arrested in Akure, 113 were indicted and 80 already charged to court. In the Lagos operations, he disclosed that over 100 suspects arrested have been indicted for involvement in internet fraud. He charged the students to be reform-minded and desist from anti-social tendencies.

One of the Student leaders, NANS’s Senate President, Senator Akinteye Babatunde stated that NANS came out to show support for the EFCC in its crusade against any form of corruption.

“We stand in full support of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and its relentless efforts in the anti-corruption war. This is not borne out of our personal aggrandizement but out of the desire to have a firm state and uphold the core values of integrity and honesty,” he said.

 

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Nigerians in US to protest at White House over emergency rule in Rivers State

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A coalition of Nigerian activists in the United States, under the Democratic Movement, DM, has called on global leaders, the United Nations and the African Union to intervene in what it described as a blatant attack on democracy in Rivers State.

The pro-democracy movement also announced a planned rally at the United States White House to protest the declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

The coalition is demanding the reversal of the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the restoration of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The group also called on President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and call for the immediate restoration of constitutional order.

A statement, on Thursday by the Coalition, signed by Cosmos Achief, its President, said the protest to the US white house aims to draw global attention to the “direct assault on democracy and the will of the people.”

The statement read, “We cannot sit back while an elected governor is removed, an entire legislature is suspended, and an unelected administrator is imposed. These are dangerous precedents that threaten Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

The coalition said the protest will take place in Washington, D.C., with demonstrators marching to the White House and the U.S. Department of State to submit petitions demanding international intervention.

“The world needs to see what is happening in Rivers State. A democratically elected government has been suspended under the guise of emergency rule. We are urging President Donald Trump to engage with Nigerian authorities and call for the immediate restoration of constitutional order,” the statement added.

“The president must understand that his actions could lead to serious diplomatic consequences. This move is a step toward dictatorship, and Nigeria risks facing international sanctions if democratic principles are not respected,” Achief warned.

The demonstration is expected to draw the attention of Nigerians in the diaspora, civil rights activists, and supporters of democracy who share concerns about governance in Nigeria.

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari sends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, Galadiman Kano, who passed away yesterday.

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Abbas Sunusi, the Galadiman Kano, who passed away yesterday.

In a gesture of solidarity, Buhari also offered his sympathies to the Kano Emirate Council, the government, and the people of Kano State.

This move is reminiscent of Buhari’s previous condolences to the people and government of Kano State, following the passing of notable figures such as Alhaji Ibrahim El-Yakub, a former Federal Commissioner of Water Resources

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Enugu Police dismiss alleged invasion of Eha-Amufu by herdsmen, decalres rumour misleading

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The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that herdsmen have invaded and occupied homes and schools in Eha-Amufu, describing them as “baseless, mischievous, and misleading.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, stated that no community in Eha-Amufu or any part of Enugu State is under siege.

He clarified that the affected farm settlements are temporary structures used by farmers, not permanent residences.

“While it is true that there were farmer-herder clashes in 2021 and 2022, peace has since been restored through joint security operations,” Ndukwe said.

He further highlighted the efforts of the Enugu State Government under Governor Dr Peter Mbah to bolster security in the area.

These measures include the deployment of 150 military personnel, the establishment of security barracks, and the near completion of the 21.7km Agape-Agu Mgbuji-Ogbete access road leading to farm settlements.

The Police Command also accused the media outlet responsible for the report of using unrelated and outdated images to mislead the public.

“For instance, pictures of burnt houses posted by Amnesty International regarding an attack in a neighboring state on February 4, 2025, were falsely presented as recent incidents in Eha-Amufu,” Ndukwe noted.

Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, urged the public to disregard the false report and assured residents of the state’s commitment to security.

“We remain steadfast in ensuring law, order, and peace across Enugu State,” he said.

The police encouraged residents to report any security concerns through official channels and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

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