Connect with us

Crime

JUST IN: Reps Probe ₦1.5bn Allegedly Diverted By Women Affairs Ministry

Published

on

168 Views

The House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development is probing the ₦1.5bn meant for the payment of contractors, but allegedly diverted by principal officers of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

The Director of Finance of the ministry, Aloy Ifeakandu, during an interactive session with the committee on Thursday, said he only complied with official directives from his superiors, saying the records were available.The session followed a petition by contractors of the ministry to the House of Representatives, over non-payment of contracts executed running into billions of naira.Speaking during the interactive session, Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara alluded that the ministry initiated new contracts not captured in the 2023 budget and diverted (₦1.5bn) funds for old contractors.She added that the ministry while owing contractors, awarded fresh contracts in 15 states of the federation, similarly not captured in the 2023 appropriation.

“Money for contractors has not been paid and money has been diverted, so how do you pay these contractors” She asked.She said there is an ongoing probe of the ministry by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on overhead release of November/December, 2023, to the tune of ₦1.5bn.The petitioners, according to Ogbara also alleged that the ministry purchased seven tricycles for a military Barack in Abuja, an allegation a procurement officer of the ministry denied.Continuing, the committee noted that the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding MoU with the American University of Nigeria, Yola for the payment of Chibok girls’ school fees for seven years.

Responding to some of the allegations, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda who exonerated himself, explained that in “2023 we had a total budget of ₦13.6bn. The total release was ₦3.4bn, translating to 25 per cent, budget utilisation ₦3.4bn, while unreleased balance stood at N10.2bn”.However, the DFA, said “I resumed at the ministry in September 2023, I wouldn’t know what happened before I came.“The individual contractors have their files, it can be traced, as at the time I took over, there was no balance in the vote” he said.Amidst the controversy, correspondence from the office of the Accountant General of the federation revealed that the said ₦1.5 bn has been released to the ministry.

“Since the minister came on board, no payment has been made, the permanent secretary said the minister ordered him not to pay any contractor” the petitioners said.Meanwhile, the committee has summoned the minister of women affairs and social development, Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye, to appear on Tuesday.“We are giving till Tuesday for the ministry to bring all documents to come and defend where the N1.5bn disappeared to”.The committee also ordered the ministry to stop all contract processes in 2024, “until we resolve this matter”.Additionally, the committee also sought to see the special account for the Chibok girls and the MoU.“We want to see the account and documents” Ogbara added

Crime

JUST IN: FBI Releases Video of Charlie Kirk Shooter, Recovers Weapons Nearby (Photos)

Published

on

18 Views

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office on Friday released video footage of the man suspected of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk fleeing a rooftop after the incident on September 10, 2025.

The bureau, in a statement accompanied by the video link shared on X on Friday, noted that the video shows the shooter climbing onto a rooftop shortly before the attack and then jumping off and fleeing the scene after firing the fatal shots.

Investigators also reportedly found the weapon and ammunition used in the shooting in a wooded area near the university.

The agency wrote, “The FBI has released a video and more photos of the shooter in the Utah Valley shooting. The subject is seen jumping from the rooftop of a building after the shooting.

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

“Around 12 pm Mountain Time on September 10, 2025, the subject climbed up to a rooftop; after he shot and killed Charlie Kirk, he jumped off and ran away. He left a gun and ammunition in a wooded area near the university.

“Trace evidence collected from the rooftop scene included shoe impressions, a forearm imprint, and a palm print. Anyone with information in this case should call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit fbi.gov/utahvalleyshooting.”

Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.
Person of interest in Charlie Kirk's murder case
FBI releases new photos of person of interest in Charlie Kirk’s murder case.

The bureau added that it is working closely with law enforcement partners to seek justice in the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Credit: X| FBISaltLakeCity

Continue Reading

Crime

Ghana Court Jails Three Nigerians 96 years for Car Thefts

All three convicts : Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison.

Published

on

By

49 Views

Three Nigerians – Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, have been sentenced to a combined jail term of 96 years for their involvement in car theft within the Kumasi Metropolis in Ghana.

Ohibaba.com learned that a statement signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police, Godwin Ahianyo, and obtained on Tuesday, said that the Atasemanso Circuit Court sitting in Ghana delivered the sentence.

This is coming amidst a recent protest by Ghanaians over the involvement of Nigerians in alleged criminal activities.

According to Ahianyo, the trio were arrested on June 20 following suspicions that they were involved in targeting and stealing parked vehicles.

The trio were subsequently arraigned before the circuit court on July 22, but only Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges pressed against him.

Ahianyo stated, “On July 22, 2025, the suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze were arraigned before the Atasemanso Circuit Court.“

During proceedings, Russell Ekenze pleaded guilty to the charges and was immediately convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in hard labour. The other two suspects, Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie, pleaded not guilty.

“Subsequently, on July 23, 2025, the cases of Francis Friday and Linus Agwazie were heard at Circuit Court 3, where both were found guilty and each was sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment on two counts, with the sentences to run concurrently.

”He added that the three suspects were further arraigned on additional charges in another court and were each sentenced to 20 years.

“On the same day, Circuit Court 1 also heard additional charges against all three suspects, resulting in 20-year IHL sentences each, also on two counts, and to run concurrently.“

Finally, on July 24, 2025, Russell Ekenze was further convicted at Circuit Court 2, receiving an additional 10-year IHL sentence on two counts, to run concurrently with his existing sentence.

“All three convicts, Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, and Russell Ekenze, are currently serving their sentences at the Kumasi Central Prison,” the statement read.

Continue Reading

Crime

Bayelsa Viral Assault: Court Orders 21-Day Remand for Three Female Suspects

Published

on

43 Views

Three young women linked to a disturbing assault captured in a viral video have been remanded at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State. The suspects — identified as Kadi Blessing, Becky, and Miracle — appeared before a Magistrate Court on Tuesday, where they were formally arraigned on multiple serious charges.

The case, which has sparked widespread outrage on social media and across the country, involves allegations of a violent physical attack that was recorded and circulated online, drawing the attention of both the public and law enforcement authorities.

During the court proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) requested additional time to allow investigators to conduct further inquiries into the incident. Granting the request, the presiding magistrate ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody for an initial period of 21 days at the Okaka Correctional Centre.

The three women are currently facing a slew of charges, including assault, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, attempted murder, and other related offenses. Legal experts suggest that the gravity of the allegations could potentially lead to a transfer of the case to a higher court, depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, human rights advocates and child protection groups have called for a thorough and speedy investigation to ensure justice is served, not just for the victim but as a deterrent against similar acts of violence.

Bayelsa State Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring that all parties involved in the incident are held accountable in accordance with the law.

The court is expected to reconvene after the 21-day remand period to review the findings of the investigation and determine the next phase of legal proceedings.

Continue Reading

Trending