news
Banking fraud: Activist backs EFCC Chairman on Banker’s Asset Declaration Policy
![]()
…Says, Bank workers promote fraud in the sector
A human rights activist, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, has thrown his weight behind the decision of the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, that the Bank officials in the country should declare their assets, saying it is right decision at the right time.
Specifically, he disclosed that the new Chairman of the EFCC had
started on a good note following the new policy, stressing that the
bank officials were aidding and abetting the fraudulent activities
ravaging the banking sector in the country which made their teeming customers to lose their hard earned resources to fraudsters.
Comrade Sulaiman who is Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), stated that Bawa had planned to uproot the major financial fraud in the banking industry and that was why their Unions were crying wolf when there was none.
It would be recalled recently that, the new Anti-graft Chairman, Mr.
Abdulrasheed Bawa, had penultimate Tuesday, announced that the
Commission would from June 1st, 2021, be demanding the Asset
Declaration forms of the Bankers.
Backing the EFCC Chairman, the pro-democracy activist, maintained that the bank officials from Tellers, Marketers and other senior officials were perpetrating fraud in the industry.
According to him, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, the new EFCC Chairman, had touched the wounds of the Bankers for requesting for their Assets Declaration form June, 2021 and they were not comfortable with the new policy because some of their hands have soiled with fraud in the sector.
Recalling that the Centre (CHRSJ) had earlier drag the three nation’s commercial banks before the apex Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and anti- graft body, the Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over perceived banking fraud against their customers.
The affected commercial banks were Guaranty Trust Bank(GTB), First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and United Bank for African (UBA),alleging that the banks’ officials were aiding and abetting the recent banking fraud in the banks where money of their customers were transferred illegally to another account and also allowing the fraudsters to open an account with their Banks without necessary requisite, adding that they were colliding with the approved O’PAY agents through which the customers’ money were fraudulently removed.
The rights group insisted to strive to ensure the end of this banking
monster in the land by establishing a Banking-Customers Relation Unit(BCRU),disclosing that the rights group would use the Unit to stop the
ongoing banking fraud of Nigeria masses of their meager resources in the various banks.
The group cited the defrauding of one Nigerian, Miss Alimi Ganiyat
Temitope of 41 Seriki Street, Lagos, who is a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank( GTB ) Plc with Savings Account Number:-(0430971306) and little girl was defrauding of her sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000k) between July 17th,2020 to August 5th,2020 through POS/WEB PURCHASE TRANSACTION-Opay*Flutterwave Ikeja NG.
According to the group, it was surprising that the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB) refused to help the helpless little girl to recover her
money back when she reported to the bank of what happened to her money in their bank account which made the customer to suspect that their officials had the knowledge of the fraudulent transfer of her money to another account, thinking that she would not have audacity to ask for her money back.
Giving another experience of a customer with Oko-Oba branch of
FCMB, Mr. Ibikunle Adebayo (+234 8103966336) of Account Number:-(6027724010), where sum of One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand naira (N169,000) were deducted from Ibikunle’s Account without his knowledge but with knowledge of the FCMB Bank official.
They respectively used Osifoh Peter with UBA Account
Number:-(2052933837) and OPAY Account of Rufai Saidu with Account Number:-(9031811238), to withdraw the sum of One Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand naira from Ibikunle’s Account on Wednesday 11th of November,2020.
And another FCMB Customer of No.9, Abaku Ijoja Junction, Aiyetoro, Osogbo, Osun State, Mrs. Adeyemi Abiodun Waliyat with Account Number:-(5525660011) of Classic Saving Two(2), Osogbo Branch, were fraudulently withdrawn the Sum of #111,800k from her account by one Shola, which used #100,300k to play Bet Naija on three different times and also used #10,500k to buy airtime on another three different Phone Numbers as follows:-(+234 9131329923, +234 8149800768 & +234 7026258494).
It further added that the sum of Five Hundred Thousand naira (N500, 000) were illegally moved out of an account belonging to Mr. Smart-Alli Amusa with GTB Account number: – (0121132515) and Access Bank Account
number:-(0031171790), belonging to Alani Bolarinwa Olaniyan was also experienced illegal deduction of funds.![]()
He reiterated that many bank customers have been the victims of such bank fraud in Nigeria, reiterating that the human rights organization would not hesitate to launch “#EndBanking fraud” nationwide protest.
news
Update : 2027 Race: APC Pegs Presidential Form at ₦100m, Unveils Primaries Date
![]()
The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, 2026.
According to the schedule signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Monday, the party will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms at its National Secretariat from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4.
The APC pegged its presidential form at ₦100m, comprising ₦30m for expression of interest and ₦70m for nomination.
Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50m, while Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦20m, ₦10m and ₦6m respectively.
The timetable indicates that screening of aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8, while screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Photo: X/@OfficialAPCNg
Presidential primaries are scheduled for May 15 and 16, while those for the House of Representatives, Senate, State House of Assembly and governorship will hold on May 18, May 20, May 21 and May 23, respectively.
The party also fixed May 25 for the conclusion of election appeals across all categories.
The schedule shows that all primary elections will be conducted within eight days.
The party, however, granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons living with disabilities, who are to pay for only the expression of interest forms and 50 per cent of the nomination fees.
The timetable stated that the schedule was in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines
news
Breaking : Tinubu Endorses ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget, Prolongs 2025 Spending Timeline
![]()
President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, authorising an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the current fiscal year.
He also signed a separate bill extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026.
The budget allocates ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.
It further sets aside ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion for capital expenditure through the Development Fund.
The presidency made the disclosure in a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.
The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
“The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.
“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.
“The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” it added.
The 2026 Appropriation Act took effect on April 1, with the Federal Government commencing full implementation in line with what the presidency describes as the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act by three months to June 30.
The presidency said the extension would ensure the full utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure projects at advanced stages of implementation.
“The extension will ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.
“It will enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure,” the statement read.
Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.
He commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the presidency described as their “diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.”
“The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives,” the statement noted.
Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms and boost revenue generation.
“He further assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms,” the statement read.
The budget, titled “The Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was originally presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, at a proposed sum of ₦58.47 trillion.
It passed second reading in the House of Representatives on January 29, 2026, before going through further legislative scrutiny and emerging at ₦68.32 trillion at the point of assent.
During the second reading debate in January, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere had urged lawmakers to support the proposal, pointing to a projected 3.98 per cent economic growth rate for 2026, a projected drop in inflation to 14.45 per cent, improved revenues, and foreign direct investment growth.
He also cited a stabilisation of the naira at around ₦1,400 to the dollar and a rise in Nigeria’s external reserves to a seven-year high of approximately $47 billion.
When Tinubu presented the bill to lawmakers in December, he described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the pressures the process had placed on households and businesses while insisting the sacrifices were necessary.
“The path of reform is seldom smooth, but it is the surest route to lasting stability and shared prosperity,” he told the joint session.
He vowed that 2026 would mark a decisive shift to stronger budget execution discipline, announcing an end to the long-standing practice of running overlapping budgets and perpetual rollovers.
The budget’s four stated objectives are consolidating macroeconomic stability, improving the business and investment environment, promoting job-rich growth, and strengthening human capital development while protecting the vulnerable.
Key sectoral allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, writing in a January op-ed, described the budget as a commitment to consolidate what was working in the administration’s reform programme and ensure that shared prosperity became “a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster.”
He pointed to expanding business activity, improving investor confidence, easing inflation, and stronger external reserves as early indicators of progress, and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects including the Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, and Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline as evidence of the administration’s delivery record.
news
Northern Muslim and Christian Youths Warn U.S. Lawmaker Against Fueling Division in Nigeria
![]()
The Coalition of Northern Muslims and Christians Youth For Religious Tolerance in Nigeria has called for the Florida State representative and Chairwoman of the UN-WCD, Kimberly Daniels to not pretend under Christianity faith to create division between Christians and Muslims in Northern region of Nigeria for her Call on the Nigeria authority to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr.Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
During the Coalition joint emergency press conference which was held in Kaduna Northwest Nigeria, the Coalition Statement which was jointly signed by Secretary General Mr. Bitrus Bahago along with his counterpart the Public relation officer Ustaz Abdullahi Abubakar,
Read: “The statements credited to Florida State representative Kimberly Daniels calling for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle is not necessary and terrible motive aimed at targeting Norther Muslim public office holder”
“Mrs Kimberly Daniels Should note that Nigeria is not owned by only one faith, therefore we are collectively demanding her unreserved apology for her bigotry which could affect the peaceful Coexistence and religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria”
The Coalition Statement further remind Mrs. Kimberly Daniels that, “even though Matawalle is only overseeing the Nigeria Navy enjoyed a Cordial working relationship with his friend a devoted Northern Christian leader General Christopher Gwabin Musa who in charge of Nigeria army and Nigeria Air force combined.
The Coalition concludes by advising Mrs. Kimberly Daniels to desist from making unnecessary bigotry demand targeting or pointing finger at a particular faith.
-
news5 years agoUPDATE: #ENDSARS: CCTV footage of Lekki shootings intact – Says Sanwo – Olu
-
lifestyle6 years agoFormer Miss World: Mixed reactions trail Agbani Darego’s looks
-
health5 years agoChairman Agege LG, Ganiyu Egunjobi Receives Covid-19 Vaccines
-
lifestyle5 years agoObateru: Celebrating a Quintessential PR Man at 60
-
health6 years agoUPDATE : Nigeria Records 790 new cases of COVID-19
-
health6 years agoBREAKING: Nigeria confirms 663 new cases of COVID-19
-
entertainment1 year agoAshny Set for Valentine Special and new Album ‘ Femme Fatale’
-
news11 months agoBREAKING: Tinubu swears in new NNPCL Board