News
Uncovering Alleged Conspiracy: Arrest Of NIRSAL CEO Abbas Masanawa Linked To Emefiele’s Corruption Probe
By Tambaya Julius
In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s financial circles, the State Security Service (SSS) has apprehended Abbas Umar Masanawa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).
This arrest is closely tied to the ongoing investigation into the corruption allegations surrounding the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.
As per insider reports, Masanawa’s detention, which commenced three weeks ago, has raised concerns and questions regarding his involvement in the alleged misconduct.
Masanawa’s arrest is rooted in his previous position as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), a subsidiary of the CBN responsible for printing the nation’s currency notes, coins, and sensitive security documents.
The investigation suggests that Masanawa might have been involved in a conspiracy with Emefiele to manipulate the agency for personal gains, potentially involving the misappropriation of funds and resources.
Sources indicate that the extent of the alleged financial malfeasance is significant, with authorities currently attempting to trace the embezzled funds.
The intrigue deepens as reports reveal that Masanawa’s actions might have extended beyond the confines of his professional duties.
Earlier revelations indicated that he was seeking a governorship election candidacy as a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress while still in office at NSPMC.
This dual role raised eyebrows and led to his resignation from the position.
The complexity of his political aspirations and professional obligations casts a shadow over his tenure and actions at the helm of NSPMC.
Masanawa’s detention, lasting for over three weeks, has had a crippling impact on NIRSAL’s operational capabilities.
Surprisingly, President Bola Tinubu authorized his detention without first suspending him from office.
This decision, seemingly at odds with typical protocol, has raised questions regarding the motivations behind the arrest and its potential impact on Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Despite inquiries into the matter, the presidency has remained silent on the rationale for this unusual approach.
The arrest of Masanawa comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s appointment of anti-graft expert Jim Obazee to investigate fraudulent activities within the CBN and other federal agencies.
Obazee’s mandate has been to uncover any potential connivance between these agencies and the CBN, shedding light on complex webs of corruption.
With this renewed focus on accountability and transparency, the Nigerian financial system stands at a critical juncture, teetering between regaining public trust and facing further scrutiny.
Masanawa’s professional trajectory includes notable stints at financial institutions, notably his tenure as a special adviser to Godwin Emefiele before rising through the ranks to become the executive director at NSPMC.
Appointed as the managing director of the NSPMC in September 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, Masanawa’s journey has been marked by both accomplishments and controversies.
His subsequent resignation due to political ambitions and subsequent appointment as the head of NIRSAL following a leadership change underscores the complexities of the Nigerian financial landscape.
As investigations continue and revelations unfold, the nation watches closely, hoping for transparency and justice to prevail.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.