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More Groups Seek Justice, Fairness for Halima Shehu
The North-East Consultative Assembly (NECA), has joined the growing chorus of concerned groups advocating for justice and fairness in the case of Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
NECA said it found it necessary to add its voice to the calls for a review of the process that led to Shehu’s suspension and subsequent investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over missing N37 billion from the coffers of the Agency.
In a statement signed by the national chairman of NECA, Abba Rious Borguma, said President Tinubu as a meticulous thoroughbred democrat must not compromise his principles for the interests of Ministers in charge of overseeing Agencies and Parastatals.
NECA acknowledges the seriousness of the allegations against Halima Shehu’s supervising Minister, Dr Betta Edu and the need for a thorough investigation.
“The allegations against officials of the Ministry involving unauthorized and fraudulent transfers of funds from the Agency’s Remita account to individual accounts are grave and demand immediate attention,” they said.
The Group urged the President to order an independent administrative enquiry into the allegations of breech by Edu of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory policy that restricts the arbitrary interference of ministries in the financial management of Parastatals (government-owned corporations) and agencies under them.
“In contravention of the CBN regulation that seeks to ensure that these entities have autonomy in managing their financial affairs without undue interference from the government, the Humanitarian Minister was said to have masterminded a fraudulent diversion of funds from the NSIPA accounts without the necessary approvals.
“On December 20th, 2023 for instance the Minister reportedly used the office of the Accountant General of the Federation to perform transactions amounting to a staggering N11 billion. These funds were withdrawn from the NSIPA Remita account, without the knowledge or consent of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Accounting Officer of the Agency.
The Group noted that the Minister was recently also fingered in a leaked Memo on the diversion of N585.1m fund for vulnerable groups, saying it is unacceptable and must be thoroughly investigated.
“This deliberate bypass of the Agency’s financial structure which has resulted in monies being paid out running into several billions of Naira out of the Agency’s Remlta Account with the CBN without the knowledge or approval of the National Coordinator of and without due regard to stipulated financial regulations.
“Tinubu must also interrogate allegations of illegal addition of more Signatories and Role players to the said Agency’s account without recourse to me or the Director of Finance and Admin (DFA), thereby opening the Agency to vulnerability of fraud and unauthorised transfer of funds,” the Group demanded.
NECA said it firmly believes that due process must be followed in handling issues related to the suspension or removal of public officers and political appointees confirmed by the Senate. The organization implores President Tinubu to ensure fairness and justice prevail in this case, as it is a fundamental tenet of democracy.
“The North-East Consultative Forum stands with Halima Shehu and seeks a just and fair resolution to this matter. We believe that everyone has the right to a fair hearing and that judgment should be based on evidence and due process, not on political maneuvering or personal vendettas. NECA urges all parties involved to focus on the facts and to act with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“NECA also calls on fellow citizens and civil society organizations to continue advocating for justice and fairness in this case. It is crucial that the voices of the people are heard and that our leaders are reminded of their responsibility to uphold the principles of democracy and justice.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has withdrawn the invitation extended to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi.
The police chief, however, directed the Kano State command of the force to obtain the monarch’s statement in the State regarding the incident.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the spokesman of the police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the withdrawal became imperative following the intervention of some stakeholders in the country.
The top cop also said his resolve was in line with the police’s commitment to ensuring that policing actions are not politicized or misinterpreted.
The Inspire Her Conference & Awards 2025, set to take place in Abuja on 17th April, promises to be a celebration of female leadership, resilience, and achievement across Africa.
The event will be led by the Honourable Minister for Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the Honourable Minister for State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, alongside other influential women leaders.
The conference and awards, organised by the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative & Magazine and Rest Logic Nigeria, will honour a diverse group of exceptional women for their contributions to society and leadership.
Among the distinguished recipients of the Inspire Her Award are Halima Buba, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Trust Bank; Hajiya Umma Getso, the 2019 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP); Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of NEXIM Bank; and Engr. Fatima Umar Farouk, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs.
The conference will also highlight the achievements of other accomplished female leaders, aiming to inspire women across the continent and encourage resilience, inclusion, and progress.
With the theme “Accelerate Action: Building Resilience,” the conference will address key issues such as gender equality, leadership inclusion, human capital development, work-life balance, and poverty eradication.
In addition to the award ceremony, the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, creating a platform for dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing African women today.
Attendees will have the chance to engage with top female leaders from both corporate and private sectors, share ideas, and explore potential solutions to enhance women’s roles in leadership and societal progress.
Amb. Jeremiah Agala, Executive Director of the Inspiring Youths Africa Initiative, and Co-Convener Dr. Joy Franklyn Ekemezie, emphasised that the conference would highlight the excellence, hard work, and resilience of African and Nigerian women.
“This year’s conference will feature the Inspire Her Fire Chat, a new addition designed to provide deeper insights into the journeys of our honourees and inspire the next generation of women leaders,” Agala said.
The event, which is expected to attract over 1,000 participants, will take place at the prestigious Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, with a diverse audience that includes female youth leaders, students, women’s organisations, decision-makers, and the international community.
With a limited number of slots available, organisers are urging those interested to register early, as admission is strictly by registration.
The conference promises to be a powerful event, one that will not only celebrate the success of African women but also create pathways for future empowerment and leadership.
Early Sunday, a missile barrage targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, injuring at least three individuals and igniting multiple fires, according to the city’s mayor. This attack occurred just two days after a Russian strike in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown resulted in the deaths of 18 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that emergency services were dispatched to two districts within Kyiv, while the Ukrainian air force confirmed that missiles had penetrated the northern Chernihiv region.
“Explosions have been reported in the capital, and air defense systems are currently engaged,” Klitschko stated on Telegram. He urged residents to seek shelter, warning, “The missile assault on Kyiv persists.”
So far, three injuries have been recorded, with fires erupting in non-residential structures and damage inflicted on eight vehicles.
This onslaught coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, over three years into Moscow’s extensive invasion, while also seeking to mend relations with the Kremlin.
Poland’s military announced that it, along with allied forces, had taken to the skies in response to Russian strikes near the western Ukrainian border, with ground-based air defense systems on high alert.
“Due to the heightened activity of long-range Russian aviation targeting locations within western Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft operations in our airspace have commenced,” stated its operational command on X. “These measures are intended to ensure security in regions bordering the threatened zones.”
On Sunday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that its air defense units had intercepted and destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones.
**Zelensky Critiques U.S. Response**
On Saturday, President Zelensky criticized the U.S. embassy for what he termed a “weak” statement that failed to hold Russia accountable for the recent deadly missile strike on his hometown of Kryvyi Rig.
The missile impacted a residential area near a children’s playground in central Ukraine, resulting in the tragic deaths of nine children, aged between three and 17. In a heartfelt social media post, Zelensky called out the U.S. embassy for its reluctance to name Russia as the aggressor.
“Regrettably, the American embassy’s response is surprisingly disappointing: such a powerful nation, yet such a feeble reaction,” Zelensky remarked. “They hesitate to even mention ‘Russian’ when discussing the missile that claimed the lives of children.”
Zelensky’s remarks followed a post by U.S. Ambassador Bridget Brink on X, expressing horror over the missile strike near a playground and restaurant. In his evening address, Zelensky emphasized, “It is both incorrect and perilous to remain silent about the fact that it is Russia perpetrating these crimes against children with ballistic missiles. This only emboldens the perpetrators in Moscow to continue their aggression and disregard diplomatic solutions.”
The president, who hails from Kryvyi Rig, where the pre-war population was approximately 600,000, conveyed his condolences and called for a three-day mourning period on April 7, 8, and 9.
“This is nothing short of a mass murder of civilians,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rig military administration.
Images shared by rescue services depicted several victims, with one body found near a playground swing. In response, Russia’s defense ministry claimed it executed a “precision strike” against a meeting of military commanders and Western instructors in the area. The Ukrainian army’s General Staff countered that Moscow was attempting to obscure its heinous actions and disseminating false information, labeling Russia’s actions as “war crimes.”
While Trump continues to encourage both sides to pursue a ceasefire, his administration has struggled to mediate a mutually acceptable agreement. Zelensky remarked that the missile attack underscored Russia’s lack of interest in halting its full-scale invasion.
The Ukrainian president reported “significant progress” following discussions with British and French military leaders in Kyiv on Friday. They explored plans for a “reassurance” force from London and Paris to be deployed to Ukraine if a resolution to the conflict is achieved.
Zelensky shared on social media that the meeting with British Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin and French counterpart Thierry Burkhard yielded “the initial details on how the security contingent of partners can be deployed.” This initiative represents one of the latest efforts by European leaders to coordinate a response after Trump initiated direct negotiations with the Kremlin, sidelining them.