News
Nigerians Demand For EFCC Chairman Resignation Over Inaction Against Ex-Kogi Governor
Nigerians on social media are calling for the resignation of EFCC Chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, due to his failure to arrest and prosecute former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.
On social media platform X, Nigerians are voicing their frustration and demanding the resignation of Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The outcry follows Olukoyede’s unfulfilled promise to arrest and prosecute former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, for alleged financial crimes.
Olanipekun Olukoyede, upon his appointment as the EFCC Chairman, had publicly declared his commitment to bringing Yahaya Bello to justice.
He even went so far as to state that he would resign if Bello was not prosecuted for the numerous fraud allegations against him.
This bold promise garnered significant attention and hope among Nigerians, particularly those keen on seeing justice served in high-profile corruption cases.
In December 2023, SaharaReporters disclosed that the EFCC had seized $760,910.84, which was part of the funds allegedly laundered by Bello.
This amount was paid to the American International School in Abuja for the advance tuition fees of his four children until their graduation.
The total sum of $845,852.84 was transferred to the school in several installments following an agreement signed on August 23, 2021, by Bello’s nephew, Mr. Ali Bello, on behalf of the former governor.
In April, the EFCC declared Yahaya Bello wanted for crimes amounting to N80.2 billion, marking one of the most significant financial crime cases in recent times.
Despite this declaration, a month has passed without any updates on Bello’s whereabouts or his prosecution status, leading to growing skepticism about the EFCC’s effectiveness and Olukoyede’s leadership.
The lack of progress in Bello’s case has sparked outrage among Nigerians. Social media users on X have been particularly vocal, criticising the EFCC for its apparent inability to uphold its mandate.
Many are calling for Olukoyede to step down, accusing him of failing to honor his word and questioning his competency in leading the anti-corruption agency.
An X user, MC Ugwummadu wrote: “Since Yahaya Bello is no longer in the wanted list of the EFCC, the chairman should just keep his promise and resign Honourably.
“My honest question is: why the drama of his arrest when it’s obvious it was all a ruse? What’s the threat meant to distract gullible Nigerians?”
“When are you going to parade the very man on your wanted list who stole billions from the coffers of Kogi state? Is his whereabouts not known to you guys yet despite all the resources available to locate him ?? No updates or whatsoever regarding his search and eventual arrest,” another user, Dele wrote.
“EFCC said nothing since the disappearance of Yeye Bello the 80 billion naira criminal and you think Nigerians will ever take you serious?” a user, @AnythingTech said.
Bayo Koyeni added: “If you EFCC can easily arrest yahoo boys , what’s is so difficult to arrest Yahaya Bello den grand father. EFCC,I beg the story of Yahaya Bello and yahoo boys no clear to Nigerian.”
@BayoKoyeni) said “If you EFCC can easily arrest yahoo boys , what’s is so difficult to arrest Yahaya Bello den grand father. EFCC,I beg the story of Yahaya Bello and yahoo boys no clear to Nigerian
Another X user, @Any_thing_Tech) said “EFCC said nothing since the disappearance of yeye Bello the 80 billion naira criminal and you think Nigerians will ever take you serious?
@realbossbrain said “You can easily arrest 26 Suspected Internet Fraudsters. Butt it’s difficult to arrest 1 ex-governor Yahaya Bello.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”