News
President Tinubu Urged to Take Strong Action Against Corrupt Officials
…. Extending Investigations to the Oil and Gas Sector
By Abubakar Yunusa
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from accommodating or engaging in negotiations with former government officials who have been involved in looting the nation’s treasury.
In a statement released in Abuja, Frank expressed concern that the President’s initial enthusiasm in pursuing corrupt elements seems to have waned or disappeared entirely.
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Frank urged President Tinubu to intensify efforts to hold corrupt officials accountable for their actions. This would ensure that the ongoing investigation and arrest of individuals such as Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank, and AbdulRasheed Bawa, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are not perceived as driven by personal vendettas.
Furthermore, Frank advised President Tinubu against rewarding ex-governors and ex-ministers facing corruption charges or criminal allegations with fresh appointments. Such actions would undermine the integrity of the anti-corruption campaign and trivialize the fight against corruption.
Frank called upon the security agencies operating under Tinubu’s leadership to expand their investigations into the oil and gas sector.
He emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who illicitly benefited from the fuel subsidy regime and engaged in fraudulent practices regarding daily PMS consumption. It is essential to ensure that these individuals repay the funds they looted from the nation.
Frank expressed concern about perceived negotiations with looters by Tinubu’s government, which has potentially hindered further actions against corrupt individuals.
He highlighted the expectation of the Nigerian populace for more arrests and prosecutions, as they had applauded the President’s initial actions against corruption. Failing to bring looters to justice could undermine the fight against corruption and perpetuate a sense of impunity.
Frank cautioned that if caution is not exercised, the arrests of Emefiele and Bawa may turn out to be mere isolated incidents.
He expressed doubt about the President’s commitment to genuinely combat corruption, suggesting that the anti-corruption drive might target individuals based on their support or lack thereof during his bid for the presidency.
Frank expressed disappointment at the inclusion of former political officeholders with known corrupt tendencies in Tinubu’s cabinet.
He cited examples such as Senator Godswill Akpabio and Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, whose past actions raised corruption allegations but have now been appointed to key positions.
This pattern raises concerns about the potential reward of looters with significant positions of power.
Moreover, Frank pointed out that several former governors and ex-ministers, despite being the subjects of numerous petitions to the EFCC, are seeking positions in the present administration. This situation risks perpetuating a system where individuals accused of corruption continue to hold influential roles.
Frank drew attention to the hardships faced by the poor as a result of policies implemented by Tinubu, such as the removal of fuel subsidies. He stressed the importance of not allowing those who fraudulently benefited from subsidy schemes to evade consequences while ordinary Nigerians suffer from rising living costs.
Frank concluded by reminding President Tinubu that Nigerians and the international community are closely watching his anti-graft efforts.
He emphasized the need for genuine commitment to the fight against corruption, rather than the perception of merely targeting individuals like Emefiele and Bawa.
Timi Frank’s appeal serves as a reminder of the critical importance of upholding accountability and justice in Nigeria. It is imperative for President Tinubu to take strong action against corrupt officials, to restore public trust, and to demonstrate a firm commitment to combating corruption.
MTN Group says it suffered a cybersecurity incident that led to unauthorised access to the personal data of some customers in selected markets.
In a statement on Thursday, the telecoms giant assured stakeholders that its core infrastructure — including its network, billing systems, and financial services platforms — remains secure and fully operational.
The company said an unknown third party claimed responsibility for accessing parts of its system, but added that there was currently no indication that customers’ accounts or mobile money wallets were compromised.
“At this stage, we do not have any information to suggest that customers’ accounts and wallets have been directly compromised,” MTN said.
MTN said it immediately activated its cybersecurity response procedures, including informing the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.
The group said it had also notified the relevant authorities in the affected countries and would continue to work closely with them and law enforcement to support ongoing investigations.
In line with regulatory obligations, the network provider said it had begun notifying affected customers.
The telecoms company urged users to remain vigilant and observe standard security practices, including setting strong passwords, avoiding suspicious messages, and enabling multifactor authentication where available.
“The privacy of information is our top priority, and MTN remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of our systems and the trust placed in us by our customers and other stakeholders,” it said.
“To mitigate any fraudulent consequences, a fraud alert can be placed on an individual’s credit report at any of the major credit bureaus.
“Keep MTN, MoMo and banking apps and devices updated.
“Use strong, unique passwords for accounts and change them regularly.
“Be cautious of unexpected messages and do not click on suspicious links.
“Do not disclose information such as passwords, PINs and OTP when asked to do so by phone, text message or email.
“Where multifactor authentication is available, it should be activated.”
MTN added that it would continue to contain and manage the situation “carefully” while keeping stakeholders updated.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement released on X on Friday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, said it is important to state clearly that “freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights — not privileges”.
“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” he wrote.
“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”
On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, is set to join the ruling party soon.
Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.
In recent weeks, the PDP has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.
Abubakar said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.
“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path,” he said.
“Politics will always involve shifting alliances — we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future.”
Abubakar also addressed criticism that trailed his recent visit to former president Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.
Earlier this month, the ex-VP led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.
The former vice-president said his visit was delayed due to his obligations in Adamawa, where he had taken part in Sallah celebrations.
Days after the visit, the move drew widespread criticism, particularly from within the PDP, with many labeling it as unacceptable and a show of anti-party activity.
However, Abubakar dismissed the outrage as hypocritical, citing past instances when opposition leaders consulted former presidents without backlash.
“It is not a sin to visit Buhari,” he said.
“During the 2013 opposition merger talks, key political figures made visits to Obasanjo and Babangida — so why is it now sacrilegious to visit Buhari?”
Abubakar questioned why some PDP leaders are applauded for meeting President Bola Tinubu, yet his own engagements are labelled suspicious.
“When PDP leaders drink tea with Tinubu and cut power-sharing deals, it is called ‘strategy,” he said.
“But when I greet Peter Obi, meet Nasir el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national scandal.”
He also described the reactions as driven by double standards, warning that Nigeria’s politics is becoming riddled with “selective outrage”.
Abubakar said the real issue before Nigerians is not about political parties anymore, but about the failure of the current administration.
“This is no longer APC vs PDP or Labour Party vs APC,” he said.
“It is Nigerians vs a regime that has plunged the nation into misery.”
He blamed the Tinubu administration for a collapsing economy, surging inflation, growing joblessness and increasing youth agitation.
“Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry,” he said.
Abubakar called for unity against what he described as a government bereft of vision and performance.
He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic, religious or regional distractions, noting that such tactics are meant to divide and confuse the populace.
“The Tinubu government has nothing to show — no policy wins, no achievements,” he said.
“All it has is confusion and division. That’s the only thing incompetence knows how to offer.”
Abubakar warned that mismanagement at the top poses grave danger to all Nigerians, regardless of background or party affiliation.
“An incompetent captain doesn’t just sink his ship; he puts everyone on board at risk,” he added.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday has ordered the remand of hip hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, also known as Terry Apala, for a charge of naira abuse.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered his remand in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Lagos, till May 5, 2025, when his bail application would be heard and determined.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Ejeh before the court on a one-count charge of abuse of the naira by matching on it whilst dancing during a social event at Madison Place, Oniru, Lagos Island.
Counsel to the EFCC, Sulaimon Sulaiman, then asked the court to allow the charge to be read to the defendant so he could take his plea.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, after which Sulaimon asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre.
Counsel to the defendant, Felix Nwakbudu, however, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on behalf of his client.
Nwakbudu stated that the prosecution had been served with a copy of the bail summons this morning, and he pleaded with the court to allow him to move the application.
The prosecutor opposed the hearing of the bail application on the grounds that he would need time to study the application and make an appropriate response.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko ordered the remand of the defendant at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the trial, before adjourning the matter till May 5th, for trial.
The charge against the defendant reads: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January 2025 at Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court whilst dancing during a social event tampered with Naira currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by matching on it and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007.”