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Senators Block Ex-Finance Minister From Investigation
Senators have decided to exempt the former Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, from an investigation into the controversial Make up Gas (Mug) Reprocessing Deal.
The deal involved a monthly payment of $10 million and has raised questions about transparency and the utilization of public funds.
At plenary session, Senator Aniekan Bassey from Akwa Ibom Northeast sponsored a motion calling for an investigation into the Make up Gas (Mug) Reprocessing Deal.
This deal has come under scrutiny due to a monthly payment of $10 million, which has sparked concerns about the proper utilization of public funds.
The deal involved the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Calabar Generation Company Limited, and ACUGAS Ltd.
However, the immediate past Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, has been exempted from the investigation by the senators.
The NDPHC, a company jointly owned by the Federal, State, and Local Governments in Nigeria, is responsible for managing Nigeria’s Independent Power Projects.
In 2017, the NDPHC entered into a Gas Supply Agreement (CSA) with Acugas Limited, which aimed to supply gas to the subsidiary company Calabar Generation Company Ltd (Calabar Genco).
Under the Gas Supply Agreement, the Federal Government of Nigeria committed to paying over $10 million each month to Acugas Limited. This payment was secured with a “take or pay” clause, meaning that the government had to fulfill the monthly obligation regardless of whether Calabar Genco received or utilized the gas.
This arrangement has become a significant concern for Nigerians as it puts a substantial burden on the public treasury, with large sums of money being paid to Acugas even when gas is not utilized.
To address this issue and find a solution for the gas that Nigeria has paid for but not utilized, the former Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. (Mrs) Zainab Ahmed, initiated a Make-up Gas (MUG) Reprocessing deal involving Calabar Genco and Acugas Ltd. However, this deal has been criticized for lacking transparency.
Allegations suggest that substantial amounts of money were paid as fees to transaction advisers, even when discussions about extending the utilization period of the MUG were ongoing between Acugas Ltd and Calabar Genco, without the involvement of paid consultants or transaction advisers.
The Call For Investigation
Recognizing the potential implications of the Gas Supply Agreement and the Make-up Gas Reprocessing arrangement, Senator Bassey urged the Senate to mandate the Committee on Power, once constituted, to investigate the circumstances surrounding these agreements.
The proposed investigation aims to delve into the execution of the Gas Supply Agreement, the Make-up Gas Reprocessing arrangement, the parties involved, the payments made to date, and the current status of implementation.
All stakeholders, including the former Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), and Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) and Sani Musa (Niger East), would be invited to provide insights.
Defence Of Zainab Ahmed
However, Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Sani Musa came to the defense of Zainab Ahmed, stating that her involvement in the deal was due to her position as a minister at the time. They argued that she should be exempted from the investigation now that she is no longer serving as the Minister of Finance.
Ensuring Due Diligence
In addition to the investigation, Senator Bassey called upon the Federal Government, particularly the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, to exercise due diligence in preparing and executing transaction agreements with companies and investors. This cautionary measure aims to prevent the recurrence of similar scenarios under the Gas Supply Agreement with Acugas Limited and other entities.
To further support the motion, Senator Monguno proposed that Zainab Ahmed’s name be removed from the investigation. He emphasized that since she is no longer the Minister of Finance, her involvement in the deal was solely due to her ministerial role at the time. Senator Sani Musa seconded this motion, stating that Zainab Ahmed’s name should indeed be removed from the investigation.
The senators’ decision to exempt Zainab Ahmed from the investigation has sparked discussions and debates among the public. While some argue that her role as the former Minister of Finance warrants scrutiny, others maintain that her involvement was a result of her official capacity and, therefore, should not be subject to investigation now that she is no longer serving as a minister.
It is essential to ensure transparency and accountability in government transactions, especially when significant sums of public funds are involved. The Senate’s decision not to include Zainab Ahmed in the investigation raises questions about the extent of accountability and the potential impact on future government dealings.
The controversial Make up Gas Reprocessing Deal, entailing a monthly payment of $10 million, has caught the attention of senators and the public alike. The motion to investigate the deal, sponsored by Senator Bassey, seeks to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the Gas Supply Agreement and the Make-up Gas Reprocessing arrangement.
However, senators have decided to exempt Zainab Ahmed, the former Minister of Finance, from the investigation. This decision has generated varying opinions regarding accountability and the need for transparency in government transactions.
As discussions continue, it remains crucial to uphold the principles of good governance and ensure the judicious use of public funds in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Police Force said it has completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, widely known as “Killaboi,” from Doha, Qatar, to Nigeria.
Killaboi, who had been on the run for the murder of Augusta Onuwabhagbe, was returned to the country in the early hours of today, Saturday, through the coordinated efforts of the Ministry of Justice, INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters Abuja and the Qatari Judicial Authorities.
The extradition followed a petition from the family of the deceased, submitted through their legal representatives, dated 29th September 2024.
A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the matter was assigned to INTERPOL NCB Abuja, after which investigations revealed that the suspect murdered Onuwabhagbe, a 21-year-old first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan, in his residence located at No. 24a Abiola Apooyi Street, Oral Estate, Ajah, Lagos, on 13th July 2023. After committing the crime, he fled Nigeria and later released an online video purporting to confess to the act, a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.
Following his declaration as wanted by the NPF Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on 13th October 2023, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued for his global apprehension.
The statement said “He was initially arrested in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on 20th October 2023 under the false identity ‘KANU PRINCETON SAMUEL,” but escaped custody during a prison break on 26th November 2023 in Freetown.
“Further intelligence gathering revealed that the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, traversing multiple regions including West Africa, East Asia and the Middle East, under forged identities before eventually relocating to Doha, Qatar on 24th January, 2025. Operating under the alias “TOURE ABDOULAYE” with a fraudulent Guinean passport, he secured illegal employment and concealed his identity.
“Through robust international cooperation and the use of advanced biometrics, INTERPOL NCB Abuja, in collaboration with INTERPOL NCB Doha, confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest by Qatari authorities in February 2025. An official extradition request, processed via the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, was subsequently approved by the Qatari judicial authorities, resulting in his repatriation to Nigeria.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while recognising the strength in the synergy amongst nations to curb trans-border crimes, commended the diligence of INTERPOL NCB Abuja.
He extended appreciation to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Government of Qatar, INTERPOL NCB Doha, and the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar for their invaluable collaboration in securing the fugitive’s return.
The Inspector-General of Police further assured the general public of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring that the suspect faces diligent prosecution, as part of the NPF’s dedication to justice and the safety of all Nigerians.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state has risen to 56.
The governor made the call on Saturday when he visited the scenes of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Ukum and Logo local government areas to ascertain the impact of the attacks.
Addressing journalists after the visit to the affected communities in the two local government areas, Alia condemned the violent attacks on the defenseless people and called for greater action from security agencies to nip these killings in the bud.
The governor used the visit to engage with community leaders and their people whom he assured of a better deal in addressing all forms of insecurity.
He also called for calm and urged the people to resist the will to resort to self-help
Security has also been beefed up in the Sankera axis where these attacks happened to restore confidence, while emergency services and relief items have been extended to the two local government areas.
In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State.
Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.
The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.
Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.
But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.
“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.
“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”
He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.
“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.
“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”