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EFCC Distances Self From Witch-hunting Opposition Politicians

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has distanced itself from allegations of witch-hunting, distablising and crippling political opponents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was detailed in a statement on its verified handle on X, where the anti-graft agency maintained that it was sticking to “the Commission’s task in bringing suspects of economic and financial crimes to book”, and nothing more.

The statement reads, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is aware of the frenzy of accusations by some political actors across the country, questioning its operation.

“Claims of “Weaponisation of the EFCC”, ” Erosion of EFCC’s Independence”, ” Persecution of opposition politicians”, “Politicisation of EFCC’s operations” and other assumptions contained in a recent media statements by some politicians, are deliberate misrepresentation of the Commission’s task in bringing suspects of economic and financial crimes to book.

“First, the Commission’s weapon is its Establishment Act which provides the ground norm of its activities. The Act mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes. The only exception to criminal prosecution by the Commission are political officers granted constitutional immunity during their tenure. Suspects of corrupt practices from the ruling party, opposition party and non- partisan actors have no immunity and are being equally investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC.

“A check list of arrests and prosecution by the Commission in the last two years under the current leadership shows that strong members of the ruling party such as former governors, ministers and others not publicly known are sharing tables with a motley number of opposition politicians as well and others.

“The truth about the EFCC is that it is only faithful to its mandate and nothing else. This mandate is about tackling corruption and not any imaginary adversary or political motive The Commission finds insinuation made by opposition politicians that “there is a discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition by the EFCC with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC” quite untenable.

“Where is persecution in asking a suspect of corrupt practice to account for his sleaze? Is stealing, embezzlement of public funds, contract fraud, money laundering and other corrupt practices excusable for some? Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe, political party or other extraneous alignment. Selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation for graft. The crucial question is, are opposition politicians being investigated or prosecuted by the Commission wrongly accused?

“What threatens democracy is not the EFCC doing its job, but the attempt to intimidate or blackmail it into abandoning investigation allegations against corrupt opposition politicians for fear of accusations of selectivity.

“What the so-called opposition politicians are seeking to achieve in this assault against the EFCC is far from altruistic, but a veiled attempt to confer immunity from prosecution for alleged corruption on politicians who suddenly find themselves in the opposition. This gambit is alien to the Nigerian constitution and the enabling law of the Commission both of which compel mandatory action against any evidence of graft irrespective of the position and political inclinations of the accused.

ALSO READ: EFCC Opposes Ngige’s Bail Application

“The Commission won’t succumb to blackmail or be railroaded into inconclusive investigations just to be seen to be non- selective in its operations.

“An amendment to the enabling Act to assuage the whims of a disgruntled section of the political class calls for circumspection as it is not likely going to be in the national interest.

“We enjoin all well-meaning, reform-minded and patriotic Nigerians to join hands with the EFCC in this dignity-restoring mandate.

“God bless the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

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Shettima, Wife Depart Abuja for Jos as Tinubu–Shettima Campaign Takes Rally to Plateau

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Jos, Plateau State, alongside his wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in the state.

The visit is part of the Tinubu–Shettima campaign’s engagements as the ruling party seeks to secure support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The campaign’s visit to Plateau is expected to highlight the Federal Government’s infrastructure and economic development projects in the state, particularly those aimed at improving road connectivity, boosting commerce and supporting agricultural activities.

SEE ALSO: Tinubu, Shettima Head to Jos for APC Presidential Campaign Rally

Among the projects highlighted by the administration is the ongoing 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos highway, which forms part of the Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri Superhighway.

Other projects include the rehabilitation of the Sharram–Garram–Babban Lamba Road in Kanke and the approved Mararaban Jama’a–Kanke–Langtang–Shendam–Ibi Road, which is expected to improve connectivity between Plateau and Taraba states.

The administration says the projects are part of its broader development agenda to connect communities, facilitate access to markets and provide farmers and businesses with improved infrastructure.

The APC campaign is expected to use the rally to present the administration’s achievements and future plans while seeking the confidence of Plateau residents to continue its development agenda beyond 2027.

 

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Ogun Police Disburse ₦10.6m to Families of Fallen Officers Under IGP Welfare Scheme

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The Ogun State Police Command has presented cheques totalling ₦10.65 million to families and next-of-kin of deceased police officers who served under the command, as part of efforts to support dependants of personnel who died in active service.

The cheques, amounting to ₦10,658,391.36, were presented on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babas​eyi, anipr, and dated November 14, 2026.

ALSO READ: How Ogun Driver Allegedly Stole Boss’s ₦45m Lexus and Plotted to Sell It for ₦10m in Cotonou

The presentation took place at the Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, under the Nigeria Police Force Group Life Assurance and the IGP Family Welfare Schemes.

The initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance to families of police officers who lost their lives while serving the country.

Accompanied by members of the Command Management Team, Ojajuni personally handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries.

Addressing the recipients, the police commissioner reaffirmed the Inspector-General’s commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families.

He described the widows and families of the deceased officers as the “true superheroes”, acknowledging their resilience in coping with the loss of their loved ones who died in service to the nation.

Ojajuni noted that the financial intervention was a demonstration of the Force’s appreciation and institutional responsibility to support the families of fallen officers.

He said the initiative represented the Nigeria Police Force’s enduring commitment to standing by the dependants of personnel who paid the ultimate price in active service.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ejembi Ada Veronica thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Ogun State Police Command for remembering their families and providing financial assistance.

She assured the authorities that the money would be channelled towards the education, upkeep and general welfare of the children and dependants left behind by the deceased officers.

According to her, the intervention would provide timely relief and help improve the stability of the affected families.

The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to supporting the families of fallen officers, assuring them of its continued solidarity.

 

 

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NUPRC Screens 28 Wells Over Rivers Gas Seepage, Identifies Three as High-Risk

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has screened 28 oil and gas wells around reported gas seepage locations in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, identifying three as high-risk, as investigations continue to establish the source of the bubbling gas.

The Commission disclosed that its investigation team physically visited 14 of the 28 wells screened but could not access three others because they were submerged. During the visits, the team observed gas hissing from some wells, while some facilities were found to be corroded and others vandalised.

ALSO READ: Rig Count Hits 100, as NUPRC Approves 740 Drilling Jobs

The update was made on Thursday during a special technical paper presentation at the 44th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).

The paper, titled “Unravelling Gas Seepage and Bubbling in Nigeria: The Integrated Study Approach Towards Source Attribution,” was hosted by the NUPRC.

In his presentation, the Director of Subsurface Development at the NUPRC, Engr. Joseph Ogunsola, FNSE, described gas seepage as a new phenomenon in the Nigerian petroleum industry, prompting the Commission to constitute a team to investigate what lies beneath the bubbles.

Ogunsola was represented by the Senior Manager, Onshore Frontier Development Drilling, Mr. Azibamikiomam John-Adumo, a geologist.

He disclosed that studies conducted in one of the affected areas had helped unravel the structural threat associated with the phenomenon.

According to him, one of the wells was originally drilled in search of oil but was shut down following the discovery of gas instead.

He explained that the well is approximately 2.5 kilometres from the seepage location, adding that investigations are ongoing to establish whether the seepage originates from that particular well or other nearby wells.

He further disclosed that the distance between the seepage location and other wells ranges from 2.5 to three kilometres, noting that the area is highly explored and hydrocarbon-charged, as demonstrated by the number of wells in the vicinity.

Providing an update on the wells workstream, which falls under the facility and infrastructure component of the investigation, John-Adumo said the 28 wells were screened based on their proximity to the seepage locations and the reservoirs traversed during drilling.

He also explained that the investigation had progressed from the first reported bubble to an independent fingerprinting campaign within 12 months.

Recalling that the first seepage was observed in October 2025, he said the results of the independent investigation, using Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-IRMS) and compositional field analysis, were expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.

While investigations continue, John-Adumo said the Commission and operators had mobilised relief materials and other support for affected communities.

The interventions include food supplies, medical outreach, efforts to provide potable water, fire vans and safety kits, among other assistance.

He, however, warned that if the seepage is established to be a natural geological phenomenon, residents may need to be evacuated because tracing the migration pathways and designing subsurface interventions could be much more challenging.

He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to a speedy, coordinated and integrated investigation to establish the source of the gas seepage.

 

 

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