NEWS
EFCC says it will arrest votes’ buyers at elections
*Commends CBN over new Naira notes
By John Danjuma
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has warned Nigerian politicians to desist from vote buying as it would not spare any one caught selling or buying votes during the 2023 general elections.
The chairman of the anti graft agency Abdulrasheed Bawa gave the indication at the National Assembly while fielding questions from newsmen after defending the commissions 2023 budget proposal, Bawa said, “We will continue to arrest those who specialise in votes’ buying we will work hands in gloves with INEC to achieve that.
“We will ensure that illegitimate funds do not find their way into our elections.
Read also>>>Just In: Sanwo-Olu presents N1.6trn budget for 2023
“The cases of those arrested during the Ekiti and Osun elections are in court, I don’t know the stages they are.
When asked about politicians waiting to get funding from foreign countries to prosecute their elections he said,
“There is an electoral act defining how election funds should be managed and who should finance election
I think that is the law of the land and Nigerians are law abiding and the EFCC is working to ensure compliance of politicians and we are working hand in gloves with INEC and other stakeholders to ensure that the laws are obeyed.”
On the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)to redesign the Naira he said it is a welcome development as it will help his commission to effectively monitor.
“How can you have an effective monitoring policy when you don’t have control over 85% of your currency, people are hoarding it, using it to speculate on foreign exchange and all of that.
“By this policy the government is trying to ensure that those people that are bringing back what they hoarded whether legitimately or illegitimately we will be able to monitor and the law will take its course.
On the threats by Yahoo boysto protest nationwide against the commission, he said, “These are Nigerians from my own constituency, the youthful constituency, they should join me in fighting cyber crimes. You know you are doing some things you should not do ordinarily
“We are working, it is part of our mandate to fight cyber crimes, advance fee fraud and that is what we have been doing. We are working in conformity with the law.
“As at the 22nd October this year we had succeeded in securing 2800 convictions and over 70% from cyber crimes.
He said the case of these cyber criminals is tarnishing the image of the country by the day adding that across the Atlantic people see Nigeria as Cyber crime infested country which is not.
“We are working we are not deterred, I plead with them especially this time of the election, they should stop those things as government is making effort to bring the economy back on track.
NEWS
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
ALSO READ: Subsidy Removal, FX Reforms Driving Fresh Oil Sector Investment – Shettima
“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
NEWS
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
READ ALSO: Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.
NEWS
Shell Identifies Keys to Nigeria’s Energy Future
To secure a bright energy for her teeming population, Nigeria must sustain the momentum of reform, accelerate investment, and deepen partnerships.
This view was expressed by Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) Ronald Adams in Lagos at the weekend.
Delivering a keynote address at the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) of the Lagos Business School (LBS), Adams called for regulatory certainty through efficient execution of reforms, sustained investment appeal to enable projects to move more swiftly from opportunity to production and partnership by operators, regulators, NNPC Limited and communities to unlock the full value of Nigeria’s resources.
Adams cited Nigeria’s huge oil and gas resources as an advantage but pointed out: “Resources alone do not guarantee prosperity. Prosperity comes when resources are matched with investment, technology, sound policy and disciplined execution. Success will be determined not by the size of our resources, but by our ability to convert them into investment and economic growth.”
Adams pledged the support of Shell towards a bright energy future of Nigerians. He said: “For more than six decades, Shell has been part of Nigeria’s energy journey. Together with our partners, we have helped develop major energy infrastructure, supported Nigerian businesses, invested in talent, and contributed to economic development. Bonga remains a powerful example of what technology, partnership and Nigerian capability can achieve in deepwater operations. Today, that story continues through Bonga North.”
READ ALSO: ADF Targets 5 Million Students, 2 Million Vulnerable Women
Issuing a clarion call for action by all stakeholders, he added: “The world is not standing still. Capital is moving, technology is advancing and competition is intensifying. The countries that attract investment tomorrow are those that improve competitiveness today. Nigeria has begun that journey. Our task is to sustain the momentum and translate reform into projects, projects into growth, and growth into shared prosperity.”
The conference, the 4th in the series had at its theme; “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future: Policy Reform, Capital Mobilisation, and Pathways to a Sustainable Power and Energy Market” and was attended by top government officials, industry captains, energy professionals, and students.
Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat represented Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the guest of honour. SNEPCo was a principal sponsor of the Africa Energy Conference (AEC) and mounted a well-received exhibition on its deepwater operations and social investments across Nigeria.





