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Emefiele Probe: Don’t Let Yourselves Be Used By Politicians – Saraki Tells DSS

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2023: Saraki Dangles ‘Special Status’ Carrot Before Lagos Delegates

 

The plot to remove Godwin Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), according to former Senate President Bukola Saraki, is connected to the 2023 election.

The former governor of Kwara issued a warning to security organizations not to allow themselves to be used to rig the presidential election.

Emefiele was accused of supporting terrorism and committing economic crimes by the Department of State Services (DSS), which hurts the apex bank’s reputation and raises concerns about additional currency depreciation.

Saraki stated this in a statement on Wednesday through his Media Office in Abuja, while reacting to the recent court case in which the De-partment of State Services (DSS) accused the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, of terrorism and other sundry charges.

DSS seeks a court order for Emefiele’s arrest.

“As somebody who had been wrongly accused of involvement in the Offa robbery by political opportunists and manipulators before their evil plots are now beginning to unravel in the court of law, I feel that a similar intrigue is being woven by those who are bent on sabotaging the 2023 election as the obvious outcome is not going their way.

“In this court case in which the CBN governor is being accused of terrorism through a suit which the Federal High Court has now described as frivolous and without con- crete evidence, my position is not to support Emefiele but to support democracy which is being targeted by the plotters.

“With all the due respect that I have for the DSS as a very professional security agency, I still find it very difficult to understand what led to the charges, why concrete evidence that will enable the court to take a good decision was not provided and why the department gave room for suspicion and speculations as the case file has gaping holes as noted by the Honourable Judge John Tsoho.

“One of the suspicions this case has raised is that it is part of a grand plot by those who want to undermine and sabotage the coming general election because their calculation on vote buying, rigging, and excessive use of money is falling apart.

“The CBN guidelines have derailed the plan of those who believe that they will not allow the ‘one man, one vote’ system in which the electorate freely choose their representatives in a fair and peaceful atmosphere.

“I urge the DSS, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the military, and all security agencies to be wary of political manipulators, despots, and anarchists who may want to use the case to derail the free and fair election regime that the new Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President Muhammadu Buhari have promised.

“These same undesirable elements in the political process have attempted to use the National Assembly to scuttle the electoral process by frustrating the provisions on electronic transmission of results, use of Biometric Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), the new guidelines on currency change and cash withdrawal. They failed. They have also put pressure on the presidency to reverse some of these innovations.

“They did not succeed. Now, they are resorting to the use of the judiciary.

“Their desperate resort to the manipulation of the judicial process and the use of security agencies that may be inadvertently lending support to the plot without knowing the full implication and ramifications should remind Nigerians of the antics of the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) which was used by antidemocratic elements during the military transition programme in the early 90s.

“I, hereby, urge the security agencies to distance themselves from the anarchists and anti-democratic elements masquerading as democrats or political players.

“With the current situation in the country, all the citizens, national institutions, residents, and foreign friends of Nigeria should commit to the goal of having free, fair, peaceful and credible polls in 2023.

“It is my prayer that next years election should provide a positive turning point for rebuilding, refocusing, resetting, redeeming, restructuring, repositioning, and revamping our country.”

 

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Shettima Returns To Nigeria After High-Stakes BRICS Summit In India

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India.

Shettima’s return followed a series of high-level engagements focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic interests and expanding the country’s partnerships with BRICS member and partner countries.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima participated in high-level sessions at the summit and held bilateral meetings with key international leaders.

ALSO READ: BRICS 2026: Modi Seeks More Nigerian Crude as Shettima Meets Indian PM

Among his major engagements was a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where discussions focused on strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and India.

The discussions covered renewed crude oil trade, investment, pharmaceuticals, defence, digital technology, fintech, renewable energy and other strategic sectors.

Shettima also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, reaffirming Nigeria’s support for multilateralism and a more inclusive global economic order.

At the BRICS summit, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s message calling for reforms of global governance structures and international financial institutions to reflect current economic realities.

He also positioned Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s expanding market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Nigeria further used its participation at the summit to deepen engagement with BRICS member and partner countries in key sectors, including agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and human-capital development.

The Vice President’s participation forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international economic partnerships, attract investment and create new opportunities across strategic sectors of the economy.

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Tension in Sokoto as Govt Shuts Mosque After Cleric’s Stabbing

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Tension has heightened in parts of Sokoto metropolis following the stabbing of an Islamic cleric, Musa Lukuwa, shortly after Friday prayers, prompting the state government to shut the mosque where the incident occurred.

The Sokoto State Government ordered the immediate closure of the Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera and declared the facility a crime scene pending the outcome of investigations.

The government also ordered a full investigation into the stabbing of the cleric and the subsequent killing of his alleged attacker by worshippers.

SEE MORE: 2027 Presidency: Sokoto ADC Adopts Atiku as Preferred Candidate

The directives were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.

According to the Sokoto State Police Command, the alleged attacker used a knife to assault Lukuwa after the Friday prayers before worshippers overpowered and beat him to death.

Police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the command received a distress call at about 1:50pm concerning the incident.

He said preliminary investigations showed that the alleged assailant entered the mosque after the prayers and attacked the cleric.

Lukuwa was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment.

Following the attack, the cleric appealed for calm, saying he was in stable condition and urging his followers not to retaliate or take any action capable of escalating the situation.

Explaining the mosque’s closure, the state government said the measure was necessary to enable security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.

“The government has ordered a full investigation into the attack and killing at Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque, Mabera, and ordered the closure of the mosque (crime scene) till further notice,” Bawa said.

The government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, known as ulamas, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the religious tensions and advise the administration on appropriate measures.

“The State Government has constituted a committee of ulamas to examine the remote and immediate causes of such crisis, and to advise the government on the appropriate measures to be taken in the interest of the state,” the statement said.

The government further dissociated itself from anyone who, under the guise of religion, engages in acts it considers disrespectful to Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.

It reaffirmed its “total obedience and respect” for the Prophet and urged residents to continue demonstrating love and compassion towards him.

The administration also appealed to residents to refrain from making inciting statements capable of worsening the situation.

“The Government has appealed to people in the state to desist from incisive statements that could jeopardise the peaceful coexistence that Sokoto is known for,” Bawa said.

The state government assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property across Sokoto State and urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue.

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DPRP IPO: Dangote Rings Opening Bell at NGX

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The much awaited Africa’s largest Initial Public Offering by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has been formally flagged off on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX).

President and Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, marked the commencement of the offer by ringing the opening bell at the NGX trading floor in Lagos on Monday.

The transaction marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s capital market, as the DPRP becomes the first refinery in the Nigerian Exchange’s 66-year history to open its shares to public subscription.

READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Opens Landmark IPO Today

The offer comprises 4.1 billion new ordinary shares priced at N525 per share, allowing investors to acquire an equity stake in Africa’s largest refinery.

Retail and institutional investors, as well as eligible investors across Africa, can participate in the public offer.

Investors can subscribe for a minimum of 10 shares, requiring an investment of N5,250 at the offer price.

The offer opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the offer prospectus.

At the ceremony, Dangote highlighted that the public offer was part of a broader effort to expand public participation in owning his companies.

“We will lease every company that we operate,” he said.

The launch attracted prominent dignitaries, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, members of the Dangote family and captains of industry.

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