NEWS
N37bn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Contractor, Probes Four Buhari Ministers

A contractor named James Okwete has been arrested by the EFCC in relation to the ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of N37bn by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.
This development aligns with the simultaneous probe of three other ministers who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, regarding corruption estimated at N150bn.
A senior EFCC official informed The Punch that the contractor provided valuable information regarding Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of the ministry.
A source said “It is not only Umar-Farouk we are investigating. Three other former ministers are also under probe. They were allegedly involved in graft to the tune of N150bn.”
investigation reveals that N37.1bn was moved from the Federal Government’s funds and distributed among 38 bank accounts linked to or associated with Okwete, housed in five legacy commercial banks.
It’s reported that there’s a possibility of Umar-Farouk and former directors-general of agencies under the ministry being arrested by the anti-graft commission, based on information disclosed by the contractor so far.
Okwete, currently held at the EFCC Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, has been cooperating with investigators.
The EFCC officials stated that the contractor was indeed arrested four days ago.
The source said, “The contractor, Mr Okwete, who was used in laundering the money had been arrested by the commission.
“He is currently detained in our custody and has been giving investigators more details that have indicted the former Minister, Sadiya and some DGs under the ministry, and they may be brought in anytime soon too.”
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs oversees eight agencies, including the National Social Investment Office, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internationally Displaced Persons.
Umar-Farouq served as the inaugural Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
Documents obtained by The PUNCH disclosed Okwete’s transactions following the fund reception, including transferring N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrawing N540 million in cash, purchasing luxury cars amounting to N288,348,600, and acquiring luxury properties in Abuja and Enugu State valued at N2,195,115,000.”
Additionally, he is connected to 143 bank accounts across 12 commercial banks, consisting of 134 corporate accounts affiliated with various companies.
NEWS
BREAKING: Again, Dangote Cuts Petrol Price To N835 per Litre

In a fresh move to ease pump prices and support supply stability, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again slashed the ex-depot price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to N835 per litre.
This marks a N30 reduction from the N865 per litre price introduced just six days ago, and a total drop of N45 from the N880 per litre rate it sold at last Wednesday — representing a 3.5 per cent decrease.
The latest adjustment, which was confirmed via a customer notice on Wednesday morning, brings the refinery’s total number of price cuts to three in less than six weeks, underscoring its push to offer more competitive rates amid shifting market conditions.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Dangote Refinery Cuts Petrol Price To N865 Per Litre
The new pricing structure, according to the Pro forma invoice and data verified on petroleumprice.ng, already includes all statutory charges from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Industry analysts had earlier hinted at a possible price slash following a drop in the landing cost of imported petrol, which fell to N853 per litre as of Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in a bid to boost nationwide fuel availability, marketers have secured regulatory clearance to import 117,000 metric tonnes — roughly 156.9 million litres — of petrol between April 8 and 16, 2025.
The import volumes were confirmed through documents obtained from the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN).
More to follow………
NEWS
Plateau Attacks Are Cruel, Unjustified And Intolerable – Tambuwal

Senator Aminu Tambuwal, a former Governor of Sokoto State and current representative of Sokoto South, has condemned the ongoing violent attacks in Plateau State, describing the killings and destruction as both “cruel” and “unjustified.”
In a statement posted on his official X handle on Wednesday, Tambuwal expressed deep concern over the spate of violence that has devastated several communities and left many families mourning.
“I strongly condemn the recent wave of horrific killings and destruction across communities in Plateau State. These senseless attacks are cruel, unjustified, and must never be tolerated,” he said.
READ MORE: ‘Plateau Must Not Become A Killing Field’— Kwankwaso Mourns Victims, Seeks Justice
The former governor extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and all those displaced by the violence, noting that the current situation marks a “painful and trying time” for the affected communities.
Tambuwal went on to challenge the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigerian lives and property.
He also urged security agencies to step up efforts in halting the attacks and ensuring those responsible face justice.
“The Federal Government must live up to its primary responsibility. I urge the security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. The perpetrators must be brought to justice. We cannot allow Nigeria to continue on this dangerous path of violence and impunity,” he warned.
The senator’s statement comes amid rising national anxiety over recurring security breaches in Plateau and other states, fueling calls for stronger and more effective interventions from authorities.
NEWS
Nigeria Bleeds While You Retreat — Obi Slams Tinubu Over Insecurity

The Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend his ongoing retreat in France and return to Nigeria to address the worsening insecurity across the country.
Obi, who raised the alarm on Wednesday via a post on his X handle, expressed concern over the spate of killings in different parts of the country since the president embarked on his trip abroad.
According to him, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to violent attacks within the two weeks of Tinubu’s absence.
READ ALSO: 2027: Okpebholo Banks On Edo, Delta States To Swing Tinubu’s Reelection
He highlighted recent attacks in Plateau and Borno States, where armed groups reportedly killed several residents, and also pointed to the resurgence of insurgency in the North East.
“I am compelled at this time in our lives as a nation to call on our retreating President’s attention to the security challenges at home, which entails that he immediately suspend his ongoing retreat in a foreign land and come home to address the overwhelming security situation across the country,” Obi wrote.
He also stressed that the security breakdown was not limited to any one region, citing incidents in the Niger Delta, the North East, and the South East.
“In the 2 weeks you have been away, over 150 Nigerians have lost their lives to insecurity across Nigeria, especially in Plateau and Zamfara states. The repeated pipeline explosions in the Niger Delta, further reflect a nation in distress. In the North East, Borno state leaders are bemoaning the return of insurgency with troops and civilians being killed randomly. In the South East, the story is the same: killings and abduction,” he stated.
Obi criticized the president’s decision to hold a retreat abroad while the country grapples with security and governance issues.
“Amid all these, the CEO of the troubling company called Nigeria is retreating far away land in France from the Company’s headquarters.
“The primary duty of any government is securing the lives and property of its citizens and one wonders the type of retreat going on in another country where peace has been secured by their leaders while blood continues to flow in our country,” Obi added.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for responsible leadership and urgent action, calling on President Tinubu to return home and confront the issues.
“The fight for a better Nigeria is not about individuals; it is about ensuring that every citizen can see, feel, and benefit from the policies and decisions of those in power.
“I, therefore like to urge Mr President to quickly suspend whatever he is doing in France and rush home to take responsibility by addressing these disturbing issues. That is the new Nigeria that the nation seeks. A New Nigeria is Possible. -PO,” he wrote.