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Senate threatens warrant of arrest against Akpabio, NDDC Sole Administrator over Non- payment of N2.2billion Contract fees

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Senate Delegation to visit Ekweremadu in UK

John Akubo

The Senate through its Committee on Ethics , Privileges and Public Petitions, threatened to issue warrant of arrest against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Sole Administrator of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr Effiong Okon Akwa over non – payment of N2.2billion Contract .

The duo according to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics , Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Ayo Akinyelure ( PDP Ondo Central), must appear before the Committee unfailingly on April 12, 2022 by 2pm.

Failure to comply he said the senate may have no option but to issue a warrant of arrest against the duo having failed to honour the committee’s summons in the past.
Senator Akinyelure who briefed the press on the summons, said the committee had written several letters of invitation to Akpabio and NDDC Sole Administrator on petitions against them without any response from them let alone honouring the invitation.

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“It shouldn’t be business as usual, Akpabio and the NDDC Sole Administrator must appear before the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee failure of which will lead to issuance of Warrant of Arrest on them.

“The Committee wants to believe that as far as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is concerned, break down in communication must have caused his non – appearance before the Committee because as a Senator, he should know the implication of that.

“This press briefing is being done to solve the perceived communication breakdown between the Committee and his office. If our letters are not delivered to him, he will read and hear about the invitation in the media.” he said .
The summon he explained, is hinged on petitions filed against Akpabio and NDDC Administrator by Akom Survey Services Limited over alleged non – payment of fees for Survey carried out in the Nine Niger Delta States based on N2.2billion contractual agreement with the NDDC .

He said the petitioners totalling seven different companies, lamented in their petitions that non – payment for the services rendered, is pushing them into insolvency arising from unbearable Interests on loans secured from the banks.

“Aside the N2.2billion contract yet to be paid to the seven companies by NDDC, there is an outstanding of N6.25billion contracts yet to be paid to affected companies and N2.5billion job racketeering scandal.
“Petitions on all these against the NDDC and by extension, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs , are before the Committee which must be thoroughly investigated as mandated by the Senate. “he added.

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Gov Uba Sani Hands Over Land Titles to Displaced Residents of Nine Kaduna Communities

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Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has handed over land titles to displaced residents of nine communities in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area, to enable them to rebuild their homes and regain shelter.

The Kaduna State Ministry of Information and Culture disclosed the development on Sunday, October 18, 2026, describing the exercise as an intervention aimed at helping displaced residents rebuild their homes.

According to the ministry, each beneficiary is being allocated a plot of land to support resettlement and provide shelter for affected residents.

SEE ALSO: Kaduna Moves to Clear 5-Year Promotion Backlog for 24,000 Teachers

“ He is officially handing over land titles, giving each person a plot of land to rebuild their homes and regain shelter,” the ministry’s announcement stated.

The ministry also noted that Governor Sani had continued to support displaced communities across Kaduna State since assuming office.

The latest exercise focuses on nine communities in Igabi Local Government Area, with the allocation of land intended to help affected residents rebuild their homes and regain stability.

The development comes amid previous reports concerning land disputes and displacement affecting communities in Kaduna State.

In September 2026, reports indicated that the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) had resolved more than 5,000 land disputes and restored over 150 property titles.

The agency also reported that alternative plots had been provided to some communities affected by previous demolitions.

 

 

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JUST IN: Presidency Rejects Makinde’s Claim of ₦250bn NLNG Dividends for Each State

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The Presidency has rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government is withholding ₦250 billion in Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) dividends for each state, describing the allegation as false and inconsistent with the company’s historical dividend payments.

The rebuttal was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

Makinde had alleged that the Federal Government would not release the funds until after the 2027 general elections, despite states having identified development projects for which the money was expected.

ALSO READ: “Makinde Never Owed Salary Despite FAAC Changes” — APM Chieftain Adelore

The governor made the claim on Friday at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Engagement held at Olola Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

“Each state was supposed to get ₦250 billion. We had already identified projects that would expand Oyo State’s economy. But they have now said the money will not be paid until after the election. Is the election more important than the people of Nigeria?” Makinde said.

However, the Presidency disputed the governor’s figures, arguing that the amount he cited would require an exceptionally large dividend payment from NLNG.

“Makinde’s latest claim that the Federal Government is withholding the NLNG dividend windfall is false and should be disregarded,” Onanuga stated.

According to the presidential aide, paying ₦250 billion to each of Nigeria’s 36 states would amount to ₦9 trillion, excluding the Federal Government, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government councils.

He explained that under the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue-sharing formula, states receive 26.72 per cent of distributable Federation Account revenue.

Onanuga said NLNG would have to pay more than ₦33.68 trillion, equivalent to approximately $25 billion, into the Federation Account in a single declaration for the states’ share alone to reach ₦9 trillion.

“NLNG has never paid $25 billion in dividends to the Federation Account in a single payout,” he said.

The Presidency also stated that NLNG had paid approximately $21.5 billion in dividends to the Federation over the past 25 years, with less than $3 billion realised since Tinubu assumed office.

Onanuga argued that these figures contradicted the allegation that a single dividend payment exceeding the company’s total historical distribution to the Federation was being withheld.

“Therefore, any claim that a single payout exceeds the company’s entire lifetime distribution to the Federation—and is being withheld—defies basic logic and economic reality,” he stated.

The presidential aide further criticised Makinde’s public statements, accusing the governor of making misleading claims since embarking on his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We expect Governor Makinde to be more measured in his public conduct and utterances,” Onanuga said.

He also recalled Makinde’s previous description of the substantial financial allocations from the Federation Account to states, including Oyo, as “voodoo.”

While acknowledging that Makinde was free under Nigerian law to pursue his presidential ambition, Onanuga urged him to avoid what the Presidency described as false claims and disinformation.

“Under Nigerian law, Governor Makinde is free to pursue his presidential ambition. He should desist from making falsehoods and disinformation the hallmarks of his campaign,” he stated.

The Presidency urged Nigerians to disregard the governor’s allegation, arguing that it could mislead citizens and create unnecessary hostility towards the Federal Government.

“We urge the public to disregard these unfounded claims, which serve only to mislead citizens and stoke needless disaffection against the Federal authorities,” Onanuga added.

 

 

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Sowore Challenges Okonjo-Iweala to Name Those Behind Alleged $2.4bn Subsidy Fraud

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Okonjo-Iweala Narrates Encounter With Ruthless Fuel Subsidy Cabal

The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has challenged the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to identify the individuals and companies allegedly involved in the $2.4 billion oil subsidy fraud she said she uncovered while serving as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance.

Sowore made the demand in a statement posted on X on Sunday, questioning the evidence supporting the alleged fraud and its reported connection to the kidnapping of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother in 2012.

SEE ALSO: 2027: No New Taxes Under My Gov’t If Elected – Sowore Clarifies

His response followed reports of an interview in which Okonjo-Iweala recounted how her efforts to uncover an alleged $2.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud led to threats against her and the abduction of her mother, Kamene Okonjo.

The initial report, published by Nigerian media outlets on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, followed Okonjo-Iweala’s account of the incident and her experience fighting corruption while serving in government.

In his response, Sowore questioned the identities of those allegedly responsible for the fraud and the availability of documentary evidence supporting the claims.

“During her two terms at the center of Nigeria’s economic management, who exactly did she discover was responsible for this multibillion-dollar subsidy fraud?” he asked.

He also demanded details of the companies and individuals allegedly implicated, as well as the findings of investigations into the matter.

“Which companies and individuals were implicated? Where are the audit findings, investigation reports and records of prosecution?” Sowore queried.

The AAC presidential candidate also criticised Okonjo-Iweala’s book, Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous, in which she recounted the kidnapping and linked it to her anti-corruption efforts.

Sowore argued that the book did not provide evidence identifying those responsible for the alleged fraud or explaining what happened to the money.

He further questioned the evidence connecting the alleged subsidy fraud investigation to the kidnapping of Okonjo-Iweala’s mother.

According to Sowore, police records, prosecution records and judicial findings concerning the kidnapping pointed to the alleged involvement of palace guards, relatives and domestic workers.

He maintained that the circumstances surrounding the incident should be examined using verifiable evidence, rather than accepting or dismissing competing accounts without proper scrutiny.

Sowore also questioned why, according to his understanding, Okonjo-Iweala had not publicly challenged the police’s account of the kidnapping or demanded a fresh, independent investigation.

He criticised Bloomberg Television journalist Francine Lacqua over her handling of Okonjo-Iweala’s account, arguing that further verification was necessary.

Returning to the central issue, Sowore asked: “Who stole the alleged $2.4 billion?”

He also demanded to know where the audit findings were, which companies and individuals were implicated, what became of the investigations and what evidence established a direct connection between the alleged fraud and the kidnapping.

 

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