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Reps Tell APC Chieftain Lukman, “Speak To issues Not Criticize”

Published

2 years ago

July 3, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has lashed back at the former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman on his recent negative comments of the National Assembly.

In a statement by the House Deputy Chairman Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Philip Agbese, sternly warned Lukeman to desist from what it called his needless criticism of the National Assembly, and instead, speak to issues of national importance.

The House warning followed a statement issued by Lukman on Tuesday, July 2, where he said that the 10th Assembly as a failure.

The statement reads, “Partly because of the faint or almost complete absence of courageous voices in the National Assembly, the President and the members of the executive body of government are practically getting away with virtually every wrong decision that is injurious to the wellbeing of Nigerian citizens.

“A good example is the impulsive declaration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end petroleum subsidy without any clear plan, followed by another impulsive decision to float the naira exchange rate against other international currencies with hardly any plan.

“How did we get to this abysmally low level of legislative practice whereby it can almost be said that in Nigeria, democracy equates to darkness? Without going into details, combinations of many factors, which have taken place over the last 25 years are responsible.

“Some of the factors include the reality whereby systematically, the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly have been downgraded to the status of appointees of the President.

“That was largely made possible by the fact that the party machinery or organs, which are supposed to serve as the platforms for negotiations have been weakened and also subordinated to the President.”

The remarks of the former APC chieftain did not sit well with the legislative chamber as Agbese while reacting to Lukman’s statement, described the ex-stalwart of the ruling party as a man looking for political relevance.

“Lukman is advised to retrace his steps and embrace constructive criticism and restraint expected of an elder statesman,” Agbese said in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday.

The statement further read, “Salihu Lukman’s persistent attempts to assert relevance in the political sphere have led him to unfairly criticise the esteemed leadership of the National Assembly, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

“Lukman’s baseless accusations against the National Assembly are regrettable diversions from the genuine challenges facing our nation. Those who thrive on anarchy and discord are the true obstacles to national cohesion and progress. Instead of responsibly addressing national issues, Lukman focuses on undermining dedicated leaders who are committed to serving the nation.

“Known for his rigid and self-righteous stance, Lukman often positions himself as the sole arbiter of truth, dismissing alternative viewpoints. This inflexibility hinders meaningful dialogue and constructive engagement. We urge Lukman to refrain from dragging Senate President Akpabio and Speaker Abbas into his disputes, as the National Assembly has no role in dispensing patronage to disgruntled political operatives.”

Agbese also questioned Lukman’s public office records, stressing that his “Consistent political failures, including his lacklustre tenure in various positions and his difficulty in maintaining relationships within political circles,” were partly responsible for his resignation as Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum and as National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress.”

According to him, “The 10th Assembly remains committed to its constitutional mandate of holding the executive accountable while advocating for constructive engagement over unnecessary conflict. Disagreements with the executive are approached with patriotism and the nation’s best interests in mind. Unproductive friction between branches of government serves no purpose and undermines our nation’s progress.

“The National Assembly is open to constructive criticisms and feedback from well-meaning Nigerians, as we uphold our commitment to serving the nation with integrity and diligence.”

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FCT minister Wike hosts Ambassadors, High Commissioners designate in his official residence(Video)

Published

40 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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The Federal Capital Territory FCT minister Nyesom Wike is presently hosting Ambassadors and High Commissioners designate in Abuja official residence.

Watch:

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EFCC re-arraigns Bauchi Accountant-General, BDC operator over N1.63bn fraud case

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Admin

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja, and an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprises, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The duo were re-arraigned on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, on an amended five-count charge bordering on the conversion of public funds belonging to the Bauchi State Government and money laundering to the tune of N1,635,270,350.9k (One billion, six hundred and thirty-five million, two hundred and seventy thousand, three hundred and fifty naira, nine kobo).

DAILY POST reports that they were earlier arraigned on April 7, 2025, with Jaja as the first defendant, while Abubakar was the second.

However, in the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJCR/101/2025, dated January 5, 2026, and filed on the same date, Abubakar, trading under the name of Jasfad Resources Enterprises, became the first defendant and Jaja the second.

Early in the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution had filed a second amended charge and prayed the court for the defendants to take their plea.

Count two of the charge reads, “That you Aliyu Abubakar (trading under the name and style of “Jasfad Resources Enterprises,” a purported Bureau de Change operator), Sirajo Muhammad Jaja (Accountant General of
Bauchi State), Abubakar Muhammad Hafiz (at large), between 29 October, 2024 and 31st December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Million, One hundred and Fifty four thousand, Three hundred and Thirty seven Naira, Two kobo (N1, 290,154,337.2) of public funds, belonging to Bauchi State Government which you transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1018819396 into the bank account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Count three reads; “That you Aliyu Abubakar (trading under the name and style of “Jasfad Resources Enterprises,” a purported Bureau de Change operator), Sirajo Muhammad Jaja (Accountant General of Bauchi State), Abubakar Muhammad Hafiz (at large), Ari Manga (at large), and Muhammad Aminu Bose (at large), between 3rd January, 2025 and 14th March 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of Four hundred and twenty-six million, One hundred and sixteen Thousand, Thirteen Naira, Seven kobo (N426, 116,013.7) of the public funds, belonging to Bauchi State Government which you transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account, domiciled in the United Bank for Africa with account number 1018819396 into bank account of Jasfad Enterprise, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660 and thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, following which counsel to the first and second defendants, Gordy Uche, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN, respectively, applied for the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by the court, which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel.

The first defendant’s counsel further moved a motion challenging the competence of the charge and asked the judge to strike out counts two, three, four and five for allegedly being a duplicity of action and to save the defendants from suffering double jeopardy.
This found support from counsel to the second defendant, Chris Uche, SAN, while it faced opposition from the prosecution counsel.

The court, however, reserved a ruling on the contention until the end of trial, citing Section 395 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

In continuation of the trial, the prosecution called its first witness, Prosecution Witness One (PW1), Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) with 20 years’ experience.

She informed the court that the bank, in February 2025, received a request from the EFCC for details of some of its clients.

“The request asked for the bank statements of Jaspa Resources account, Bauchi State Sub-treasury account and the documents were printed and copies given to EFCC,” she said.

The banker, who said that the documents were certified by her, tendered them through the prosecution, and they were admitted in evidence by the court and marked as exhibits.

Although the defence lawyers raised an objection, they said their objection would be expounded in their written addresses.

Further in her testimony, PW1 narrated to the court how money running into multi-million naira, belonging to Bauchi State, was allegedly moved from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account number: 1018819396 to Jasfad Resources Enterprises account number: 1023444660, domiciled in UBA.

She told the court that on October 29, 2024, there was a debit transfer from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account to Jasfad Resources to the tune of N13,144,500. Also that “On October 29, 2024, we have a debit transfer of 1N7,196,300. On October 30, 2024 there were two debit transfers from Bauchi Sub-treasury account to Jasfad Resources Enterprise, first for N50 million and the second for N7, 321,000,” he said.

The witness further disclosed that there were 18 other instances, on different dates within the period, when transfers were made from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account to Jasfad Resources.

Following the conclusion of PW1’s evidence-in-chief, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until 12 May for continuation of trial.

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Security operatives foil bandit attack in Katsina

Published

7 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Admin

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Security operatives have foiled a bandit attack on a community watch and hunters’ base in Sukunkumi village, Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security sources said the incident occurred around 7:30 pm on March 26, when about 15 heavily armed bandits on motorcycles attempted to overrun the facility.

According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the sources said security teams quickly moved to the area and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes.

The sources added that three motorcycles were recovered at the scene, including two that had earlier been taken from hunters during the clash.

They further stated that a Community Watch member, Yusuf Ibrahim, 30, sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg and was taken to General Hospital Kankia for treatment.

The sources also said patrols and clearance operations have been stepped up in the area to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks.