News
Renovation: Tinubu, Shettima’s official quarters to gulp N6.36bn
The Federal Government has allocated a total of N6,364,181,224 billion for the renovation and rehabilitation of the residential quarters of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and some of their aides in the 2025 budget proposal.
Sunday PUNCH’s analysis of the proposed allocation, contained in the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly, showed that the annual maintenance of the Presidential Villa would gulp N5.49bn.
According to the proposed budget, N765m will be used for the renovation of the Vice President’s quarters and guest house.
The renovation of the president’s quarters at the State House will cost N6.39m, while the renovation of security quarters, auditorium, gymnasium and presidential aides’ quarters will cost N49m.
In addition, the renovation of Prescott barracks at Maple State House officers’ mess building and signal office in Asokoro, Abuja will cost N51m.
Further analysis of the budget revealed that Tinubu and his vice are also expected to have N87m as honorarium and sitting allowances, while N127m was allocated for the procurement of SUVs.
Also, N3.66bn was budgeted for the purchase of State House operational vehicles and N1,09bn will be spent on replacement of SUV vehicles at the State House.
Under the budget of the State House Lagos Liaison Office, there is an allocation of N14.72m for the routine maintenance of State House Lagos facilities (Dodan Barracks, Vice President guest houses at Ikoyi, among others).
Another N140.10m was allocated for the completion of renovation and furnishing of the State House annex (Dodan Barracks), Lagos.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is planning to spend N1.83bn on converting forfeited properties from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission into State House quarters.
The plan to convert forfeited houses from the EFCC comes in the same month that the commission disclosed the recovery of an estate in the Lokogoma District of Abuja, measuring 150,500 square metres and containing 753 units of duplexes and other apartments.
The commission described this as its “single largest asset recovery” since its inception in 2003.
The estate rests on Plot 109 Cadastral Zone C09 of the district, and was forfeited in a ruling on Monday, December 2, 2024, by Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
(Punch)
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
Court Fixes Ruling Date In High-Profile Godwin Emefiele Trial
Awujale Stool: Police Again Summon Kingmakers Over Alleged Bribery in Selection Process
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