News
Reps Launch Probe into Petrol User Charge for Road Maintenance
By Gloria Ikibah
“The establishment of this Committee is not only timely but also necessary. Over the years, the National Assembly has taken several legislative measures to ensure compliance with the statutory provisions governing this charge. Unfortunately, all such efforts have been met with persistent non-compliance,” Waive stated.
He expressed displeasure over the poor state of road infrastructure despite the existence of the user charge, which was designed to provide sustainable funding for road maintenance, and assured thay the committee would ensure full accountability for the funds.
“This investigation is not a witch-hunt but a constitutional responsibility bestowed upon the House of Representatives. Section 88 of the 1999 Constitution empowers us to conduct investigations into public funds and expose any corruption, inefficiency, or waste,” he added.
As part of the probe, the committee will engage relevant government agencies, independent auditors, civil society organizations, and industry experts to ensure full disclosure and accountability.
Where necessary, legislative and administrative recommendations will be made to address any identified anomalies.
Rep. Waive reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to carrying out its assignment with diligence and in the best interest of Nigerians. He also thanked the Speaker of the House for his support in establishing the committee.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, highlighted the concerns of the House over the persistent non-compliance with the statutory remittance of the charge, which has negatively impacted road maintenance efforts in the country.
He noted that the committee was set up following a motion adopted on March 19, which exposed government agencies’ failure to enforce and remit the funds as required by law.
“Section 14(1)(h) of the FERMA Amendment Act 2007 stipulates that 5% of the pump price of petrol and diesel should be allocated to FERMA and State Maintenance Agencies in the proportion of 40% and 60%, respectively. However, despite repeated oversight efforts by the National Assembly, compliance has remained elusive,” he stated.
The Speaker emphasised that the investigation would focus on determining the extent of the violation, identifying those responsible, and quantifying the amount of unremitted funds since the law came into effect.
He urged the committee to conduct a thorough and fair inquiry, free of bias or political undertones.
“This investigative hearing should make strong recommendations on how to prevent further violations and streamline the remittance process to ensure that funds are accessible to the appropriate government agencies,” Tajudeen added.
He assured the committee of the full support of the House leadership as they carry out their assignment and expressed confidence in their ability to deliver a comprehensive report that would inform further legislative actions.
The refinery announced the increase on Wednesday, hiking the the price from N1,200 to N1,275 per litre.
In the same way, coastal prices have gone up to N1,215 per litre.
This adjustment amid Brent crude trading at $114.80 per barrel marks a 3.15% increase.
Recall that the Brent crude has increased to $115 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate rose to $103 per barrel on Wednesday.
News
Unbelievable: Police say officer who publicly executed handcuffed Delta man was under “spiritual attack”
The Nigeria Police Force has claimed that the extrajudicial killing of a handcuffed suspect by Officer Usman Nuhu in Delta State to potential spiritual forces, a statement that has sparked widespread outrage and disbelief across the country.
“I will start with the issue at hand, which is a very sad issue.
” There is no explanation for this. I don’t just get what was wrong with that policeman (Mr Nuhu),” Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, said in an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday.
“Police cannot attribute problems to spirituality, but that may not be far from it. Because that’s the only explanation one can give to what he did,” Edafe added.
The shocking statement comes days after a viral video sighted showed Officer Usman Nuhu executing a handcuffed suspect in broad daylight along the Warri–Sapele Expressway in Effurun, Delta State.
The victim has been identified as Mene Ogidi, a young man who had been apprehended for allegedly attempting to waybill a parcel containing a Beretta pistol with four rounds of ammunition.
In the graphic video, the handcuffed suspect was seen begging for his life, shouting, “I will talk! I will take you to the person who gave me the waybill!”
Despite his pleas, Officer Nuhu was seen taking a magazine from a fellow policeman, inserting it into his AK-47 rifle, and shooting the suspect at close range. The victim died instantly.
The police spokesperson’s suggestion of a spiritual explanation has been met with widespread condemnation from human rights activists, legal experts, and ordinary Nigerians who view it as an attempt to deflect responsibility from the officer’s actions.
Many have pointed out that the police force had already condemned the killing and transferred Officer Nuhu to Force Headquarters in Abuja to face the Force Disciplinary Committee for summary disciplinary measures and prosecution.
The Inspector-General of Police had also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and assured them that justice would be served.
However, the latest statement from the Delta Command appears to contradict the earlier stance of the Force Headquarters, raising questions about whether the police are seriously pursuing accountability or seeking supernatural excuses for extrajudicial killings.
The police have nabbed two suspected human trafficking operatives in connection with the alleged removal of the womb of a 19-year-old girl in a disturbing case of gender-based violence and organ trafficking.
Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, made the disclosure on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, during the Command’s first quarter press briefing, where he outlined operational achievements from February to date.
According to a report filed on April 3, 2026, at about 5:30pm., a woman from Ekpan community in Uvwie local government area raised alarm after her teenage daughter returned home in a visibly deteriorated state of health.
The victim, who had been residing with her father in Okpaka, reportedly visited her mother in Ekpan, where concerns about her condition prompted questioning.
In her account, the 19-year-old disclosed that in September 2025, she and two friends were introduced to a woman identified as Blessing Mongo, 47, who allegedly linked them to another suspect, Esther, 32.
The suspects reportedly facilitated their movement under the pretext of travelling to Ivory Coast.
The victim alleged that shortly after arriving in Ivory Coast, she was injected with an unknown substance and subsequently taken to a hospital.
Upon regaining consciousness, she discovered that her abdomen had been surgically treated.
She further claimed that she was later returned to Nigeria and abandoned in Lagos before finding her way back to Delta State.
Following the report, police operatives arrested two suspects, Blessing Mongo and Esther, while investigations commenced.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more detailed probe.
Medical examination conducted as part of the investigation reportedly confirmed that the victim’s womb had been removed without her consent, raising serious concerns over an alleged organ trafficking operation.
Police authorities confirmed that the two suspects remain in custody as investigations continue, with efforts ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the case.
The police assured the public that justice would be pursued and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly those involving human trafficking and exploitation.
Just in: Dangote Refinery jerks up price of fuel
Unbelievable: Police say officer who publicly executed handcuffed Delta man was under “spiritual attack”
Police nab suspects over alleged removal of 19-yr-old girl’s womb
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