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BARC Farm: Stop Hiding Greed Behind Politics, PVD Tells Kefas Ropshik
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The Plateau Vanguard for Democracy, PVD, has taken Chief Kefas Ropshik, popularly known as Kefiano, to task over the controversy surrounding land allocation at the Agricultural Services and Training Centre, ASTC, BARC Farm, accusing him of attempting to politicise what it described as a clear case of violation of government policy and due process.
In a strongly worded reaction, the group, through its national coordinator, Chris Ishaku, said the clarification issued by the management of ASTC had exposed the attempt by Ropshik to present himself as a victim when, in reality, the issue bordered on compliance, fairness and the equitable distribution of public agricultural resources.
According to PVD, it was disturbing that a man who claims to be a champion of the people would seek to hold on to land already earmarked for youth groups and other beneficiaries under Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s agricultural empowerment programme.
The group said the controversy should not be reduced to politics, stressing that the BARC Farm remains a public asset designed to create opportunities for thousands of Plateau citizens, not a private estate to be cornered by politically exposed individuals.
“The facts are now clear. Chief Kefas Ropshik was allocated 100 hectares of land for the 2025 farming season under conditions that applied to every other participant.
Government cleared the land for him at no cost, gave him access to equipment and supported cultivation activities.
But instead of respecting the limits of his allocation, he allegedly extended his operations into another 100 hectares without authorisation,” Ishaku said.
PVD noted that the state government, through ASTC, had shown good faith by not disrupting Ropshik’s activities during the 2025 farming season, even after he moved beyond his approved allocation. The group said that gesture should have been appreciated, not abused.
It added that the additional 100 hectares had already been earmarked for other beneficiaries under the 2026 farming framework, especially youth groups expected to benefit from the government’s renewed drive to expand agricultural opportunities.
PVD said it was within this vision that the government mapped out 1,000 hectares for the 2026 farming season and divided them into 200 units of five hectares each for allocation to 200 youth groups, with each group made up of five members. It also noted that about 200 hand tillers had been procured to support the beneficiaries.
The group said any attempt by one individual to frustrate such a programme in the name of personal ambition or political grievance should be resisted by well-meaning Plateau citizens.
“What Chief Ropshik is doing is not activism. It is not people-oriented politics. It is not defence of the common man. If land that should go to 200 youth groups is being encroached upon by one man, then Plateau people must ask: who is really standing with the people?” PVD asked.
The group also faulted what it described as Ropshik’s attempt to drag Governor Mutfwang into an administrative matter, insisting that the governor’s only interest is to ensure that BARC Farm is used productively for the benefit of the people.
PVD said the claim of political persecution was weak and unconvincing, especially as ASTC made it clear that Ropshik was neither denied access to the 100 hectares legitimately allocated to him nor barred from applying for additional land through proper channels.
“At no point was Chief Ropshik stopped from farming on the land properly allocated to him. At no point was he denied access to agricultural opportunity. At no point was any action taken against him because of politics.
The issue is that he allegedly moved beyond the land given to him and entered an area already reserved for other citizens. He should answer that instead of playing politics,” Ishaku said.
PVD said Ropshik’s attempt to portray the matter as a political attack was not fitting for someone who presents himself as a defender of the people, adding that true leadership begins with discipline, restraint and respect for public institutions.
“It is even more disappointing that a man who does not have a solid political platform is trying to build relevance by attacking a government policy designed to empower the people. You cannot claim to speak for Plateau youths while standing in the way of land allocated to Plateau youths. That contradiction is too obvious to be ignored,” the group said.
PVD urged Ropshik to respect the 100 hectares allocated to him and apply formally if he genuinely requires additional land. It also commended ASTC management for clarifying the matter and insisting on transparency in the administration of the farm.
The group called on Plateau citizens to support the agricultural transformation policy of the Mutfwang administration, saying the revival of BARC Farm could become one of the strongest vehicles for job creation, food production and rural economic development in the state.
“For us, this is not about Kefiano. It is about whether public resources will be shared fairly or captured by a few.
The Mutfwang administration is trying to open the door for young people, host communities and ordinary farmers to benefit from BARC Farm. Any attempt to block that door must be rejected,” PVD said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned political parties that any primary election conducted outside the commission’s May 30 deadline remains invalid, unless a higher court overturns an earlier Federal High Court judgment on the matter.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, made the disclosure in a chat with The Punch.
He advised that political parties would have to continue to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 pending the determination of the commission’s appeal before the Court of Appeal.
Haruna stated: “Obviously, for now, any primary held outside INEC’s May 30 deadline will be invalid unless the Court of Appeal overturns the Federal High Court judgment in INEC’s appeal against the ruling that the timetable breached the Electoral Act 2026 in some of its provisions.
“In other words, for now, the political parties are better advised to be guided by the existing Act.”
The INEC commissioner’s position follows the ongoing legal dispute over the commission’s timetable for party primaries and candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general election.
A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment, had nullified aspects of INEC’s electoral guidelines and schedule put in place for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Umar, delivering judgment in a suit filed by the Youth Party against INEC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, held that the commission could not lawfully shorten the timelines provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
The court also held that INEC could not abridge timelines already provided under the Electoral Act 2026, noting that the electoral body acted outside its statutory powers under the Electoral Act 2026.
process would be invalid unless it had the consent of all parties involved.
Fagge stressed that no aspirant should be denied a fair opportunity due to procedural lapses or electoral irregularities.
Haruna’s latest clarification on the INEC deadline, however, suggested that, pending the outcome of the appeal, political parties risk having any primary election conducted outside the May 30 deadline.
The Anambra State Government has arraigned eight clerics before a court over allegations of fraudulent religious activities and violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law of 2025, marking a significant step in Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s campaign against what he describes as spiritual deception in the state.
The accused persons were brought before the court on Thursday following a crackdown launched by the state government against individuals allegedly involved in exploiting citizens through false religious claims and deceptive practices.
The prosecution is being led by the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tobechukwu Nweke, according to reports.
Those arraigned include Peter Chukwu, Chinedu Egwuonwu, Emeka Nwankpa, Ebele Nnachukwu, Ekeleme Chris Ugochukwu, Ndubisi Nnachukwu, Miracle Iruoma, and Chukwukadibia Ogwuama.
The court proceedings follow a series of investigations and enforcement actions initiated by the administration of Chukwuma Soludo, who has repeatedly expressed concern over the activities of individuals allegedly using religion as a tool to defraud members of the public.
Speaking recently in Awka, the governor disclosed that some of the suspects had already been taken into custody and were cooperating with investigators. He claimed that preliminary findings and confessions had provided useful insights into the operations of the alleged religious fraud network.
Soludo accused the suspects of promoting what he termed “salvation without the cross,” a phrase he used to describe teachings and practices that allegedly promise instant prosperity and miracles while taking advantage of vulnerable people seeking solutions to personal and economic challenges.
According to the governor, the prosecution forms part of his administration’s broader effort to build a “New Anambra” anchored on integrity, accountability, and social responsibility. He argued that tackling fraudulent religious activities is essential to protecting citizens and strengthening the moral foundation of society.
The governor also called on religious and political leaders to demonstrate courage and commitment to genuine societal transformation. He stressed that sustainable development can only be achieved when leaders prioritize honesty, hard work, and ethical values over the pursuit of quick wealth and personal gain.
The case is expected to test the implementation of the Anambra Homeland Security Law and could set a precedent for future actions against individuals accused of using religion as a cover for criminal activities in the state.
The court is expected to continue hearing the matter in the coming weeks.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released a new list of the top 10 most wanted fraudsters in America.
The individuals are wanted in connection with multibillion-dollar fraud cases.
In a statement on Thursday, the FBI “announced the launch of its Most Wanted Fraudsters List, a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.”
list of fraudsters wanted for multibillion-dollar fraud
The released list included Herbert Kimble, who is wanted for healthcare fraud of $1.2 billion, and Michael Lizaso Marasigan, who is wanted for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business involving $34 million.
Rodney Dean Allen is wanted for wire fraud of $7.3 million; Christopher Burns is wanted for mail fraud involving $10 million; John Michael Dimitrion is wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million, while Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is also wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million.
Said Abdullahi Ereg is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $4.2 million, while Elaine Angene Escoe is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $32 million.
The FBI also offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of longtime friends Carnell E. Sledge and Katherine C. Brown.
Kash Patel, FBI Director, at a press conference on Thursday said, “I want all Americans to take a look at these most wanted individuals and look at the amounts, the tens of millions and billions of dollars in fraud, that they have decimated our societies from.”
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday released a new list of the top 10 most wanted fraudsters in America. The individuals are wanted in connection with multibillion-dollar fraud cases.
In a statement on Thursday, the FBI “announced the launch of its Most Wanted Fraudsters List, a new wanted list dedicated to publicly identifying individuals charged with defrauding the American people.”
list of fraudsters wanted for multibillion-dollar fraud
The released list included Herbert Kimble, who is wanted for healthcare fraud of $1.2 billion, and Michael Lizaso Marasigan, who is wanted for conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business involving $34 million.
Rodney Dean Allen is wanted for wire fraud of $7.3 million; Christopher Burns is wanted for mail fraud involving $10 million; John Michael Dimitrion is wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million, while Julieanne Baldueza Dimitrion is also wanted for mortgage fraud of $1.3 million.
Said Abdullahi Ereg is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $4.2 million, while Elaine Angene Escoe is wanted for wire fraud and money laundering involving $32 million.
The FBI also offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the deaths of longtime friends Carnell E. Sledge and Katherine C. Brown.
Kash Patel, FBI Director, at a press conference on Thursday said, “I want all Americans to take a look at these most wanted individuals and look at the amounts, the tens of millions and billions of dollars in fraud, that they have decimated our societies from.”
2027: INEC nullifies primaries held after May 30
Just in: Gov Soludo Drags 8 Anambra Pastors To Court Over Fake Miracles, Religious Scam
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