Metro
EFCC to invite Ondo Speaker over N200m for phone calls, investigates N11.5b allocation to finance ministry
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started investigating the allocation of N11.5 billion as a security vote for the Ondo State Ministry of Finance in this year’s budget.
Vanguard gathered that personnel of the EFCC have arrived in the state to verify the budget details.
The leadership of the State Assembly would soon be summoned to provide further insights into the budget’s passage, particularly the N11.5 billion allocation for the Finance Ministry as a security vote.
The allocation of N11.5b and others for the finance ministry has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the state’s financial management regime.
Also, in the Ministry of Finance 2025 budget, an additional allocation of N250 million was budgeted for honorarium and sitting allowances and N1.5 billion for contingencies.
Recall that the state governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on December 10, 2024, presented a N655 billion budget to the Ondo State House of Assembly.
Aiyedatiwa on December 30, 2024, signed into law the budget passed by the Assembly after it had been increased by N43.4 billion, bringing the total budget to N698 billion.
Meanwhile, The Nigerian Anti-Corruption Network (NACN) has condemned the inclusion of the N11.5 billion security vote.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Mike Aderosoye, the group expressed outrage over what it described as an “affront to the sensibilities of Ondo State citizens.”
Aderosoye said that “It is unacceptable for a commissioner, who reports to the governor, to appropriate a security vote budget head when the governor is already receiving one.
This raises suspicions of gross mismanagement and deliberate looting of public resources.
It also criticized Governor Aiyedatiwa for failing to prioritize meaningful governance.
“It is shameful that a governor who has not commissioned a kilometre of road in the past year and has abandoned countless projects would allow his commissioner to insert such an outrageous sum into the budget for personal gain,” the group stated.
The NACN urged the EFCC to thoroughly investigate the matter, warning against any attempt to sweep it under the carpet.
“The EFCC must prove its commitment to fighting corruption. We will not hesitate to seek legal redress if this case is abandoned,” it said.
The group called on the state government to redirect the N11.5 billion to developmental projects, including roads, healthcare, and education.
“This money belongs to the people of Ondo State and should be used to alleviate their suffering, not to fund dubious security votes.
A top civil servant staff who spoke on condition of anonymity described the allocation as “strange.”
A source in the EFCC said that “We are investigating whether such an amount has ever been allocated to the ministry in previous budgets.
We are also interested in understanding the purpose of this allocation and how it will be spent, especially since the governor already receives a security vote package which is not disclosed.
“This is not a witch hunt but a clear way of trying to find out the truth of the matter on the case at hand.
Several anti-corruption bodies have called and made inquiries on the matter like you are also doing right now”
Meanwhile, members of the public have expressed concern over the allocation of N200m to all members of the Assembly on phone calls and also that of the speaker which is to gulp N280,000,00 in the fiscal year among other expenses accrued to the Assembly including travelling and Security.
In an interview, civil servants said that “the allocation is nothing but misplacement of priorities on the part of the Assembly members and that of the government.
They said further that, the constituencies of the members are nothing to write home about in terms of infrastructure and Education
“it’s a pity that we are where we are today in the state. According to her ” She said the state is the least developing state in terms of infrastructure in the southwest, that the assembly members can not fight for this but rather to be sharing the commonwealth of the people.
The Finance commissioner, R S Omowunmi Isaac, could not be reached for comment.
But a top officer in the ministry said that the allocation to the finance ministry has been thoroughly scrutinized by the assembly and passed.
He said that there is no reason to raise unnecessary alarm.
Also, efforts to speak with the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji proved abortive.
A lawmaker who spoke in confidence said that the members are not afraid of the EFCC officials since they don’t have skeletons in their cupboards.
The anti-graft agency officials are not lions. We’ll open our books for them to scrutinise. The budget is now a public document. There’s nothing to fear.
Vanguard
Ma’ana was reportedly attacked between Saganuwa and Fujeregi by a group led by the woman’s ex-husband, identified as Alhaji Yikangi, from Yikangi Chikan village.
Residents told Daily Trust that the ex-husband had divorced the woman, Fatima Suleiman, three times but insisted she must not remarry—even after she found a new suitor.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident.
He said, “On 17/4/2025 around 2pm, information was received that a group of people led by one Alh. Yikangi of Chikan village via Lemu attacked one Muhammad Ma’aba of Fujeregi village, both in the same Gbako LGA.
“The victim was reportedly beaten into a coma over a misunderstanding involving one Fatima Suleiman of the same address. He died on the way to Lemu General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”
Abiodun added that the incident is under investigation and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.
At least 17 people have been confirmed dead following coordinated attacks by suspected militia groups in the Sankera axis of Benue State, according to the police.
The violence, which occurred in Gbagir (Ukum Local Government Area) and Logo LGA, marks the latest in a series of deadly assaults that have plagued the state over the past decade.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, stated in a Friday release that security forces engaged the attackers after receiving reports of a large-scale invasion in the Sankera region.
According to the police, five victims were killed in Gbagir before officers intervened, while another 12 were fatally shot in a simultaneous assault in Logo. The total death toll from the attacks now stands at 17.
Security operatives are reportedly pursuing the assailants as they retreat toward forested areas near Taraba State.
The attacks have sparked unverified claims on social media, including allegations that over 100 people were killed by suspected herdsmen. The police have cautioned the public against spreading unconfirmed reports, urging restraint to prevent further tension.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating the violence and called for continued cooperation from residents.
The latest killings come just days after suspected herdsmen launched separate attacks on three communities in Otukpo LGA—Emichi, Odudaje, and Okpamaju—where five people were killed in February.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who confirmed the arrest of three suspects linked to Tuesday’s attack in Otobi, condemned the violence and warned against vigilante retaliation. He assured residents of ongoing collaboration with federal security agencies to curb further bloodshed.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security forces as operations continue in the affected areas.
Three persons, two confirmed to be from the same family, are feared drowned in a boat mishap in Niger State.
The incident occured in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.
Vanguard gathered that the boat was overloaded with over 200 bags of rice and capsized about 9p.m., on the fateful day as a result of heavy windstorm.
While some claimed that many people drowned during the incident, a source confirmed that only three persons travelled in the boat because the boat was already overloaded and that they all drowned.
It was further gathered that the bags of rice were purchased in Lapai council and were being ferried to Lokoja, Kogi State for sale.
The source said: “The boat was overloaded with bags of rice from our area-Lapai thereby occupying all available spaces in the canoe. Two of those who went on the journey are of the same parents and believed to have most of the bags of rice being transported for sale.
“The bags of rice are more than 200 and the storm which started on their way must have also contributed to the sudden accident.”
Public Relations Officer, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Hussaini Ibrahim, when contacted said the agency was yet to get details of the incident and promised to issue a statement later.
Corpses of those feared dead were yet to be recovered at press time.
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