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
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
The police in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday arraigned 30 persons before a Benin High Court for alleged murder and cultism.
The 30 persons are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, cultism, armed attack, and belonging to unlawful society.
The defendants were arraigned in three batches with the same seven-count charges.
The defendants arraigned in the first batch are Paul Elekun 25, Muetinyan Osagbovo 25, Opkala Bernice 22, Nnajiofor Francis 23, Imuetinyan Osanogara 21, Christian Augustine 22, Aniyea Choice 33, Saturday Umukoro 20.
The second batch are Gmogbo Ufoha 22, Emoh Emmanuel 29, Olavwola Gchinamen 32, Eriator Osaihon 44, Isaac Michael 32, Festus Arihian 37, Tedius Jude 25., Emmanuel Okhie 29, Daniel Oyakhilome 29, John Umoren 28.
The third batch are Ogoigbe Richard 33, Omokwua Cliton 32, Solomo Peisi (No specific age), Ezebuke Bright 29, Okoloagu Chicks 45, Ajuja Frank 25, Onemu Oghenekome Michael 19,
Jerry Lazarus 27, Patrick Arneka Joshua 22, Daniel James 28, Moses Peter 37, and Ewalefoh Prosper Osamudiahen 20.
The Prosecutor, Polycarp Odion told the court that the defendants and others, allegedly on May 1, did conspire to commit a felony.
Mr Odion alleged that on the same day within Benin City, without lawful authority, the defendants allegedly carried out armed attacks against a section of residents of the Benin metropolis.
The defendants were also alleged to have conspired among themselves to commit murder.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants and others at large, at different dates within Benin City did conspire and belong to an unlawful society.
He said the offences contravened Sections 412 (2), 64, and 247 of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Correctional Centre for an initial 14 days, pending the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Counsels to the defendants prayed the court to grant them bail as they were presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
According to the counsels, the defendants were picked in indifferent areas in the metropolis, which includes Ugbowo axis, Sapele road axis and Garrick Memorial College axis.
They said some were picked while they were eating, some inside the bus on their way home from work, some were arrested while driving and their vehicles impounded.
They said that the judge has the right to grant the defendants bail, urging the judge to exercise the same to grant the defendants’ bail.
They added that they all have reasonable surety to stand for their bail and ensure their presence in court on an adjournment date.
Among the defence counsels for the defendants who spoke were a former Chief Magistrate, Peter Asemota (retd), Ede Asenoguan, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Benin City Branch, Paul Badaki, J.E. Igunma, A.D.Ajeka, O.J.Odi, E.B.KiKa, among others.
The presiding judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, however granted the defendants bail in the sum of N1 million each with one surety in like sum.
Mr Azeigbemhin said both the defendants and surety must produce their NIN card, valid ID cards, and three passport photographs each.
He said that the surety must be a senior staff member of a recognised establishment.
He added that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and all information must be verified by the court registrar.
He then adjourned the case until May 19.
(NAN)
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