Author: Aminu Imam

NASS: SERAP demands probe into ₦3m ‘bribe-for-Bill’ allegations

Aminu Imam
SERAP demands

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP), has demanded that the leadership of the 10th National Assembly take decisive action on recent allegations that federal lawmakers are paying significant bribes to present Bills and Motions. Specifically, SERAP formally urged Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas to immediately refer the matter to the country’s leading anti-graft bodies for a thorough investigation. The allegations, which have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, were made by a member of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Auyo (APC,…

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NDLEA arrests drug kingpin in Delta, seizes ₦7.8bn opioids

Aminu Imam
NDLEA arrests

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), says it has arrested a notorious drug kingpin, Sunday Ibigide, while attempting to move 250 blocks of skunk weighing 138 kilograms, with his distribution bus. Ibigide, who had been on the run for three years, was apprehended on Sunday, August 10, 2025, along with one of his aides, Clement Osuya, in Asaba, Delta, while they were trying to move the illegal drugs for distribution. A statement  issued yesterday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, stated: “Ibigide came under searchlight on 19th March 2022…

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NIMASA Board elevates 9 Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs, 165 others

Aminu Imam
NIMASA Board elevates

…As DG charges them on performance The Governing Board of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), has approved the promotion of nine Deputy Directors to Directors. According to a statement issued yesterday from NIMASA Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations,  Osagie Edward, in addition, the Board approved the promotion of 30 Assistant Directors to Deputy Directors, 35 Chiefs to Assistant Directors. It ratified the promotion of 169 other staff members from one grade level to the next. The newly appointed Directors are the Coordinator, Abuja Liaison Office, Mrs. Moji Jimoh;…

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FG to disburse interest-free loans to small businesses, farmers nationwide

Aminu Imam
FG to disburse

The Federal Government will soon commence disbursement of interest-free loans to smallholder farmers and businesses across the country before the end of 2025. The National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, (GEEP), Hamza Ibrahim Baba, made this known on Friday in Kaduna during an engagement with representatives of the traders’ associations and other stakeholders in the state’s informal business sector. He said the loans, up to N100,000 per beneficiary, were part of the FarmerMoni scheme under GEEP, aimed at supporting small-scale farmers involved in poultry, aquaculture, livestock…

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By-election: Suspected vote buyer arrested with ₦25.9m cash in Kaduna

Aminu Imam
Kaduna vote buyer

The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives, in collaboration with those of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, have nabbed a suspected vote buyer ahead of yesterday’s by-elections and recovered ₦25.9million cash. The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the arrest in a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna,  said that the fear was a sequel to sustained and collaborative efforts by the security agencies to ensure that the by-elections in Kaduna State are conducted peacefully and without interference from criminal elements. He said…

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“Cancel Kano by-elections over violence, disruptions” -APC urges INEC

Aminu Imam
Screenshot 20250816 223416

The All Progressives Congress, (APC), has demanded the immediate cancellation of the ongoing by-elections in Shanono/Ɓagwai Constituency and the rerun election in Ghari Constituency of Kano State. APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to halt the exercise without delay. He alleged that the elections were marred by “widespread extreme violence and disruption by armed thugs” across several polling units in both Shanono, Ɓagwai and Ghari constituencies. He said: “Verifiable reports from Shanono and Ɓagwai local government…

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Mixed reactions trail Kaduna by-election amid low turnout, tight security

Aminu Imam
Mixed reactions trail2

The Kaduna State by-election for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency yesterday was marked by contrasting reports on voter turnout, despite assurances of security and early deployment of electoral materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While many polling units across Chikun, Kajuru, Sabon Gari, and Zaria recorded a low number of voters, with some centres appearing deserted for much of the morning, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Joseph Bagudu, hailed what he described as a “massive turnout” in his stronghold. Speaking after casting his ballot at Polling Unit 003,…

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2027: INEC shake- up looms amid rising concerns

Aminu Imam
Screenshot 20250816 223236

Nigeria may face challenges in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections as almost half of the top officials at the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), are set to retire between December 2025 and next year. Experts warn that if these leadership positions are filled in a politically biased way, it could harm the country’s democracy. At a roundtable in Abuja hosted by YIAGA Africa, the group’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, stressed the importance of choosing new leaders for INEC based on skill, experience, and integrity. “We should all be…

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By-election: “Kaduna spoke loudly today” – APC’s chieftain mocks el-Rufa’i 

Aminu Imam
APC’s chieftain mocks

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Ayekooto Akindele, has mocked former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i following the emerging outcome of the ongoing by-election in parts of the state. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), is yet to announce official results, early returns suggest that the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), is leading. El-Rufa’i had actively campaigned for the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), a party recently adopted by members of the coalition of opposition leaders. Reacting to the emerging results, Ayekooto, in a post on his official X…

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Kano by-election: ‘Over 100 political thugs arrested, await prosecution’ — INEC

Aminu Imam
Screenshot 20250816 223236

The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), Ambassador Audu Zago, stated that over a hundred suspected political thugs who were arrested during the by-election in the Ɓagwai LGA will be prosecuted in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the election. “More than 100 political thugs have been arrested, adding that the police have confirmed this, the process is continuing, and you have seen for yourself”, he said. The REC then stated that the “political thugs arrested will be prosecuted. He, however, added that the election was peaceful and commended…

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