Category: Daily Trust

Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying journey has been a tale of soaring hopes, heavy stumbles and late redemption – a campaign that tested the country’s patience and pride in equal measure.

Across 12 intense months that began on November 16, 2023, the Super Eagles lived through chaos and catharsis: three coaches, too many missed chances and one final surge that kept their World Cup dream flickering into the playoffs.

The drums of the Akwa Ibom faithful echoed as Nigeria opened their qualifying campaign against Lesotho. On paper, it was supposed to be routine; in reality, it was a jarring wake-up call.

SPONSOR AD

The Super Eagles dominated possession but lacked any real bite, their movements laboured and predictable. When Lesotho snatched a surprise lead midway through the second half, a hush fell over the stands. Semi Ajayi’s header salvaged a 1-1 draw, but the optimism of kicking off the campaign on a winning note turned to quiet frustration across the country.

Three days later, the story repeated itself. In a game played on neutral ground in Rwanda, Nigeria again stumbled to a 1-1 draw, this time against Zimbabwe. Two matches, two points, no rhythm. The early swagger José Peseiro had promised his side was missing, replaced by doubt and disconnection. His tenure – two games, two points – ended soon after as the federation sought new direction before the campaign slipped further away.

By June 2024, former assistant and 1990s legend Finidi George stepped up to take charge, carrying the weight of both nostalgia and national expectation. But his short reign mirrored the turbulence he inherited. In his first match, Nigeria fought South Africa to yet another 1-1 draw in Uyo, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s strike cancelling out Percy Tau’s opener.

Days later in Abidjan, the team suffered a 2-1 defeat to Benin Republic – a painful loss made worse by its symbolic sting as Benin were managed by former Super Eagles boss, Gernot Rohr. Two games under Finidi, one point and Nigeria’s campaign stood on the brink.

Then came a surprise twist. In January 2025, the Nigeria Football Federation appointed Éric Sékou Chelle, the Malian-born tactician who had impressed with his disciplined, no-nonsense methods. His arrival was met with cautious curiosity. Chelle wasn’t a name with glittering fame, but he brought what Nigeria desperately lacked: clarity, composure and tactical balance.

Chelle’s first big test arrived that March in Kigali against Rwanda. The stakes were immense; defeat could have ended Nigeria’s hopes. Instead, the Eagles delivered their most complete performance of the campaign. Osimhen returned from injury and looked reborn, scoring twice in a 2-0 win that reignited belief. The goals were clinical, the pressing intense, the unity visible.

For the first time in months, Nigeria looked like Nigeria again. But old habits die hard. Just four days later in Uyo, Zimbabwe held them to another 1-1 draw, courtesy of a late equaliser that silenced the crowd.

Still, the momentum slowly shifted. By September 2025, Nigeria had clawed their way back into contention. They edged Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo – Tolu Arokodare’s towering header sealing a vital win before travelling to Johannesburg for a showdown with South Africa. It was a chance to reclaim control of the group. But fate, once again, had other plans.

Osimhen, so often the heartbeat of the attack, was sidelined with another knock. Without him, Nigeria lacked incision. They fought bravely, battled through 90 tense minutes and emerged with a 1-1 draw. It was creditable but insufficient. South Africa held the upper hand; Nigeria needed perfection from here.

And so, to October – the final chapter of a turbulent saga. On October 10, Nigeria beat Lesotho 2-1 away – a hard-fought victory that set up a decisive finale. Four days later, back home in Uyo came the last dance: Nigeria versus Benin Republic. The arithmetic was simple – win and hope South Africa falter.

From the first whistle, Nigeria attacked with ferocity, and Osimhen, finally fit, played as if possessed. His first goal, a deft finish after a clever through-ball, unleashed a roar that shook the stands. His second, a poacher’s strike, made it 2-0. By the time he completed his hat-trick early in the second half, belief had turned to euphoria. In stoppage time, Frank Onyeka’s volley capped a 4-0 rout – the performance of the campaign.

But even as the cheers rang out in Uyo, news filtered through from Johannesburg: South Africa had beaten Rwanda 3-0. The math was merciless. Despite finishing with 17 points and a superior goal difference to Benin, Nigeria trailed South Africa by a single point. Their revival had come too late for automatic qualification.

The playoff route awaited – a longer, riskier road to America, Mexico and Canada 2026.

When the dust settled on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria’s Super Eagles stood on the brink – not soaring high enough for automatic qualification, but not grounded either. Their turbulent campaign had been a tale of resilience and frustration, yet they had done just enough, finishing among the four best runners-up to secure a lifeline: a place in the CAF play-offs in Morocco from November 13 to 16, 2025.

‘We are quite happy to have that opportunity. It is a long route but it is a route after all. We would have loved to get the automatic ticket but it didn’t happen and we take what we have. We will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

‘It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in favour, we would be with the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it and make the best of it,’ said Captain Ekong after the game against Benin Republic.

It wasn’t the route they envisioned, but it was still a road to redemption – four matches now separating them from the world’s grandest stage. First comes a semi-final against Gabon, a tricky opponent with the pace and grit to test their mettle. Victory would set up a decisive clash with either Cameroon or DR Congo, where a single win could propel Nigeria into the FIFA Intercontinental Play-Offs in the United States next March.

There, they would face teams from Asia, South America, Oceania or CONCACAF – two wins away from the Promised Land.

Kaduna State has launched a massive vaccination drive aimed at immunizing 4.2 million children against measles and rubella, in a bold step to protect the next generation from deadly but preventable diseases.

The campaign, which began on October 18, 2025, is part of a nationwide effort and involves strong collaboration between the state government, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and other development partners.

Held at the Primary Health Care Centre in Badarawa, the flag-off ceremony attracted hundreds of parents, children, and stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders. The initiative targets children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna.

Dr. Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, Director of Disease Control and Immunization in the state, revealed the gravity of the challenge Kaduna faces with ‘zero-dose’ children those who have never received any form of immunization.

‘Nigeria has 100 Local Government Areas affected by the zero-dose challenge, and Kaduna accounts for 10 of them, representing nearly 10% of the national total,’ he stated. ‘For this Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign, we are targeting 4.2 million children across the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State.’

Dr. Ikara highlighted that the number of zero-dose children is on the decline thanks to the active partnership between the government and key health organizations.

Speaking from the federal level, Yusuf Yusufari, Deputy Director of Immunization and Disease Control at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Nigeria’s immunization programs.

‘Nigeria has become a global example of what can be achieved in protecting children and women from preventable diseases. Our goal is that no child or woman in Nigeria should die from diseases that vaccines can prevent,’ he said.

Yusufari emphasized that this goal aligns with the vision of Mr. Bill Gates, who pledged $200 billion over the next 20 years to support global health initiatives.

He praised Nigeria’s resilience and described the country’s wild polio-free certification as a global success story.

‘Our goal is that no child or woman in Nigeria should die from diseases that vaccines can prevent,’ Yusufari said, adding that the foundation, inspired by Bill Gates’ $200 billion global health pledge, remains a steadfast partner in Nigeria’s health success stories.

The World Health Organization’s Kaduna Field Office also emphasized the urgency and importance of the campaign. Mallam Suleiman Mohammed, WHO Data Officer, described the initiative as a ‘golden opportunity’ to combat the rise in reported measles cases across the state.

‘As we all know, measles is a deadly disease, and many cases are being reported across the state and other parts of the region. This campaign gives us a chance to change that narrative,’ he said. Mohammed added that over 2,000 supervisors had been deployed across the state to monitor the campaign and ensure real-time intervention when necessary.

Abdullahi Musa, the State Incident Manager at the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, explained, that the state is very well prepared because they have been planning for this Measles and Rubella campaign for the past three months, adding that the coordination is being managed from the Emergency Operations Centre.

Muhammad Gambo, Chairman of Kaduna North LGA, said, the Local Government is in full support of the exercise, adding that they have provided 50 vaccine carriers and additional vaccination teams across wards such as Maiburuji, Kawo, Hayin Banki, Ungwar Shanu, and Ungwar Rimi.’

Alhaji Ashiru Mohammed Wada, representing the District Head of Kawo, said they have educated residents about the importance of this vaccination, urging parents to bring their children out to be vaccinated and help keep the communities healthy.

It was commendations galore for members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Downstream, who, with their chairman, Ikenga Ikeagwuonu, launched what stands as another of Nigeria’s public fora for thinking about the country’s energy future. That was the recently held ‘2025 Inaugural Annual Downstream Petroleum Week’ (Monday and Tuesday, October 13 and 14, 2025), at the National Assembly. With its theme as ‘Celebrating Our Successes, Confronting our Challenges and Finding Solutions for The Petroleum Downstream Sector,’ it was a forum that brought together as many stakeholders in the industry as could be covered. These comprised policymakers, legislators, regulators, diplomats, unions, investors, civil societies and the media.

This was just as the discussion areas ranged from the ongoing transformation of the country’s energy sector to energy security and market stability, review of the landmark Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, and the apparent ‘elephant in the room’ – the advent in 2023 of the humongous 650,000 b/d refinery by Dangote Industries Limited, as well as the associated monopoly fears. With its humongous capacity, it not only dwarfs the combined capacities of all the other refineries in Nigeria put together, but also fulfills the country’s long desired energy sufficiency, as the country had depended on importation of refined petroleum products since 1975.

It is easily recalled that Dangote Refinery had a recent faceoff with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) over union politics by its workers, which led to a near asphyxiation of the country’s economy as the union tried to stop the refinery from operating until it met their terms. Needless to state that the rapid response of the country to that emerging contingency amply highlights, among other realities, the strategic position of the Dangote Refinery in the country’s energy calculus. Indeed, courtesy of that refinery’s value to Nigeria as a mitigator of fuel importation, whoever touches Dangote henceforth rubs the country on the wrong side. And that is official!

SPONSOR AD

To the credit of the committee, whereas the forum could as well have been a mere reconciliation session for parties in the industrial action, which featured between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN, its elevation to address some of the lingering, deep-seated burning issues in the petroleum downstream of the country’s energy sector, earns them a thumb up. After all, there are as many issues as there are operators and consumers of fuel, as well as other petroleum products in the country.

Seen in perspective, the forum could not have come at a better time than now, given its relevance to the country’s rapidly transforming energy sector. In Nigeria’s history of energy economics, the period from 2021 to 2025 must be the most defining, even if it is for the reason of the positive responses to the challenges of emerging realities during its course.

In 2021, the PIA was enacted rather belatedly after spending as many as 14 years in the legislative mill to come and introduce order in an otherwise disorderly industry, where although professional practice codes comprised the driving wheel, much of the operations and procedures were governed by laws that dated back to the long past colonial era.

Placed in historical context, the Nigerian oil and gas industry, which drives the country’s energy endowments, is one of the most profound legacies of the British colonial administration, which, with the cessation of colonial rule in 1960, did not automatically transmute into a Nigerian oil and gas industry except in name. For over half of a century after Nigeria attained independence, the sector still retained much of its operational expedients, which were rooted in the industrial culture of the colonial master. For anyone who is familiar with the British and their mercantilist proclivities of ‘British first’, the fact remains clear – the country does not vacate a once-conquered territory without leaving behind ways and means of continuously syphoning nectar from there, even if, and when the sweetness dries up.

That was the lot of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector while under the vicious grip of colonial era laws until the coming of the PIA. In fact, so ingrained have the colonial era laws been in the mental construct of our industry operators and even governments and host communities that even several years after the coming of the PIA, its implementation is still seen as a pie in the sky for the simple fact that it awarded to the oil and gas host communities statutorily, equitable reliefs that are not based on the whims and caprices of the companies. Hence all through the country’s oil and gas bearing communities, the matter of the PIA is discussed with mixed feelings of paradisiac expectations by the communities on one hand, and on the other hand, apocalyptic trepidation by some of the oil and gas companies operating in the region.

In the final analysis, courtesy of the forum, there is now a rethinking of the country’s energy future, with more areas of the industry now gaining attention. With the committee’s realisation of the need to revisit the problem areas of the industry from its vantage legislative viewpoint, Nigerians will look forward to more proactiveness by the government in respect of addressing emerging challenges in the sector.

Sheikh Kabiru Ibrahim Babban Malami Madabo, an Islamic scholar and member of the Kano Emirate Council, has been described as ‘a respected community leader and philanthropist who dedicated his life to the service of humanity and upliftment of the less privileged.’

The deputy governor of Kano State, Dr Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the families of the late Sheikh and that of a late veteran journalist, Abubakar Aliyu Getso, who all passed away recently.

Similarly, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, led the funeral prayer of the famous teacher, who also ministered at the palace.

SPONSOR AD

Members of the Muslim community also shared their views on the social media, while praying for the forgiveness and repose of the soul of the deceased teacher.

According to Sheikh Madabo, his son, the cleric passed away at his residence at Madabo Quarters, Kano after a brief illness at the age of 85.

Before his death, the Sheikh was a permanent member of the Kano Emirate Council, whose main function was serving as an adviser to the emir and the emirate on Islamic jurisprudence known as fiqh, as well as application of Islamic law in daily life, dealing with matters related to Islamic worship, moral and social legislation based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Kaduna State Government has successfully commissioned a solar-powered borehole at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kaduna.

The facility, located at the female corps members’ dormitory, was executed through the State’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).

The commissioning ceremony, held at the NYSC camp, was marked by deep appreciation from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Kaduna State, which lauded Governor Uba Sani for his proactive leadership and consistent support to the Corps community in the state.

Speaking at the event, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Efeke Murna Dadaza, commended Governor Uba Sani for responding promptly to their request and for creating an enabling environment for corps members serving in Kaduna.

She pledged that the NYSC would ensure the solar-powered borehole is well-maintained and used efficiently to improve the living conditions of corps members, especially female participants.

Director General of RUWASSA, Engr. Mubarak Shehu Ladan, explained that the project aligns with the agency’s mandate to provide clean and sustainable water solutions across rural communities and key institutions.

He emphasized that the solar-powered borehole reflects the Governor’s broader vision for improved access to potable water and his administration’s focus on infrastructure development that directly impacts lives.

‘Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Governor Uba Sani has been unwavering in his support for RUWASSA’s mission,’ Engr. Ladan noted. ‘This project is yet another step towards fulfilling his promise of prioritizing people-centered development, especially in underserved areas.’

The NYSC community expressed heartfelt gratitude to both the State Government and His Royal Highness, Malam Nuhu Bamalli (CFR), for their steadfast commitment to the safety and welfare of youth corps members.

They also pledged to support the government’s efforts in sustaining this and other similar initiatives across the state.

The Gombe State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rano Air Limited for the commencement of scheduled commercial flights between Abuja and Gombe.

The agreement followed a meeting between Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and top management officials of Rano Air at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, where both parties finalised plans for the new service.

Under the MoU, Rano Air will deploy an Embraer 145 aircraft with a 50-passenger capacity to operate four weekly flights on the Abuja-Gombe-Abuja route specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

SPONSOR AD

The document was signed on behalf of the Gombe State Government by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, while Abah Godwin, general manager (operations), signed for Rano Air.

The signing was witnessed by Suleiman Daniel Musa, an engineer and sole administrator of Brig Zakari Maimalari International Airport, Gombe and Mr Auwal Sulaiman Ubale of Rano Air.

The airline management assured Governor Yahaya of reliable and efficient services designed to ease business travel and stimulate economic activities in Gombe and the wider North-East region.

Governor Yahaya, in his remarks, described the partnership as another milestone in the state’s economic advancement, saying it reflects Gombe’s growing reputation as a safe, stable and business-friendly destination.

The National Executive Council of the Afe Babalola University Alumni Association (ABUADAA) has congratulated the Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), on the occasion of his birthday and the institution’s 13th Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the Association, Femi Ishola, Esq., the Alumni body, led by its President, Timothy Atasie, Esq., described the dual celebration as ‘a triumph of purpose, vision, and humanity personified in Aare Afe Babalola.’

‘At this remarkable moment, the entire alumni community joins his family, the University, and the nation at large in celebrating not only his years of life but also the depth of his impact on countless lives,’ the statement read.

SPONSOR AD

The Alumni Association praised the university founder for his lifelong commitment to education and nation-building, noting that his vision has transformed the lives of thousands of young Nigerians and continues to inspire excellence across generations.

‘Aare Afe Babalola’s love for humanity and education transcends the ordinary,’ the statement added. ‘His heart beats for the advancement of others, and his mind is guided by an unrelenting commitment to excellence, character, and service.’

The association further commended Babalola for creating what it described as ‘a living ecosystem of thinkers, leaders, and change-makers who continue to redefine excellence across professions and continents.’

Describing the legal luminary as ‘a moral compass and father figure,’ the group said his ‘generosity, counsel, and genuine care for members reflect a heart of gold and a mind devoted to human progress.’

President of the Association, Timothy Atasie, reaffirmed the body’s commitment to upholding the ideals of the university’s founder.

‘Under our current leadership, we remain devoted to advancing Aare’s vision by fostering mentorship, professional excellence, and global collaboration among alumni,’ Atasie said. ‘We are determined to sustain his dream of producing graduates who embody knowledge, discipline, and service.’

As part of its felicitation, the Alumni Association expressed gratitude to the elder statesman for his continuous guidance and support to both the University and its graduates.

‘As the University celebrates its 13th Convocation and our illustrious Founder’s birthday, we pray that Almighty God continues to bless him with long life, divine health, and the strength to inspire generations yet unborn,’ the statement concluded.

Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as an ‘angel sent by God’ to restore and transform Nigeria.

Bello made the remark on Saturday during an endorsement rally for President Tinubu and Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, which was broadcast live on TVC.

‘We will not wait for God to send an angel with wings to fly into Nigeria to fix it. The angel is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ Bello said. ‘If you are waiting to see an angel flying with wings to come and fix Nigeria, you will wait forever.’

The former governor praised Tinubu’s administration for implementing key reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, the introduction of student loans, and the floating of the naira exchange rate. He said these policies were part of the ‘new Nigeria’ citizens had long demanded.

‘Before 2015, we said we wanted a new Nigeria without oil subsidy, a new Nigeria with student loans, a new Nigeria with a floating exchange rate, and one where there will be more money in the hands of both government and citizens. That is what is happening today,’ Bello stated.

Acknowledging the challenges of governance, Bello noted that the process of rebuilding the nation would take time due to years of systemic decay. He urged Nigerians to support the president’s efforts to deliver on his promises.

‘No government can fix everything at once because of the long years of decay in the system,’ he said. ‘Mr. President is fixing it, and he will fix it. We will support him to fix it.’

Bello also stressed the importance of leadership legacy, urging Nigerians to back Tinubu’s long-term vision for the country.

‘Going into the future, not only the 2027 election, we want a situation where Mr. President will leave behind a lasting legacy,’ he said. ‘Leadership without legacy is zero-it’s as good as never coming to power.’

Reflecting on his own political journey, Bello said he felt fulfilled by the progress made under his watch and his continued support for the current administration.

Bello’s remarks come as political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with President Tinubu’s supporters highlighting his economic and governance reforms as evidence of a renewed national direction.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery yesterday said it had recorded 22 incidents of sabotage since it began operation at the 650,000 crude per day capacity refinery.

This is as the company insisted that the reorganisation carried out at the refinery had nothing to do with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Weekend Trust reports that the reorganisation affected no fewer than 800 staff working at the refinery, which triggered the strike embarked upon by PENGASSAN before it was suspended after the intervention of the federal government.

SPONSOR AD

Speaking with newsmen at the refinery when a former presidential aide and social media influencer, Reno Omokri embarked on a tour of the 650,000 crude per day capacity refinery, the vice president, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr Devakumar Edwin, revealed that the refinery recorded no fewer than 22 incidents of attempted sabotage since it began operations.

Also on the tour was the chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers’ Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo.

The company said these deliberate acts were targeted at disrupting production and damaging equipment but were all successfully contained, thanks to the refinery’s advanced safety systems.

Edwin also dismissed recent speculations that the refinery was facing operational or crude supply problems, describing the claims as ‘completely wrong’ and part of a pattern of misinformation aimed at discrediting the refinery’s progress.

He said, ‘We have been under repeated attacks. Initially, they said the refinery would never come up. Then they said it would not be commissioned or start production. Later, they spread false news about gas supply problems. Now, they are trying to insinuate operational breakdowns. None of that is true.’

Edwin disclosed that the refinery currently has over 312 million litres of petrol in its storage tanks, aside from ongoing daily production.

With a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, he said the plant was capable of meeting Nigeria’s entire demand for petrol, diesel (AGO) and aviation fuel (Jet A1), while still exporting nearly 50 per cent of its products.

On the reported acts of sabotage, Edwin said the company had documented all incidents, including the specific dates and units affected.

‘We have experienced 22 cases of sabotage. In some cases, people tried to start fires or open valves to cause damage. Fortunately, because this is an ultra-modern refinery, our fire protection system immediately detects and controls such incidents,’ he stated.

Omokri, who visited the refinery section of the Dangote Fertiliser Plant, the Dangote Quays where fertilisers and other products are being shipped abroad, said Nigerians had no option than to support the refinery to succeed.

At the refinery’s terminal, Omokri was amazed with the scale of export activity already taking place at the facility, disclosing that about 650 ships had loaded products from the refinery within the past year.

‘In less than a year, 650 ships have come here to load petroleum products for export. That’s an incredible achievement,’ he said.

Omokri explained that the true strength of a country’s currency lies not in its volume but in the productive and export capacity of its economy.

He stressed that the more Nigeria produces and exports, the stronger the naira becomes, adding that both citizens and institutions must support the refinery’s operations.

King Bubaraye Dakolo commended the Dangote Group for the scale and impact of the refinery, describing it as a ‘revolutionary investment’ that must be sustained for the benefit of Nigeria’ economy.

The Kano State Government has filed a suit before the State High Court, seeking to reclaim its 20 per cent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and recover funds allegedly misappropriated, to the tune of N4.49 billion.

The defendants in the charge sheet include a former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; his sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, a former special adviser to Ganduje; Hassan Bello, former executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; a legal practitioner, Adamu Aliyu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust and conflict of interest.

SPONSOR AD

According to court documents obtained by Weekend Trust, the defendants allegedly conspired to ‘fraudulently’ transfer 80 per cent shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the Kano State Government’s 20 per cent equity to private entities under a fictitious name, ‘City Green Enterprise,’ to conceal the true ownership of the company.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants diverted over N4.49 billion belonging to the state government for infrastructure projects, including a double carriageway, electricity and perimeter fencing at the dry port, allegedly executed for personal and family benefit.

They were also accused of abuse of office and conflict of interest by allegedly using their official positions to manipulate public resources for private gains, in violation of financial and constitutional provisions.

The charge sheet revealed that several key witnesses will testify in court, including the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transactions and an early stakeholder in the project who will testify on how he was allegedly sidelined during the equity transfer process.

The prosecution’s summary of evidence alleges that the defendants used sham entities and proxies to conceal ownership of Dala Inland Dry Port shares; diverted public funds to family-owned firms and personal businesses and coerced the original project founders into relinquishing control while retaining only nominal shares.

The case has been assigned to Kano State High Court 2, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale and is scheduled for hearing on November 17, 2025.