Category: PM News

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to get the court to unfreeze the bank account of the Osun State Government.

He said the the timing of the freezing of the account by the EFCC was inappropriate with the Osun governorship election only days away.

In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the anti-graft agency secured the court order on August 5. While affirming the EFCC’s statutory powers to investigate alleged financial crimes, Tinubu expressed concern that the development could create the impression of federal interference in the forthcoming election.

The President stressed that he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently, without political direction or interference.

He explained that although he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s decision to obtain the order, actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency.

Tinubu said, ‘I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action.’

He reiterated that he remained committed to strengthening democratic institutions by allowing them to operate within the law and without political influence.

‘Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,’ he said.

Although he noted that he had not yet been fully briefed on the circumstances that led the EFCC to seek the order, Tinubu maintained that the timing was ill-advised.

He said, ‘Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.’

The President said preserving public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the democratic process required immediate action.

‘Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,’ Tinubu said.

The Nigerian Navy has recovered about 83,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil concealed in dugout pits and reservoirs in Rivers.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho, on Thursday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said that the recovery followed latest operation conducted within the Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni axis of the state.

He said that the operation also led to the discovery and deactivation of two illegal refining sites linked to ongoing crude oil theft activities in the area.

According to him, the navy has again sustained offensive against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta with the disruption of additional illegal refining infrastructure in Rivers under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

‘The development comes just days after the discovery and deactivation of similar illegal refining infrastructure within the same general area highlighting persistent attempts by economic saboteurs to reactivate illicit operations in spite of sustained enforcement efforts.

‘The recurring discoveries underscore the effectiveness of the navy’s sustained operational presence in identified hotspots, which continues to deny criminal elements the freedom to establish and maintain illegal refining networks.

‘By maintaining pressure on these criminal enterprises, the service is contributing significantly to the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure and the preservation of national economic interests.’

The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to dismantling illegal refining networks, combating crude oil theft and safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and energy assets through sustained operations under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has warned residents against returning to what he described as the era of half salaries, urging voters to protect what he called the progress recorded under his administration.

Adeleke made the statement in a post on X on Thursday, as campaigns intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor accused the previous administration of subjecting civil servants to hardship, alleging that workers were paid half salaries and struggled to meet their basic needs.

‘We will not allow APC to take Osun back to the days when civil servants had to beg their neighbours for food,’ Adeleke said.

He urged eligible voters to reject what he described as a return to difficult times, calling on residents to support his re-election bid.

Adeleke said those who previously ‘weaponised poverty’ by paying workers half salaries and denying citizens access to basic necessities were seeking to return to power.

He added that his administration had prioritised workers’ welfare since assuming office and would continue to protect the interests of civil servants and residents.

The governor also criticised the freezing of state government accounts, saying the action would strengthen the resolve of residents to defend what he described as the mandate of the people.

‘The choice is clear: progress over regression, good governance over neglect. Accord over APC,’ he said.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with Adeleke seeking another term under the Accord Party platform.

Governor Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State has carried out a minor cabinet reshuffle and appointed four new commissioners.

The reshuffling which comes barely nine months before the end of his administration, followed the exit of some commissioners who resigned to pursue political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections, while two others were removed from office.

While speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, Mohammed explained that the appointments were made to ensure that local government areas affected by vacancies remained represented in the State Executive Council.

He warned that their conduct would be subjected to public scrutiny, advising them to uphold integrity, accountability, transparency and due process in the management of public resources.

The newly appointed commissioners are Madaki Ahmad Gololo, Bashir Yau, Bashir Adamu Rishi and Baraya Ibrahim.

‘Your actions and conduct will be closely monitored by the government and the people of Bauchi State. You must ensure that your stewardship reflects probity, accountability, and transparency, and avoid any act capable of bringing this administration into disrepute,’ Mohammed said.

Baraya Ibrahim, one of the newly appointed commissioners, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them, pledging their loyalty to the administration’s development agenda.

‘We will work collectively to promote transparency, accountability, and the effective implementation of government programmes for the benefit of the people of Bauchi State,’ he said.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for directing First Bank to freeze the Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the action is unconstitutional and beyond the agency’s legal powers.

The EFCC had instructed First Bank Plc to place a post no debit (PND) restriction on the state’s statutory allocation account as part of its investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N11 billion meant for ecological and intervention projects.

The directive was contained in a letter dated August 5, 2026, and signed by EFCC Assistant Commander Adenike Babalola on behalf of the agency’s Director of Investigation.

The decision has drawn criticism from both the Osun State Government and the NBA, with concerns that freezing the account could affect government activities and delay the delivery of public services.

Governor Ademola Adeleke condemned the move, describing it as an attempt by federal agencies to interfere with the constitutional rights of the state government.

He also alleged that his administration had been facing several coordinated attacks, including the harassment of members of the Accord Party and attempts to disrupt the activities of local government councils in the state.

The EFCC defended its action, saying the restriction became necessary because of its ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of N11 billion in ecological and intervention funds.

According to the commission, the investigation began in March. It claimed that while the probe was ongoing, it noticed large transfers from the state’s account to several corporate organisations starting from August 2.

Speaking in an interview with The Punch, outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) said the EFCC does not have the legal authority to freeze a state government’s bank account without first obtaining a court order.

He explained that although the anti graft agency has the power to investigate financial crimes, it cannot freeze any account on its own.

Osigwe warned that blocking a state’s account could bring government activities to a halt and would amount to an abuse of power.

He said that if the EFCC believes an account is being used for fraudulent activities, it should approach the court for approval before taking any action.

He also urged First Bank not to obey the EFCC’s directive unless it is backed by a valid court order, insisting that any restriction on a government account must follow due legal process.

The Federal Government has directed the immediate rollout of new measures to improve the safety and security of health workers across the country following an increase in cases of harassment, intimidation and physical attacks in health facilities.

The directive followed the submission of the report of the Ministerial Committee on the Harassment of Health Workers by Security Personnel, according to a statement issued on Wednesday night by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom.

The committee was inaugurated on 19 May after an incident involving operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and staff of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in Akwa Ibom State.

According to the statement, the confrontation disrupted hospital services and led to industrial action, prompting the Federal Government to investigate the circumstances and develop measures to stop similar incidents across the country.

The committee consulted federal tertiary health institutions as well as professional associations, regulatory agencies, security organisations and human rights groups before submitting its recommendations.

Its findings showed that the incident in Uyo reflected a wider pattern. A total of 18 cases involving assault, intimidation or harassment were recorded in federal tertiary hospitals over the past year.

The reported incidents involved patients, their relatives, members of the public and security personnel. They resulted in physical injuries, psychological trauma, destruction of hospital property and interruptions to healthcare services.

The committee also identified several factors driving the problem, including poor communication, long waiting times, inadequate staffing, poor infrastructure, emotional stress, abuse of authority and weak security procedures within hospitals.

After reviewing the report, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, approved its recommendations and directed that they be implemented immediately alongside an action plan.

Pate said, ‘health workers dedicate their lives to caring for Nigerians and must be able to carry out their duties in an environment that is safe, secure and free from violence, intimidation or harassment.

‘The federal government will continue to work with all relevant institutions to protect our health workforce, uphold the rule of law and ensure that healthcare delivery is never compromised.’

He warned that anyone found assaulting, threatening, intimidating or harassing health workers would face investigation and prosecution wherever sufficient evidence exists.

The minister stressed that although there is no law dealing exclusively with violence against health workers, offenders could still be prosecuted under existing criminal, civil and administrative laws.

He added, ‘The absence of a specific law relating solely to violence against health workers would not prevent enforcement through existing criminal, civil or administrative laws, including applicable sanctions and compensation.

‘Federal Tertiary Health Institutions have been directed to strengthen internal security arrangements and establish Violence Prevention Teams to improve safety within health facilities nationwide’.

As part of the new measures, hospitals have been instructed to tighten access control, strengthen surveillance systems, improve visitor identification procedures and enhance security around emergency departments and other sensitive units.

Each institution is also required to appoint liaison officers to work with law enforcement agencies while ensuring security operations do not disrupt patient care or hospital services.

The ministry directed hospitals to promptly report, investigate and document every case of assault, threat or harassment. It also said affected staff should receive institutional support and be referred for appropriate assistance where necessary.

Hospital managements have further been asked to strengthen complaint resolution systems, improve communication with patients and provide staff training in conflict prevention and de-escalation.

Kachollom said broader policy proposals from the committee would be presented to the National Council on Health for consideration as part of efforts to establish a nationwide framework covering federal, state and private health facilities.

She said the ministry would monitor compliance with the new directives through regular progress reports submitted to the Coordinating Minister.

Kachollom reaffirmed the government’s position, saying, ‘The Federal Government affirms that no grievance, disagreement or official assignment constitutes lawful justification for violence against a health worker or interference with the delivery of healthcare.’

She added that authorities would enforce existing laws, ensure offenders are held accountable and take all lawful steps to protect health workers, secure hospitals and guarantee uninterrupted healthcare services.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has responded to reactions over its decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s account a few days before the governorship election.

The EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, explained why the commission did not freeze the Ekiti State Government’s account during the state’s governorship election. He said the commission had no reason to take such action because it did not have any incriminating information against the state.

Uwujaren also noted that the EFCC restricted the Edo State Government’s account when funds were being moved to suspicious accounts, adding that the commission was able to preserve N12 billion.

He emphasised that the commission’s action was not a personal attack.

‘We didn’t have any reason to intervene in Ekiti the way we are intervening now in Osun. You don’t have access to information as we have. We are not targeting anybody but simply doing our job,’ he said.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested more than 20 suspects during a raid on a short-let apartment complex in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as the anti-graft agency steps up efforts to combat suspected financial crimes.

The intelligence-led operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday, July 27, at Mariton Apartments, located on Plot 30, QMB Road, Ikate, Lekki.

A senior EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the investigation, confirmed the operation and said investigations were still ongoing.

According to the official, operatives acted on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of several suspects whose identities are currently being withheld pending the outcome of investigations.

‘The operation was intelligence-driven. Yes, a number of suspects were arrested and investigations are continuing. We are profiling those arrested and examining items recovered during the operation. Further details will be made public at the appropriate time,’ the source said.

Sources familiar with the operation disclosed that EFCC operatives searched several apartments within the complex, questioned occupants and recovered items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation before taking more than 20 suspects into custody.

The Commission has yet to announce the identities of those arrested or specify the offences for which they are being investigated.

Although some residents alleged that certain apartments may have been used for suspected internet-related crimes and other illicit activities, the EFCC has not linked any suspect or apartment owner to a criminal offence, and the claims could not be independently verified.

The operation has generated widespread attention within the Lekki community, with residents describing it as one of the most extensive anti-graft raids conducted in the area in recent months.

Residents and operators in the neighbourhood also said the apartment complex, previously known for its high occupancy, has experienced a noticeable decline in patronage since the operation.

Sources further disclosed that investigators are analysing materials recovered during the raid while screening those arrested to determine whether criminal charges would be filed.

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Osun State is set to host the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course which has been scheduled to commence from Wednesday, 5th to Tuesday, 25th August 2026.

This was contained in a Circular from the NYSC Directorate Headquarters Abuja which has been confirmed to press by the NYSC, Osun State in a press release on Thursday signed by the Public Relations Officer for the state, Mrs Catherine Otemuyiwa, on behalf of the state coordinator.

According to the statement from the Circular, the three-week Orientation Course for the Batch B Stream II prospective corps members deployed to Osun State for the one-year mandatory service will take place at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Ede.

The registration and verification of prospective corps members will commence from Wednesday, 5th and close midnight of Friday, 7th August, 2026.

‘The Swearing-in Ceremony for the Batch will come up on Friday, 7th August, 2026 at 9.00 a.m. and will be presided over by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke; while His Lordship, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, will administer the National Pledge and NYSC Oath of Allegiance on the Prospective Corps Members.

‘While appreciating the people of the State, the Management of the Scheme is calling out to the people of the State especially the NURTW to assist the prospective corps members in locating the orientation camp with ease, and also to corps employers in the state to submit their request for the services of the corps members to the NYSC Office in the resident Local Government Area,’ the statement added.

Social media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, aka Daddy Freeze, has appealed to the Nigerian Army to release and forgive two soldiers reportedly arrested for providing security at the wedding of social media personalities Peller and Jarvis in Lagos.

The appeal followed media reports that the Army has arrested the two serving soldiers for alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment at the wedding held recently in Lekki.

In videos from the wedding circulating on social media, the uniformed military personnel are seen providing security and crowd control at the venue.

One of the viral clips showed a soldier escorting a social media personality through the crowded event, sparking public criticism and questions over the presence of military personnel at a private function.

Following reports of the arrest, Daddy Freeze, in a video posted on social media, pleaded with the Army authorities to temper justice with mercy.

He argued that the soldiers played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of guests at the event.

‘If not for these soldiers that day, we would have been in trouble. Lagos is not safe. I am begging the Nigerian Army to release them,’ he said.

According to him, the soldiers helped to disperse the crowd that surged towards vehicles conveying guests and celebrities attending the wedding.

‘If not for these guys, they would have been in trouble. The soldiers helped in dispersing the crowd that was jumping on their cars,’ he said.

He maintained that the soldiers had protected lives and property during the event and appealed to Nigerians to support calls for their release.

‘They secured our lives and property. Every celebrity at Peller’s wedding benefited from their presence. Let’s write a petition. Please release these people,’ he appealed.

The incident has generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians supporting disciplinary measures in line with military regulations, while others have backed Daddy Freeze’s appeal for leniency.

However, the Nigerian Army has consistently maintained that serving personnel are not permitted to undertake unauthorised private security duties or participate in deployments outside official assignments without appropriate approval.