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Presidency backs EFCC on Atiku’s son-in-law hunt

Published

3 days ago

August 23, 2025

The Presidency has thrown its weight behind the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after the anti-graft agency declared Abdullahi Haske, businessman and son-in-law to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

Haske, founder of AA & R Investment Group, was placed on EFCC’s wanted list after allegedly breaching the terms of his administrative bail and failing to honour invitations by the commission.

According to an insider in EFCC, the businessman has been under investigation for some months over alleged corruption and disappeared after securing bail.

“His case with the EFCC has been ongoing for some time, and he was duly invited. He is facing corruption allegations but failed to comply with the conditions of his administrative bail.

“He was expected to report regularly to the commission as investigations progressed, but since securing bail, he has gone into hiding.

“He would not have been declared wanted if he had remained in the country and honoured our invitations. His refusal to appear is the reason the EFCC had to declare him wanted,” the source said.

In a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC urged members of the public with information on Haske’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or any of its offices nationwide.

The agency listed his last known addresses in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, Lagos, and provided contact numbers and an email for tips.

Haske’s company, AA & R Investment Group, with interests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and ICT, had earlier been linked to investigations involving alleged multimillion-dollar transfers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Reacting to the development, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, alleged political persecution, claiming that the investigation could be an attempt by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to target opposition figures.

“Our concern is that we hope the young man is not being victimised on account of being an in-law to the former Vice President. Tinubu has shown the capacity to use the instrument of the state to harass and intimidate opposition,” he said.

But the Presidency dismissed the allegations as unfounded.

Speaking through Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the presidency insisted that EFCC was acting within its mandate.

“There is no harassment or victimisation here, only the independent and lawful operation of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions. No one is above the law,” he said.

Dare stated that Tinubu’s administration was committed to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring due process, contrasting it with past governments that allegedly weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts.

He said, “Those attempting to politicise the arrest of a son-in-law to a former Vice President, are simply grasping at straws. No one is above the law, and without strong institutions that act without fear or favour, no country can truly progress.

Speaking further, the President’s spokesman said, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is carrying out its statutory duties, as expected of every agency under the law.

“President Bola Tinubu does not abuse the powers of his office, unlike those who once weaponised state institutions for political witch-hunts. This administration is committed to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring due process, and expediting investigations and prosecutions backed by credible evidence.”

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PDP Reps caucus backs party’s resolutions for 2027 elections

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

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Members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday, pledged their willingness to abide by the decisions of the various Committees and organs of the party, including the Zamfara and Lagos states’ decisions, to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

The caucus made its position known at the end of an emergency meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, the caucus leader and member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi, said the PDP lawmakers are committed to supporting the party to make it the preferred choice of Nigerians in the next election cycle.

He said, “As representatives of the people, we are united to ensure that we support the position of the party, to create more stability, peace, and strengthen this party to ensure that we take victory in the presidential and other elections by 2027.

“There are no lingering crises. We have no issue with lingering crises. What we have told you is that the caucus adopts all the decisions of the committees and organs of the party, and we are ready to work with them.”

Agbedi pledged the caucus’ support for all peace moves aimed at restoring peace within the party’s fold as soon as possible, adding that as lawmakers, no effort would be spared in ensuring that the national leadership of the party is supported to provide a viable platform capable of giving the All Progressives Congress a run for its money.

The PDP is billed to hold its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, with issues bordering on reconciliation, discipline of errant members and the November national convention expected to top the agenda.

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Beware of recruitment scams, FRSC warns Nigerians

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

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The Federal Road Safety Corps has cautioned Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters who are extorting job seekers with fake promises of employment in the Corps.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer , Assistant Corps Marshal, Olusegun Ogungbemide and shared on X.

The Corps said it had “observed with grave concern the increasing activities of fraudulent individuals, including some posing as staff of the Corps, who extort unsuspecting members of the public with false promises of securing them employment.”

According to the statement, the scammers “go as far as issuing fake call-up letters to training schools and the FRSC Academy in a desperate attempt to deceive innocent job seekers and defraud them of their hard-earned money.”

The FRSC stressed that its recruitment process remains transparent and merit-based. “The Corps wishes to categorically state that FRSC recruitment processes are transparent, merit based, and strictly communicated through national newspapers, television stations, and our official channels,” the statement said.

“At no time did the Corps mandate its Personnel, or representatives to demand money or any form of gratification from applicants in exchange for employment,” it added.

The Corps urged Nigerians to be vigilant, warning them not to patronise fraudsters. “Members of the public are therefore strongly advised to disregard any such offers and report perpetrators to the nearest FRSC Command, law enforcement agency, or through the Corps’ official communication platforms.”

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Wike’s aide proposes mandatory NIN, ID for social media accounts

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

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The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has called for tighter regulations on social media usage in Nigeria.

In a brief statement posted on his X account on Monday, Olayinka suggested that individuals should be required to provide a National Identification Number along with a valid government-issued ID—such as an international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license—before they can create or manage any social media account.

The statement reads, “NIN, Valid Identity Card (International Passport, Voter’s Card, Driver’s Licence). These two should be made compulsory to open and operate social media accounts. This proposal seeks to reduce misinformation and increase online accountability.”

Indeed, Nigeria’s NIN system, already tied to phone numbers and bank accounts, demonstrates how verified identities can create accountability in digital spaces, as verified accounts make it harder for anonymous bots or fake profiles to spread false information

In countries like Nigeria, where NIN is mandatory for services like banking and telecommunications, extending it to social media aligns with existing identity frameworks, creating a unified system for digital accountability.

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