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EFCC questions ex-Bayelsa governor Dickson over N17.5b cash
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has quizzed a former Bayelsa State governor and senator representing Bayesla West, Seriake Dickson, over his family assets in the United Kingdom (UK) and alleged diversion of N17.5bn.
He was said to have showed up at the EFCC Abuja office to honour an invitation by the agency.
Dickson, who reportedly arrived at the headquarters of the EFCC in Jabi, Abuja, around 11am, was questioned by a team of operatives investigating the allegations against him.
The allegations against him are related to assets declaration and misapplication of intervention funds and other assets belonging to the Bayelsa State Government.
Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the invitation of the former governor.
But Dickson said the affected assets were acquired before he became governor, adding that he had declared the assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
The senator described the petition filed against him at the EFCC by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for alleged diversion of funds as frivolous.
He stated this in a statement, which he signed on Tuesday.
He said apart from being asked to account for the family assets he acquired before becoming a governor, he was confronted with a fresh allegation of diverting funds amounting to N17.5bn.
The former governor said the EFCC claimed that an NGO alleged that he used part of the cash for his re-election in 2019.
Dickson added that it was obvious the petition was faulty because he did not seek re-election in 2019.
The statement said, “However, for the avoidance of doubts, let me state that my family investments, Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated, were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became governor.
“These investments were funded by loans and advances and repaid from salaries, allowances, savings and others. One of them is still on mortgage and I have made these documents available to the EFCC.”
The statement also said, “About two weeks ago, I received an invitation from the EFCC to clarify some issues relating to assets declarations as alleged by an NGO.
“On account of our busy schedule at the time, I wrote to inform them and we agreed to reschedule the interview for Tuesday.
“As a law-abiding citizen and with a life-long commitment to supporting law enforcement and security agencies, I honoured the invitation as rescheduled.
“I understand that the subject matter of the enquiry relates to investments of my family trust, which I incorporated while being a member of the House of Representatives to hold my family assets and investments, which were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became governor.
“I understand that there is a petition from an NGO alleging that these investments (largely buildings, plots, farms, etc, in my village, Orua, Yenagoa, and two buy-to-let houses in the UK were not declared.
“I have a duty to clarify these issues with the investigating authorities who, by law, have the responsibility to enquire into these matters.”
Dickson explained how he acquired his assets between 1996 and 2012.
The statement added, “However, for the avoidance of doubts, let me state that my family investments, Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated, were made between 1996 and 2012 before I became governor.
“These investments were funded by loans and advances and repaid from salaries, allowances, savings and others. One of them is still on mortgage and I have made these documents available to the EFCC.
“These investments were declared in my assets declaration form at the House of Reps in 2011; my Governorship Form in 2012, 2016, 2020 after I left office and the Senate Assets Declaration Form this year.
“I went beyond these declarations and wrote several letters to the appropriate agencies, copies of which have been made available to the EFCC.
“My trust and I subscribed to the federal government Voluntary Assets Income AND Declaration Scheme (VAIDES) and also paid the necessary taxes.
“As a result of blackmail from some quarters, the Trust and I went to the Federal High Court where there is a subsisting judgment declaring that no Nigerian law is breached by a public officer who takes loans and other verifiable avenues to make investments for his family provided these are declared.
“It should be on record that I have since resigned from the Trust Administration since 2011 before I became Governor.
“My solicitors and those of the trust have written to the EFCC to clarify these issues with the accompanying documents.”
He said he witnessed a turn of event when he got to the EFCC and he was confronted with alleged diversion of funds totaling N17.5 billion.”
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Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
The Samnu Police Department in southern Libya detained three Nigerians for drug trafficking.
According to a statement issued by Migrant Rescue Watch on X (previously Twitter) on Sunday, the suspects were apprehended carrying a quantity of hashish that officials believe was meant for sale.
The arrests were made during a targeted operation in the town of Samnu, Murzuq region, which is known for smuggling and human trafficking due to its proximity to Libya’s southern borders.
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This operation is part of a larger security effort to combat drug-related crimes and cross-border trafficking of migrants.
The suspects’ identities have not yet been made public. Authorities acknowledged that the case had been turned over to the public prosecutor for further investigation and judicial action.
The statement said. “Samnu Police Dept. arrested 3 #migrants of Nigerian nationality on charges of drug trafficking. The trio were found in possession of a quantity of hashish earmarked for sale. The case was referred to public prosecution.”
Libya nabs three Nigerians over drug trafficking
News
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the expansion of its Contactless Biometric Passport Application System to several countries in the Americas.
In a recent statement by ACI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at NIS Headquarters in Abuja, confirmed that the service under Comptroller General Kemi Nandap is rolling out the next stage of implementation across Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica this month.
The contactless system, which enables Nigerians living abroad to renew their travel document without physically visiting passport offices for biometric enrollment, went live in the United States on April 11. Mexico, Brazil and Jamaica are scheduled to gain access on April 14.
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“This expansion represents our commitment to innovative and efficient service delivery to Nigerians anywhere in the world,” said ACI AS Akinlabi, Service Public Relations Officer at NIS Headquarters in Abuja.
The application system is currently available on the Google Play Store as “NIS Mobile” and allows passport renewal without in-person biometric enrollment. An iOS version for Apple devices is under development and will be released soon, alongside an enhanced version of the Android app to improve user experience and accessibility.
The NIS further confirmed that the Contactless Passport App is now operational in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. Australia and Nigeria itself remain pending, with implementation dates to be announced in the future.
NIS expands contactless passport renewal to United States, others
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Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has expressed fear that unless the Federal Government takes deliberate steps to increase Nigeria’s non-export earnings, the current global tariff war may lead to job losses, low foreign exchange inflow, and economic instability.
This was the position of the President of NACCIMA, Dele Oye, as the chairman at the Vanguard Economic Discourse 2025 with the theme, “Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2025: Hardship and Pathways to Sustainable Recovery”, held last week in Lagos.
Among other things, Oye who is also the Chairman of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), emphasized the need for a viable and affordable homegrown democracy.
His words: “In this pivotal moment, we must recognize and confront the significant challenges before us—challenges that have been magnified by the advent of America’s “America First” policy.
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“This paradigm shift in global trade, driven by protectionism and tariffs, presents a unique and formidable array of obstacles for developing nations such as ours.
“The world we once knew, one characterized by cooperative, rules-based trading systems under the World Trade Organization, has given way to an environment fraught with uncertainty. This transformation not only disrupts global markets and supply chains but poses an acute threat to our competitive standing in international trade.
“The recent implementation of a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports to the United States directly jeopardizes what has historically been a critical market for our key goods, including crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and agricultural products. “The ripple effects of reduced demand could precipitate job losses, economic instability, and a decline in vital foreign exchange inflows, particularly for our non-oil sectors”.
“Indeed, the ramifications of current U.S. policies go beyond tariffs. We are witnessing a significant decrease in funding for initiatives that empower Africa’s burgeoning start-ups. The $51 million cut from the United States Development Fund, which affects countries like Nigeria and Kenya, exemplifies the broader challenges we face. The grants previously allotted to our SMEs are critical for nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship within our local economies”.
In the face of these challenges, Oye said Nigeria must act decisively and strategically to reshape its economic destiny where adversity can give rise to opportunity.
Tariff: NACCIMA warns against economic instability, job losses
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