metro

Again Obasanjo accuses federal lawmakers of bribery

Published

12 months ago

March 25, 2025

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Again Obasanjo accuses federal lawmakers of bribery

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has alleged that members of the National Assembly received bribes to ratify the state of emergency imposed on Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

In a video clip seen by Daily Sun, Obasanjo was seen in a conversation with outspoken House of Representatives member, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who denied reports that federal lawmakers were paid $200,000 each to support the emergency rule. “Nobody gave anyone $200,000. That is just what I want to correct.”

However, the former president insisted that he had direct knowledge of the payments. “You can say anything. I heard it from the horse’s mouth. You can deny it, that is alright, but I heard it from those who got it and told me that they got it. If you didn’t get it, then maybe your case is different. Don’t tell me what I know. Most of your members who got it told me that they got it.”

This allegation follows an earlier denial by the Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar Betara, who dismissed claims that cash payments were made to lawmakers to secure support for the emergency declaration.

Investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar alleged on X that Betara clarified the $5,000 given to each committee member was a “Sallah gesture” and not a bribe.

“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah Gesture,’ not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State,” Jaafar wrote.

READ ALSO:

Meanwhile, Obasanjo has said democracy is dying in Africa because it has become a system of government by a small number of people over a large population, who are deprived of their needs.

He spoke at a Colloquium to mark the 60th birthday of former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha in Abuja, yesterday.

The former president stated that democracy, which is expected to deliver services to all the people and not a section, is failing in Africa because it is not African in context and content.

According to him, from the Greek model of democracy, where all the citizens participate directly in their affairs, it is now a representative system which has not taken care of everybody.

“When we talk of democracy, we should remember that in Africa, before the colonial rule, and the colonial power, we had a form of government which attended to the needs of our people. And whatever you call it, to me it is democracy, because what is democracy about? Democracy is meant to be a system of government that delivers. And delivers to all the people, not just a section of the people. Not just a few. But what do we have today?

“Today, we have democracy which is a government of a small number of people by a small number of people over a large number of people, who are deprived of what they need to have in life. Now, that is not democracy that will endure.

“So, if you are talking of democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. Why has it failed? Because in context and in content, it’s not African. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe in. Umbutu, I am because we are.”

He added that democracy in the continent today is “I am because I can grab. What sort of democracy brings you and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly and you say go to Court when you know that even in the Court, you cannot get justice?

“So, if democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”

Again Obasanjo accuses federal lawmakers of bribery

Related Topics:bribery Featured lawmakers Obasanjo

Up Next

Over 100 suspects arrested in Abuja Ponzi Scheme Academy raid

Don't Miss

Explosion in Yobe, three people hospitalised

metro

Court Discharges Abba Kyari, Brothers in NDLEA Non-Disclosure of Assets Case

Published

15 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari

Court Discharges Abba Kyari, Brothers in NDLEA Non-Disclosure of Assets Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and his two brothers over allegations of non-disclosure of assets filed against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case after ruling that the anti-narcotics agency failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, as required under criminal law.

The judge held that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, adding that the NDLEA did not provide sufficient evidence linking the properties and funds mentioned in the charge to the defendants. Justice Omotosho also described the case as “persecution rather than prosecution,” before formally discharging and acquitting Abba Kyari and his brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, of all charges.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, was filed by the NDLEA against Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), alongside his brothers on allegations bordering on failure to declare assets, disguising ownership of properties and conversion of funds.

READ ALSO:

According to the anti-narcotics agency, investigations uncovered 14 assets allegedly linked to Kyari, including shopping malls, residential estates, parcels of land, farmland and a polo playground located in Abuja and Maiduguri, Borno State.

The NDLEA further alleged that more than ₦207 million and €17,598 were discovered in various bank accounts linked to Kyari in Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Sterling Bank.

The agency argued that the properties and funds were not fully disclosed by Kyari in his asset declaration, and also accused the defendants of disguising ownership of the assets.

However, during the trial, Kyari and his brothers pleaded not guilty to the 23-count charge, insisting that the allegations were unfounded.

In his ruling, Justice Omotosho emphasized that criminal charges must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence, adding that the prosecution failed to establish ownership of the properties through legal documents such as title deeds or other admissible proof.

The NDLEA had charged the defendants under Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, which deal with asset concealment and illicit financial transactions.

Legal analysts say the judgment marks a significant development in the legal battles involving the suspended police officer, who rose to national prominence during his time leading the Police Intelligence Response Team.

Despite the acquittal in the asset non-declaration case, Kyari still faces separate criminal proceedings relating to alleged drug-related offences, which are currently pending before another court.

The ruling effectively brings an end to the NDLEA’s asset declaration case filed in 2022 against the embattled police officer and his brothers.

Court Discharges Abba Kyari, Brothers in NDLEA Non-Disclosure of Assets Case

metro

Terrorists Attack Borno, Kill Soldiers, Abduct Women, Children

Published

38 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Terrorists Attack Borno, Kill Soldiers, Abduct Women, Children

Suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP militants launched a deadly attack on a military base and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Ngoshe town, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, killing soldiers and civilians and abducting scores of women and children. The assault occurred Wednesday, shortly after residents broke their fast during Ramadan, and has left the community devastated.

According to local security sources, the militants overpowered troops stationed at the 82 Division Task Force Battalion, killing at least nine soldiers and forcing others to retreat. The insurgents also burned armored tanks, operational vehicles, and structures in the IDP camp, before abducting an estimated 100 women and children. Eyewitnesses reported that the town’s Chief Imam was killed during the attack, intensifying the horror among residents.

The attack caused widespread panic as residents fled Ngoshe toward Pulka town, leaving homes and property behind. Survivors described the militants as heavily armed and organized, capable of carrying out a coordinated assault on both military and civilian targets. Authorities have yet to confirm the full casualty toll, and many families remain unaccounted for.

READ ALSO:

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, condemned the attack and confirmed that hundreds of civilians and soldiers were affected. He urged the government to intensify military operations in insurgent strongholds such as the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains, where Boko Haram and ISWAP maintain bases.

In response to the attack, the Nigerian Air Force and ground troops conducted precision operations along the insurgents’ withdrawal routes, reportedly neutralizing several militants and disrupting their escape. Despite these efforts, the incident underscores the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in northeastern Nigeria, particularly in Borno State, which remains vulnerable to large-scale attacks and abductions.

The assault highlights ongoing security challenges in areas returning refugees and IDPs from neighboring countries, illustrating the urgent need for enhanced military and humanitarian interventions to protect vulnerable communities.

Terrorists Attack Borno, Kill Soldiers, Abduct Women, Children

metro

Leadership Reshuffle: IGP Tunji Disu Removes Hundeyin as Nigeria Police Force PRO

Published

46 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin

Leadership Reshuffle: IGP Tunji Disu Removes Hundeyin as Nigeria Police Force PRO

The newly sworn‑in Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu has officially removed Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Hundeyin from his position as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), just six months after his appointment. This move marks one of the first major personnel changes under IGP Disu’s leadership. The decision, finalized Thursday morning at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, comes less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated Disu as the 23rd substantive IGP, replacing Kayode Egbetokun. While no official explanation has been provided, sources say the removal is part of a broader restructuring and modernization effort within the Force.

ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, a native of Badagry, Lagos State, was appointed FPRO by former IGP Kayode Egbetokun. Hundeyin holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in Legal Criminology and Security Psychology from the University of Ibadan. He has also completed specialized training in Civil-Military Coordination at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Training Centre, Jaji. Professionally, Hundeyin is affiliated with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), International Public Relations Association (IPRA), and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).

READ ALSO:

Hundeyin’s career highlights include serving as Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and participating in the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). His removal reflects the common practice of new IGPs reorganizing their core teams to align with their strategic priorities. While Hundeyin was widely respected for his professional expertise and communication skills, the change is seen as part of IGP Disu’s plan to build a team aligned with his vision for the Nigeria Police Force.

Sources at the Force Headquarters described a tense atmosphere as officers await the announcement of Hundeyin’s successor. The Nigeria Police Force is expected to release a formal statement soon to ensure continuity in public relations as IGP Disu implements his reform agenda. This change underscores a fast-moving police leadership transition and signals IGP Disu’s commitment to restructuring key positions in line with his vision for a modernized and transparent Nigeria Police Force.