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EFCC, ICPC May Go after Doctors for Fraudulently Collecting N540m Training Allowance

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The federal government is considering dragging some medical doctors through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for illegally collecting medical training allowances meant for House Officers on residency training programme in 2020, to the tune of N540 million.
The move came as THISDAY learnt that the government had released N4.8 billion for the 2021 residency training programme.
Reliable sources at the Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment told THISDAY at the weekend that the health ministry was considering reporting the doctors, who failed to refund the illegal payment to the treasury, to the anti-corruption agencies.
The source said there were three categories of medical officers involved in the scam, including some consultant doctors.
The source also said the government had accused the managements of some of the Teaching Hospitals of allegedly smuggling names of those who had completed their residency training programme into the list of House Officers that received payment from the medical training fund in 2020.
According to the source, though the affected doctors had promised to refund the money, they were yet to do so, thereby making it difficult for the ones due for the training to access their allowances.
THISDAY gathered that the federal government was particularly concerned that some of the consultant doctors who were involved in the illegal deal had not shown remorse for their action but rather were among those collaborating with resident doctors on the on-going strike.
The source also disclosed that out of the 8,000 House Officers that applied for the 2021 residency training programme, 2,000 were screened out for not having postgraduate residency training numbers.
The source said verification was on-going to ensure that only those qualified were deployed for the next programme.
According to the source, the Federal Ministry of Finance has released N4.8 billion as this year’s residency training fund to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation two weeks ago.
Regarding the smuggling of names into the salary payment platform, the source said the federal government had issued queries to Chief Medical Directors of the Federal Teaching Hospitals involved in the illegal act.
About 205 doctors were alleged to have been illegally recruited at the Ibadan Teaching Hospital, while the Calabar Teaching Hospital carried out illegal recruitment of over 100 doctors out of the 500 health workers.
According to the source, these illegally recruited doctors and health workers formed the majority of those that the NARD leadership were demanding that government should pay before they would end their on-going strike.
The source said, “These CMDs went ahead to recruit new doctors and other health workers without relevant approvals and ignoring the federal character principles. They went further to smuggle their names into the (GIFIMS) salary payment platform.
“Teaching Hospital, Ibadan recruited over 950 health workers without waiver from the office of the Head of Service, without certificate of finance and manpower compliance from the Budget Office of the Federation and without compliance with the federal character principle.
“These illegally recruited doctors and health workers were among those that NARD is demanding that federal government must pay salaries. This amounts to arm twisting of the government and cover-up of fraudulent act and it will not happen.
“The federal government in its magnanimity, despite the on-going strike, has decided to pay these illegally recruited doctors and health workers by asking the Head of Service of the Federation to approve a waiver for the affected doctors to be recruited formally into full employment.
“The Budget Office of the Federation is now working to capture them into the budget to be paid through the service wide vote.”
But, in a statement issued at the weekend and made available to THISDAY, former President of NARD, Dr. Muhammad Askira, accused some government officials of deliberately delaying the grant of waiver for recruitment or replacement of medical doctors and other health workers in the federal government health institutions.
Part of the grievances of the striking Resident Doctors was that their members were being owed several months of salaries and allowances by federal and state governments.
Askira, while justifying the current strike by resident doctors, said it was as a result of the government’s insincerity in implementing agreed actionable series of memoranda.
He alleged that there was currently a dearth of medical manpower in healthcare institutions caused by unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Askira alleged that the country presently had a doctor-to –patients’ ratio of 1: 7000, adding that many hospitals are finding it difficult to recruit or replace doctors.
According to Askira, many doctors are leaving the country to other climes where they can do their job with satisfaction.
He said, “As a result, the hospitals are depleted but find it difficult to employ new staff because of bureaucratic processes that involve the Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Character Commission as well as the Federal Ministry of Health.
“This has made the work burden on the available doctors to be unbearably high, resulting in physician burnout and limited care to a limited number of people needing care.”
Writing on the alleged rot in the public health sector, Askira said the process of recruitment or replacement of medical staff was incessantly delayed for no just reason. He accused some officials in the Federal Ministry of Health and its agencies of corruption and deliberately delaying grant of approval for waiver for recruitment or replacement of medical staff.
He said, “It takes an average of 8-12 months for a lucky hospital to finally obtain a waiver for recruitment or replacement of medical staff. In some cases, the hospitals would be forced to consider candidates from some directors and politicians if at all they want the processes to be expedited, otherwise, it would be out rightly rejected or at best delayed and the required number slashed.”
But the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, had debunked these, saying contrary to the claims by the striking members of NARD, no genuinely recruited doctor or health worker in Nigeria is being owed monthly salary.
Speaking recently at a conciliatory meeting with doctors, Ngige had said, “NARD goes about telling Nigerians that government is owing them salaries and that government is not taking the problems in the health sector serious. But this is not true. It is incorrect.
“No doctor, nurse, pharmacist or any other health worker, including the driver, is owed monthly salary. Government pays as and when due.
“The truth is that NARD doctors fail to tell Nigerians that their colleagues who are owed salaries are the ones illegally recruited and were, therefore, neither captured by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation nor was their payment provided for by the Budget Office of the Federation.”

Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Thisdaylive

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Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

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Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

Jetour Nigeria has turned its Abuja Experience into a colourful fusion of hi-tech automobiles, luxury and art, attracting automobile enthusiasts, prospective buyers and art lovers to an exhibition designed to showcase a new dimension of motoring and lifestyle.

The three-day event, which opened on Tuesday at the Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, Abuja, has brought together an impressive collection of Jetour SUVs and new-generation vehicles, alongside art displays that added colour and creativity to the automobile showcase.

Rather than a conventional vehicle exhibition, the Abuja Experience offered visitors an opportunity to interact with Jetour’s technology-driven vehicles, examine their luxury features and immerse themselves in an artistic presentation that appealed to both young and older enthusiasts.

Among the vehicles on display are the Jetour X50, X70 Plus, X70 PHEV, X90 Plus, T2, T2 PHEV, Dashing, Rely R8, G700, as well as the newly introduced T1 and F700.

The event, which ends today, Thursday, September 24, is the latest stage in Jetour Nigeria’s strategy of taking its products closer to customers while strengthening its presence in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states.

On the first day, discussions centred on Jetour’s product philosophy, technology, safety and the changing preferences of Nigerian motorists.

Speaking during the first panel session, Managing Director of New Era AutoVehicle Services, Kemi Koyejo, said Jetour’s growing product portfolio was designed to cater for the diverse needs of Nigerian motorists.

Koyejo described Jetour vehicles as a combination of luxury, safety and technology, stressing that there was “no one-size-fits-all product” because motorists have different needs and lifestyles.

She explained the philosophy behind the Jetour name—“Jet plus Tour”—saying the brand was intentional about making mobility more enjoyable.

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According to her, Jetour was “forward-looking”, with a product strategy covering petrol-powered vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrid technologies under its corporate tagline, “Drive Your Future.”

Executive Director, Elizade Nigeria Limited, Dr Ademola Philip-Adewunmi, identified after-sales support and spare-parts availability as critical to sustaining Jetour’s growth in Nigeria.

He disclosed that Jetour had sold about 1,000 units in Nigeria within three years, adding that motorists were increasingly researching and comparing vehicles before making purchasing decisions.

He said buyers now demanded a combination of aesthetics, technology, connectivity, performance and value for money.

Adewunmi also disclosed that Jetour vehicles come with a five-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty, while customers have access to trade-in opportunities.

On safety, Corps Commander Cherries Muta of the Federal Road Safety Corps said technologies deployed in Jetour vehicles, including sensors and driver-warning systems, could contribute to safer driving.

Art meets automobile

The second day introduced another dimension to the experience, as artworks were displayed alongside Jetour’s vehicles, creating a meeting point between automotive design, technology, luxury and contemporary art.

The art exhibition attracted an audience comprising young and older lovers of quality automobiles and art, with the producers explaining the concepts and intentions behind the works.

The presentation added a creative and cultural dimension to the automobile showcase, with visitors moving between the vehicles and artworks while engaging with the artists and exploring the ideas behind their creations.

The event also featured cultural performances and a second panel session focusing on mobility entrepreneurship and emerging opportunities across Nigeria.

Jetour Vice President, Yuan Anguo, thanked Nigerian customers for their confidence in the brand, assuring them that the company remained committed to developing its business in Nigeria and across Africa.

The Abuja Experience, according to the organisers, is part of Jetour Nigeria’s broader effort to deepen customer engagement, expand its market presence and present mobility not simply as transportation, but as an experience combining technology, comfort, lifestyle and creativity.

 

Jetour Nigeria displays hi-tech, luxury, art at Abuja Experience

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NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

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NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has backed demands by public-sector workers for the Federal Government to reduce the price of petrol to ₦500 per litre, while the workers have proposed a minimum monthly salary of ₦500,000 for Grade Level 01, Step 1 officers under a new public-service salary structure.

The demands were contained in a letter by the Trade Union Side of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid renewed concerns over rising fuel prices and the worsening cost-of-living crisis.

The workers gave the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to respond to their demands, which cover petrol prices, wage awards, salary reviews and negotiations for a new wage structure.

The JNPSNC called for an intervention capable of bringing the petrol pump price down to ₦500 per litre, arguing that the rising cost of fuel has significantly increased transportation expenses and contributed to higher prices of food and other essential goods and services.

The demand comes amid another increase in petrol prices in Nigeria, with pump prices rising in several parts of the country following higher crude oil prices in the international market.

The labour movement has argued that the impact of rising fuel costs extends beyond motorists, as increased transportation and energy expenses raise the cost of moving agricultural produce, manufacturing goods and other commodities.

The NLC has therefore called for measures to cushion workers and households from the effects of the latest price increases.

On wages, the JNPSNC proposed a new salary structure under which a Grade Level 01, Step 1 public servant would earn ₦500,000 monthly.

The figure is important because it is a proposal by the workers, not an approved national minimum wage.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary is also specifically linked to the public-service salary structure being sought by the JNPSNC ahead of January 2027. It should not be presented as though the Federal Government has agreed to increase Nigeria’s statutory national minimum wage to ₦500,000.

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Nigeria’s current statutory national minimum wage remains ₦70,000 per month, following the 2024 wage agreement and legislation.

The workers are seeking negotiations for a new wage structure while also asking for an immediate Wage Award for employees at the Federal, State and Local Government levels as a short-term response to current economic pressures.

The proposed wage award is separate from the longer-term salary review and any future agreement on the national minimum wage.

The JNPSNC wants the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to begin discussions with labour representatives and other stakeholders on the proposed wage award and salary adjustments.

The workers said rising inflation, transportation costs, food prices, housing expenses, healthcare costs and education fees had reduced the purchasing power of existing salaries.

They also called for salaries and allowances across the public service to be reviewed upward and for future salary adjustments to take inflation into account.

According to the workers, linking periodic salary reviews to inflation would help prevent employees’ earnings from losing substantial purchasing power between major wage negotiations.

The labour side also demanded subsidised transportation and affordable housing for public servants as part of measures to ease the pressure on workers.

On the petroleum sector, the workers backed calls for greater availability of crude oil in naira to local refineries, arguing that increased domestic refining and local crude supply could reduce exposure to international oil-market shocks.

The NLC has previously advocated measures to strengthen local refining and improve domestic energy security as part of efforts to reduce pressure on consumers.

The workers also rejected the idea of relying mainly on food palliatives to address the hardship, arguing that temporary relief does not adequately compensate for the loss of purchasing power caused by higher transportation and living costs.

They instead called for measures that would address the underlying drivers of the rising cost of living.

The latest demands come as the downstream petroleum market faces renewed price pressure despite increased domestic refining capacity.

Higher international crude prices have raised input costs for refiners, contributing to increases in the wholesale and retail prices of petrol.

The development has renewed debate over how much protection Nigeria’s expanding domestic refining capacity can provide against global oil-price movements.

For organised labour, however, the immediate concern is the effect of higher fuel prices on workers and households.

The JNPSNC expects the Federal Government to respond to its demands by September 30, while also looking ahead to negotiations for a new salary and wage framework from January 2027.

The council has indicated that it expects the President’s forthcoming Independence Day address to address some of the concerns raised by workers.

The proposed ₦500,000 salary therefore remains a labour demand awaiting negotiation and possible government consideration. It is not the current national minimum wage and does not mean that all Nigerian workers are automatically entitled to ₦500,000 monthly.

Similarly, the proposed ₦500 petrol price is a demand for government intervention and does not represent the current regulated or prevailing pump price across Nigeria.

The labour demands reflect growing pressure from organised workers for government action as households and businesses contend with higher fuel prices, transportation costs and living expenses.

NLC Backs ₦500 Petrol Demand, Workers Propose ₦500,000 Salary

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MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

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MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact
MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned the Federal Government against any move to arrest, interrogate or otherwise take action against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over a fresh petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying such a step at this time could send the wrong signal to Nigerians.

The warning came as the controversy over a renewed call for the EFCC to investigate allegations dating back to Atiku’s tenure as Vice-President intensified, with opposition figures and the petitioner trading sharply different arguments over the matter.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, MURIC Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the government should exercise caution, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.

According to MURIC, the renewed allegations have assumed greater sensitivity because Atiku is now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and a leading opposition figure.

“We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians,” the group said, adding that with the 2027 elections “at the doorsteps,” the Federal Government should carefully consider the consequences of any action against the former Vice-President.

MURIC described any such move as lacking tact and “short” of emotional intelligence, while urging the government to avoid conduct that could create the impression that state institutions were being used against political opponents.

The organisation also warned against what it described as a damaging “body language” capable of portraying Nigeria as a “banana republic.”

MURIC said that although the country had already lost some ethical ground, its democratic values and norms remained important safeguards that should not be compromised.

“Our corporate image in the global community is sinking fast,” the group added.

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The statement followed renewed controversy over a petition by former House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, asking the EFCC to revisit allegations concerning Atiku’s activities while he was Vice-President.

Reports indicate that the petition relates to allegations investigated by the EFCC between 2005 and 2006. Agbonayinma reportedly gave the anti-graft agency a 14-day ultimatum to act and threatened legal action if the commission failed to respond.

Former Senator Dino Melaye has strongly opposed the renewed petition, describing it as an attempt to “resurrect the dead.” Melaye argued that the matter had previously been dealt with and questioned the basis for bringing it back almost two decades later.

The dispute, however, has escalated beyond the original petition, with Agbonayinma hitting back at Melaye and challenging him to produce documentary evidence for his claim that the allegations had been investigated and dismissed.

In a statement reported on September 20, Agbonayinma insisted that he was asking the EFCC to perform its statutory responsibility and argued that the substance of the allegations should be addressed rather than his personality or political affiliation.

“You cannot defend Atiku Abubakar from an EFCC petition by attacking me,” Agbonayinma was quoted as saying, while urging the anti-graft agency to determine whether the allegations warranted further investigation.

The renewed controversy has also brought attention to the distinction between a petition seeking investigation and a finding of criminal guilt. The existence of a petition does not, by itself, establish that the person named in it committed an offence.

There is also a historical legal dimension to the allegations. Reports on the previous proceedings state that a Lagos State High Court set aside an EFCC administrative indictment against Atiku in December 2006, while no criminal conviction against him resulted from the allegations.

Atiku has continued to deny wrongdoing and has challenged anyone with credible evidence against him to present it through the appropriate legal channels.

Meanwhile, there was no confirmed announcement from the EFCC, as of the latest reports reviewed, that it had arrested Atiku or formally invited him over the fresh petition. A separate and more recent EFCC investigation reported on September 20 concerns individuals connected to allegations surrounding the Mambilla Power Project, which is distinct from the 2005–2006 allegations at the centre of the present political dispute.

The MURIC intervention has therefore added a fresh dimension to an increasingly heated political controversy, with the organisation urging the Federal Government to exercise restraint and protect public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the dispute over the renewed EFCC petition is expected to remain a significant political issue, particularly if the anti-graft agency decides to take further steps.

For MURIC, however, the timing of any action is crucial. The organisation wants the Federal Government to ensure that whatever steps are taken by law-enforcement agencies are grounded in due process and do not create the perception of political persecution.

The group’s central warning is that Nigeria must guard its democratic reputation and avoid actions that could further erode public confidence in its institutions at a particularly sensitive period in the nation’s political calendar.

MURIC Warns FG: Any Move Against Atiku Now Lacks Tact

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