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EFCC re-arraigns ex-SGF Babachir over N500m grass cutting fraud

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and six others have been re-arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja over an alleged fraudulent grass-cutting contract worth over N500m.
Other defendants are Hamidu Lawal, Suleiman Abubakar, Apeh Monday and two companies; Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they first appeared before the late Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama on February 13, 2019.
The case was to be opened on March 18, 2019, but the prosecutor announced that changes had been made to the 10-count charge, thereby stalling the trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused them of fraud, criminal conspiracy and diversion of N500 million.
The EFCC was still calling its witnesses when it was announced that the judge died on August 4, 2020, from a brief illness at the National Hospital in Abuja.
The case was then transferred to Justice Charles Agbaza of the Jabi Division of the FCT High Court, who fixed November 30 (Monday) for the re-arraignment.
The defendants again pleaded not guilty to the charges at their re-arraignment on Monday.
Justice Agbaza slated January 20, 2021, to restart the trial.
The EFCC alleged that Babachir Lawal, when he was the SGF, awarded cumulative proceeds of grass cutting contracts worth over N500 million to companies he had interests in.
It stated in the charge marked CR/158/19 “that you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd, on or about the 7th of March, 2016 in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N7, 009,515.96 (Seven Million, Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifteen Naira and Ninety Six Kobo only) by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North-East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about the 4th of March, 2016 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N272,524,356.02 (Two Hundred and Seventy Two Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Six Naira and Two Kobo only) by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North-East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“That you Engineer Babachir David Lawal while being the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and a director of Rholavision Engineering Ltd on or about the 22nd August, 2016 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did knowingly hold indirectly a private interest in the contract awarded to Josmon Technologies Ltd but executed by Rholavision Engineering Ltd for the removal of invasive plant species and simplified irrigation to the tune of N258,132,735.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Eight Million, One Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty Five Naira only) by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) through the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.”
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FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari

FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday at a clinic in London of protracted illness related to lukemia.
The public holiday is in addition to the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the break in a statement released on Monday through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary. Magdalene Ajani,
Tunji-Ojo said the holiday is a gesture of respect for Buhari’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and development.
“President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation,” the minister said.
This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”
Tunji-Ojo asked Nigerians to use the day to promote peace, patriotism, and national unity in line with Buhari’s vision.
FG declares Tuesday July 15 public holiday to honour Buhari
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Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025

Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
Two Nigerian-born billionaires, Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have been named in Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants.
The list features 125 billionaires from 41 countries, who collectively make up 14% of all billionaires living in the U.S. and control 18% of the country’s total billionaire wealth.
Top on the list are three South Africans, including Elon Musk ($393.1bn, Tesla, SpaceX); Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6bn, pharmaceuticals), and Rodney Sacks ($3.6bn, energy drinks).
They are closely followed by Ogunlesi, with a net worth of $2.4 billion, ranked 77th and recognized for his success in private equity, while Awotona, known for founding scheduling software company, Calendly, sits at 106th with a $1.4 billion net worth.
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Other African-born billionaires on the list include Haim Saban from Egypt ($3.1B, TV and investments); Marc Lasry from Morocco ($1.9B, hedge funds); and Bharat Desai from Kenya ($1.6B, IT consulting).
Forbes noted that a remarkable 93% of them were self-made, having built their fortunes primarily in industries such as technology and finance.
The growing number of immigrant billionaires, up from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, reflects a shifting demographic and reinforces what Forbes describes as the “immigrant mindset”: a blend of resilience, innovation, and the drive to seize opportunity that continues to shape America’s economic landscape.
Forbes also released a list of top 10 America’s richest immigrants to include Elon Musk, net worth: $393.1bn; Sergey Brin, net worth, $139.7bn; Jensen Huang, net worth, $137.9bn; Thomas Peterffy, net worth, $67.9bn; and Miriam Adelson & Family, net worth, $33.4bn.
Others are Rupert Murdoch & Family, net worth, $24bn; Peter Thiel, net worth, $21.8bn; Jay Chaudhry, net worth, $17.9bn; Jan Koum, net worth, $16.9bn; and John Tu, net worth, $14.1bn
Two Nigerians on list of America’s richest immigrants in 2025
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Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process

Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
The power of the President to unilaterally appoint Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may be whittled down in a constitutional review proposal.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review is currently considering the proposal to bring the National Judicial Council (NJC) into the process.
According to a report by PUNCH, the amendment seeks to reduce the influence of the executive arm by enhancing the transparency and impartiality of INEC leadership appointments.
This proposed shift follows long-standing calls for electoral reform, including the recommendations made in 2007 by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais, who led the Electoral Reform Committee.
The Uwais-led panel had advised that the NJC, rather than the President, should be responsible for nominating INEC board members, and that the commission’s funding should come directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to safeguard its autonomy.
Former INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that the proposed change was a positive development.
“It is a welcome development. It is one of the many good recommendations on how to insulate the position of whoever is chairman of INEC from political and executive pressures, as well as curing the deep-seated impression that ‘he who pays the piper dictates the tune.’”
Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, echoed this support, though he raised concerns about the NJC’s neutrality.
“The proposal by the National Assembly to amend the constitution to involve the NJC in the appointment of the INEC chairman is in line with Justice Uwais’ recommendation because over time, we have seen how presidents appointed their protégés and cronies, including people with a clear partisan background, into INEC.
“It is because of this that YIAGA Africa called it institutional capture, that is, INEC captured by the executive arm.
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“Is the NJC independent enough to manage the appointment of the INEC chairman in view of the fact that the CJN has overbearing powers in determining the members and the composition of its members?”
While backing the intention behind the reform, Itodo advocated a more inclusive approach.
He said, “I don’t know if this proposal to have the NJC manage the appointment process is a welcome development or if it would inspire confidence on the part of Nigerians.
“It is good to remove the power of appointing the INEC chairman from the President, but is it possible to set up a multi-stakeholder committee to manage this process and then send nominations or those who successfully passed the interview process to the National Assembly for screening before appointments by the President?
“There has to be a way of ensuring that whoever is responsible for any action in the appointment value chain is independent, so that we don’t have partisan people getting appointed to the electoral commission.”
Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, also supported the involvement of the NJC, suggesting it could help rehabilitate the image of the judiciary.
“If the National Assembly can amend the constitution to allow the NJC to have a say in the selection process of the INEC chairman, it will be a good development. It will enhance the integrity and credibility of the NJC because Nigerians are beginning to question the character of the judiciary. Nigerians are losing confidence in the judiciary because of their perception of injustice perpetrated by that arm of government.
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“Hopefully, NJC members who will be involved in selecting the INEC chairman, as well as the Commissioners, will help the image of the judiciary. Our constitution does not allow partisan persons to head the electoral commission, but successive presidents have been ignoring this constitutional provision. So, NJC members who are expected to be non-partisan would assist in selecting a good person to head INEC,” Rafsanjani said.
Reps move for review of INEC chairman appointment process
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