How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up - Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up

Published

on

Doris Uzoka-Anite

How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up

President Bola Tinubu has removed Doris Uzoka-Anite as Minister of State for Finance and nominated Taiwo Oyedele as her replacement, following a dramatic cabinet reshuffle that came just one week after an explosive budget defence hearing at the House of Representatives.

The development has sparked intense national debate, as it followed public scrutiny over ₦1.15 trillion in approved capital funds that were reportedly not disbursed despite being part of the 2025 federal budget.

On February 25, 2026, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, confronted the finance team during the Appropriation Committee’s budget defence session. Armed with documentation from his role on the House Committee on Aids and Loans, Ikwechegh listed major approved loans and funding arrangements, including $1.2 billion for digital infrastructure, $500 million economic stimulus, $500 million MSME support (December 2025), $500 million AfDB-backed economic governance and energy transition funding, additional executive loan requests in multiple currencies, and ₦1.15 trillion — representing 30% of the 2025 capital budget — approved but not disbursed.

Despite these approvals and strong revenue reports from agencies such as FIRS and Nigeria Customs Service, lawmakers were informed that capital project execution stood at zero percent. Ikwechegh pressed the panel, questioning why capital projects across Nigeria remained unfunded while recurrent expenditure had already consumed a significant portion of released funds.

READ ALSO:

When questioned, Minister of Finance Wale Edun reportedly shifted responsibility for disbursements to Uzoka-Anite, prompting the committee to summon her the following day. Uzoka-Anite confirmed that the ₦1.15 trillion had indeed been approved but stated that some ministries had not met “pre-disbursement conditions.” Lawmakers demanded clarification on which ministries had met all requirements yet failed to receive funding. She was unable to name any, raising concerns over whether funds were approved without adequate verification or whether allocations were being withheld without justification.

Exactly seven days after the initial hearing, the presidency announced a cabinet reshuffle. In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Uzoka-Anite was reassigned to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as Minister of State, marking her third portfolio under the Tinubu administration. She had previously served as Minister of Trade and Investment before moving to Finance. Her replacement nominee, Taiwo Oyedele, now awaits Senate confirmation. The official statement did not directly link the reshuffle to the budget defence hearing, but the timing has fueled widespread public speculation.

Taiwo Oyedele is a respected tax expert and economist who previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. Before his nomination, he spent over two decades at PwC, rising to become Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader. He is widely known for leading tax reform initiatives aimed at simplifying Nigeria’s tax system and broadening the revenue base. If confirmed, Oyedele will work alongside Wale Edun at the Federal Ministry of Finance.

The controversy surrounding the ₦1.15 trillion capital budget funds highlights deeper concerns about budget implementation, public finance transparency, and accountability in Nigeria. While the cabinet reshuffle signals a political response, the core question remains unresolved: Where is the ₦1.15 trillion approved for capital projects?

If funds were approved by the National Assembly but not released for infrastructure development, the implications extend beyond politics to roads, hospitals, schools, and economic growth nationwide. For many Nigerians, the sequence of events suggests that legislative oversight may have triggered executive action. Whether further investigation or accountability measures will follow remains to be seen.

How Ikwechegh’s ₦1.15tr Interrogation Led to Tinubu’s Cabinet Shake-Up

metro

Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

Published

on

defilement

Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

The Nasarawa State Police Command on Sunday disclosed the arrest of one Pastor Asonye Isaiah, 37, of Rock of Love and Adoration Ground, Old Karshi, Abuja, for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl.

The arrest followed a complaint lodged at the Karishi Division on Saturday, 18th April, 2026, at about 8:00pm.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect deceived the victim’s aunt, claiming her niece was “possessed” and required cleansing at a river.

According to the Command spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, Isaiah instead took the victim to a hotel in New Karshi, Nasarawa State where he allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her twice and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.

READ ALSO:

He said, “The crime came to light after the victim’s guardian observed unusual changes in her behaviour and questioned her.

“The victim was immediately taken for medical examination, which confirmed penile penetration.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and pleaded for leniency.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia, for comprehensive investigation and prosecution.

He assured that justice will be served and urged members of the public to exercise caution regarding places of worship they attend and individuals who parade themselves as clerics.

Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Defilement of Minor

thewhistler

Continue Reading

metro

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

Published

on

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ugborikoko Police Station in Warri, Delta State, has been accused of ordering officers to brutally assault, strip naked, and force confessions from 15 women during a controversial police raid.

The allegation was made public by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu and one of the victims, Janet James George, in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), which has since sparked widespread outrage.

According to the victim’s account, the women were arrested during a raid around the Delta Mall area and taken to the Ugborikoko Police Station, where they were detained overnight before the alleged assault occurred the following day.

She alleged that the DPO personally supervised the operation and instructed officers—reportedly dressed in plain clothes—to flog the women with wires and force them to confess to prostitution.

“They flogged us naked… they used wire to flog us… if you say you are not a prostitute, they will slap you and beat you until you agree,” she alleged.

She further claimed that the women were beaten for several hours, forced to sign statements admitting to prostitution, and filmed during the ordeal.

READ ALSO:

The victim also alleged that some of the women sustained injuries to sensitive parts of their bodies, making it difficult for them to walk or use the toilet after the incident.

The alleged abuse has drawn strong reactions from rights advocates, who have called for a transparent investigation into the conduct of officers at the station and accountability if the claims are verified.

The incident is said to have occurred on April 10.

Reacting to the viral video, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State, DSP Bright Edafe, condemned the allegations, describing them as “painful and very sad.”

He confirmed that the command has begun reviewing the case and assured that appropriate action would be taken.

“The command has received this report… no human being should be given this treatment no matter what. The command is presently giving it all the attention it deserves,” Edafe said.

He also urged the victim to formally reach out to the command to assist ongoing investigations.

The case adds to growing scrutiny of alleged misconduct within police divisions in Nigeria, with renewed calls for reforms, improved accountability, and adherence to human rights standards in law enforcement operations.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to verify the claims and determine the next steps.

Delta DPO Accused of Ordering Flogging, Naked Strip of Women in Police Raid

Continue Reading

metro

Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Published

on

Kwara Police Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo
Kwara Police Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo

Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Suspected bandits have abducted a traditional ruler, his wife, and another resident following a late-night attack on Olayinka community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The monarch, Oba Salman Aweda, who was recently elevated by the Kwara State Government, was among those kidnapped when armed attackers stormed his palace around 1:40 a.m. on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, firing sporadically to scare residents before whisking away the monarch, his wife, and one other victim to an unknown destination.

A resident who spoke on the incident said the attackers operated freely despite the late hour, leaving the community in fear.

“It happened around 1 a.m. in Olayinka. His wife and one other person were also taken. The monarch is one of those recently graded,” the source said.

Another resident described the raid as swift and terrifying, noting that no resistance could be mounted against the heavily armed attackers.

READ ALSO:

“The bandits came heavily armed around 1:40 a.m. and took the monarch away. There was fear everywhere,” the resident added.

Confirming the attack, the Olora of Ora, Oba Rilwan Yekini, said the incident reflects worsening insecurity in neighbouring communities, warning that rural settlements are increasingly under threat.

“Just yesterday before dawn, kidnappers struck at Olayinka village and abducted the monarch and two others. Even Ora is no longer safe,” he said.

He called on the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in the area, stressing that local vigilante groups and security personnel need more support to respond effectively.

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hadji Abdulrasheed Yusuf, described the incident as distressing, confirming that a joint search-and-rescue operation had been launched.

According to him, security operatives, local vigilantes, and forest guards have begun combing surrounding forests and communities in efforts to rescue the victims.

“We are deeply concerned and are taking swift and decisive action in collaboration with security agencies,” Yusuf said.

He urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Police Command said efforts have been intensified to track down the kidnappers. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, noted that security operatives are closing in on the suspects, although he expressed concern over possible insider collaboration.

“The kidnappers have gone into hiding because of the ongoing onslaught against them. The challenge is the activities of local collaborators, but we are on their trail,” he said.

The incident adds to a growing wave of abductions in parts of Kwara North and South, where rural communities and traditional institutions have increasingly become targets of armed groups.

Authorities say operations are ongoing as security forces intensify efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims.

Bandits Kidnap Kwara Monarch, Wife, Aide in Overnight Palace Attack

Continue Reading
HostArmada Affordable Cloud SSD Shared Hosting
HostArmada - Affordable Cloud SSD Web Hosting

Trending