News
No enough evidence to prosecute 33 indicted SARS operatives – Malami
Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, says there is not enough evidence to prosecute 33 personnel of the now disbanded special anti-robbery squad (SARS) of the police indicted by a presidential panel in 2019.
The panel was chaired by Tony Ojukwu, executive secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), between 2018 and 2019.
The committee’s report indicted 35 police officers in 12 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) but recommended 33 for prosecution.
The panel also recommended that N249 million be paid to 57 victims
The report was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2019.
According to PUNCH, Malami’s position set up a committee to review the recommendations by the Ojukwu panel.
The AGF said the cases were not properly investigated and asked Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP), to probe the cases.
He said, “The report of the panel does not meet prosecutorial needs. No proper investigation was concluded in all the cases.
“Admissible evidence such as exhibits, medical evidence, statements of the suspects and witnesses that can be used in court have not been obtained or recorded in the appropriate sheet from the suspects and witnesses by the appropriate.
“The indicted officers should be made to undergo disciplinary actions immediately and dismissed where appropriate.
“That the IGP, who is well aware of the sensitivity of the matter, should be advised to set up a special investigation team to conduct a thorough investigation into the individual cases.
“That after thorough investigation, the cases that are federal offences or fall within the FCT will be prosecuted by the office of the HAGF while those that are state offences will be transferred to the respective states for prosecution.”
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Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
The Presidency has clarified that former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, resigned from office on health grounds and was not removed, putting to rest speculation surrounding his exit from the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
In a statement issued in Abuja by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the government also confirmed that the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, similarly stepped down voluntarily.
According to the Presidency, Edun conveyed his decision in a formal resignation letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing health concerns. The former minister, who recently turned 70, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the administration.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected,” his letter read in part.
The Presidency disclosed that Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President on Tuesday, where both men held a closed-door meeting lasting about an hour before the official announcement of his resignation.
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Following the meeting, Edun was said to have departed Abuja to focus on private business interests and personal matters, marking the end of his tenure in public office for now.
Similarly, Ahmed Dangiwa thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, as the administration acknowledged his contributions to housing and urban development policies during his time in office.
President Tinubu expressed appreciation to both former ministers for their service and roles in advancing the government’s reform agenda, wishing them success in their future endeavours.
As part of the transition, the Presidency confirmed that Taiwo Oyedele has assumed office as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. He has been tasked with consolidating ongoing fiscal reforms and driving Nigeria’s economic agenda with renewed discipline and innovation.
In the housing sector, the President is expected to forward the nomination of Muttaqha Darma to the Senate for confirmation as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Edun, a seasoned economist and investment banker, previously served as Lagos State Commissioner for Finance between 1999 and 2004 during Tinubu’s tenure as governor, where he played a key role in fiscal reforms at the state level.
His tenure at the federal level was marked by efforts to stabilise Nigeria’s economy, manage public finances, and implement reforms amid inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty.
The Presidency’s clarification comes amid heightened public interest and political commentary following the recent cabinet reshuffle, with officials emphasising that the exits were voluntary and part of a smooth leadership transition within the administration.
Presidency Clarifies Edun, Dangiwa Resigned—Not Sacked
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Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
A fresh controversy has erupted over Nigeria insecurity, drawing international attention after a United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels, accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to suppress global scrutiny of ongoing violence across parts of the country.
Daniels, a member of the Florida House of Representatives and Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the allegations during a Facebook Live broadcast, where she claimed there were coordinated efforts linked to the minister to influence American officials and control the narrative surrounding the security crisis in Nigeria.
According to Daniels, her earlier statements highlighting what she described as targeted killings in Nigeria, particularly affecting Christian communities, triggered pressure from individuals she alleged were associated with Matawalle. She said these efforts included attempts to discredit her report, circulate counter-narratives, and lobby U.S.-based elected officials to publicly oppose her position. Daniels further alleged that an unnamed American lawmaker was “persuaded” to defend Nigeria’s defence leadership, raising concerns about possible external influence on U.S. political voices.
“I am speaking on behalf of people who say they are under attack,” Daniels stated, emphasizing that her intervention was intended to call for investigation into the violence in Northern Nigeria rather than make outright accusations. She insisted that no amount of pressure would silence her, citing her constitutional right to speak on international human rights issues.
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The controversy stems from a report released on April 14, 2026, by Daniels under the UN-WCD, which spotlighted escalating insecurity in Northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central and North-West regions. The report referenced attacks during the Easter period in Plateau, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states, noting what it described as a widening gap between government assurances and the realities faced by communities on the ground.
In addition to documenting the Nigeria killings crisis, the report questioned the credibility of the current defence leadership and recommended a review of the country’s security architecture. It specifically called on Bola Tinubu to consider redeploying Matawalle and initiating a transparent investigation into both the security situation and the allegations of influence operations.
Daniels maintained that her findings were based on testimonies from affected communities, contributions from members of the Nigerian diaspora, and intelligence gathered through the UN-WCD’s multinational network spanning the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and Canada. She stressed that the aim was to promote accountability and draw global attention to the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, not to interfere with the country’s sovereignty.
As of now, Matawalle has not issued an official response to the allegations. However, the development has sparked debate within political and diplomatic circles, with some Nigerian stakeholders cautioning against foreign involvement in domestic security matters, while others argue that international attention could help address the Nigeria security crisis more effectively.
The situation underscores growing global concern over banditry in Nigeria, insurgency, and communal violence, as well as increasing scrutiny of how Nigeria’s defence leadership is handling the crisis. It also highlights the expanding influence of diaspora voices and foreign lawmakers in shaping international narratives around Nigeria’s internal security challenges.
Insecurity in Nigeria: US Lawmaker Accuses Matawalle of Attempt to Silence Global Scrutiny
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BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly approved a minor cabinet reshuffle involving key changes in the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including the removal of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa.
The development was said to have been contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, directing immediate transition processes across the affected ministries.
Wale Edun, Dangiwa Relieved of Ministerial Duties
According to the reported directive, Wale Edun has been asked to hand over duties at the Ministry of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Similarly, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa is to vacate his position as Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
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The memo reportedly instructed that all handover processes be concluded on or before close of business on Thursday, April 23, 2026, ensuring a smooth administrative transition within the affected ministries.
Succession Arrangements and Ministerial Changes
The document further stated that Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has been named as the incoming Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, following Edun’s exit.
In the housing ministry, Dr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has reportedly been nominated as Minister-designate for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, pending formal confirmation procedures. Until then, Dangiwa has been directed to hand over to the Minister of State within the ministry.
Presidency Explains Reason for Reshuffle
Explaining the development, SGF George Akume was quoted as saying the changes are aimed at improving cohesion, synergy in governance, and economic delivery under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers under Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), emphasizing that cabinet adjustments remain part of ongoing efforts to improve governance efficiency.
Presidential Appreciation and Next Steps
The memo also reportedly conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation to outgoing ministers for their service to the nation, while wishing them success in their future engagements. It further indicated that the President assured Nigerians and cabinet members that government reinvigoration efforts will continue periodically.
BREAKING: Tinubu Allegedly Shakes Up Cabinet, Removes Wale Edun, Ahmed Dangiwa
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