TETFund Contractor Muhammad Zanna Vanishes After Receiving Supplies for Bida Poly Contract – Newstrends
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TETFund Contractor Muhammad Zanna Vanishes After Receiving Supplies for Bida Poly Contract

Published

2 years ago

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Federal Polytechnic, Bida

Two years after receiving plumbing materials for a TETFund project in Niger State, Alhaji Muhammad Zanna (Mai’jir), CEO of Kamazaf Engineering Services Ltd, has ‘fled’ with the outstanding payment for the materials delivered by Dr Alpha Abdullahi Aliyu, founder of Zaitun Tech Services.

FIJ gathered that Alhaji Zanna relocated to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, in 2021 without paying his debt.

Despite all efforts to get the TETFund contractor to pay the outstanding bill, which is to the tune of N621,530, he has remained “unreachable and untouchable”.

Aliyu told FIJ that Zanna had gotten a contract for the construction of the administration block extension at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.

One of the letters written to the TETFund contractor

The contract, according to him, was funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). The construction project kicked off in 2019 and it was completed in 2020.

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He further disclosed that Zanna had been paying for the materials until 2020 when he last supplied the plumbing materials for the TETFund project.

“In April 2019, he requested for the supply of plumbing materials for the construction work of the institution. He made part payment and left out N601,530. The eite engineer, who was in the centre of the transactions, asked me to give N20,000 to the contractor’s plumber then.

“The last items supplied were in 2020, and he was paying all the while until when he stopped paying before finishing and handing over the project. Contractors like that pay when they receive payment from TETFund.

The court summons

“He has been paid fully by TETFund since 2021, yet he has refused to pay what he owes me. I dragged him to court, yet no response from him. My lawyers said he is unreachable and untouchable.

“He is really owing a lot of people here in Bida from that contract. I’ve been in contact with his site engineer, who keeps on telling me to wait. I have written several letters, demanding him to pay me if he does not want me to make a court case against him. I even included an account number for him to send the money. But he has not contacted me,” he told FIJ.

Frustrated by the TETFund contractor’s blatant disregard for the payment, Aliyu instituted a case before the Chief District Court in Bida.

Hon Gimba Baba Essa, the presiding magistrate, had ordered the contractor to be served a summons, stating that he must be present at the above-named court on March 7, 2022. However, Alhaji Zanna disregarded the order.

When FIJ contacted Aliyu Mohammed Usman, the site manager who works for the contractor, he said: “The issue is that he wants to pay the money, but right now, some of his contracts are not going.”

When FIJ reached out to Zanna for comments, he said he would call back but he did not. When he was called three hours later, he did not pick up the calls.

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Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 23, 2025

By

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, has refuted ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he never interfered with Area Councils’ funds during his tenure.

Jarimi, who served under El-Rufai’s administration, described the claim as misleading, stating that funds were routinely deducted from councils’ allocations under various guises by the previous government.

The ex-ALGON State Secretary, who is also the former Chairman of Kaduna South local government, disclosed this in an interview over the weekend.

“I was shocked by El Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs.

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“We never got our full allocations under El-Rufai. His government kept introducing policies to deduct funds unnecessarily. I even considered resigning. At times, we had no funds for overhead costs after paying salaries,” he recalled.

Jarimi, who said that El-Rufai justified the deductions as necessary to settle workers’ salaries, further noted that the state government also employed various means to withdraw additional funds.

The former Council Chairman cited the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a means of shortchanging local governments.

“Salaries were shared 60–40 between the capital territories and LGs around them. In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” he stated.

The former Chairman further alleged that the funds of local governments outside the capital territories were also deducted without explanation, citing deductions for security and ‘riot damage.’

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 23, 2025

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona of St. Patrick Church, Ichida, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Anambra State.

According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men, operating in a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the cleric and whisked him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

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A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) were said to have responded swiftly to the attack, pursuing the assailants and engaging them in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.

Though the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained significant damage, including a shattered rear windshield.

The Anambra Police Command is yet to release a statement on the abduction of the priest.

 

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

Published

16 hours ago

on

March 23, 2025

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Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Branch, Ede, Osun State, has described as “fake news” a statement credited to MURIC which alleged the suspension of a Muslim student of the university over Friday prayers.

The association, in a statement signed by its Ameer, Imran Adigun AbdulHakeem, on Sunday, said MURIC’s reports circulated on social media were a misrepresentation of happenings within the university, saying “our faith is respected by the management.”

In another letter, the association apologised to the director and facilitator of the university, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, whom the association credited with providing a conducive atmosphere for Muslim students to practise their faith.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, [I] write to address the ongoing misinformation circulating on social media and other platforms regarding the suspension of Muslim Students for praying on Campus.

“On the 14th of March, 2025, we were temporarily suspended from observing our Night Ramadan Prayers (Taraweeh) and Jummat prayers on campus on the orders of the Director of Security Service (DSS).

“However, on the 18th of March, we met with Dr. Mrs. Modupe Adeleke regarding these challenges.

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“She provided us with a place where we could observe Ramadan, Jummat prayers, and the five daily prayers which we accepted. As a result, the suspension has been lifted, and we have resumed prayers at the new location provided by the university on the orders of Dr Modupe Adeleke.

“At no time have Muslim Students been forced to change their beliefs. While challenges may arise in any diverse academic institution, the university management has always been open to dialogue, and we have continued to receive support in practicing our faith.

“Adeleke University has provided a peaceful and respectful environment for all faiths, and we continue to practice our religion freely.

“We urge the public to disregard the misinformation that may have been spread regarding this matter as they do not reflect the reality of our experiences,” the letter to the university management noted.

The letter of apology to Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni reads: “As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). On behalf of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, I apologize for any distress caused by the false social media reports.

“We assure you that we had no hand in spreading the misinformation. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, guidance, and kindness towards us.

“Your commitment to our well-being and academic success is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your good deeds. Jazakumullah khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness).

“Thank you for being an exceptional Mother and mentor. We are blessed to have you,” the letter added.

 

Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

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