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Anti-Corruption: International IDEA, Stakeholders Advocate for Domestication of Fiscal Responsibility Act in North Central States

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Anti-Corruption: International IDEA, Stakeholders Advocate for Domestication of Fiscal Responsibility Act in North Central States

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders in Anti-Corruption and Accountability in public funds have called for the domestication of Nigeria’s Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act in the North Central States of Nigeria to promote transparency and accountability.

The call came during the North Central Zonal Summit of Fiscal Responsibility Institutions funded by the European Union and being implemented by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) and International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) held in Jos the Plateau State Capital.

The two-day engagement with the theme: ‘Integrating the Citizens into Fiscal Decision-Making in States and Local Governments: Insight from Fiscal Responsibility Act’ is aimed at ensuring the dividends of democracy reach the people as expected with prudence in financial management.

Addressing participants at the summit, Executive Chairman of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), Victor Muruako, harped on the need for citizens’ participation in fiscal decision-making, stressing that such will promote transparency and accountability, which are essential components of good governance.

Represented by his Special Adviser, Chris Uwadoka, the FRC chairman said that the essence of the summit was to facilitate the domestication of the Act by sub-nationals.

He maintained that the theme of the summit underscores the importance of strengthening fiscal responsibility and promoting citizen participation in public finance management at the sub-national level.

He said, “Transparency and accountability are essential components of good governance. The public has the right to know how public funds are being allocated, spent, and managed. This includes information about budget proposals, expenditure reports, and audit findings.

“By promoting transparency, we can empower citizens to hold public officials accountable and ensure that public resources are used efficiently and effectively. 

“Recent initiatives such as the Open Government Partnership, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Sustainable Fiscal Frameworks (SFF) have made significant strides in promoting citizen participation and accountability in public finance management. These reforms aim to strengthen transparency, enhance public oversight, and improve service delivery.” 

The Plateau State Coordinator of RoLAC Programme of International IDEA, Mr Pwanakim Mantin Dala, said citizens’ participation in the management of resources is key for any government operations across various levels, especially at the grassroots level.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Act looks beyond releasing budgetary information to the public; it looks at how the fund is being applied. It also looks at what the funds were allocated for and whether the funds were properly utilized for the purposes. So that you’re not spending so much for so little and that’s what this engagement is all about.”

On his part, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Grace Dongkum, assured that the state was already in the process of domesticating the Fiscal Responsibility Act to further strengthen government operations.

He said, “Fiscal Responsibility is an integral part of government, especially financial management, because it is about transparency.

“One thing about transparency is that you manage the resources in such a way that it meets the critical needs of sectors and still have resources for future use. Fiscal Responsibility and Act wants to ensure that we don’t finish everything we have right now; we think of the future.

“So, in decisions that we will make, we are being transparent, and we situate projects or services in such a way that they will have long-lasting effects and also ensure that the future benefits from the decisions that are taken now.”

Anti-Corruption: International IDEA, Stakeholders Advocate for Domestication of Fiscal Responsibility Act in North Central States

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Crime

Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

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Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

By: Zagazola Makama

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested six suspects following a clash between farmers and herders in Waduku, Lamurde Local Government Area, which resulted in injuries to a villager and 11 cattle.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on April 2 when some herders allegedly trespassed into a rice farm and caused damage to the crops.

In retaliation, angry youths from the village attacked the herders, injuring their cattle and wounding one person identified as Righteous Boti from Nzumoso Village.

Security personnel visited the scene and held an emergency meeting with local stakeholders to prevent further escalation of violence.

The arrested suspects include Rabo Buba, 31; Ahmadu Adamu, 20; Stephen Pwagwadi, 17; Shadrach Simon, 19; Lot Gad, 20; and Righteous Boti, 27.

The injured individuals received treatment at the Tingno Primary Health Care Clinic and have since been discharged.

Six Arrested as Farmers, Herders Clash in Adamawa

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Suspected Thief Dies After Being Beaten by Man O’ War officer, in FCT

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Suspected Thief Dies After Being Beaten by Man O’ War officer, in FCT

By: Zagazola Makama

A suspected thief in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has died after being beaten by a security officer following his apprehension on April 2.

A Police sources said that a distress call was received at Karu Division about a suspected thief seen around Supreme Quarters in Karu at approximately 1:00 p.m.

The suspect was approached by security personnel who believed him to be involved in theft. When questioned, the suspect attempted to flee but was quickly chased and apprehended by civilian security personnel.

Kola Oba, a Man O’ War officer, then reportedly took the suspect into custody and subjected him to severe physical abuse. The suspect later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the beating and passed away.

The sources said that the Police detectives were dispatched to the scene, and photographs were taken. The body was subsequently transported to the hospital mortuary for preservation.

The suspect’s identity remains unknown, and efforts are underway to locate his family. The officer involved has been arrested.

Suspected Thief Dies After Being Beaten by Man O’ War officer, in FCT

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Sokoto: Man Arrested for Killing Woman in Domestic Dispute

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Sokoto: Man Arrested for Killing Woman in Domestic Dispute

By: Zagazola Makama

A domestic dispute in Sagera Ango Village, Gada LGA, turned deadly on April 2, 2025, when Ali Garba, during a heated argument with A’isha Araga, attacked her with a cutlass.

The altercation, which escalated quickly, resulted in Ali Garba inflicting severe injuries on A’isha’s neck and other parts of her body.

Security personnel, responded promptly to the scene and rushed A’isha to General Hospital Gada for medical treatment. However, she succumbed to her injuries while receiving care.

Ali Garba was immediately apprehended by the police and is in custody.

The case has been handed over to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (DC CID), for further discreet investigation.

Sokoto: Man Arrested for Killing Woman in Domestic Dispute

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