News
Budget Padding: NEFGAD Threatens Court Action, Says it’s a Grave Procurement Infraction
Budget Padding: NEFGAD Threatens Court Action, Says it’s a Grave Procurement Infraction
By: Michael Mike
The Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) a public procurement advocacy group has issued pre-action notice to the Federal Government and National Assembly over issue of Budget interference by the National Assembly.
The group made this known in a letter signed by its head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi and sent to President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas.
Omoniyi argued that projects initiation by lawmakers is beyond the legislative powers of the National Assembly as outlined in the Nigerian constitution and the Public Procurement Act 2007.
He said that: ‘’The power to initiate any procurement proceeding is purely an executive function and lays with procuring entities/ministerial and extra-ministerial procurement committees and such must be conducted strictly in line with section 18 (a, b, c d, e, f and g) of the Public Procurement Act 2007 which mandates procuring entities to engage in planning of procurement in order to prepare the needs assessment and evaluation; identifying the goods/works or services required; carrying appropriate market and statistical surveys; and on the basis prepare an analysis of the cost implications of the proposed procurement; aggregate its requirements wherever possible/both within the procuring entities to obtain economy of scale to reduce procurement cost; and ensuring that the procurement entity functions as stipulated to be carried out by the procurement planning committee’’.
Mr Omoniyi stressed that ‘’the spirit and letter of the Public Procurement Act underscores the need to organize public procurement in a manner that ensures economy of scale, guide against undue interference and by ensuring that the process maintain high level of proven system scrutiny and integrity. Hence, any project/procurement item that does not satisfy legally outlined planning and organizational criteria (as in the case of constituency projects which are inserted midway into public procurement proceeding by the National Assembly) is utterly defective’’
He frowned at the usual practice of the National Assembly to upwardly/downwardly review budget estimates during Budget presentations/defense saying it is improper and unlawful, being that the appropriation bill is an executive bill and all procurement items are assumed to have passed through due and highly technical process of procurement assessment; evaluation; market and survey/price intelligence among others as enshrined in the PPA. Hence, any cost/project anomalies observed becomes an indictment on the procurement planning committees saddled with the projects costing responsibilities, he said such cannot be corrected overnight by the National Assembly right at the hallow chamber.
He however posited that incase of possible errors/inadequacies in the budgetary allocations, the National Assembly can return the entire appropriation bill to the president who will make necessary corrections/amendments through the procuring entities/procurement planning committees and represent to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
Omoniyi said: ‘’The legislative power of the National Assembly is to make laws, and such power in itself is not without limit, particularly on public procurement. The power had been sufficiently exercised by the enactment of the extant Public Procurement Act 2007 hence, any conduct of the National Assembly on public contracts outside of the extant public procurement Act/regulations amounts to abuse of power/over-legislation.’’.
Budget Padding: NEFGAD Threatens Court Action, Says it’s a Grave Procurement Infraction
News
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
By: Michael Mike
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is facing possible committal to prison following contempt proceedings initiated over an alleged failure to comply with a Federal High Court order relating to the abduction and disappearance of Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.
The action was instituted by legal counsel to Mr. Anozie’s wife, Mr. Vincent Adodo, who accused the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the IGP of willfully disobeying a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 24, 2025.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025 between Mrs. Nnenna Anozie v. Inspector General of Police, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the IGP to produce for prosecution operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) alleged to have abducted Mr. Anozie from his Lekki residence in Lagos on June 15, 2017.
The court also directed the police authorities to forward the investigation report and legal advice on the matter to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation for appropriate action.
The court further awarded ₦2 million in damages against the IGP for failing to respond to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Mrs. Anozie seeking details of investigations into her husband’s disappearance.
The SARS operatives listed in the judgment include officers attached to the former SARS unit in Akwuzu, Anambra State, who were accused of involvement in the alleged abduction.
According to court documents, despite being served with the judgment in October 2025, the IGP has neither complied with the orders of the court nor paid the damages awarded. This development prompted Mrs. Anozie’s legal team to initiate contempt proceedings by serving the IGP with Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order) and Form 49 (Notice of Committal to Correctional Centre).
The applicant is now seeking an order of court committing the IGP to Kuje Correctional Centre until he complies fully with the judgment.
The motion for contempt has been scheduled for hearing on February 9, 2025, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued an official response to the contempt proceedings.
Court Threatens Contempt Action Against IGP Over Alleged Disobedience in Anozie Abduction Case
News
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
Urges African entrepreneurs to close ranks to fully harness continent’s huge potentials
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has lauded the transformative impact of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on the global entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem that has raised over $1.5 billion dollars and created over 30,000 direct jobs in 20 years.
He, however, urged African entrepreneurs to close ranks in order to fully harness the continent’s huge potentials, leveraging MIT’s resource mobilization network and job creation opportunities.
The Vice President made the remarks on Wednesday when he received a delegation from Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025-2026 led by MIT’s Executive Director for the Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, Dina Sherif, on a courtesy visit at the presidential villa.

Senator Shettima called for unity of purpose among African professionals and entrepreneurs, saying “Africa is the new frontier and future belongs to the continent but its people must unite to transform potentials into tangible results that impact lives and livelihoods.
“Africa is blessed with enormous human and material resources but its people must fuse into one to benefit from the tremendous opportunities that abound across the continent,” he added.

He disclosed that Nigeria President Bola Tinubu is daring to leverage available opportunities to transform the entire economy, noting that “President Tinubu is not afraid of taking bold decisions that will reposition Nigeria’s economy and better the lives of the livelihoods of the people.”
Earlier in her remarks, the leader of the delegation, Sherif, said the delegation was at the Presidential Villa to brief the Vice President on the activities of MIT’s Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, assuring that the Centre is dedicated to “fueling the engine of entrepreneurship across the world”.
She noted that the team was in Nigeria in view of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship programme, which, according to her, has helped to entrench the spirit of entrepreneurship across the continent.

Sherif underscored the significance of collaboration among African startups, noting that Nigeria is a leading country, as evidenced in the progress recorded by startups across the continent.
She further assured of improved support for African-based startups from the centre through its various initiatives.

Also present at the meeting with the Vice President were the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, and some fellows of the Kuo Sharper Foundry Fellowship 2025 – 2026 Session across Africa.
VP Shettima Lauds Massachusetts Tech Institute’s Impact On Global Innovation Ecosystem
News
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
By: Michael Mike
A leading Nigerian climate change advocate and former National Assembly member, Rt. Hon Sam Onuigbo has described Nigeria’s participation in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) as a critical step towards advancing the country’s climate action agenda, strengthening international partnerships, and accelerating sustainable development.
Onuigbo, who spoke on phone to our correspondent from Abu Dhabi where he is currently attending the meeting, said the global event is of great significance, noting that the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, one of the world’s foremost sustainability platforms, provides Nigeria with a rare opportunity to align its national priorities with global climate solutions while attracting much-needed investment into green sectors of the economy.
According to the former lawmaker who sponsored Nigeria’s Climate Change Act of 2021, ADSW 2026 is not just another international conference for Nigeria but a strategic space where climate ambition meets real investment, innovation, and action.
He said: “Nigeria’s presence signals our readiness to transition to a greener economy while addressing energy poverty, unemployment, and climate vulnerability.
“Nigeria’s participation is boosted by the physical presence and address by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu both in 2025 and 2026. It is heartwarming that the President in his speech mentioned Nigeria’s readiness to partner with the rest of the world and even extended open invitation to them.
“Not only that, the President signalled Nigeria’s firm commitment to a green and inclusive transition, declaring that the country is aligning climate action with energy access, economic goal and social development.
“I want to commend Mr. President for announcing that Nigeria will co-host investopia with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Lagos in February as part of efforts to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into the country.”
Onuigbo, who currently represents the South-East geopolitical zone on the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), disclosed that Nigeria’s attendance will strengthen its influence in global climate and sustainability discussions.
He said: “As Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, Nigeria’s development choices have far-reaching implications for the continent. Participation at ADSW allows our country to clearly present its climate challenges ranging from flooding and desertification to energy access gaps while contributing African perspectives to global policy conversations.”
He emphasised the investment potential tied to the event. “Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week attracts global financiers, development partners, and technology providers focused on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, water security, and green infrastructure.
“Nigeria’s engagement creates direct pathways for funding solar and wind energy projects, waste-to-energy initiatives, andsustainable transport systems. At a time when Nigeria is pushing for energy transition that leaves no one behind, ADSW provides access to investors who are actively seeking bankable green projects in emerging markets and this can translate into jobs, improved power supply, and sustainable economic growths”
Giving more insight into what Nigeria stands to benefit, Onuigbo disclosed that Nigerian policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and youth delegates attending ADSW are expected to gain exposure to global best practices in clean technology, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, and sustainable urban development.
“These insights are vital for strengthening local institutions and improving policy implementation back home,” he said.
He further noted that Nigeria’s participation reinforces its commitment to meeting international climate obligations, including its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adding that active engagement at ADSWenhances Nigeria’s credibility and improves access to climate finance and technical support.
The Abia State- born advocate also stressed the importance of showcasing Nigerian innovation on a global stage.
“Nigeria has a growing community of climate-focused startups and innovators. ADSW gives them visibility, partnerships, and the chance to scale their solutions beyond our borders,” he said.
Onuigbo described Nigeria’s participation in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 as a message of hope and responsibility stressing “It tells the world that Nigeria is serious about sustainability and tells our young people that climate action is central to our future. This is a step in the right direction for a resilient and inclusive Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s ADSW 2026 Participation, A Boost to Climate Action- Onuigbo
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
