Crime
SERAP sues PMB, others over alleged missing N3.1 billion in Finance Ministry

SERAP sues Buhari, others over alleged missing N3.1bn in Finance Ministry
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has sued President Muhammadu Buhari over his failure to probe alleged N3.1 billion of public funds missing from the Federal Ministry of Finance and prosecution of suspects.
Joined in the suit as Respondents are: Abubakar Malami, SAN, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation; and Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
The suit followed the grim allegations by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation in the 2018 and 2019 annual audited reports that N3.1billion of public funds were missing, misappropriated or unaccounted for.
In the suit filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Adelanke Aremo, the organization is
seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Buhari to ensure the investigation of the alleged missing N3.1bn of public funds, the prosecution of anyone suspected to be responsible, and the recovery of any missing public money.”
According to SERAP, “Investigating and prosecuting the allegations, and recovering any missing public funds would serve the public interest, and end the impunity of perpetrators.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The consequences of corruption are felt by citizens on a daily basis. Corruption exposes them to additional costs, and undermines economic development of the country, trapping the majority of Nigerians in poverty and depriving them of opportunities.
“It is in the interest of justice to grant this application. The suit is in keeping with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], particularly the provisions on oath of office by public officers, and section 15[5] which requires the authorities to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Complying with constitutional requirements and international standards on transparency and accountability would ensure effective and efficient management of public resources, and put the country’s wealth and resources to work for the common good of all Nigerians.”
The suit read in part: “The failure to investigate the allegations of grand corruption in the Ministry of Finance constitutes a grave violation of the duty placed on the authorities to take appropriate measures to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.”
“President Buhari’s constitutional responsibility to ensure the investigation and prosecution of allegations of corruption, as well as recovery of any missing public funds is contained in Section 15[5] of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that ‘the State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’, and in the Oath of Office in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
“According to the report of the Auditor-General for 2018, the Ministry of Finance spent N24,708,090.00 on pre-retirement training but without any document. The consultant hired also failed to quote any price as cost of the training but the Ministry paid N5,670,060.00 to the consultant.
“The Ministry also reportedly failed to account for N2,885,772,493.27 released to the ministry from the Service Wide Vote to take care of estacodes and other allowances for representing the Federal Government in meetings, and contribution to Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
“According to the 2019 report of the Auditor-General, the Ministry paid N20,466,744.00 as cash advances to staff of ‘You-Win’ between 8 February and 18 December, 2018 but the Ministry has failed to retire the money.
“The advances were granted for the purchase of store items, repairs and other services that would have been made through the award of contract. Government lost N2,046,674.40 which would have accrued as taxes had these jobs been undertaken through award of contracts. The Auditor-General wants the money recovered.
“The Ministry also reportedly paid N15,471,850.00 to two consultants for capacity building in Kano and Adamawa States but without any supporting document, contrary to paragraph 603 (1) of the Financial Regulations. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money may have been diverted, and wants it recovered.”
Meanwhile, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Crime
Police raids lead to arrest of 104 suspects in Abuja

Police raids lead to arrest of 104 suspects in Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Police operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) carried out successful raids across multiple criminal hotspots on April 23, resulting in the arrest of 104 suspects.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the coordinated operation involved officers from Karshi, Kubwa, Kabusa, Nyanya, Lugbe, Utako, Maitama, Apo, Mpape, Karmo, Tungan Maje, and G/Lada Divisions.
During the raids, authorities recovered cutlasses, dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, and illicit drugs.
The arrested suspects, who have been profiled, are currently in custody, undergoing screening and interrogation. Those found to be involved in criminal activities will be charged to court.
Police raids lead to arrest of 104 suspects in Abuja
Crime
Man stabs fellow mentally unstable person to death in Delta

Man stabs fellow mentally unstable person to death in Delta
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident occurred on April 22 in Aladja, Delta State, when Jerry David, a mentally unstable man, allegedly stabbed his fellow companion to death with a broken bottle.
Zagazola Makama understands that a violent altercation between two mentally unstable individuals in his house.
When security personnel arrived the scene discovered that Jerry David had stabbed his fellow resident multiple times on the left hand, rib, back of the head, and left shoulder, causing fatal injuries.
The victim, whose identity is still unknown, was confirmed dead from the injuries. The police evacuated the body and deposited it at Noble Mortuary in Owvian, pending autopsy.
Police sources say an investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to subject Jerry David to a mental evaluation to determine the appropriate course of action.
Man stabs fellow mentally unstable person to death in Delta
Crime
Troops Intensify Search for Kidnapped Pastor in Kauru LGA

Troops Intensify Search for Kidnapped Pastor in Kauru LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of 1 Division in Kaduna State are working in collaboration with other security agencies to rescue a 55-year-old pastor who was abducted by bandits in Kurmin Rizga village, Kauru Local Government Area (LGA), in the early hours of April 23, 2025.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that a group of armed bandits invaded Kurmin Rizga, firing sporadically, and kidnapped Rev. Ibrahim James, the pastor of the Catholic Church in the village, taking him to an unknown location.
In response, the troops launched a search operation to locate and rescue the pastor unharmed. Efforts to apprehend the suspects and ensure the pastor’s safe return are ongoing.
Troops Intensify Search for Kidnapped Pastor in Kauru LGA
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