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.
Troops recover 42 rustled cattle, return them to owner in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have recovered 42 cattle rustled by suspected criminals in the Jwak Maitumbi-Sarbot general area of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops responded at about 1:32 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2026, following reports of sporadic shootings by suspected cattle rustlers in the area.
The troops launched a pursuit on two fronts along the suspected escape routes of the criminals.
Faced with pressure from the troops, the rustlers abandoned the cattle and fled towards the Sabon Gari general area.
The troops subsequently recovered all 42 cattle.
Further investigation established that the cattle belonged to Alhaji Hussaini Sale of Dorowa Babuje. The troops contacted him and formally handed over the 42 cattle to him.
The successful recovery underscores the troops’ continued efforts to protect rural communities and prevent cattle rustling in the area.
Troops recover 42 rustled cattle, return them to owner in Plateau
Troops arrest soldier, recover 69 rounds of ammunition in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a serving soldier and recovered ammunition and other military items during a stop-and-search operation at Babale Checkpoint in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The soldier, identified as 13NA/70/8069 Corporal Legedu Denebari, is serving with 109 Special Forces Battalion, Magumeri, Borno State, under Operation HADIN KAI.
He was arrested at about 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2026, during routine security checks at the checkpoint.
Items recovered from the soldier included one magazine, 69 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm Special ammunition, two Strike Force ballistic plates, two jack knives, one mobile phone, one power bank, one helmet, a Nigerian Army identity card and two pairs of camouflage uniforms.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the soldier was on pass from his unit to Rivers State with effect from Sept. 2, 2026.
The soldier and the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the movement and possession of the ammunition and other military equipment.
The development underscores the importance of ongoing stop-and-search operations by security forces to prevent the unauthorised movement of arms, ammunition and military equipment across the Joint Operations Area.
Troops arrest soldier, recover 69 rounds of ammunition in Plateau
Troops arrest four suspected motorcycle thieves, recover weapons in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have arrested four suspected motorcycle thieves and recovered three motorcycles and weapons during an operation in Exland Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation was conducted at about 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, following a report on the activities of suspected motorcycle snatchers operating in the area.
Sources said that the troops of Sub-Sector 41 deployed in Exland responded to the report and arrested four suspects at the location.
The suspects were identified as Yusuf Tahiru, 25; Ayuba Aliyu, 23; Anas Usman, 20, also known as “Kurra Berom”; and Ibrahim Muhammad, 20.
Following the arrests, troops conducted a cordon-and-search operation within the suspected area of activity and recovered three motorcycles believed to be connected to the suspects.
The troops also recovered one locally fabricated firearm, one cutlass and one knife during the operation.
The suspects and recovered exhibits have been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE to tackle criminal activities, including motorcycle theft and armed crime, and strengthen security across communities in Plateau State.
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