by Danladi Musa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)says it operatives in Kaduna Zonal Command have apprehended Captain Nuhu Haruna for an alleged criminal breach of trust amounting to N1.2 billion.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this information on its verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, stating that the arrest followed a petition filed against Haruna in December 2023.

According to the EFCC, the suspect is accused of collecting the aforementioned amount from a client for a foreign exchange transaction but deceived the customer in the process.

The petitioner asserted that in December 2023, he engaged the suspect for a foreign exchange transaction involving N1,020,000.00. Allegedly, he deposited the money into the suspect’s account with the expectation of receiving its dollar equivalent.

However, the petitioner later discovered that the evidence of payments provided by the suspect was false, as he never received the equivalent in dollars.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Haruna, who claimed to be an airline captain, purportedly diverted the funds for personal use by acquiring properties and vehicles intended for his alleged airline company, Air Unity Aviation Services.

The EFCC identified a landed property purchased at N155,000,000 and another at N350,000,000, along with three 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses bearing the Air Unity Aviation Services logo and four exotic cars, all linked to the suspect.

The agency stated that the suspect will face charges in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

…Urges Tinubu to oversee adequate investigation, prosecution of fingered ministers

The National Youth Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria (NYLFPPN) has lamented the scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

In a statement on Thursday, signed by
Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, who is also the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Spokesman of NYLFPPN, the Forum said that it is unfortunate that youths given opportunity to serve are abusing the privilege and discrediting others.

The Forum said the unpardonable corrupt practices “which had for so long eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigeria public offices, has become a culture that must not be allowed to continue under any guise”.

The statement read: “We the National Youth Leaders of Nigeria’s political parties are very much troubled over recent scandalous revelations as it affects some of President Tinubu’s cabinet members and in particular the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu and other culprits. We hope findings will be revealed further in the coming days.

“We want to condemn in its entirety the misuse of office by a supposed pride of the youth of this nation, and we categorically point out that it is too early for the nation to start witnessing this kind of official recklessness under the Renewed Hope administration.

“It has been our desire to see that the youths return to power and as such pains us as a forum when a youth in power is found in this kind of mess.

“It is even more shocking that the names of the public officers mentioned so far are youth, whom more confidence is being reposed in by all the youths of Nigeria.

“It is pertinent to note that this unpardonable corrupt practices, which had for so long eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigeria public offices, has become a culture that must not be allowed to continue under any guise.”

They added: “At this juncture, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to see to the logical, thorough and transparent investigation of Dr Betta Edu and other public office holders that had been fingered in the current scandal. If facts are properly established and they are found guilty, due diligence should be deployed for prosecution of everyone found wanting, without fear or favour in accordance to law.

“We also urge Mr President to ensure he sustains the tempo of his fight against corruption at all levels by showing Nigerians that it is no longer business as usual.

“We wish to use this medium to register our unalloyed loyalty and genuine support to President Bola Tinubu in the steps he is taking to correct the many past wrongs of leadership in the country.

“We would continue to point out our observations in areas of common concerns and we will not fail to applaud every right step this administration is taking to re-establish a better and prosperous Nigeria.”

President-elect, Bola Tinubu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are weighing options ahead of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) inauguration.

Tinubu and Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima moved into the Defence House in Abuja on Wednesday, their official residence until swearing-in on May 29.

Tinubu hosted Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Deputy – Ovie Omo-Agege, House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamiala, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

Others were Abdullahi Adamu (APC chairman), Iyiola Omisore (secretary), Senators Orji Kalu, Rochas Okorocha, Opeyemi Bamidele, Jibrin Barau; Hon. James Faleke, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin and Hon. Muktar Betara.

Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, former VP candidate placeholder Kabiru Masari, business mogul Aliko Dangote, Nuhu Ribadu (ex-EFCC chairman) also visited the residence.

At separate and joint meetings with party members, Tinubu discussed the composition of the leadership of the 10th NASS as part of efforts to reach a possible consensus.

The top four positions are expected to be shared among the four regions outside the South-West and North-East where Tinubu and Shettima hail from.

New National Star gathered that the Senate Presidency may go to the South-South (a Christian), while the Speakership may go to the North-West (a Muslim).

The North-Central is being considered for the Deputy Senate Presidency, while a South-Easterner may become the next Deputy Speaker.

Godswill Akpabio is vying for Senate Presidency though he faces opposition by those still angry about how he became the Minority Leader of the 8th Senate despite being a first timer.

Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu too is interested but there are factors against him. His region produced the least votes for the APC and he initially wanted Lawan as the presidential candidate.

For Speakership, though Betara is one of the contenders, the fact that he hails from the same region and state (Borno) as the VP-elect may rule him out.

Meanwhile, Senators from Tinubu’s state, Lagos, are likely to get key offices: Solomon Adeola (Appropriation committee) and Tokunbo Abiru (Banking and Insurance committee). Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti) may become Senate Leader.

Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly is expected to start on June 13 tentatively, two weeks after the inauguration of Tinubu and Shettima at the Eagle Square.