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Court freezes Kogi State Govt’s Bank Account over N20billion Salary Loan Fraud

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Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

 

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday froze a Kogi salary bailout account domiciled in a new generation bank over a N20 billion loan obtained from the bank.

Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim made the order pending the conclusion of an investigation or possible prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The agency approached the court via an ex-parte application brought pursuant to Section 44(2) of the Constitution and Section 34(1) of the EFCC Act.

Its counsel, Mr A. O. Muhammed, informed the court that the order was necessary to preserve the res and abate further dissipation of the funds in the account.

Moving the application, Muhammed alleged that the N20b loan was meant to augment the salary payment and running cost of the state government but was kept in an interest yielding account with the bank.

He added that instead of using the money for the purpose it was meant for, the Kogi State Government instructed the bank to transfer the money from the loan account and place same in a fixed deposit account.

According to the agency, the bank is yet to present any credible evidence to show that the facility is well secured.

Granting the application, Justice Ringim ordered the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper and make a quarterly report to the court on the progress of its investigation.

The judge adjourned the matter till December 1, for the report of Investigation.

The EFCC’s allegations were made in its 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte motion deposed to by a member of a team of investigators attached to the Chairman Monitoring Unit Lagos of the EFCC.

The document averred that the Commission received credible and direct intelligence which led to the tracing of funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities warehoused in the account with the name Kogi State Salary Bailout Account

He said the Commission acted on the said intelligence and assigned same to the Chairman Monitoring Unit, where it was discovered that on April 1, 2019, the management approved an offer of an N20billion bailout loan facility for the Kogi State Government.

According to the deponent, on June 19, 2019, fiscal year, the Kogi State Government, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Office of the Commissioner, applied for a credit facility of N20billion with an interest rate of nine per cent for a tenure of 240 months from the bank”.

The agency added that the said facility was meant to augment the salary payment and running cost of the state government.

It stated further that on June 26, 2019, the credit facility offer was accepted vide a memorandum of acceptance signed by Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Asiwaju Idris Asiru, the Commissioner of Finance Kogi State; and one Alhaji Momoh Jibrin, Accountant General, Kogi State.

It averred that before the said application for a loan, the Kogi State Government on the 19th June 2019 vide a letter to the Manager of the bank in Lokoja applied for an account opening in the Bank with the name Kogi State Salary Bailout Account with Alhaji Momoh Jubril, Accountant General of the State and Elijah Evinemi Ag. Director Treasury as the signatories to the said account.

“That upon the opening of the said account disbursed salary intervention loan to the tune of N20billion to the account.

“That rather than use the intervention funds for the purpose for which it was granted, the State Government proceeded to open a fixed deposit account No. 0073572696.

“That on the 25 day of July 2019, the bank acting on the instruction of the Kogi State Government transferred the money from the loan account and placed same on the aforementioned fixed deposit account.

“That the said account sought to be frozen received the sum of twenty billion naira, (N20, 000,000,000) on the 25th July 2019.

“That as of 1st day of April 2021 the balance standing to the credit of the said fixed deposit account was N19,333,333,333.36 billion

“That we are still tracing what the sum of N666,666,666.64 billion, has been deducted from the said funds and were not used for the payment of the salary.

“That the Commission has the statutory mandate to prevent the Commission of economic and financial Crimes with the shores of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“That investigation in this matter is still ongoing and this application is pertinent to secure the funds in the said account to prevent them from being totally dissipated.

“That without freezing the nominated accounts, there is no better way of preserving

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No Payment for Constituency Projects Executed Without FG Guidelines – AGF

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The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has vowed to withhold payment for constituency projects executed nationwide that do not follow the Federal Government’s guidelines and circulars on execution.

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, made this known when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, visited him in Abuja.

Ogunjimi reaffirmed the support of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for the campaign by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to enforce compliance with government guidelines and circulars on execution and payment for constituency projects.

“We will give bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that these guidelines are projected adequately and that they become part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects,” the AGF said.

He noted that the guidelines on constituency projects will be made an important part of discussions at all OAGF engagements with its stakeholders and that the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs will be given the opportunity to make presentations at such occasions.

Ogunjimi stated further that in OAGF circulars on closure and capital projects, emphasis will be made on compliance with the guidelines on constituency projects.

He advised the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to continue the engagement with relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and the National Assembly to increase awareness of the guidelines and circulars.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ihemelandu, requested that no payments should be made for constituency projects that are not executed in line with the Federal Government guidelines and circulars and duly certified by his ministry.

The permanent secretary observed that despite the federal government’s guidelines and circulars, many agencies have executed and paid for constituency projects without adherence to the guidelines and circulars and due verification. According to him, this practice does not allow the government to get maximum value for the funds spent on these projects.

Ihemelandu called for collaboration between his ministry and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to guarantee that the guidelines are implemented fully and no payments are made for constituency projects unless after verification by his ministry.

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TINUBU EULOGISES ARCHBISHOP JOHNPRAISE DANIEL AT 65

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By Ojone Grace Odaudu

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Archbishop Johnpraise Daniel, the presiding Bishop of the Dominion Chapel International Church, on his 65th birthday on May 2.

The President has also commended Archbishop Daniel’s contributions to nation-building, peace and unity in his current role as Chairman of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum for 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the  President also nnoted his active participation in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), and the Interfaith Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

Tinubu further acknowledged the Archbishop’s mentoring of ministers of the Gospel and his humanitarian efforts through the JohnPraise Foundation for Peace and Human Development.

He specifically eexpressed his appreciation for the Archbishop’s inspiring sermon, “Better Together in Renewed Hope and Restoration,” delivered during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Service.

“Archbishop Daniel’s life has been one of faithful service in the Lord’s vineyard, marked by unwavering dedication, scholarship, and impactful ministry across Nigeria and beyond”, President Tinubu said, praying for continued strength, wisdom, and divine grace for the cleric as he advances moral leadership in society and spiritual guidance to the faithful.

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Kogi Professionals Applaud Lawmaker’s Bold Move to Regulate Mining in Omala

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By Elizabeth Okwe| April 30, 2025

In what many have described as a timely and courageous step, Hon. Yahaya Umar, the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, is receiving accolades for raising the alarm over the environmental and public health crisis caused by coal mining in his constituency.

The motion, which called for an immediate suspension of all mining activities in Omala Local Government Area, has drawn commendation from across the state — most notably from the Convener of the Kogi Professionals Network and seasoned development administrator, Dr. James Odaudu.

Reacting to the motion, Dr. Odaudu described Hon. Umar’s action as “a courageous stand in defence of environmental justice,” saying it was refreshing to see a legislator so passionately defending the health and welfare of his constituents.

According to him, “These mining companies were licensed to support Nigeria’s electricity development goals, yet instead of power, they have brought pollution, contaminated rivers, and destroyed farmlands in host communities.”

He praised the Kogi State House of Assembly for backing the motion and setting up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter, describing it as “how democracy is supposed to work — responsive and people-centered.”Dr. Odaudu, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, also issued a passionate appeal to the Government of Kogi State to move swiftly beyond legislative action and implement practical relief measures for affected communities.

Dr. James Odaudu
Convener, Kogi Professionals Network

“We urge the State Government to begin immediate clean-up of polluted water sources in Omala and surrounding areas, while putting in place a sustainable plan to provide potable water as a long-term solution,” he stressed.

He further emphasized the need for mining companies operating in the state to honor their corporate social responsibilities and sign enforceable Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with the local government administrations in line with global best practices.

“Profiteering must not come at the expense of our people’s lives and their future, We trust that the government of Governor Usman Ododo will  do the needful as usual ” Dr. Odaudu added.

The coal mining controversy in Omala and other parts of Kogi State has stirred increasing public concern, with calls for stronger regulation, corporate accountability, and community protection gaining momentum.

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