Charity Unachukwu’s death: UNTH promises probe, CMD cancels foreign trip - ITREALMS

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The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, has pledged a full-scale investigation into allegations of negligence linked to the death of Mrs. Charity Unachukwu, who was brought to the facility on September 20, 2025, reports ITREALMS.

In a statement signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Uchelue Boniface, UNTH extended its condolences to the Unachukwu family and acknowledged the grief expressed in the widely circulated account of the incident. 

Super Eagles: Akpabio condemns maltreatment in Libya, seeks probe - ITREALMS

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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has condemned in strong terms the ill-treatment of members of the nation’s senior team, the Super Eagles, and its delegation to a return leg of the 2025 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifier in Libya.

Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh decried the antics and shameful behaviour of the Libyan officials and authorities saying, “This unfortunate incident is a stark reminder of the disregard for human dignity and the lack of respect for international norms”.

Probe NACA now: Group tells President Tinubu - ITREALMS

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A group under the aegis of the Writers Against AIDS (WAAIDS) has made a fervent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to initiate a thorough investigation into the financial affairs of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), reports ITREALMS.

The call came in the light of recent developments surrounding the appointment of Dr. Temitope Ilori as the new Director-General of NACA by President Tinubu.

Ajaokuta Steel Company mismanagement: NANS tasks Tinubu on stealing, corruption, demands probe - ITREALMS

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The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Monday expressed concerns about misconduct in Ajaokuta Steel Company and urged President Bola Tinubu to order a thorough investigation into reported mismanagement.

“If there are individuals or group of individuals protecting the corrupt managers of the Ajaokuta Steel Company and hereby shielding them from any form of probe and judgement, it simply means that they are beneficiaries of the ill-gotten proceeds of the mismanagement or they have other personal interests that are not people-friendly and that are tantamount to water down or nullify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's fight against corruption. These set of people should also be probed. They may even be part of those used by these selfish leaders to loot the treasury of the steel company dry.”

Ejigbo Killings: Governor Adeleke mourns Adeoriokin, orders probe - ITREALMS

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Governor Ademola Adeleke is mourning the killing of Dr Richard Adeoriokin and the subsequent mobbing of his killer in Ejigbo, Osun State, reports ITREALMS.

The governor also ordered immediate investigation into the killing and counter-killing at Ejigbo during the 50 years coronation celebration of the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, HRM Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyeyosin.

TJAA condemns attack on NLC president, Ajaero, demands probe - ITREALMS

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The leadership of the Times Journalism Institute Alumni Association (TJAA) has condemned in totality the attack on one of them and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, reports ITREALMS.

TJAA in a press statement signed by its President, Mr. Clifford Agugoesi and the public relations officer, Mrs. Martina Wemimo Segun-Banjo and made available to ITREALMS on Thursday, decried the attack on Comrade Joe Ajaero in his home state of Imo in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, leading to manhandling and assault of the person of number 1 worker in the country.

Building collapse: HEDA urges Sanwo-Olu to probe reinstatement of dismissed LASBCA staff - ITREALMS

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has kicked against the purported reinstatement of staff from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) who were previously dismissed following the tragic incident of a collapsed 6-storey building within Lekki Gardens Estate at Ikate Elegushi, Lekki in March 2016, reports ITREALMS. 

The accountability group in a press statement available to ITREALMS, therefore urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promptly investigate this reinstatement for necessary action.

HEDA petitions NSA to probe alleged mismanagement Police trust fund - ITREALMS

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a prominent anti-corruption organization, has formally petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to launch an immediate investigation into allegations of mismanagement and corruption within the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).

In a petition dated August 21, 2023, addressed to the NSA, HEDA voiced its deep concern over recent reports published by The Nation news online platform. These reports detailed serious allegations of financial misconduct and misadministration within the NPTF. According to The Nation, the Goldstreet Associates, an Abuja-based human rights group, submitted a petition to President Bola Tinubu on August 15, 2023, outlining these accusations.

AFRICMIL asks EFCC, ICPC to probe videos of Gov Ganduje - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has called on anticorruption agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe video clips showing Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, allegedly receiving bribes from contractors, reports ITREALMS.

AFRICMIL is a nongovernmental organisation working to promote accountability and good governance through whistle blowing and promotion of active citizens’ participation.

In a statement by AFRICMIL’s Coordinator, Chido Onumah, the organisation described the allegations against the governor as well as the video evidence as “too glaring to ignore.”

The allegations came into the open following publication of video clips by online news platform, Daily Nigerian, which showed Gov Ganduje collecting and stashing in his clothe bundles of US dollar from someone purported to be a contractor.

“The allegations are weighty. The videos we have seen further lend credence to the accusation and have made the affair too serious to ignore,” Onumah said.

He said the anticorruption agencies “should rise to the occasion by going to the root of this issue and possibly document evidence for eventual prosecution of all those found culpable.”

“We are aware that the hands of the anti-corruption agencies are somehow tied by constitutional immunity enjoyed by Mr. Ganduje. This, however, does not stop them from conducting preliminary investigation into the matter,” he noted.

According to Onumah, nothing in Section 308 of the constitution that gives immunity to the president and governors stops the anti-corruption agencies from interrogating Mr. Ganduje in the process of the investigation.

“Cases like this serve as litmus tests for the operational independence of our anticorruption agencies and political will of the government,” Onumah noted. “ICPC and EFCC must thoroughly investigate these videos which have become national embarrassment and prepare ahead for eventual prosecution of Gov. Ganduje if he is found culpable.”

The organisation commended Daily Nigerian for the exposure as well as the contractor who recorded the clips “for patriotic act of whistleblowing.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Shittu’s Resignation: CGN orders probe of Minister by EFCC, ICPC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Computer Guild of Nigeria has called on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to go after the recently resigned Communications Minister, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, reports ITREALMS.

A press release issued and signed by the National President of the Guild, Mr. Wole Adedoyin after an emergency meeting in Lagos, and made available to ITREALMS, demanded the probe of former Minister of Communications.

Adedoyin, who is also the National Coordinator of the Information Technology Writers Association of Nigeria (ITWAN), urged ICPC and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to commence investigations and probe of Minister Shittu’s past financial activities in the Ministry.

“We are fully aware that Minister Shittu awarded so many contracts when he was in the Ministry. He cannot just leave the Ministry like that without being probed before his resignation from the ministry, we have heard lots of allegations and misdeeds committed by the Honourable Minister apart from some hidden secret recently unearthed by one of his former Personal Assistants. We, therefore, demand independent probe and investigation of Minister Shittu by both the ICPC and EFCC and should be prosecuted if involved in any financial scandal in the ministry” the group said.

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EFCC probe Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu – CGN urges

ITREALMS:

There seems to be more trouble for the Communications Minister, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, as the Computer Guild of Nigeria (CGN) has invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to immediately investigate and probe him over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of public funds and self-enrichment against him by former aide, reports ITRealms.

Shittu, ITRealms recalls was accused of owning 12 luxury homes, N93m printing press houses and 25 luxurious cars by his former media aide, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare.

Reacting to the allegations, the President of Ibadan-based CGN, Mr. Wole Adedoyin, told ITRealms that the Minister, Adebayo Shittu should be immediately investigated over these allegations of massive frauds and corruption.

He went on to say that until his appointment as Minister, his law chamber was shut due to N100,000 debt owe the landlord.

“There is a popular rumour ferried around Uncle Joe in Mokola in Ibadan that Minister Adebayo Shittu was quitted from the apartment he was using for his legal consultancy due to debt of N100,000 owing his landlord.

“Today, this same Minister Adebayo Shittu now owns a well-furnished complete building turned to his law chamber at Kabiawu in same Mokola axis,” he said.

The group, therefore urged EFCC to also invite Minister Shittu’s former aide, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare who in his statement described his boss as greedy and corrupt to come and say all he knows about his boss’s accumulation of sudden wealth through bribery and corruption.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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CNPP demands probe of Innoson-EFCC saga

ITREALMS:

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has urged the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption to thoroughly investigate  circumstances surrounding the arrest and release of the Innoson Motors boss, Dr Innocent Chukwuma by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure that needed investors were not scared away by the activities of the ant-graft agency, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to the controversial arrest, CNPP via a press statement made available to ITRealms and signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu,  urged the Senate to ensure that the Acting EFCC chairman, was appropriately sanctioned if it was found that the Commission colluded with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) in the saga. 

"If indeed the EFCC was being used by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to unduly intimidate and oppress a man that have single handedly created over 50, 000 jobes at a time many citizens are jobless, the the commission should be severely sanctioned to send a strong signal to the international that Nigeria is not a lawless society. 

"No where in the world do any anti-graft agency meddles into a mere business transaction between two parties, especially when the matter is in court. It will be unfortunate if the EFCC didn't take cognisance of the fact that the GTB commercial dispute with the Innoson Group is at the Supreme Court. 

"We wonder the kind of image the anti-corruption agency is trying to give the world about Nigeria; a land where might is right? 

"For us at the CNPP a man like Dr Innocent Chukwuma should be jealously protected by the Federal Government of Nigeria for pioneering indigenous motor manufacturing company in the country.  

"No country exposes its industrial leaders to ridicule, not at a time the country is struggling to fully come out of recession.  

"Another twist to the controversy is the claim by the EFCC that Dr Chukwuma was involved in forgery of documents. 

"For the EFCC to say that Innoson Group forged a waiver document is most ridiculous. This is more so as the pioneer indigenous  vehicle assembly in the country deserves automatic waiver. 

"If traders can get Federal Government waiver, should an entrepreneur like Dr Innocent Chukwuma not be given a special waiver to encourage him to manufacture vehicles for export to earn foreign exchange for the country?

"We therefore charge the Senate to get to the root of the matter and get the EFCC to disclose the documents that were forged and the identify who petitioned the Commission on the matter. 

"This is important to ensure that the EFCC does not begin to cover up its excesses and disregard by use of trumped up allegations to justify it tyranny against law abiding citizens. 

"If the commission is not checked, it will be a judge in its own case and the society will suffer for it", the group said.

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N13bn EFCC probe: Sekibo not a target, denies involvement

ITRealms:

The Managing Director of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo has denied any involvement in the alleged diversion of N13 billion probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reports ITRealms.

The diverted sum, ITRealms gathered belonged to the Oyo State Government, just as the bank insisted its management is not the target of the probe by EFCC.

Also, an official of the EFCC familiar with the investigation dismissed the newspaper report as a figment of the correspondent’s imagination, insisting that the investigation has nothing to do with the MD of Heritage Bank as an individual, rather routine investigation into possible red flags on an account with the bank.

“Investigation into accounts are routine matter which the EFCC and other anti-graft bodies undertake now and then.

“Once a letter or inquiry is received from any of the anti graft bodies usually to the top management, it is directed to the appropriate quarters in this instance the relationship and compliance managers who deal with it. To concoct stories that the MD is wanted over a matter that even the Oyo State government has denied knowledge of is unfortunate,” said the official who asked not to be named as he was not authorized to speak. 

This newspaper also learnt that Mr. Sekibo has been out of the country for medical check-up for quite a while, “a fact which the EFCC is aware of, and with answers provided as to the letter of the agency, one wonders how anybody could say the MD is wanted. Tomorrow it is the same journalists that would accuse the EFCC of media trial when they report inaccuracies.”  

A newspaper had reported on Sunday that the Heritage MD was wanted by the EFCC for failing to honour their invitation over allegations into diversion of N13 billion by some unnamed officials of the Oyo state government into their private accounts.

However, spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, has confirmed that investigations into accounts are routine.

“It is true that some of our people went to the bank but it was a routine investigation. They went to get documents in relation to the investigation. I cannot say more than that for now,” Uwujairen was quoted as saying.

Speaking on record, the Group Head, Corporate Communication, Heritage Bank, Mr. Fela Ibidapo, said, “There is no management fraud. There is a customer’s account that the EFCC is interested in and the normal thing is to talk to the account officer. They are just investigating an account entry. They have invited the relationship manager. It is still being investigated and for confidential issues I can’t divulge more than that.”

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Dino Recall: TETFUND probe not responsible for halt

ITRealms:

The stoppage of the recall request on a member of the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melyae has no business with the recent call by a Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to probe the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmoud Yakubu during his tenure at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), reports ITRealms.

Investigations revealed that INEC had petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, for his intervention on the ruling of an Abuja High Court, suspending the request until determination of the suit before it, even as Court has adjourned till September.

INEC noted that the constitution allows for 90 days from the date of submission of the petition to INEC till completion but the adjournment will make that unrealizable.

"The commission has also instructed its lawyers to approach the Supreme Court with the target of immediately vacating the order", INEC source said.

ITRealms sources in the Senate hinted that the information leading to the motion already had specific companies mentioned and specific projects, adding that the contracts were not awarded under Yakubu who left office in 2012.

"All the targeted contracts were awarded by Prof. Suleiman R and the current Executive Secretary Dr. Abdullahi Baffa", the source said.

It was learnt that some staff of TETFUND who were not happy with the handling of the award of contracts by Prof Suleiman Bogoro gave out the information.

They alleged that TETFUND which was reputed for not having any abandoned projects prior to Bogoro’s appointment suddenly had abandoned projects littered everywhere while payments were made above the threshold and against the TETFUND model which ensured that monies were only paid according to work done.

"INEC will commence the recall process immediately it gets a reprieve from the Court of Appeal and allow the people the opportunity for their voice to be heard. Mahmoud who is currently in Sierra Leone on official assignment is not bothered about the Senate probe and it is not in any way influencing his decisions, role and activities as the Chairman of Nigeria’s election management umpire.

"INEC as a law-abiding agency is under obligation to obey orders of Court even when the commission is not comfortable with such orders or until such orders are upturned on appeal" the source said.

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