News
Reps to investigate Abuja $460m CCTV installation contract
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc Committee to investigate the government’s investment of 460 million dollars in CCTV cameras installation in strategic areas in Abuja.
The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) at plenary on Wednesday.
Moving the motion, Ogah explained that the most important of all responsibilities of government is the protection of lives and property as well as the entrenchment of security to engender good governance.
He recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration embarked on the CCTV cameras installation around strategic areas to monitor unwholesome activities with a view to checking crime, place surveillance on criminals and apprehending them.
The lawmaker recalled that the former Finance Minister, Dr Olusegun Aganga led a delegation to Beijing in 2010 to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZTE Communications of China for installation of the CCTV.
According to him, the funds for the contract were secured through a 460 million dollars loan obtained from the China-EXIM Bank and lifted from a 600 million dollars financing portfolio secured as a soft credit loan, with interest repayable in 10 years, after an initial 10 years of grace.
“More concerned that in spite this huge investment as well as the financial burden Nigeria is subjected to by way of servicing the loan, the impact of the CCTV is not felt in any manner.
“Rather than abating, crime rate has soared in Abuja leading to daily reports of deaths arising from unmonitored crimes around the Federal Capital.
“Worried that the current situation whereby Nigeria is paying heavily for this loan obtained from a Chinese bank to execute the non-functional CCTV contract undertaken curiously, also by a Chinese firm and contractor leaves the country in a lose-lose nightmare,” he said.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu mandated further legislative actions on the probe.
News
11 Dead In Kenya Plane Crash —Airline
A small plane travelling from Kenya’s coast crashed on Tuesday, killing all 11 people on board, including foreigners, the airline said.
The small plane was en route to Kichwa Tembo — an airstrip located in the Maasai Mara National Park — from the tourist hotspot of Diani when it came down at around 5:30 am local time (0230 GMT).
Mombasa Air Safari chairman John Cleave confirmed the accident, and said there were 10 passengers — eight Hungarians, two Germans — and a Kenyan captain.
“Sadly, there are no survivors,” he said in a statement, citing preliminary information, adding that they had “activated our emergency response team” and were cooperating with local authorities.
“Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragic event,” the statement said.
An earlier statement from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said the aircraft had been carrying 12 people at the time of the crash.
The KCAA gave no further details, but said that government agencies were already on site to establish the cause of the accident.
In August, a light aircraft belonging to the medical NGO Amref crashed on the outskirts of capital .
News
Lagos Court Jails Train Driver 18 Months for N6.9m Theft
Justice Rahman Osodi of the Special offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 20,2025, convicted and sentenced one Christopher Ekene Ofielu, a driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to 18 months imprisonment for N6.9m theft.
The 39-year-old convict was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and possession to the tune of N6,995,944( Six Million Nine Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Naira only)
One of the counts reads: “That you, Christopher Ekene Ofielu, on or about October 2023, Lagos, within this honourable court, used your Habaripay Squad account created for criminal activity and transferred the sum of N6,995,944 into your Access Bank account 14864072356, property of HabariPay Ltd.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, called on Adams Adze, an investigator with the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.
In his review, Adze said the defendant was arrested, following a petition dated September 26, 2023 submitted by HabariPay Ltd to the Commission.
He also stated that Ofielu had capitalised on a system glitch to make the unauthorized withdrawal.
The prosecution counsel, thereafter, informed the court of a plea bargain entered into by the defendant, and also urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.
Responding, the defence counsel, Mercy Akhabue, prayed the court for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.
“My Lord, he is remorseful and is a first- time offender,” he added.
After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi convicted Ofielu on the count of stealing and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, starting from October 20, 2025.
Justice Oshodi, however, gave the convict an option of a fine in the sum of ₦1.5 million provided he fully restitutes the stolen amount to the tune of N 6,995,944 to HabariPay Ltd within seven days from his Access Bank account No. 14864072356, failing which the jail term of 18 months would apply .
The court also ordered the restoration of the convict’s Eco Bank salary account.
Justice Oshodi further ordered that the convict’s biometric data be registered in the Lagos State offenders’ register.
The convict was ordered remanded at the EFCC custody pending the execution of necessary documents.
News
Governor Nasir Idris approves minor cabinet reshuffle in Kebbi
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle as part of his administration’s continued efforts to strengthen governance and enhance efficiency across the state.
In a statement released on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Tafida, and made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the governor announced the redeployment of two commissioners within the State Executive Council.
According to the statement, Samaila Augie has been moved to the Ministry of Health, while Haliru Wasagu has been redeployed to the Ministry of Internal Security.
Tafida explained that the decision reflects Governor Nasir Idris’s vision of repositioning the civil service to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people of Kebbi State.
“I am directed to convey the approval of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, for the redeployment of the aforementioned honourable commissioners. This directive is for strict compliance and takes immediate effect,” the statement read.
The SSG expressed the governor’s appreciation to members of the Executive Council for their continued cooperation and commitment to the administration’s goals.
He reaffirmed Governor Nasir Idris’s dedication to fostering peace, unity, and improved public service delivery, emphasising that the reshuffle is a strategic step towards a more responsive and result-driven government.
The move, viewed as a positive adjustment, underscores the administration’s determination to maintain momentum in governance and deliver tangible results to the citizens of Kebbi State.
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