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Police Invade Clark’s Abuja Residence …At 92, FG Can’t Gag Me -Clark …PANDEF, IYC Kick, Issue FG 48 Hours For Explanation I Did Not Order Raid -IGP

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Elder statesman and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, whose Asokoro residence in Abuja was allegedly ransacked for two hours on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday, vowed that at 92, government and its agencies can not stop him from speaking his mind on national issues.
Clark, who spoke to newsmen minutes after the invasion, asserted: “I have been Minister in this country, I have been a Senator in this country and if by my age, I am nearing 92 years now, I will be accused of stockpiling weapons in my house, it is too bad.
“The police came to my house, showed me the warrant and I said go ahead. So, they searched the house. They spent two hours and even my secretary, who was on her way to the bank; they said they must search her room and office, so, we have to call her back from the bank.
“She came, they searched, they said they want to search my wife’s room, my wife is in Lagos, they said they will search her room, we have to look for the keys and they searched, they found nothing.
“That is what happened today, that is the embarrassment they wrote down that they found nothing, they signed and we signed. So, we have asked our lawyer to go and get the report,” he said.
“I have never one day thought about carrying gun, I have been fighting for the unity of this country, if at the age of 92 years, I am making statement, and they do not want me to talk, I will continue to talk, which is the position.”
It was gathered that the armed policemen, who prevented people from leaving the house while the search lasted, did not find any weapon in the residence of the former federal commissioner for information.
The police were said to have received information that the elder statesman was stockpiling arms in his house on the basis of which a search warrant was procured and the house invaded, yesterday.
Reacting to the invasion, National Chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), condemned the invasion and resort to totalitarianism by government, demanding that the police publish their findings immediately.
Nkanga said: “We condemn in totality the action of the police while we are hopeful that they will give us the result of the invasion. If they said they are looking for arms and have found no arms, they should very quickly apologize to him, the entire Nigeria and let us know why they have brought us into this state of affairs.”
He added: “We criticize it in totality and it will not end here, the government should stand up and start telling us whether we are in democracy because what is happening now is not democracy again, this is totalitarianism.
“Though the handwriting seemed to be on the wall before now because we have been observing impunity, if we are going back into military dictatorship, the government should let us know, that is what we have also been crying about. Let them publish the result of their invasion very quickly. If they do not do that, then Nigerians will start to know what is ahead of them, this is not democracy,” he said.
Also reacting, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) led by Pereotubo Oweilaemi Esq., in a statement, said: “Nigeria is gradually descending into a fully blown anarchy. This is dangerous for our democracy. Nigeria is heading to the cliff.”
“Relevant stakeholders need to rise in defence of our hard earned democracy. President Buhari should call his overbearing security agencies to order before they plunge the country into an unmitigated crisis.
“There can be no democracy where there is no dissenting voice. Mr. President should accept that our democracy cannot exist without opposition elements to his government. Chief Clark, who is an elder statesman, his views on national issues need to be appreciated by the government of the day instead of being witch hunted,” he said.
Earlier, the police, yesterday, raided the Abuja residence of federal commissioner for information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
The policemen, who searched all the rooms of the elder statesman, alleged that they were in the house to search for arms which they accused him of keeping.
The policemen, who arrived the Asokoro residence of Clark at 1.30pm, left the premises 2.30pm.
They did not find any incriminating evidence or ammunition in the house.
According to the policemen, they stormed the house on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Meanwhile, National Secretary of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to explain within the next 48 hours the reason(s) for the degrading treatment meted on one of the fathers of the nation, Senator Edwin Clark, by the Police, at his Abuja home.
“We hereby call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate and offer explanation within the next 48 hours this barbaric action against one of the fathers of this nation, in such a brazing manner, “he said in a statement, last night.
“PANDEF received with total condemnation, reports of the action of heavily armed men of the Nigerian Police Force’ unwarranted invasion and takeover of the Abuja residence of national elder stateman, Chief Edwin Clark, OFR, CON, today, under the unfounded allegation of stockpiling of weapons from the Niger Delta.”
“We understand that the residence of this revered 91 year old former Federal Minister, a Distinguished second Republic Senator of the Federal Republic, and at present, Leader of the National coalition known as the Nigerian Elders and Leaders Forum, comprising the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South – South, Afenifere for the South West, Ohaneze Ndigbo for the South East, Middle Belt Forum for the Middle Belt Zone, and the Northern Elders Forum, was thoroughly raided and searched, room by room and item by item, for over two hours, in a manner most demeaning and embarrassing of the person of this national icon who was physically present at the time of this invasion.”
“PANDEF condemns this very barbaric act which is tantamount to state terrorism and total disregard for his fundamental human rights and complete disregard for established traditional respect for age and national service.
“We insist that Chief EK Clark remains a symbol of our national unity and a leading voice in our search for equity, fairness and justice. PANDEF therefore strongly condemns this unwarranted action against one of the country’s leading statesmen by the Nigerian Police,” he said.
Similarly, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has denied ordering officers and men of the Nigeria Police to raid the residence of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark and has order immediate detention of four police personnel and informant involved, IGP monitoring unit to investigate the search by police personnel.
IGP-Idris in a statement disclosed by the Ag DCP Jimoh O Moshood, Force Public Relations Officers, Mr. Idris ordered for the detention of four police personnel and informant involved in the raid. Recall that Police officers had stormed the residence of Clark in search of arms which they accused him of keeping.
The police officers were allegedly reported to have raided the residence by the order of IGP. In view of the above therefore, Police wished to state categorically that Inspector General of Police is not aware and did not order the raid of the residence of the Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark as claimed.
In another development, the monitoring team, set up by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, continued its tour of facilities of the Special Anti Robbery Squad in the South West, warning that SARS operatives will no longer bear arms while on mufti.
The team led by ACP Adepojulo Ilori and ACP Abayomi Shogunle visited the SARS headquarters at Dugbe, Ibadan to monitor their activities. He said: “Henceforth, SARS must wear police uniform whenever they are going for operation.
They would no longer be allowed to carry arms wearing mufti. Any of them you see in mufti carrying arms should be reported immediately. We are acting on the complaints of the public who said they found it difficult to identify them.”
When asked if wearing police uniform would not expose the SARS operatives to danger particularly when they are on undercover assignments, ACP Ilori said there is a special unit of the police that carries out intelligence.
As for SARS operatives wearing dreadlocks, ear rings and tattoo, Ilori said: “After this exercise, you will see reformed SARS.
We are still going to other facilities in Oyo and Ogbomoso just to ensure things are done properly. “If there are bad eggs, we will take necessary actions against them. Those who are not ready to change will be shown the way out. There will be no sacred cow.”

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Tinubu Signs Four Tax Reform Bills Into Law …Says Nigeria Open For Business 

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.

The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.

The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.

“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.

Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.

Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”

Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”

He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.

“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.

According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”

He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.

The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.

However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.

At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.

They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.

After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.

By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.

In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.

“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.

“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.

He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.

The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.

“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”

 

 

 

 

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Senate Issues 10-Day Ultimatum As NNPCL Dodges ?210trn Audit Hearing 

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The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.

Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.

However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.

Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.

A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.

It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.

The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.

“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.

“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”

But lawmakers rejected the request.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.

“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.

“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.

Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.

The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.

Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”

Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.

The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.

Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.

The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.

 

 

 

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17 Million Nigerians Travelled Abroad In One Year -NANTA 

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The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.

This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.

Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.

Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.

He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.

According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.

Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.

“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.

“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.

While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.

The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”

He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.

Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.

He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”

Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.

Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”

 

 

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