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N24bn Pension Scam: Reps Summon Okonjo-Iweala, Others

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12 years ago

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Two committees of the House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, over two separate issues.
One summons was by the Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Mr. Solomon Olamilekan.
The committee is investigating how the N24billion drawn from the Service Wide Vote in 2010 for the Police Pension Fund was utilised.
Incidentally, the same committee had summoned the minister last week over the alleged diversion of another N29billion to capital projects from the police pension fund.
She was yet to appear in respect of the first summons when the committee summoned her again yesterday.
Similarly, the Committee on Customs summoned Okonjo-Iweala yesterday over the Federal Government’s policy on rice importation, said to have cost Nigeria revenue loss of N300billion last year.
To appear with her in respect of the rice importation, are the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina.
The PAC had summoned Okonjo-Iweala after the Director-General of Pension Transitional Arrangement Department, Mrs. Nellie Mayshak, informed lawmakers that her office did not have documented evidence on how the N24billion was utilised.
Mayshak, who said she just resumed at the office, told the committee that the money was spent before her appointment.
She added, “We have no evidence, we have no record. It just looks bad on our part. We rather tell you the truth or make it up”.
But, the Internal Auditor of the Pension Office, Mr Adeyemo Adebolu, whom the committee called to react to Mayshak’s submission, confirmed that the N24billion was drawn from the SWV in 2010.
However, he claimed that he had advised that the money should be lodged in an account in a commercial bank.
He stated that he was later kept out of the picture when the withdrawals started.
Expressing surprise over his comments, Olamilekan said, “I am taken aback, because what you are telling us is that the Service Wide Vote is a slush account.
“It is an account that is used to settle the boys. We will not allow this to go under the carpet”.
Summoned to appear along with Okonjo-Iweala were the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Jonah Otunla; Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr Samuel Ukura; and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu.
On rice importation, the Chairman of the Committee on Customs, Mr. Mohammed Nakudu, recalled that the government’s policy on rice importation had “caused ripples in the country and indeed caused a high loss to government revenue.”
He added that the ministers were required to explain how the policy cost the country revenue of over N300billion in 2013.

L-R:Panelists, Sen. Olorunnibe Mamora, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Mrs Joyce Akamuo, at an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance in Port Harcourt, yesterday

L-R:Panelists, Sen. Olorunnibe Mamora, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) and Mrs Joyce Akamuo, at an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance in Port Harcourt, yesterday

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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7 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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