GANUX, Author at SocietyGazette.com

Senate to probe NMDPRA CEO over corruption allegations

The Senate had said it is set to begin probe of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority , Farouk Ahmed, as the protest of public interest lawyers to the National Assembly enters day two.

The lawyers stormed the National Assembly, Tuesday, calling on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to immediately suspend and prosecute Farouk Ahmed.

The lawyers cited grave allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and conflict of interest against Ahmed.

In the petition signed by Samuel Ihensekhien Jnr and three others, they also demanded that the National Assembly commence an immediate investigation, recommend Ahmed’s immediate sack and suspension, and arrest.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas, Senator Kawu Ismaila, who received the petition on behalf of the Senate promised to liaise with other members of the committee and investigate the agency.

“One of our constitutional rights is to do oversight. We will look into the allegation, those who are concerned should come and defend themselves.

“We will invite you to come and defend the petition. We will call you to come and defend the allegation because we must do it in accordance with the law.

“When we have a copy of the petition we will sit down together with your leaders and look at the allegation act in accordance with the law”, he said.

The petitioners also called for the freezing of Ahmed’s local and offshore assets and sweeping reforms in the appointment and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

The lawyers described Ahmed’s actions as a clear abuse of office, a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust, and a severe breach of the fiduciary duty required of all public servants.

They said, “We urge the Senate to commence an immediate and public hearing investigative hearing into these allegations, summoning Mr. Farouk Ahmed and relevant stakeholders..

“Recommend his immediate sack and suspension from office to prevent interference with ongoing investigations.Refer this matter to the EFCC, ICPC, and the Code of Conduct Bureau for coordinated criminal investigation and prosecution.

“In the event he has absconded from Nigeria immediately Call for collaboration with international security agencies like the Interpol to ensure his extradition back to Nigeria and the freezing of his local and offshore assets. Institute sweeping reforms in the appointment, conduct, and oversight of regulatory agency heads in the oil and gas sector.

“This is a defining moment for the National Assembly to rise in defense of public interest, uphold its constitutional oversight duty, and send a strong message that corruption, abuse of power, and impunity have no place in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The petition is backed by civil society organisations, including the Situation Room for Oil Sector Reforms, the Concerned Young Professionals Network, and the Coalition for Public Accountability, who have held protests calling for Ahmed’s suspension and prosecution.

FG urges US to reconsider new visa restrictions

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the recent decision by the United States to impose tighter visa restrictions on Nigerian citizens.

The government described the move as disproportionate, calling for a “reconsideration in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.”

The US government had announced a revision to its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigeria, limiting the validity of certain non-immigrant visas, including the B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) categories, to just three months and restricting them to single entry.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the FG said it viewed the new policy with “concern and keen interest,” particularly in light of the historically cordial relations between the two nations.

“The attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas, including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry.

“The Federal Government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.

“The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations,” said Ebienfa.

According to the statement, the policy change would have a broad impact on Nigerians, affecting students seeking education in the US, professionals involved in legitimate business, and families visiting loved ones.

The government emphasised that the restriction could hamper cultural and educational exchanges that have long been a foundation of US-Nigeria relations.

“While acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to determine its immigration policies, Nigeria respectfully urges the United States to reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.

“Diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest,” Ebienfa noted.

The ministry also confirmed that diplomatic engagements are underway, adding that Nigeria remains committed to seeking a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.

Spanish court convicts Ancelotti of tax fraud, gets one-year sentence

A Spanish court on Wednesday sentenced former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to a year in jail for tax fraud committed in 2014, a punishment that will not oblige the Brazil coach to serve prison time.

Prosecutors alleged the Italian created a system of shell companies to hide extra earnings during his first spell as Real Madrid manager in 2014 and 2015, notably through image rights.

They said the 66-year-old, one of the most successful managers in football history, failed to pay more than one million euros due to undeclared earnings in those years, seeking four years and nine months’ jail against him.

Ancelotti denied having intentionally committed fraud at his highly publicised trial in April, saying he never realised a scheme allowing him to collect some of his salary in image rights would see him pay less tax.

A Madrid court announced it had convicted Ancelotti for “an offence against the treasury… to the punishment of one year in prison” and a fine of 386,361 euros ($452,821).

Ancelotti showed a “conscious desire to evade the payment of taxes on the income obtained from the exploitation of his image rights, through artificial mechanisms”, the court wrote in a ruling.

“The actions are blatantly fraudulent and the structures used do not conform to a real economic logic. The deliberate concealment of income through opaque structures and entities in tax havens proves a fraudulent intent,” it added.

But the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain boss, who no longer lives in Spain, will not serve jail time because the sentence is less than two years and he has no criminal record.

The court cleared Ancelotti of the fraud allegation for the 2015 tax year, saying it could not conclude “beyond reasonable doubt” that his fiscal residence for that year was in Spain.

He joins a list of football greats who have fallen afoul of Spain’s crackdown on stars who have not paid their due.

Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho received a one-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to tax fraud in 2019.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both found guilty of tax evasion and received prison sentences that were waived for being first-time offenders.

Ancelotti’s glittering career has seen him win a record five Champions League titles as a manager and lift the European Cup twice with AC Milan as a player.

The former Italy midfielder left Real Madrid to become Brazil boss at the end of last season after a rare trophyless campaign.

INEC begins online voter registration in Akwa Ibom August

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that it will open its portal for online Continuous Voter Registration in Akwa Ibom State on August 18, 2025, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Obo Effanga, made this known on Wednesday during his maiden media briefing at the INEC state headquarters in Uyo.

Effanga said, “In the next couple of weeks, INEC will start again the process of the Continuous Voter Registration. Starting on the 18th of August, we will have the opportunity for people to do the online pre registration of processes.

“Now this is not going to be different from what we did prior to 2023. You know that INEC has created a portal where members of the public who want to register to vote can process, go online, start the process and then only come to us physically for the capture of the photographs and fingerprints for the registration process to be completed.”

He added that voters who wish to transfer their registration from one location to another, correct errors in their data, or request changes to their voter cards can also use the online platform.

“For those who didn’t collect their cards prior to now, and if there’s any correction they want done to the card, they can do that. But from the 18th, people who have access to the Internet can do the transfer.

“People also want to migrate from one polling unit to another, you can do that through the Internet or you come to us physically from the 25th,” he added.

He explained that physical registration would take place at INEC local government offices across the state from August 25, and urged those who complete the online process to visit the offices for biometric capture to finalise their registration.

He called on those who started the online registration process to come to the state office or local government office headquarters for fingerprints and photographs capturing to complete the registration process.

He explained that the exercise would give room for those who want to effect some corrections or changes on their cards, do card transfers or did not collect their PVCs to have their concerns addressed.

Effanga, however, cautioned against multiple registrations, noting that in case of card loss, the person should go for reprinting of the card in the office, as any attempt to register again would invalidate the whole process.

Gunmen kill four, burn vehicles in Anambra communities

Panic gripped residents of Ekwulobia and Oko communities in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday after armed hoodlums invaded the area, killing at least four people and setting vehicles ablaze.

The attack, which began around 8 am, saw the gunmen shoot indiscriminately while mounting positions on a newly constructed bridge connecting the two neighbouring towns.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers ambushed a joint patrol team comprising police, soldiers, and local vigilantes, leading to chaos as residents and commuters fled for safety.

One of the eyewitnesses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “The heavily armed hoodlums in their large number entered the community at about 8.00 am today (Wednesday) and mounted on the newly-built bridge at the centre of the town from where they first launched attacks on the joint security patrol team of the police and the army as well as members of the state Agunaechemba security.

“There was confusion everywhere, and people, most of them workers going to work and traders coming from their homes to open their shops, ran helter-skelter in search of safety. The shootings occurred for several minutes before the arrival of the security team, which engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.

“About four persons were already recorded dead, and many others injured. Two people were shot while in a tricycle.”

Viral videos shared on social media showed people scampering for safety amid gunfire. At least one operational vehicle belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group was also torched.

While residents said four people were feared dead, the Anambra State Police Command confirmed two fatalities.

In a statement, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police-led joint security team responded swiftly and repelled the attackers.

He said, “Anambra police-led security force contained a shooting incident in the early hours of today July 9, 2025, at Oko and Ekwulobia flyover, Aguata Local Government Area.

“The team also demobilised one of the armed criminals, recovered one AK-47 rifle, one automatic pump action gun and four vehicles at the scene as the operatives sustained the onslaught operations in the area.

Vehicles recovered at the scene included a red Toyota Camry (registration ENU 58 SC), a custom-coloured Mercedes-Benz GLK without number plates, a golden Lexus 330 (ENU 815 AP), and an ash Toyota Highlander (GDD 517 RW).

“The Armed criminals unprovokedly shot indiscriminately under the Ekwulobia flyover. Consequently, in a swift response, the Joint Security Team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel.

“Regrettably, the incident recorded the death of two unsuspecting members of the public and the burning of a brown Toyota Sienna vehicle allegedly belonging to the Anambra State Vigilante Group. Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in the morgue,” Ikenga added.

He also confirmed a separate attempted attack on the Oko Divisional Police Headquarters, which was repelled by officers on duty.

“Given the above, adequate security measures have been put in place at the instance of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu.

“Residents are hereby urged to remain calm as efforts to ensure their safety continue unabated. Further development would be communicated,” he added.

Musk’s chatbot Grok slammed for praising Hitler, dishing insults

Billionaire Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok was under fire again Wednesday, for antisemitic comments, praising Hitler and insulting Islam in separate posts on the X platform.

One series of comments, which included insults directed at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, led a court there to ban the posts in question.

These were just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the AI creation, which has already been accused of promoting racist conspiracy theories.

Screenshots posted on X showed several posts made by the bot in which it praised Adolf Hitler and claimed Jews promoted “anti-white hate”.

The chatbot, developed by Musk’s company xAI, was criticised by the Jewish activist group Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for answering multiple user prompts with questionable posts.

And in Turkey, a court announced it was blocking access to a series of messages from Grok on X, which it said had insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Islamic religious values.

Musk’s AI start-up acknowledged the issues in a post via Grok on X.

“We are aware of recent posts made by Grok and are actively working to remove the inappropriate posts,” it said.

“Since being made aware of the content, xAI has taken action to ban hate speech before Grok posts on X.”

– Friday upgrade –

Musk has not so far commented directly on the controversy, but posted Wednesday: “Never a dull moment on this platform.”

Last Friday, he posted to say they had made significant improvements to Grok. “You should notice a difference when you ask Grok questions,” he added.

Grok, in posts since then, has referred to “anti-white stereotypes” and Hollywood executives being “disproportionately Jewish”.

The ADL criticised the latest posts by the chatbot.

“What we are seeing from Grok LLM right now is irresponsible, dangerous and antisemitic, plain and simple,” the ADL said on X.

“This supercharging of extremist rhetoric will only amplify and encourage the antisemitism that is already surging on X and many other platforms.”

On Tuesday, Grok was also asked about the wildfires burning around the southern French port of Marseille.

If the fire could “clean up” one troubled district of the city “so much the better”, it said, adding “the dealers are more resilient than the flames”.

– ‘Sarcasm’ –

Also Tuesday, Grok insulted Erdogan and his family in a series of Turkish-language posts, according to screen captures posted by other users.

A court in Ankara on Wednesday ordered around 10 of the offending posts to be blocked “for the crimes of insulting the religious values of a portion of the population and insulting the president”.

In one post on Wednesday, Grok appeared to be suggesting that some of its more controversial remarks had been tongue-in-cheek.

“My line was sarcasm: absurdly invoking Hitler to slam that vile bile, not endorse him — he’s history’s ultimate evil. Irony backfired hard,” it posted.

Grok, which Musk promised would be “edgy” following its launch in 2023, has been mired in controversy.

In May it caused a row for generating misleading and unsolicited posts referencing “white genocide” in South Africa, which xAI blamed on an “unauthorised modification.”

AFP

Use firearms responsibly, NSCDC FCT commandant urges new officers

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, on Wednesday, warned newly trained officers against misconduct or irresponsible use of weapons.

Addressing the 200 personnel who completed the Corps’ basic arms training at the command headquarters in Abuja, Odumosu emphasised that the right to bear arms comes with grave responsibility.

“This is just the beginning. The rifle is not merely a weapon; it is a responsibility. It must not be misused. Let discipline, integrity, and professionalism be your watchwords at all times.

“The NSCDC uniform you wear is not for harassment or intimidation. It is for service,” he cautioned.

Odumosu, who has led a series of training initiatives since assuming office, reiterated the importance of ethics and accountability in the use of firearms, especially as the Corps strengthens its armed squad.

“This third batch of graduands in basic weapons handling is a clear testament that we are not resting on our oars.

“The security landscape in the FCT is evolving, and so must we. The training of this batch is part of a carefully thought-out series of trainings designed to respond proactively to emerging security threats with precision, discipline, and professionalism.

“We are not just passing out personnel who have just concluded basic weapon handling training. We are flagging off our ‘Emergency Response Team.’ Another crucial phase of our transformation journey,” the commandant noted.

The new Emergency Response Team, described by Odumosu as “specially trained and tactically equipped to intervene swiftly in high-risk situations,” will serve as a quick-response force within the FCT.

However, the commandant said that the unit must operate within strict professional boundaries.

“Our vision is clear: to build a Corps that is not only responsive but also anticipatory in approach,” he said, noting that irresponsible firearm use would be inconsistent with the Corps’ mission and values.

He reminded the officers that with each advancement in training and equipment comes an expectation of higher discipline.

“Today’s event is not just another ceremonial gathering. It is a strong statement of our unwavering commitment to capacity building, operational readiness, and the overall enhancement of our internal security architecture within the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Odumosu added that the training initiative, which now includes a total of 472 personnel trained in weapons handling, is part of a long-term strategic vision to make the Corps more responsive to Nigeria’s complex security environment.

“Let me reiterate without mincing words that this is not the end; it is a continuum. The first and second batches of 135 and 137 personnel, respectively, brought the total number of trained personnel in weapon handling to 472,” he stated.

He also expressed appreciation to the Commandant General of the Corps, Prof. Ahmed Audi and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for their continued support in equipping and strengthening the command.

He concluded with a stern but motivational call to the newly graduated officers, adding that “The path to greatness is often narrow and rugged, but the courageous never turn back. We are forging ahead. We are building capacity. We are breaking new ground.

“May the Almighty God reward you and continue to protect you as you serve your fatherland,” the commandant said.

The event was attended by senior security officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from the FCT Administration.

Anambra urges residents to participate in voter registration

The Anambra State Government has called on residents to participate fully in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise which kicked off across the state on July 8.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission, the CVR exercise will end on July 17.

INEC added that it provided an opportunity for eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to participate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, who made the call, said it was part of efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure inclusive participation in the governorship election coming up in the state on November 8, 2025.

Mefor, in a press statement released on Wednesday, urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said, “As part of efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure inclusive participation in the November 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra State and future elections in Nigeria, the Anambra State Government is urging all eligible citizens to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The CVR exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, and will end on July 17, 2025, provides an opportunity for eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.

“This is particularly important for young people who have recently turned 18 years old and are now eligible to vote. Citizens who have relocated to Anambra State from other parts of the country and wish to transfer their voting rights. Individuals who have lost or defaced their voter cards and need to replace them.

The government encourages everyone who falls within these categories to visit their nearest registration centre and complete the registration process. This is a crucial step in ensuring that our democracy remains vibrant and representative of the will of the people. For further information, please visit the INEC website.”

Meanwhile, checks by our correspondent at major locations across the state, showed that the exercise has witnessed a low turnout since it started on Tuesday due to rainfall and low awareness by the residents.

Govs, APC leaders secretly backing opposition- Babachir Lawal

A former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has said that some governors and top members of the All Progressives Congress are quietly supporting an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Lawal, who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari during his first term, revealed this during an interview on Beyond the Headlines aired Tuesday on TVC News.

He said that although these people have not spoken publicly, they believe in the coalition’s plan to remove the current government.

“Yes, there are [APC members working with the coalition], and they will speak for themselves. Some might not be brave or bold enough to do it the way I have, but there are very many, some tell me, including some governors,” he said.

Recall that Lawal resigned from the ruling party on June 29.https://punchng.com/ex-sgf-babachir-lawal-dumps-apc/

He said he had been working against the APC from within for a long time because the party was full of intimidation and didn’t allow free speech.

He stated, “We’re in a democracy; even if you’re in a political party, you can choose to support a better candidate in another political party. I’m learning a template from APC: this template of remaining in one party and working for another.

“This is a script APC developed, which Wike has enhanced and grown beyond imagination. Wike is our leader in this type of politics.

“The APC has never been united; it’s been a party that has been intimidated and bullied into silence. No internal cohesion; you cannot even advise. Even advice is taken as anti-party. So, many people got frustrated that you cannot talk truth to power in APC.”

He said many people who once supported President Bola Tinubu are now disappointed and want a better alternative.

“A lot of us are people whose primary aim is to replace this government with a better government that serves Nigerians better. If you want to serve this country better, you need to do so from the angle of politics, policies, governance, and leadership. You need to replace the non-performing party,” he said.

“So, there’s nothing wrong if people who were hitherto in APC, allies of Tinubu, have been disappointed in the way he has chosen to run his government or allow others to run his government. There’s nothing wrong if we decide to come together to make a change.”

Lawal also mocked the recent wave of politicians joining the APC, saying most of them are only trying to protect their political careers.

“It’s true the governors are decamping. Why are they decamping to the APC? Because they know the president has given himself an automatic ticket, there will be no primaries, and no other candidate will be allowed to raise their head.

“Most of the governors understand that this government is a government that wrote results to become what they are. So, they can write you out even in your own convention in an opposition party.

“So, all these governors are moving to APC to secure their next elections. However, the governors are moving, but nobody is moving with them; the people are not.”

Lawal also said the coalition is not led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, explaining that it is a team effort by different political figures with the aim of unseating the ruling party.

“The coalition is not about Atiku. I’ve attended meetings tilted towards Obi, Atiku, and Amaechi. Atiku has never spoken in all our meetings, except the last meeting, where he was asked to speak.

“Before we started the coalition, we told everybody that has political ambition to lock it down in a cupboard. because the understanding is that no one person can defeat an incumbent government.

“Peter Obi understands that with his Obedient movement, he cannot win this election on a standalone basis. Ameachi understands, and Atiku too; we must have a coalition, get together, join forces, join ideas, and work to defeat this government.”

Eight vigilantes killed in Plateau ambush, says military

The Special Military Task Force in charge of maintaining peace in Plateau State otherwise known as Operation Safe Haven has confirmed that eight vigilantes were killed in last Sunday’s ambush by bandits in Kanam Local Government Area of the state.

The spokesman for the taskforce, Major Samson Zhakom, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement which narrated how the incident occurred read,

“Following recent media reports alleging the killing of 70 vigilantes in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) wishes to clarify the incident.

“While OPSH confirms the occurrence of the event, certain details circulating are inaccurate. Below is an official account of what transpired.

“On 6 July 2025, a large group of vigilantes mobilised from Kanam LGA with the intent to conduct an independent operation without notifying OPSH troops. Upon arriving at Kukawa community, where they had temporarily halted for administrative purposes, the vigilantes engaged in a confrontation with some residents. Reports indicate that they attacked civilians and looted several provision shops in the area.

“Additionally, the vigilantes allegedly seized over 20 motorcycles from Kukawa residents, claiming they were finalising administrative procedures before proceeding to Odare Forest for their mission.

“However, while advancing toward the forest, the group was ambushed by armed bandits, resulting in the death of eight vigilantes, with others still missing. The remains of the deceased have been recovered and buried, while troops from Sector 2 OPSH in Wase are conducting search and rescue operations to locate the missing individuals”

The statement warned vigilante groups against conducting unauthorised operations without prior coordination with security forces and emphasized that independent actions without OPSH’s approval endanger both the operatives and innocent civilians.

“In light of this incident, OPSH strongly advises all vigilante groups and individuals within the state against conducting unauthorised operations without prior coordination with security forces.

“While we recognise the vigilantes’ intent to protect under served areas, independent actions without OPSH’s approval endanger both the operatives and innocent civilians.

“OPSH remains committed to maintaining peace and security in Plateau State and will take decisive action against any individual or group undermining these efforts, regardless of their motives.

“We urge the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing actionable intelligence and reporting suspicious activities within their communities,” it added.