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N37.1bn Fraud: EFCC Grants Buhari’s Humanitarian Minister Sadiya Bail

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday grilled a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, for over 12 hours between 11 am and 11.30 pm.

The former minister who was grilled in the presence of her lawyer, Oladipo Okpeseyi, at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, was asked to write a statement explaining her relationship with a contractor, James Okwete, over the disbursements of the sum of ₦37,170,855,753.44 paid into his bank accounts through agencies domiciled in the ministry.

It was gathered that during the interrogation which was done in the Operations Room, EFCC Headquarters, Plots 301/302, Institutions and Research District, Jabi, Abuja, the former minister was shown documents revealing how the monies were moved into several bank accounts belonging to or connected with Okwete.

“Sadiya was grilled by interrogators since 11 am, and she was released on bail around 11.30 pm tonight (Monday), we aren’t detaining her just as we didn’t detain Halima Shehu, because the investigation is still ongoing.

“However, Sadiya has been mandated to report to the commission every day from tomorrow (Tuesday). She was asked to write a statement explaining her relationship with the contractor, Okwete, and how those monies got into his account,” an EFCC source revealed.

The source added, “She was given access to documents showing how the monies were moved from the ministry’s coffers and deposited into the bank accounts of Mr Okwete.”

Meanwhile, when contacted on Monday, Okwete’s lawyer, Chukwuemeka Eze, confirmed that his client had been released by the EFCC.

Eze noted that Okwete was released on administrative bail last Thursday and had been asked to report to the commission daily.

“My client, Okwete has been released by the EFCC on bail. He was released last week Thursday, and has been asked to report to the commission daily,” Eze said.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Umar-Farouk arrived at the EFCC Headquarters at about 10:00 am on Monday

At about 10:20 am, the former Minister tweeted about her presence at the EFCC Headquarters, saying, “I have, at my behest, arrived at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency to offer clarifications in respect of some issues that the commission is investigating.”

Documents revealed that following receipt of the funds, Okwete transferred N6,746,034,000 to Bureau De Change Operators, withdrew N540 million in cash, purchased luxury cars with N288,348,600 and bought luxury houses in Abuja and Enugu State with N2,195,115,000.

So far, 53 companies have been traced to Okwete, who was also said to have used 47 of the firms to secure Federal Government contracts amounting to N27,423,824,339.86.

He is also linked with 143 bank accounts in 12 commercial banks of which 134 accounts are corporate accounts linked to different companies.

It was however revealed that Okwete is a director in only 11 of the 53 companies, while the remaining 42 companies’ accounts were linked to his Bank Verification Number as a signatory to the accounts.

 

Credit: The Punch

BIG STORY

Chimamanda Serves Euracare Hospital With Legal Notice Over Son’s Death

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Chimamanda Adichie has served Euracare Hospital in Lagos with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional impropriety led to the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi.

Nkanu, one of Adichie’s twin sons, died on January 7, 2026, following complications during a series of preparatory medical procedures.

The legal notice dated January 10 argued that the attending anaesthesiologist and other medical personnel at Euracare breached their duty of care.

According to the filing, the child had been referred to Euracare from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital on January 6 for critical procedures ahead of an emergency medical evacuation.

The procedures included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and a lumbar puncture. Intravenous sedation was said to have been administered using propofol.

It added that a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, United States, was on standby to receive him.

The legal document stated that during transport from the MRI suite to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, while under sedation, the child suffered sudden and severe complications, which culminated in his death.

“Our clients inform us that these procedures were required as part of the preparatory process for the child’s transfer and medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist team at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, was already on standby to receive him,” the notice reads in part

“It is our further brief that sedation was administered on the child at your facility using propofol. During transport to the cath lab following the MRI procedure under intravenous sedation, the child suffered sudden and severe complications, culminating in his untimely death on the 7th of January, 2026.”

Adichie’s legal representatives outlined multiple alleged lapses in care. They claim the child was moved between clinical areas without adherence to critical patient-safety protocols. Specific concerns raised include potential propofol dosing issues, inadequate airway protection, a lack of continuous monitoring, and movement without supplemental oxygen, proper equipment, or sufficient medical personnel in attendance.

The notice to Euracare Hospital demands the provision, within seven days, of certified copies of all related medical records. The request includes admission notes, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, procedural notes, ICU records, and the identities of all involved staff.

The hospital was instructed to preserve all evidence, including CCTV footage, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy records, and internal communications.

The notice also warned that failure to comply or any destruction of evidence would lead to legal action and all available judicial remedies.

The Lagos government has also ordered an investigation into the allegations.

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80-Year-Old Ex-Convict Arrested As NDLEA Recovers Drugs Hidden In Mannequins [PHOTOS]

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An 80-year-old grandpa, Jeremiah Isaiah Nkanta, has been arrested as the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) recovered large quantities of tramadol concealed inside mannequins.

In a statement on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, 80-year-old grandpa, known for notorious drug business, was previously arrested on the 14th, prosecuted and sentenced to two years in Akwa-Ibom State, and was re-arrested on Saturday after a credible intelligence-led operation by NDLEA. The statement reads, “Notorious for illicit drug business, Nkanta was first arrested by NDLEA on 14th December 2022, prosecuted and sentenced to two years in jail by a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

“Not ready to let go of the old habit, Nkanta returned to the illicit drug trade and following credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives on Saturday, 10th January 2026, tracked the Octogenarian ex-convict to his Mmanta – Abak village, Abak local government area of Akwa Ibom state, where he was arrested with 5.7 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis in his residence.”

In another successful operation in Akwa Ibom state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Oron-Ibaka road in Oron LGA on Friday, 9th January, intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, while travelling with full body mannequins for his clothing business in Cameroun.

A search of the mannequins by the operatives of the NDLEA revealed that they were stuffed with pills of tramadol weighing 5.3 kilograms.

The statement disclosed that “the suspect claims he resides in Cameroon and was reportedly returning to his base after the Christmas and New Year holidays when he was apprehended. It was revealed that he bought the drugs in Onitsha, Anambra state and was trafficking them to Cameroun to sell, using two mannequins to conceal the opioids.”

In another operation in Oyo state, NDLEA operatives’ raid across different locations led to the seizure of dangerous illicit drugs and arrest of notorious dealers, including 45-year-old Remi Bamidele (Alias ‘Aluko the Mafia’) at Sasa, Ibadan, where a total of 10.696 kilograms of Colorado, Scottish Loud, Ghana Loud, Canadian Loud and skunk, all strains of cannabis.

At the time of his arrest on Thursday, 8th January, two vehicles, including a Toyota Venza and a Toyota Yaris marked HG 06 LYD, were recovered from him.

NDLEA officers on Friday, 9th January arrested Adeola Toheeb, 27, at the Adegbayi area of the state capital, Ibadan, with various quantities of Colorado, Ghana Loud and skunk, while Habeeb Ali, 29, was nabbed at Ring road, Ibadan with 1.264kg Colorado, Scottish Loud and skunk.

Not less than One Million Three Hundred and Seven Thousand One Hundred Naira (₦1,307,100) cash exhibit was also recovered from him at the point of his arrest on Saturday, 10th January.

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Nigeria’s Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Strike, Give Reasons

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to begin today, 12 January. It said the suspension of the strike is due to fresh commitments from the federal government and key health sector stakeholders.

The association announced the decision after a virtual emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Sunday, saying the suspension would last until 25 January, when it plans to review progress made on its demands.

The development comes days after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an interim order restraining NARD and its members from embarking on the planned strike, pending the hearing of a substantive motion fixed for 21 January.

In a communique signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD said the decision to suspend the resumption of the strike was “strategic and conditional,” allowing time to assess progress made through engagements with key government institutions.

The association said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) following “firm commitments” from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other agencies involved in health sector administration.

It also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service, and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.

“This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25 January 2026,” the communique said.

On 9 January, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, restrained NARD, its members, agents and privies from embarking on the planned nationwide strike.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The court barred the association from “calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action,” including strikes, picketing or work stoppages, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for 21 January.

NARD was granted liberty to apply to vary or discharge the order.

The association, however, did not reference the court order in its statement announcing the suspension of the strike resumption.

 

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