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N10bn fraud: EFCC probes Afegbua’s allegations, summons PDP chiefs

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THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigations into an alleged N10bn fraud levelled against the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party.

A document obtained in Abuja on Tuesday indicated that the anti-graft agency had written a letter inviting the party’s National Auditor, National Organising Secretary and Director of Finance to meet with its Head of Operations at the EFCC National Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja, beginning from Wednesday (today).

The letter of invitation with reference number: CR:3000/EFCC/ABJ/EG2/12 / Vol 2/146, dated May 17, 2021, was addressed to the National Chairman, PDP Secretariat.

Titled, ‘Investigation activities, letter of invitation for information,” the letter reads, ‘The commission is investigating an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of funds and fraud in which the need to obtain certain clarifications from your party has become imperative.

“In view of the above, you are requested to kindly release the under-listed officers of your party to attend an interview with the undersigned on the below scheduled dates at the Economic Governance Section 2, EFCC Headquarters 2nd floor, flat 301 and 302 Institution and Research District, Jabi, Abuja by 1000 hours.”

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The commission said the national auditor should come on Wednesday , the national organising secretary on Thursday and the director of finance, on Friday.

“The officers should come along with relevant documents on the sale of forms into the party’s elective positions from January 2017 to date,” the statement signed by Michael Wetkas, Head of Operations, added.

The investigation was triggered by a petition filed by a member of the party, Mr Kazeem Afegbua, who alleged that money generated from the sale of forms and other sources totalling N10bn was unaccounted for.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, and other party leaders, however, dismissed the claim as untrue.

It was gathered that Afegbua’s petition was triggered by the contents of a leaked memo of an auditor’s query on financial transactions involving the PDP leadership.

The National Auditor of the party, Adamu Mustapha, had alleged that his office was oblivious about the party’s financial transactions since 2017.

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In the memo, Mustapha had said, “The purpose of this alarm is to bring to the notice of this NWC the inability of the audit department to perform its functions as enshrined in the constitution and the extant laws, to illustrate as example, the audit department was incapacitated by lack of access to the necessary inputs that will enable it to discharge its duties.

“For whatever reasons, there is no access to all financial transactions (cash inflows and outflows) documents of the party like cashbooks, receipts. vouchers, registers cheques and bank statements all of which are necessary input or pre-audit for due process, internal control and reconciliation.”

He later addressed the media at the instance of the party leadership, where he denied accusing the national chairman of financial malfeasance.

Ologbodiyan explained that the audit query had been dealt with and issues raised therein adequately addressed by the parties NWC and

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2027: TY Danjuma backs Tinubu’s re-election bid, says he’s been fair to Christians

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Former minister of defence, Theophilus Danjuma, says he is supporting the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, adding that his administration has been fair to Christians in appointments.

Danjuma, a retired army general, spoke on Saturday at the 20th anniversary and fundraising ceremony of the Adamawa state government house chapel held in Yola.

He said electing Tinubu for another four years would give the administration ample time to complete what he described as meaningful projects.

Represented by Ishaya Bamaiyi, former chief of army staff, Danjuma said since the inception of his administration, Tinubu has exhibited fairness and tolerance by appointing several Christians to government positions.

He called on Nigerians, especially those in the middle belt, to support the president’s second term quest.

He maintained that the prospect of another northerner becoming president could unsettle the current geopolitical arrangement.

The retired general implored the movement to expand the Adamawa government house chapel, urging faithful to have the fear of God in their individual and collective undertakings to attract His guidance and blessings.

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He pledged N250 million towards the fundraising ceremony to support the expansion of the chapel and ensure it stands the test of time.

The development follows a visit by Danjuma and some leaders from the north-west and north-central to President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday, where they declared their support for his administration and readiness to strengthen his political base across their communities.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the visit, Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the house of representatives, said the delegation was particularly encouraged by what he described as remarkable improvements in the country’s security situation.

He said the gains recorded under Tinubu have provided further justification for rallying support for his re-election.

The delegation included Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau; Agbu Kefas, governor of Taraba; Chris Musa, minister of defence; and Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: 2027: Experts back AI checks on voters’ register

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1. Ahead of the 2027 general elections, experts say Artificial Intelligence could help the Independent National Electoral Commission detect duplicate voter registrations and strengthen the integrity of the voters’ register.

Speaking to The PUNCH ahead of the forthcoming PUNCH Media Foundation webinar on AI, the experts also warned that a fake notice announcing the postponement of voting could keep people away from the polls.

2. Victorious Flamingos landed in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday morning after their win at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The team won their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the historic victory.
 

3. United States President Donald Trump said that his mass deportation of undocumented immigrants was “too tough,” according to an excerpt of an interview with CBS aired on Sunday. He stated that the policy ultimately “hurt” him and also blamed Republicans’ midterm losses in part on “bad messaging.”



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4. The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has called on Muslims across Nigeria to search for the new crescent moon of Jumada Assaniya 1448AH on Monday, November 9, 2026. The directive was contained in a statement dated November 8, 2026, signed by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu and made available to journalists on Sunday.

5. The Federal Government is seeking a fresh $500m loan from the World Bank to establish an infrastructure financing platform, with the proposed approval scheduled for 25 May 2027, just four days before the inauguration of Nigeria’s next president. The proposed borrowing comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising questions about the timing of fresh financial commitments and their implications for the incoming administration.

6. The Nigeria Labour Congress has directed workers in Osun State to embark on a three-day sympathy strike beginning at midnight on Sunday to press for the release of statutory allocations due to local government areas in the state. In a statement signed by the Osun NLC Chairman and Secretary, Christopher Arapasopo and Victor Amusan, respectively, the congress said the industrial action was in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees in the state.

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7. Relief may be on the horizon for electricity consumers as the Federal Government begins clearing hundreds of containers of power equipment stranded at Nigerian ports with the aim of deploying them to critical electricity infrastructure projects.
The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, who was acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, said the Federal Government has secured the release of the first 44 containers from Apapa Port, Lagos out of more than 300 containers of electrical equipment awaiting clearance.

8. A 34-year-old Ugandan woman, Farida Nansubuga, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for allegedly attempting to smuggle 1.15 kilogrammes of cocaine from Nigeria to Uganda. Nansubuga was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, while preparing to board a flight to Uganda.

9. Four candidates contesting the 2027 Lagos State governorship election have presented different approaches to tackling the state’s challenges of flooding, traffic congestion, housing, and education, with promises ranging from technology-driven environmental solutions and expanded public transportation to affordable homes and free education.

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10. The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 10 passengers abducted by gunmen from a commercial bus at Orita Fufu, Awa-Ijebu, while one suspected kidnapper was killed during a subsequent operation. A statement issued by the command on Sunday said the victims regained their freedom unharmed at about 8.30 pm on Saturday, following sustained security pressure and intelligence-led efforts by the police.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: ADC appeals ruling sacking Mark-led leadership, cautions INEC

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1. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken its battle against the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the party to the Court of Appeal, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to take any consequential action while the legal challenge is pending.

The party says it has filed a notice of appeal against the judgment delivered on November 5, 2026, by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside an application seeking to suspend its execution pending the determination of the appeal.

2. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday approved the elevation of Akwa Ibom State’s airport to international status and threw his weight behind the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, a major boost to the state’s economic and infrastructure ambitions. The President announced the airport approval during his visit to the state, following a formal request from Governor Umo Eno, and expressed support for the deep seaport project as a strategic investment capable of transforming the state’s maritime trade and industrial landscape

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3. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, on Friday, warned patent medicine dealers in Imo State against selling lethal, counterfeit and expired drugs to unsuspecting members of the public. NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, issued the warning in Owerri during a sensitisation workshop on pharmacovigilance and drug distribution safety.

4. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has urged Rivers State residents to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Wike said Tinubu deserved another four-year term for bold reforms and achievements in critical sectors, including removing the fuel subsidy, increasing allocations to states and local governments, improving university stability, and proposing the establishment of state police.

5. The Abia State Police Command has arrested suspects linked to the October 17 attack on Uratta Divisional Police Headquarters, rescued 10 stolen children, and recovered 15 firearms and 30 stolen vehicles in a major security crackdown across the state. The Command also disclosed that it arrested 109 suspects, comprising 89 males and 20 females, in connection with 211 criminal cases recorded between September 11, 2026 and November 6, 2026.

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6. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was back on the campaign trail yesterday, firing broadside at former vice president Atiku  Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi. President Tinubu, addressing hundreds of thousands of supporters at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, dismissed both men as lacking the leadership qualities required to rule Nigeria.


7. The Kebbi State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Abubakar Malami, has condemned alleged attacks, intimidation and destruction of property during the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Birnin Kebbi. Malami also called for an impartial investigation into the demolition of the Malami Pressure Group headquarters along Sani Abacha Bypass, Birnin Kebbi, describing the incident as one that raises concerns about democratic freedoms.

8. A retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, said on Friday that a United States travel ban imposed on a seven-member panel of the apex court remained in force. She attributed the ban to what she described as the misinterpretation of a judgment delivered by the panel. She, however, did not mention the particular contentious case.

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9. The Kano high court has sentenced Umar Auwalu, and Yakubu Dayyabu to death by hanging for the murder of Fatima Abubakar, a 35-year-old woman, and her six children at Dorayi Chiranchi quarters in Kano.
Nasiru Saminu, the presiding judge, convicted the two men on Friday of a nine-count charge bothering on conspiracy, culpable homicide, and armed robbery.



10. Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected notorious terrorist in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The troops also intensified clearance operations against terrorists and dismantled several hideouts in Zamfara, as part of efforts to rid the region of criminal elements.

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