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National Assembly Fails To Account For N9 Billion – Audit Report

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The National Assembly management failed to account for a total expenditure of over N9.4 billion in 2014, the latest audit report has revealed.

The money included N9.39 billion for which no “documentary evidence” was provided and a N47 million to be returned to government coffers out of which only N360,000 was returned; giving a total of N9,440,844,572 (nine billion, four hundred and forty million, eight hundred and four thousand, five hundred and seventy two Naira).

The audit report of government bodies (2009-2014) was submitted to the Clerk to the National Assembly in March 2016 as statutorily provided. The full contents were recently publicly disclosed by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation on its website.

The report indicted several government bodies of illegal and profligate spending, and failing to remit over N3 trillion into government’s treasury.

Apart from the National Assembly, other key bodies indicted include the state oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ministry of Interior, the Presidency, Central Bank of Nigeria and some foreign missions.

According to the report, between January and December, 2014 under the leadership of David Mark as Senate President and Salisu Maikasuwa as the Clerk, the Management Department of the National Assembly Commission transferred N9,392,995,515.00 (Nine billion, three hundred and ninety-two million, nine hundred and ninety-five thousand, five hundred and fifteen naira) from the general services account to other accounts in different banks.

The purposes stated for the transfer include Senate General Services, Appropriation, Constitutional Review, House of Representatives Services, UNDP Projects and Research Office Services.

However, “no expenditure returns or documentary evidence were rendered to account for how these sums were expended,” the report said, raising question of accountability and legality.

In another case, the report disclosed that the National Assembly management remitted only N360,000, out of a N47 million balance of total personnel vote release and actual expenditure for 2014.

“It was further observed that the total Personnel Vote release for the year 2014 was N1,856,510,517.00 (One billion, eight hundred and fifty-six million, five hundred and ten thousand, five hundred and seventeen naira), and the Actual Expenditure for the same period was N1,808,661,460.18 (One billion, eight hundred and eight million, six hundred and sixty-one thousand, four hundred and sixty naira, eighteen kobo), resulting in a balance of N47,849,057.00 (Forty-seven million, eight hundred and forty-nine thousand, fifty-seven naira).

“However, only an amount of N360,115.08 (Three hundred and sixty thousand, one hundred and fifteen naira, eight kobo) was paid back to treasury at the end of the year.”

No Denial

In May – after the audit report had been submitted to the National Assembly, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts led by Andy Uba (PDP-Anambra) held a public hearing during which a number of government bodies refuted certain findings of the audit report, particularly the disclosure that they didn’t submit their internal audit reports between 2009 and 2014.

Some of the bodies that challenged aspects of the report were CBN, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and Nigeria Pension Commission.

However, the National Assembly has not denied the findings of the audit report as they related to the lawmaking body – though its committee castigated the then Auditor-General of the Federation, Samuel Ukara, for an “unsatisfactory report”, cashing in on complaints by other government bodies.

The law says the National Assembly should refer the audit report to its committee on Public Accounts for consideration.

After considering the report, the committee is empowered to pass a resolution to either publish the report in the National Assembly journal or government’s official gazette.

Since the committee considered the report, it has not passed the resolution for its publication in either channel.

Efforts to reach Mr. Uba for comments were not fruitful. He did not pick calls to his phone or reply to text message.

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Nasarawa ADC Suspends State Chairman Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities, Sets Up Disciplinary Committee

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Nasarawa State has suspended its State Chairman, Godwin Alaku Williams, over alleged involvement in anti-party activities.
The suspension was approved by the party’s Transitional Leadership Team (TLT) following a petition accusing Williams of actions deemed harmful to the unity and progress of the party in the state.
The decision was taken at a TLT meeting held on Wednesday at Otunsha Hotel, Keffi, and presided over by the party leader, Chief John Michael Abdul.
In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Comrade Idris Ojoko, the suspension will last for 14 days, pending investigation and the outcome of proceedings by a disciplinary committee constituted by the TLT.
Ojoko also announced the appointment of Barrister Paul Magaji Ajeh, formerly the State Secretary, as Acting State Chairman, while Umar A. Babayaro has been named Acting Secretary.
According to the statement, the allegations against Williams include his alleged refusal to recognise the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by Senator David Mark, and his failure to integrate coalition members into the ADC party structure in Nasarawa State.
Other accusations include allegedly reporting some party leaders to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police, describing them as impostors.
Williams is also accused of constituting parallel party organs at various levels within the state, interfering with the establishment of party offices at the state, local government, and ward levels contrary to NWC directives, and disrupting the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise.
Meanwhile, Ojoko announced the formation of a disciplinary committee chaired by Barrister Hassan Yakubu. Other members include Amina Zanwa, Mamman Sunday, and Yunus Abdullahi Sidi, with Gaza Mark Auta serving as Secretary.

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Tears as Chief Imam of Ilorin Laid to Rest, Fidau Scheduled for Sunday

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Tears flowed freely on Tuesday as thousands of Muslim faithful gathered at the Emir of Ilorin’s palace for the final burial of the Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Soliu.
The solemn funeral prayer (Janazah) began at 10:00 a.m., led by the Imam Imale of Ilorin, Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhameed. The palace forecourt was filled to capacity, with security personnel managing the massive crowd that had come to pay their last respects to the revered Islamic scholar.
The event drew prominent figures from political, religious, and social spheres, including former Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former PDP National Secretary Alhaji Kawu Baraje, former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Professor Ali Ahmad, former Director of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency Engineer Bolakale Kawu, and the Kwara State Governor’s representative, Saadu Salaudeen.
Notable Islamic scholars and traditional rulers also attended, including Balogun Alanamu, Dr. Usman Abubakar Jos, Chief Imam of Offa Sheikh Muhyidin Salman Hussein Al-Imam, Ajanasi Agba of Ilorin Sheikh Mujtabah Yusuf Bature, Chief of Ogbomoso Alhaji Dr. Imam Yunus Teliat Olushina Ayilara II, and Grand Mufti of Ilorin Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa, among others.
Sheikh Soliu passed away on Monday at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of Islamic scholarship, leadership, and service to the Ilorin Emirate and the broader Muslim community.
Following the Janazah, his body was conveyed to his residence in Egbejila, which also houses his Arabic school, where thousands gathered for the final rites and prayers. At the graveside, clerics offered heartfelt supplications for the forgiveness of his soul and entry into Al-Jannah Firdaus, as mourners wept openly, remembering him as a spiritual father, teacher, and moral compass.
Sheikh Soliu is remembered for his humility, deep knowledge of Islam, and unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and religious guidance in Kwara State and beyond.
As part of post-burial rites, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, announced that the Fidau prayer for the late Chief Imam will hold on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ilorin Central Mosque. The prayer will be led by Imam Imale Sheikh Abdullahi Abdulhamid, alongside other clerics from within and outside the Emirate.
In a statement, the Emir urged Muslims across the region to intensify prayers for the departed Imam Agba of Ilorin, asking Allah to grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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Alaafin Should Avoid Confrontation With Oyo Govt — Eselu of Iselu

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The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has advised the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, to avoid a direct confrontation with the Oyo State Government over the proposed rotational chairmanship of the state’s Council of Obas.
Oba Akinyemi warned that open defiance of the government’s decision could attract serious consequences, noting that state governments possess the constitutional powers to install or depose traditional rulers in cases of insubordination or disobedience.
According to the monarch, the governor’s decision is not unusual, as similar rotational arrangements are practiced in other states across the country. He added that the situation could have been handled differently, stressing that the Alaafin should not have publicly challenged the policy, particularly as he was not consulted before its announcement.
Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo has denied claims that he met with Governor Seyi Makinde or endorsed the rotational chairmanship. He maintained that his opposition to the move had already been formally communicated to the governor through a memo submitted by the Oyo Council of Elders.
The controversy has continued to spark reactions, with groups such as the Oyo Scholars Congress and the Oyo Global Forum throwing their weight behind the Alaafin. The groups argue that the rotational system distorts Yoruba history and undermines the traditional status and authority of the Alaafin of Oyo.

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