News
NMDPRA: Thugs Infiltrate Ahmed-Must-Go Protest
Some hired hoodlums on Tuesday, attacked young protesters in Abuja after infiltrating the peaceful sit-out around the head office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), in the Central Business District.
The group, under the aegis of Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria, in the series of the week-long rally in Abuja, had converged close to the NMDPRA office, demanding that the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPR, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, be suspended over alleged financial scandal.
The group and several others have consistently accused the NMDPRA boss of diverting over $5 million, allegedly using the same to sponsor four of his children in luxurious foreign schools across different countries.
But no sooner had the protesters successfully addressed the press, than some hoodlums, tripping from the opposite direction of the NMDPRA office, infiltrated the young protesters and wanted to turn the peaceful sit-out to a commotion; but for the wisdom of the leaders of the group, which insisted members should not react but quietly dismiss, to reconvene another day.
Comrade Emmanuel Ogwuche, who addressed the press shortly before the infiltration of the hoodlums, said the youths would continue their peaceful protests until the needful was done.
The group also hammered on allegations of abuse of power and regulatory compromise by Ahmed.
“Engr. Ahmed is at the centre of a massive financial scandal involving the alleged diversion of over $5 million in public funds to bankroll the luxurious foreign education of his children. While millions of Nigerians cannot afford to send their children to basic public schools; while university students in Nigeria face strikes, dilapidated hostels, and unpaid lecturers; one public servant is alleged to have spent our commonwealth to secure elite education for his family in Switzerland and India.
“His four children — Faisal, Farouk Jr., Ashraf, and Farhana — were enrolled in some of the most expensive schools in the world. Institutions with fees that range from $80,000 to $140,000 per year. Schools that only royalty and billionaires can afford. Schools that are as far removed from the average Nigerian reality as the moon is from the earth.
“Schools like Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, European University Montreux, and La Garenne International School. In all, over $5 million is alleged to have been spent over the years on tuition, accommodation, upkeep, and flights. These payments were routed through undisclosed accounts, proxy relatives, and unreported assets — none of which appeared in Mr. Ahmed’s mandatory asset declaration forms.
“This is not just unethical. It is potentially criminal. The law is clear. Public officials must declare all assets. Public officials must not benefit from any advantage that compromises their impartiality. Public officials must not divert public funds or use the privileges of office to enrich themselves or their families. And yet, here we are, faced with overwhelming evidence that points to exactly that.
“We are also aware that Mr. Ahmed’s son, Faisal, was recruited into Oando PLC — a company directly under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMDPRA. This is a clear conflict of interest. Oando is a regulated entity. Engr. Ahmed is the regulator. His son has no business working in a company whose regulatory fate lies in his father’s hands. The circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that this employment was not accidental. It was likely facilitated by undue influence. This is not acceptable. This is not excusable. This is not defensible,” Ogwuche stressed.
He vowed that the group would not back out until President Bola Tinubu suspends Ahmed, adding that various groups have drawn the attention of the president and all relevant authorities to bring the NMDPRA boss to account, but to no avail.
According to the group, “His (Ahmed) continued presence in office is a threat to reform. A threat to transparency. A threat to every effort to clean up the Nigerian oil and gas sector. His name is now synonymous with allegations of embezzlement, regulatory compromise and abuse of office.
“We say this to Mr. Ahmed directly: you may still have the title, but you have lost the moral mandate. If you believe in integrity, you should resign today. If you believe in justice, you should subject yourself to investigation. If you believe in Nigeria, you should step aside and allow the truth to come out.
“But if you do not resign, then we, the Nigerian people, must make it clear: we will not accept your continued stay. We will not allow the NMDPRA to become a haven for elite impunity. We will not let this matter die in silence.”
Although no serious injury was recorded, the group said some of its members were wounded, adding that no amount of intimidation could deter the youth from asking questions about what befalls their common patrimony.
Thisdaylive.com
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly stepped up its investigation into former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to a report by Premium Times, the anti-graft agency has begun efforts to locate the former minister after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations issued in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The publication reported that sources familiar with the matter said the ICPC had invited Nnaji for questioning through different channels, including telephone calls, emails and WhatsApp messages, but he did not appear before investigators.
One of the sources quoted by the newspaper claimed that the commission could declare the former minister wanted if attempts to secure his appearance are unsuccessful.
The latest development is said to be part of an investigation that followed a lengthy inquiry by Premium Times into Nnaji’s academic records and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) documents.
The newspaper had earlier alleged that the former minister submitted forged degree and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening and confirmation process in 2023.
According to the report, the ICPC has also sought information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), as part of its investigation.
Another source cited by Premium Times alleged that Nnaji’s failure to respond to the invitations may be linked to his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.
The newspaper recently reported that the former minister moved from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and later emerged as its governorship candidate.
Neither Nnaji nor his media aide, Robert Ngwu, had publicly responded to the latest allegations as of the time of filing this report. Premium Times said calls and messages sent to his spokesperson were not answered.
The controversy surrounding the former minister began after investigations into his academic qualifications were published in 2023.
According to the newspaper, Nnaji had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in a bid to stop the release of his academic records by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
However, Premium Times reported that university authorities later informed the newspaper that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution, he did not graduate or obtain the certificate attributed to him.
The publication also stated that the National Youth Service Corps disowned the discharge certificate allegedly presented by the former minister.
Nnaji eventually resigned from his position shortly after the allegations became public.
The matter has continued to attract public attention, with several lawyers and civil society groups calling for a thorough investigation and, where necessary, prosecution in line with the law.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA also reported earlier this year that an investigative panel set up by the Federal Ministry of Education examined the matter as part of a broader review of the allegations surrounding the former minister’s credentials.
The ICPC has yet to release an official public statement detailing the current status of its investigation
Nigeria’s Ministry of Interior is set to declare a nationwide public holiday across all sectors to mark Democracy Day 2026, potentially granting a one-day break for both private and public sector employees.
The federal government’s announcement regarding Democracy Day will be the only national public holiday observed in Nigeria in June 2026.
Democracy Day commemorates the 1993 presidential election and the nation’s struggle for democratic freedom. June 12, 2026, falls on a Friday.
On June 6, 2018, the late former president Muhammadu Buhari, in a public statement, changed the Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12, in honour of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and its winner, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in prison.
Abiola was born on August 14, 1937 and passed away under suspicious circumstances on July 7, 1998. A popular Ogun businessman, publisher, and politician of the Egba clan, he is often referred to as MKO Abiola.
He ran for the presidency in 1993 and was widely regarded as the presumed winner of the election, which was annulled by former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Some southwest states had been celebrating June 12 as a public holiday and are holding ceremonies in Abiola’s honour until Buhari officially declared the day as Nigeria’s real democracy day. The former president, on Monday, June 10, 2018, signed the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law.
The law, according to the former president’s ex-senior special assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, allows a public holiday to be declared on June 12 every year, while May 29 is to be a handing-over date.
A top Nigerian monarch, the Emir of Gazargamu in Yobe State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh, has died after a prolonged illness.
The monarch passed away on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, where he had been receiving medical treatment.
His son, Engr. Tijjani Hamisu Bala, who is the General Manager of the Yobe State Road Maintenance Agency (YORMA), confirmed the development to Daily Trust in Damaturu.
In a statement announcing the death, Bala described the late emir as a father, mentor and traditional ruler whose life was devoted to the service of his people and humanity.
“With profound sorrow and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, I announce the passing of my beloved father, namesake and traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh, the Emir of Gazargamu, who returned to his Creator today, June 9, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a protracted illness,” he said.
He said the late emir’s life was marked by wisdom, humility, courage and unwavering dedication to the service of his people.
“His fatherly guidance, leadership and legacy will remain a source of inspiration to us all,” he added.
Bala prayed to Allah to forgive the late monarch’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus; and give the family and the entire emirate strength and patience to bear the painful loss.
As of the time of filing this report, details of the burial arrangements were yet to be announced, while it remained unclear whether the late emir would be buried in Nigeria or in Egypt.
BREAKING: Tinubu’s Ex-Minister in Trouble Over Certificate Scandal
BREAKING: Peter Obi Drags Kenneth Okonkwo to Court, Reasons Emerge
FG to Declare Nationwide Public Holiday, Date Revealed
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
Politics2 days agoBREAKING: APC Releases List of Qualified Senatorial Candidates Ahead 2027
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: INEC Releases Final List Of Candidates For 2026 elections
-
Politics1 day agoBREAKING: Kwankwaso Breaks Silence on Dumping NDC
-
News18 hours agoFG to Declare Nationwide Public Holiday, Date Revealed
-
Business1 day agoJUST IN: Marketers Crash Petrol Prices Nationwide, New Pump Prices Emerge
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Top Nigerian Emir is Dead, Details Emerge
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Tinubu Swears In Two New Ministers
-
News3 hours agoBREAKING: Tinubu’s Ex-Minister in Trouble Over Certificate Scandal