News
JUST IN: EFCC Declares Ex-gov Wanted
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, wanted over alleged corruption while in office.
A top security source confided in Sunday Tribune that the EFCC, on Saturday, asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest EFCC declares Matawalle wanted
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, wanted over alleged corruption while in office.
READ ALSO: Revealed: Why Tinubu Suspended Bawa, EFCC Chair
A top security source confided in Sunday Tribune that the EFCC, on Saturday, asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Matawalle “anywhere he is seen” in the country.
A few days to the end of his tenure, Matawalle had accused the now suspended EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, of demanding a $2m bribe from him, an allegation that the anti-graft agency denied.
Matawalle, who had made the allegation in a Hausa Service interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), had pilloried the EFCC for going after governors while ignoring federal officials with big budgetary allocations.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: DSS Invites Suspended EFCC Boss, Bawa, May Detain Him
In denying the allegation, the EFCC said it was investigating Matawalle for allegedly siphoning state funds running to N70 billion through unexecuted contracts awarded to his cronies and for which money was received.
Tribune investigation revealed that the ex-governor might have gone into hiding for fear of being nabbed by the anti-graft agency.
“Have you seen him anywhere lately?” asked rhetorically by a security official while responding to Sunday Tribune’s enquiry about the development.
You may like
Things To Know About Procurement Fraud As A Nigerian – EFCC
47 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested In Edo
EFCC Releases Former Sokoto Gov Tambuwal
BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Tambuwal Over Alleged N189bn Fraud
EFCC Raids Obasanjo’s Hotel, Arrests Suspected Internet Fraudsters At Pool Party
EFCC Arraigns Six Katsina Revenue, Bank Workers Over N1.2bn Fraud
News
Sanwo-Olu Unveils Leather Hub, Eyes 10,000 Jobs
Published
13 minutes agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art leather processing and manufacturing hub in Mushin, projected to create 10,000 direct jobs and generate over $250 million in annual export turnover when fully operational.
In a press release sent to PUNCH Online, the governor said the facility was formally inaugurated on Saturday by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during her three-day official visit to Lagos.
He added that the hub was named in her honour to recognise her grassroots initiatives in social investment and economic empowerment, with 70 per cent of its employment slots reserved for women and youths.
The hub is equipped with modern machinery to support Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs), enabling mass production of shoes, bags, belts, packaging materials, and other leather products.
READ ALSO:I Will Snub Gov Sanwo-Olu Again – Mr Macaroni
It is designed to ease production bottlenecks, scale operations, and position Lagos as the leather logistics capital of West Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration, Tinubu described the hub as a “trailblazing project” aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to diversify Nigeria’s economy through industrialisation, manufacturing, and innovation.
The Lagos State Leather Hub in Mushin, formally commissioned by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
“Leatherwork is a traditional craft that has stood the test of time. This facility will empower artisans, scale up leather goods production, and enable them to compete confidently in both local and international markets,” she said, urging entrepreneurs to dedicate themselves to excellence and continuous learning.
Sanwo-Olu said the project would provide training and start-up support to over 150,000 artisans, boost the local economy, attract investments, and strengthen trade links with fashion districts, e-commerce platforms, and future rail services.
READ ALSO:Sanwo-Olu Unveils Bus Terminal, Slashes Red Line Fares By 30%
“Hides and skins that once left our shores unprocessed will now be transformed here in Lagos into world-class footwear, garments, and accessories proudly stamped ‘Made in Lagos, Made in Nigeria’,” the governor said.
He pledged to expand the facility through transparent regulation and continuous infrastructure upgrades, adding: “True dividends of democracy are best felt when they reach the cobbler in Mushin, the tanner in Oko-Oba, and the young fashion designer in Yaba.”
Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, said the hub would lower production costs and raise quality standards, positioning Lagos-made leather products for dominance in both local and export markets.
News
Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
Published
12 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has responded to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa, circulated online this week.
The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.
In a detailed statement, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious falsehoods driven by his father’s involvement in Nigerian politics.
He noted that while he rarely responds to such narratives, the persistence of gossip and unfounded claims made it necessary to address the matter.
READ ALSO:Jonathan, Obi Can’t Match APC’s Strength For 2027 – Mustapha Salihu
“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.
“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.
Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.
“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.
READ ALSO:Ex-Chadian PM Masra Jailed For Hate Speech, Xenophobia
He further emphasised that neither he nor his father is perfect, but attested to his father’s integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s future.
“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”
Concluding, Oseloka urged Nigerians to redirect their attention from idle gossip to the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Read the full statement below:
News
FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
Published
12 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has barred seven Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from processing applications under the pension-backed equity contribution scheme for residential mortgages, citing their non-compliance with housing loan guidelines.
In a letter published on PenCom’s website, addressed to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), the organisation instructed them to immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted through the affected institutions.
The blacklisted mortgage banks are:
READ ALSO:Varsity Bars Edo IDPs From Exams Over Non-payment Of Fees
• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited
• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited
• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• AG Mortgage Bank Limited
• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic
• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited
“Following the cited letter, the commission instructs that PFAs, including Closed Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians, immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted by the following Primary Mortgage Banks… Please be guided,” the circular read in part.
READ ALSO:Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US
Explaining the decision, PenCom’s spokesman, Ibrahim Buwai, told The PUNCH that the sanction was imposed because the affected institutions failed to generate the mortgages for which funds had been approved.
“The whole purpose of giving access to RSA holders is to enable them to own houses through mortgages,” he said. “It was discovered that some of the primary mortgage institutions were not generating mortgages. If that is the case, it means they are not complying with the regulations. That is the reason for their blacklisting.”
PenCom introduced the equity contribution for residential mortgages in September 2022, allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their balances to fund equity contributions for home ownership.
According to the commission, 24,582 RSA holders had accessed the scheme as of the first quarter of 2025, with disbursements totalling ₦149.84bn.
RSA holders who submitted applications through the barred mortgage banks are now advised to reapply with other eligible PMBs. Those who have made upfront payments were urged to contact the affected institutions for the next line of action.
- Renewed Tension In Warri As Itsekiri, Urhobo Youths Clash
- Police Arrest Eight Members Of Armed Robbery Syndicate In Delta
- Sanwo-Olu Unveils Leather Hub, Eyes 10,000 Jobs
- Edo Govt Demolishes Building Owned by Suspected Cultist
- Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
- US Suspends Work Visas For Nigerian, Foreign Truck Drivers
- My Husband Fought, Abandoned Me Cos’ I’m Barren, Woman Tells Court
- FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
- Our First Child Beat Me Blue And Black After My Wife Turned Them Against Me —Man
- My Wife Harasses, Slaps Me All The Time —Husband
Trending
- News4 days ago
Edo Issues New Guideline On Education, Says Siblings’ Textbooks Transferable, Bans Graduation For KGs, Others, [A MUST READ]
- Metro4 days ago
Vigilantes Beat, Strip Female Corps Member In Anambra
- News4 days ago
Circuits Launchpad Targets 1M Jobs for Youths in the Digital Creative Sector
- Headline3 days ago
UK Bans Sanex Advert For Calling Black Skin ‘Problematic’, White Skin ‘Superior’
- News4 days ago
Chieftaincy Title: Why Ooni Of Ife Won’t React To Alaafin’s 48-hour Threat — Palace Aide
- News3 days ago
Yoruba Elders Wade In As Alaafin, Ooni Feud Escalates
- News3 days ago
Nigerians Call For Mandatory DNA Tests At Birth
- Sports5 days ago
Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
- Headline3 days ago
Why I Plotted President Trump’s Assassination – 50-yr-old Woman
- Politics4 days ago
Anenih’s Son Dumps PDP, Gives Reason