Metro

Lawmaker Wants Finance Minister, FIRS Chair Sacked Over N4tr Owed To Contractors

Published

5 months ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency Ikenga Ugochinyere, has called for the immediate dismissal of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.

Ugochinyere made the call while addressing members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), who have been protesting the non-payment of N4 trillion owed to them by the federal government for executed contracts.

Ugochinyere, who visited the Ministry of Finance in solidarity with the protesting contractors on the fourth day of their protest, stated that the non-payment signifies a deeply distressed economy.

He accused the duo of “deliberately sabotaging” President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

“There is no other way to renew hope than to pay local contractors who will now pay their suppliers. It’s the surest way to inject liquidity and renew economic hope in the country,” Ugochinyere said, stressing that settling these.

He specifically called out the two top officials for their alleged role in the payment delay.

He said, “The finance minister and the FIRS man are not doing Mr. President any good because people are so angry. Families cannot fulfil their obligations. Banks cannot get their money back.

“If the local contractors cannot be paid, I don’t think there is any reason why the finance minister should be in office. It’s not a favour, it’s a call to national duty.”

The lawmaker further alleged that the government has the funds to pay, citing the FIRS’s claims of increased revenue and the existence of the “Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.”

He questioned the legality and use of the infrastructure fund, alleging that “unappropriated national revenue running into trillions has been placed there and used to award high-value contracts without parliamentary oversight.”

The lawmaker called on the President to investigate the fund, insisting that “It is time for him to ask for the account balance sheet of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. He needs to see the payment that they’re making and compare how important they are to the lives of Nigerians to this non-payment of local contractors.”

He also condemned any suggestion of calling in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to audit the already certified contracts, dismissing it as “nonsense” and a delay tactic.

Meanwhile, the members have been protesting for four days in a row, since Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, demanding that the Minister of Finance fulfil an alleged promise to offset N760 billion as the first tranche of the payments.

AICAN President, Mr. Jackson Nwosu, said that AICAN is not leaving the ministry without getting paid.

He expressed frustration at the political handling of the matter despite work having been completed over a year ago.

“The people cannot work and you don’t pay them for over a year. What is Nigeria doing with the funds? What is the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu doing with our funds? Every contractor needs their payments,” Mr. Nwosu insisted.

He expressed worry that the Minister may be deliberately stalling payments until the end of the year, which would transfer the debt to the next year’s liabilities, a move the association vehemently rejects.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.