News

N544m Contract Fraud Charges Against Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal Unnecessary, EFCC Witness Admits In Court

Published

3 years ago

March 28, 2022

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr Babachir Lawal, has admitted that the alleged N544 million contract fraud charges against the defendant were absolutely unnecessary.

The witness, Dare Folarin, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja that the allegations against Lawal ought to have been dropped immediately after the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) confirmed giving approval for a contract award to Rholavision Engineering Company.

He admitted that the Bureau of Public Procurement, which gave approval for the award of the contract that led to the filing of charges against the defendant never recommended investigation of the contract to EFCC.

Under cross-examination by Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, the witness admitted that the anti-graft agency ought not to have proceeded further immediately the BPP confirmed giving approval to the contract under the emergency procurement procedure to salvage the people of the North East.

Folarin, who is an operative of EFCC, like other witnesses in the trial, admitted that Babachir Lawal was not a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board under the Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE) initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari and that his role as SGF was to formulate policy and be notified of the report of the board.

The witness however testified that he could not remember being told by Babachir Lawal that he never recommended any company to PINE for contract award.

He also told the court that he could not remember being informed by the defendant that he ceased to have anything doing with Rholavision Engineering Company immediately he was appointed as SGF.

The EFCC witness further testified that he could not remember that Lawal told him during the investigation that he was never aware of any contract award to Rholavision Company and that he (defendant) got to know about the contract award during the Senate ad-hoc investigation.

“I am aware in the course of the investigation that approval for the contract award was admitted to have been granted by the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP due to its no objection to the proposal by the PINE Ministerial Tenders Board.

“I am also aware that the BPP did not recommend an investigation to EFCC on the alleged abuse of office and procurement violation,” the witness said.

Meanwhile, Justice Charles Agbaza has fixed March 31 and April 1, 2022, for further hearing in the matter.

News

NECO To Streamline English Exam, Slashes Questions

Published

2 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Examinations Council has announced a reduction in the number of objective questions for the English Language Paper III in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination Internal. Effective from the 2026 SSCE Internal exams, the total number of questions will be reduced from 100 to 80.

In an official notification made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday, signed by the State Coordinator for Osun State, Sunday K. Bolaji, dated September 1, 2025, stated that the new paper structure includes six sections.

Antonyms (10 questions), Appropriateness of Registers (10 questions), Appropriate Interpretation of Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, and Foreign Words (10 questions), Synonyms (10 questions), Grammatical Structures (30 questions), and Cloze Text (10 questions).

The time allocated for Paper III will also be adjusted to 50 minutes. This change aims to streamline the examination process and enhance the testing experience for students.

Previously reported by The PUNCH, on August 29, NECO confirmed it will fully transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil examination method to a computer-based testing system, starting with the November/December 2025 SSCE external.

This shift aligns with the Federal Government’s July 2025 directive to deploy private and public CBT centres nationwide for school-based SSCEs by 2026.

NECO has invited interested CBT centre operators across Nigeria to apply for accreditation, subject to strict technical, infrastructural, and security requirements to ensure examination integrity and smooth implementation.

This move aims to modernise Nigeria’s examination system, reduce malpractice, and improve operational efficiency while expanding digital education access nationwide.

News

JUST IN: Ex-Ondo SDP Governorship Candidate Dies

Published

5 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the November 16, 2024, Ondo State governorship election, Bamidele Akingboye, is dead.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement by his aide, Oyeniyi Iwakun.

According to the statement, Akingboye died earlier on Wednesday at his residence in Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

The statement read, “Known for his unwavering integrity, humility, and generosity, Akingboye left an indelible mark as a successful businessman and a mentor to many across Nigeria and beyond.

“He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and siblings. The family has requested privacy during this period of grief, adding that burial arrangements and further details will be communicated in due course.”

Akingboye contested the November 2024 governorship election but lost to the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

After the poll, Akingboye and the SDP rejected the result, alleging widespread irregularities.

The party claimed its agents were harassed and chased away from polling units, while voters were intimidated.

Akingboye himself insisted that the exercise was marred by malpractices and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the election.

News

VIDEO: Police Arrest Syndicate Hypnotising Victims Under Guise Of Seeking Directions In Delta

Published

5 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Delta State Police Command has arrested seven suspects specialised in defrauding victims under the guise of seeking directions.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, disclosed this in a post on X.com on Tuesday, explaining how the syndicate approaches their victims, hypnotises them and cart away with their money and valuables.

He wrote, “Have you ever come across people who pretend like they are looking for direction? Have you ever met a victim who they lured and ended up taking all their money, phones and jewellery? Watch till the end to find out their strategy, and please share for others to learn.”

In the accompanying video, Edafe added, “We’ve been hearing of this syndicate that usually acts in the guise of looking for direction and eventually manages to hypnotise their victims, lure them, collect their money, phones and even their jewellery. It is no longer a fairy tale because today we have about seven suspects who are very good at that, but the hands of the law have finally caught up with them.”

One of the suspects in the video described the act as a “419 business” that requires three persons called Cashama, Jejeti and Citama, respectively.

The suspect went ahead to explain the strategy they use in defrauding their suspects and the role of the three members in the scheme.

Another suspect added that the gang has netted about N2.7 million through this tactic from five victims.

One of the victims, identified as Fullness, recounted his experience, stating that he was approached by a man who seemed lost and was ignored by other people. He took pity on the man and agreed to help.

He noted that upon entering their vehicle, he lost all sense of awareness and was later defrauded of ₦2.5 million in cash, a phone worth ₦1.6 million, and another phone valued at ₦400,000.

Another victim, identified as Daniel, also explained how the gang collected jewellery and gadgets worth over N7 million from him.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1963169979609551162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1963169979609551162%7Ctwgr%5Ea8a95bacc0b76a0da87621d733811182f7c60d86%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpunchng.com%2Fvideo-police-arrest-syndicate-hypnotising-victims-under-guise-of-seeking-directions-in-delta%2F