News

Reps Begin $2.4bn Oil Revenue Loss Probe

Published

3 years ago

December 31, 2022

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the alleged loss of over $2.4bn revenue to illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015, on Thursday, held its inaugural meeting.

The committee, which has been mandated to probe into oil exports from Nigeria since 2014, assured whistle-blowers of confidentiality as they provide information leading to recovery of lost revenue.

The House had on December 20 resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate a whistle-blower’s allegation of illegal sale of 48 million barrels of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude in China in 2015 and the insurance status of the cargo.

The committee was asked to investigate all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 to date, with regards to quantity, insurance, revenue generated, remittances into the Federation Account or other accounts as well as utilisation of the revenue for the period under review.

In addition, the panel will investigate all proceeds recovered through the Whistle-Blowers Policy of the regime led by President Muhammadu Buhari and the level of compliance by the policy.

The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

The Chairman of the committee, Mark Gbillah, who addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday, recalled that a whistle-blower raised the alarm in 2020 that Nigeria’s crude in China was diverted and sold by some individuals the government “who were in the nation’s oil corporation, who were in the security agencies and who were also cronies of those in authority at a time.”

Gbillah stated that the committee was committed to unravelling the facts of the matter. He disclosed that the panel would interrogate the whistle-blowers, some of whom he claimed had “reached out to the committee alleging threat to their lives; that they were intimidated at gunpoint, allegedly.”

He stated, “So, we would have to travel out of the country to the United States of America, to Mexico, to China. Considering the amount of borrowings our country is subjected to now, $2.4bn is (an amount of) money this country needs very seriously. So, it is not something this House is taking lightly. The leadership of the House is in support of this committee arriving at the truth and the facts behind this matter; and it shows the seriousness of this House in addressing issues that have to do with the commonwealth of Nigeria. Even though these allegations were made about two years ago, you can see that this responsible House of the Nigerian people has deemed it necessary to look into this matter, even as we go about our electioneering campaign.

“So, I mentioned that we will have to go (out of the country) because of the fears expressed by these individuals. It is important to also point out that an American citizen who was also allegedly knowledgeable about this issue is currently in the Ikoyi Prison over other infractions he allegedly committed in Nigeria. But there are insinuations that it is not outside this particular matter that informed those issues being brought against him.

“Of course, nobody and no country will condone any illegal activities of any nationals within its shores. So, there must have been reasons for his incarceration. But I’m only conveying to Nigerians the allegations that he was not also unconnected with the revelations that he has to provide with regards to this matter.”

The chairman also noted that the committee would welcome evidence and testimonies in camera.

“There were individuals who were in the hiding but are reaching out to the committee. We want to assure all the whistle-blowers who have revelations to provide to this honourable committee that their information will be treated with the strictest confidence as it is done all over the world in other climes. We can receive evidence behind closed doors before we make them public because we too are concerned about spurious allegations. So, we too want to determine and see the facts behind any such allegations before we bring them to public knowledge because we are a public body saddled with the representation of Nigerian people so we have to also do things responsibly.”

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
‎
‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
‎