society

EFCC and the Failed ‘Revolution’ By Raheem Nasir (Opinion)

Published

2 years ago

July 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

EFCC and the Failed ‘Revolution’

By Raheem Nasir

If not well planned, a revolution for a good cause will not succeed, let alone a camouflaged “revolution” sponsored by suspected looters and fraudsters and others undergoing prosecutions or awaiting trials in the courts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The nation was informed through social media that a massive “revolution” in the form of nationwide protests would be held against the EFCC for the most spurious reasons possible.

That apart, the proposed protests planned for July 5, 2024, were to culminate into a similitude of #Endsars protests witnessed by the nation years ago, during which tens of people lost their lives and property, mainly public-owned, worth billions of naira were destroyed; and from which the nation is yet to fully recover. The protesters’ main goal was to get the present Chairman of EFCC, Olaonipekun Olukoyede, removed while pretending to be protesting against a few reported cases of overzealousness on the part of some operatives of the commission.

The call for the head of the EFFC’s boss was not for corruption or any illicit practices like some of his predecessors, but vaguely for some overzealousness of a few EFCC operatives while carrying out their sting operations.

We want to congratulate the Chairman of EFCC on the failed protests and the recently heightened attacks on the agency in the media. It shows that Olukoyede and his team are doing well! EFFC cannot expect Corruption not to fight back. And the fact that the sponsored protests of July 5, 2024, failed does not mean Corruption will still not sponsor other protests on the streets or in the media, as usual. The machinations and shenanigans of Corruption against EFCC are well-oiled, coordinated by professional consultants and ongoing.

What Olukoyede and his men need to do is to stop corruption at all costs before it can perpetrated; get the operatives more professional and undeterred in their commitment to save the nation from endemic corrupt practices, economic and financial crimes and sabotage.

What the nation has lost to corrupt practices in private and public lives is enough to fix the huge infrastructural deficits bedevilling Nigeria. What famed corruption, internet fraud and scams popularly referred to as 419 have cost the image of this country is dishearteningly unimaginable to the extent that every holder of the green passport is suspected to be corrupt abroad and genuine investors are scared of Nigerian businessmen and women.

It is very heartwarming that on the day of the daggers drawn when faceless anti-EFCC blabbers expected the worst to happen to EFCC’s offices across the nation and culminating in the removal of its hard-working chairman, the organisation ironically recorded yet another major victory against corruption and its allies as the court ruled on that same day, on the N2 billion naira pension fraud case and ordered the final forfeiture of at least 20 property linked to the convicted former chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.

A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt that the 20 expensive properties, located in different parts of the country, were acquired illegally.

According to Justice Abdulmalik, the applicant, EFC, effectively discharged its responsibility, under the law, to establish that the property was acquired with proceeds of crime.

The judge also held that the “various individuals, who responded to an earlier interim forfeiture order, requiring interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited, failed to establish their ownership of the affected properties with credible evidence.”

Out of the 23 property listed in the schedule, three of them were left out. Maina’s wife, Laila, who claimed to be a citizen of the United States, and some of his relatives and associates, including Uwani Usman, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Wambai, Haruna Mu’azu Musa and Aliyu Abdullahi, had claimed ownership of the 23 property.

The anti-graft agency had earlier obtained an order of interim forfeiture of 23 properties linked to Maina, currently on an eight-year jail term for pension fraud to the tune of N2 billion.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the lawyer of the EFCC, Farouk Abdullah, that those who claimed to own the property failed to effectively establish the alleged ownership as they could not produce credible evidence.
She said: “It is trite in law that civil cases in non-conviction forfeiture are hinged on the preponderance of evidence. Again, I hold that the respondents have failed woefully in tilting the scale of evidential weight in their favour.”

As far as the operations of EFCC since the assumption of office of Olaonipekun Olukeyede as Chairman is concerned, the preponderance of the evidence is that there is a new Sherif in town! The agency has recorded unprecedented achievements in the fulfilment of its statutory goals in terms of recoveries of humongous amounts of money, undaunted trials and convictions of high-profile corrupt public officials.

The gang-ups and simulated attacks on EFCC are like the cry of a beaten baby; it’s not unexpected. The burbles of corruption-fight-back against the agency that is often seen in the media would fizzle out like that of a failed revolution.
Raheem Nasir, a social policy advocate, sent this piece via [email protected]

society

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin

Published

2 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

UKA Gears Up for Final ATC Exchangeability Test Run as June Preparations Begin.

May 30, 2026 – As the month of June gathers momentum, the *United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA*, a sovereign nation has unveiled a series of vital guidelines and preparatory packages to ensure citizens and stakeholders run the *ATC Exchangeability* process effectively.

In an official update, the *President of Atlantic Crown Limited, Empress of Attica Empire UKA*, confirmed that the *Final Test Run of ATC Exchangeability* is scheduled for the month of June 2026. The exercise marks a key phase ahead of the *Official Exchangeability Window, set to run from July 2026 to February 2027*.

### Key Highlights from the Presidential Briefing
1. *Final Test Run – June 2026*
The test run is designed to validate systems, procedures, and user readiness before full activation. Citizens, partners, and designated participants are urged to follow all official advisories released by UKA authorities during this period.

2. *Official Exchangeability Period*
Following the successful completion of the June test run, the Official Exchangeability will commence in july 2026 and we are Expecting Full Exchange ability between July Ending, 2026 to February 2026.

UKA stated that detailed schedules, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions will be communicated progressively through verified UKA channels.

3. *Benefiting Packages for June*
In line with UKA’s commitment to citizen empowerment, the month of June will feature “benefiting packages” aimed at education, preparation, and seamless onboarding. These packages are intended to equip the people of UKA with the knowledge and tools needed for effective participation.

4. *Commitment to Transparency*
Addressing the nation, the Empress of Attica Empire UKA emphasized:
_“Final Test Run of ATC Comes up in The Month of June, As We Prepare For The Official Exchangeability, Between July 2026 To Feb 2027. All Information Will Be Communicated.”_
UKA reaffirmed that only information released through official UKA platforms should be regarded as authoritative.

The United Kingdom of Atlantis is encouraging all citizens, representatives, and interested parties to remain alert to official communications, attend designated orientation sessions, and avoid unofficial sources. UKA’s dedication to order, clarity, and the collective benefit of its people as the nation moves into this significant phase.

For updates, advisories, and participation guidelines, citizens are advised to monitor official UKA communication channels.

United Kingdom of Atlantis, UKA, is a sovereign nation, committed to national development, citizen welfare, and structured economic participation through initiatives such as ATC Exchangeability.

society

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Three Years On, General Buratai Hails Tinubu’s Economic, Security Achievements

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms and improved security efforts as the President marks three years in office.

In a goodwill message on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Buratai said the administration had taken courageous decisions that would leave a lasting impact on Nigeria’s development.

According to him, President Tinubu broke a long-standing cycle that had hindered national growth by removing fuel subsidy and implementing foreign exchange reforms aimed at stabilising the naira and strengthening the economy.

He noted that the reforms were beginning to yield positive results, citing the global acceptance of Nigerian debit cards, the gradual revival of local refineries, access to student loans, and ongoing road and infrastructure projects across the country.

“The FCT Administration has also recorded remarkable progress, completing major road projects that remained unfinished for over 16 years,” Buratai stated.

The former army chief also praised the administration’s security efforts, saying renewed military offensives against insurgents, terrorists and bandits had led to notable successes across various parts of the country.

He specifically lauded recent joint operations involving Nigerian and United States forces against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East, as well as intensified counter-banditry operations in the North-West.

“We have seen notorious ISWAP commanders being neutralised. I congratulate the Commander-in-Chief, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of intelligence agencies for their efforts,” he said.

Buratai, however, acknowledged that challenges remained, stressing the need for more aggressive military operations and intelligence-driven strategies in the coming year.

While urging Nigerians to remain hopeful, he said celebrating the President’s achievements did not amount to ignoring the difficulties facing the nation.

“Because you truly care, you have shown the courage to trade short-term comfort for long-term hope. Nigerians need your reassurances, and that is why we remain optimistic and full of confidence,” he added.

The retired military officer reaffirmed his support for the Tinubu administration and expressed confidence that the foundation being laid by the government would deliver a brighter future for the country.

He also prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, strength and good health for the President as he continues to lead Nigeria.

society

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Published

3 days ago

May 30, 2026

Sahara Weekly

NUT Raises Alarm Over Continued Captivity of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of pupils and teachers abducted during an attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Oyo State wing of the union described the situation as increasingly distressing, particularly following the emergence of a video allegedly released by the abductors showing the victims pleading for their freedom.

The union said the footage had heightened fears over the welfare of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking and unacceptable.

According to the NUT, no child or teacher deserves to be subjected to such traumatic experiences, adding that the prolonged captivity of the victims has continued to inflict psychological pain on their families, colleagues and the wider education community.

The union called on the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate and safe release of the victims.

“This is not a moment for hesitation. It is a moment for coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

While acknowledging ongoing interventions by security agencies and government authorities, the union stressed that time was of the essence, warning that every additional day in captivity deepens the trauma suffered by the victims.

The NUT urged security operatives to strengthen surveillance, improve community intelligence gathering and deploy all necessary operational and diplomatic measures to facilitate the rescue of the abductees.

It also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to support rescue efforts by providing credible information that could assist security agencies.

“The safety of our children and teachers must remain a collective priority,” the union stated.

Reaffirming its support for the families of the victims, the NUT pledged continued solidarity and prayers while advocating safer learning environments across the country.

The statement was jointly signed by the Chairman of the Oyo State NUT, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, and the Secretary, Comrade Salami Olukayode.