society

EFCC’s Olukoyede has done a yeoman’s job -Akinnola

Published

2 years ago

November 12, 2024

EFCC’s Olukoyede has done a yeoman’s job
-Akinnola

Popular human rights activists and media laws expert, Mr Richard Akinnola, has described the achievements of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, within one year in office as a “yeoman’s job”.

Addressing some journalist while assessing the first year in office of the chairman of the Commission, the prolific author and publisher remarked that “I am not someone that panders to adulating public officials but I must say without any equivocation, that I have been greatly impressed by the accomplishments of the EFCC Chairman in the past one year.”

Speaking further, Akinnola who is the publisher of CORRUPTION CASES DIGEST said: “If you knew the humongous task it is to fight corruption in this system, with limited staff and resources, you would praise the gentleman at the helm of affairs. Fighting corruption is not a tea party because the corrupt political class would fight back as it’s currently happening. In June this year, the EFCC Chairman said the Commission received 14, 000 petitions within a year. With limited staff and resources, how do you start sifting through this plethora of petitions and investigating the same?”

“The EFCC Chairman once recalled that a few minutes to midnight on December 31 last year, he received intelligence on his phone how multiple billions of Naira were being moved from some ministries and MDAs to certain banks and that he immediately called the bank MDs to warn them not to allow any withdrawal of such humongous amounts. You know that usually such unspent money ought to be returned to the treasury but these people decided to fleece them.”

“These are accomplishments you don’t hear in the public space and it takes a proactive and diligent anti-corruption helmsman to detect and nip this in the bud. So, it’s not an accident that the current media onslaught against the current leadership of the Commission is suspected to be sponsored and financed by a former governor and his surrogate successor. You see the whole media place with heavy media and legal advocacy, including sponsored editorials and press conferences, protests by all manner of groups and the rest. All these are to change narratives in the public space because they are feeling the heat of one man called Olukoyede,” Akinnola added.

According to Akinnola, “Many people are not even aware that the liberalization of financial transactions through the use of MasterCard and Visa, was the handiwork of the EFCC, after the global financial anti-corruption institutions had to delist Nigeria among those barred from such transactions. So, there are more positives one can point to regarding the activities of the EFCC.”

On the case filed at the Supreme Court by Kogi State Government and 15 other states challenging the constitutionality of the EFCC, the veteran journalist declined to go into the details of the case saying “it is left for the Supreme Court”. He however noted that: “The same people who were against financial autonomy for the local governments and state judiciary, are the same people who want the EFCC to be scrapped. Otherwise, if their intention were pure and altruistic, they would have approached the apex court to give effect to justifiability of chapter two of the constitution regarding free education and other welfare packages for the citizens but because they are afraid of what would befall them after leaving office, they want the Commission scrapped. We all wait for the Supreme Court judgment.”

society

FOPCHEN Seeks Wider Engagement As Court Defers Hearing

Published

15 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Sahara Weekly

COURT ADJOURNS AGAIN AS FOPCHEN REITERATES CALL FOR MORAL REBIRTH IN SOCIETY

FOPCHEN Seeks Wider Engagement As Court Defers Hearing

OTA, OGUN STATE — The High Court of Ogun State, Ota Division, on Thursday resumed hearing in the ongoing matter involving cultural and societal concerns, before adjourning proceedings till Thursday, July 2, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

At the resumed sitting on May 28, 2026, counsel representing the various parties revisited key issues in the case and made further submissions before the court.

The matter, which has continued to generate public interest across different sectors, again drew attention from legal observers and stakeholders who described the case as one with significant implications for societal values, cultural identity and constitutional interpretation.

Speaking after the proceedings, the Foundation for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Nigeria, popularly known as FOPCHEN, renewed its appeal for dialogue and constructive engagement among Nigerians, stressing that sensitive cultural and moral issues should not be left entirely within the confines of the courtroom.

According to the group, broader conversations involving traditional institutions, civil society organisations, religious leaders and policy stakeholders remain necessary in addressing issues relating to national values and social responsibility.

Legal analysts at the court premises noted that arguments being canvassed by parties in the suit could shape future legal interpretations surrounding cultural and moral questions in the country.

Following submissions by counsel, the presiding judge adjourned the matter till Thursday, July 2, 2026, to enable parties further prepare and respond to issues raised during the hearing.

The development has continued to spark reactions among observers, with many Nigerians closely monitoring the proceedings ahead of the next hearing date.

society

US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

Published

3 days ago

May 27, 2026

Sahara Weekly

US-Based Society Lady, Fehintola-Brat Extends Eid-El-Kabir Greetings To Muslims

United States based fahionista of class, Chief (Mrs) Ayoola Fehintola-Brat has extended a warm greetings to Muslim faithful all over the world on the occasion of the 2026 Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

Fehintola-Brat who is the Balogun Egbe Obaneye Obinrin Akile Ijebu, and the Yeye Asofin of Idenaland in her message to Journalists urged Muslim to continually uphold the enduring values of sacrifice, obedience, faith, and compassion, which are central to the significance of Eid-El-Kabir festival.

A quiet philantropist whose humanitarian services has won her several laurels urged Muslims to use the spiritual occasion to pray for the peace co-existence of Nigerians regardless of religious, social and political leanings stressing that the oneness of the country should not be underplay.

In a related development, she expressed her felicitations to all sons and daughters of Ijebuland on the forthcoming Ojude Oba 2026 celebration, tasking age-groups otherwise known as Regbregbe to be more proactive in giving back to their immediate communities.

According to her, the beauty of the age-groups in Ijebuland is the need to contribute immensely to the development of the land in no small means. “This we will continue to achieve with God on our side”, she concluded.

society

Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

Published

3 days ago

May 27, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Sallah: Obasa Felicitates Muslim Ummah, Commends Nigerians for APC Primaries Turnout

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Lagos State and across Nigeria on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Dave Agboola, Obasa described the festival as a season of sacrifice, reflection, and gratitude, urging the faithful to continue to uphold the values of peace, unity, and love that strengthen the nation.

He noted that the celebration of Eid al-Adha is not only a spiritual milestone but also a reminder of the importance of togetherness and collective responsibility in building a stronger society.

He, likewise, emphasized that the festival provides an opportunity for Nigerians to renew their commitment to national progress and to support leadership that prioritizes development and prosperity.

Obasa, however, commended Nigerians, particularly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for their massive turnout during the recently concluded party primaries. He described the participation as a clear demonstration of the people’s confidence in the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and their belief in the administration’s vision for a greater Nigeria.

“The APC primaries have shown the resilience of our democracy and the confidence Nigerians have in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This is a strong message that our people are ready to continue supporting policies that will drive growth and prosperity,” Obasa stated.

The Speaker further encouraged Muslims to celebrate responsibly, stressing that the joy of Eid should be accompanied by prayers for the continued peace and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“As you celebrate with family and loved ones, may this season bring joy, peace, and prosperity to your homes. Let us remain united in our resolve to build a stronger nation,” he added.

On behalf of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Obasa wished all Muslims a happy and fulfilling Eid al-Adha celebration.