society

Outrage as UK-based driver remains on FG payroll

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

Outrage as UK-based driver remains on FG payroll

There was outrage on Sunday over a United Kingdom-based taxi driver, who remained on the Federal Government’s payroll despite migrating to the UK in 2022.

Civil society organisations who spoke to The PUNCH on Sunday said the report was an indication of how deeply-rooted corruption was in the Nigerian civil service.

President Bola Tinubu had last week ordered a crackdown on civil servants who were still collecting salaries despite migrating abroad.

“The culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected,” he said.

The BBC had on Sunday reported that a 36-year-old Nigerian civil servant, referred to as Sabitu Adams (not real name), who moved to the United Kingdom in 2022, was still collecting the salary of a civil servant.

‘Collecting N150,000 monthly’

According to the report, despite working as a taxi driver in the UK, Adams disclosed to the BBC that he continues to receive N150,000 monthly from the government job in Nigeria due to an understanding with his boss.

He said, “When I heard about the President’s directive, I smiled because I know I am doing better here – and not worried.”

Adams said he thought he would probably return after spending some years abroad when asked why he refused to resign from his position after relocating to the UK.

“To be honest, I didn’t resign because I wanted to leave that door open in case I choose to go back to my job after a few years,” he said.

Corrupt civil service

Commenting on the case of the UK-based driver, civil society organisation emphasised the need for stringent measures to restore accountability and effectiveness within the civil service.

They called for the prosecution of those involved in unauthorised salary payments and urged the government to take decisive action to address this corruption.

The Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa, raised alarm over the pervasive corruption and lack of accountability within Nigeria’s civil service.

Musa stated, “I think the lack of accountability in governance is the crux of the matter because if people who are not supposed to collect salaries are still collecting, it can mean that some people are coordinating to short-change the nation.

“This can only happen because of the bastardisation of the civil service system. Everything is corrupted. A lot of people are getting these salaries and allowances without appearing in the office. I think corruption has undermined the effectiveness of the civil service in Nigeria,” he said.

Musa called for a comprehensive audit of workers and urged that those involved in these corrupt practices be held accountable.

On his part, the Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, criticised the dereliction of duty by civil service leaders.

He stated, “It is an admission of dereliction of duty and it is enough for the Head of the Civil Service to be fired because it is her job to ensure that every civil servant is at his duty post at every particular time.

“They should supervise the supervisors, oversee the functioning of each officer, and render a performance index at the end of every day. The buck stops on her desk.”

Adeniran also called for accountability from the heads of agencies, departments, and key officials like the accountant general and auditor general. He stressed the importance of maintaining attendance registers and job performance records as references for salary processing.

He also said those who aided such practices should be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission for proper investigation and prosecution.

Also, the National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, Emmanuel Onwubiko, emphasised the need for consequences for those responsible.

He asked, “What is going to happen to the person that allowed it to happen? That is what the government should be asking. Extend it to those who benefited initially from the funds. If it is the Head of Service, the person should be dismissed. If the person is no longer in service, then appropriate actions must be taken.”

Similarly, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwagunma, said the practice was unacceptable within the public service.

He stated, “If any public servant needs to travel out of Nigeria and stay away from work, there must be a permit.”

Biodun Sowunmi of the Think Tank Group, a democratic institute dedicated to ensuring the stability of democracy in Nigeria, attributed the situation to a total system breakdown.

Sowunmi urged the government to take decisive action to identify and punish those responsible for exploiting the country’s resources by taking advantage of the porous system.

He said, “We now have a situation whereby we have workers both in the state and federal civil service, but in reality, some of them are based abroad. Either they went for a quick job or they relocated abroad without their salaries being discontinued. This is a mark of corruption within the system.

“The new payment system introduced by the Federal Government was meant to address this. What is happening now shows the weakness in the system. It has not been able to stop the milking of the resources of the country by those who have migrated.

“It is not only these people who should be made to pay back but also those who are authorising the payment at the departmental level should also be made to face the music. How could they have been collecting salaries for a year and more without anybody not knowing?

“Whoever is in charge of certifying the payment of workers should also be culpable. All of those within the service who collaborated with these people should be prosecuted. The government should go all out to fish them out; otherwise, those conspiring to cheat the country would not desist from doing so.”

Also, the President of the Centre for Human and Social Economic Rights, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, said individuals would keep exploiting resources as long as anti-corruption agencies remained selective in their efforts to combat the corruption crisis in the country.

He noted, “That is what we are saying about how corruption has eaten deep into our policies, and the so-called anti-graft agencies are experts in selectiveness in the fight against corruption.

“It is obvious that the EFCC and ICPC only go after those that don’t play ball or have a godfather because it’s only when the person involved is not among the untouchables. First, the person who is paying must know about it. Secondly, the ministry or MDAs he belongs to must be questioned.”

@PUNCHNG

society

Hadjia Akinosun Morhiyam (Omotayenreti): A Rising Star in Islamic Music

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Hadjia Akinosun Morhiyam (Omotayenreti): A Rising Star in Islamic Music

By Taofik Afolabi

In a world where talent meets purpose, Hadjia Akinosun Morhiyam, popularly known as Omotayenreti, stands out as a shining light in the Islamic music scene. Young, vibrant, and exceptionally gifted, she is steadily carving a niche for herself with a voice that resonates deeply with the soul.

Blessed with a naturally sonorous and captivating tone, Omotayenreti possesses a rare ability to connect with her audience through heartfelt lyrics and spiritually uplifting melodies. Her music is not just entertainment—it is a message of faith, hope, and devotion, delivered with sincerity and grace.
Despite her youth, she demonstrates remarkable artistry, discipline, and passion that set her apart from many of her peers. Each performance reflects her deep understanding of Islamic values, as she uses her talent as a tool to inspire, educate, and uplift listeners across all walks of life.

Omotayenreti is undoubtedly a star in the making, with all the qualities needed to rise to the top of the Islamic music world. Her dedication, unique sound, and powerful voice position her as one of the most promising female Islamic singers of her generation.

As she continues to grow and evolve, there is no doubt that Hadjia Akinosun Morhiyam will leave an indelible mark on the industry—touching hearts, spreading positivity, and becoming a global ambassador for Islamic music.
Watch out for Omotayenreti, the future is bright, and her voice is just getting started.

society

PDP Guber Aspirant, Ajadi Hails Olubadan, CCII Over Successful Completion Of Ibadan Cultural Festival

Published

8 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

PDP Guber Aspirant, Ajadi Hails Olubadan, CCII Over Successful Completion Of Ibadan Cultural Festival

A leading Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has commended the peaceful conduct and the success of this year’s edition of Ibadan Cultural Festival, describing it as a pride to all Ibadan Indigenes both at home and abroad.

Ibadan Cultural Week is an annual event and the 2026 edition was held at.the Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba Ibadan on Saturday.

The week celebrates the Ibadan’s rich heritage, unity, and pride, which usually features vibrant cultural displays, masquerades, and performances.

Ajadi, in a statement he personally signed on Sunday, lauded the Ibadan Cultural Festival, saying it is best of its kind not only in Ibadanland but in the entire Yoruba nation.

Ajadi said that the well conducted 2026 edition of Ibadan Week shows that the indigenes have deep love for their place of birth.

He said that Ibadan’s legacy of good culture, ambience environment and its status as the political Capital of the South West is a pride to all Indigenes.

He stated that Ibadan’s contribution to the national development and progress cannot be underestimated being the Capital of the old Western Region, which made its political status attracted many firsts to the city, which earn the city of the warriors ‘The Pace Setter.’

According to him, these include the first sky scrapper, Cocoa House, the Western Nigerian Television Services now Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), the Liberty Stadium, now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Premier University, University of Ibadan and many others.

He therefore congratulated the indigenes especially the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu (Ladoja Arusa 1), saying his tenure will witness many more developments for the ancient city.

He called on Ibadan descendants to stand firm and ensure that the city continues to witness monumental developments.

society

CSO Gives IGP 24-Hour Ultimatum Over Alleged Police Plot Against Hammed Akanbi

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

CSO gives IGP 24-hour ultimatum to realise Hammed Akanbi

Civil society Organisation has raised concern over a disturbing sequence of events that point to an alleged high-level conspiracy within the Nigeria Police Force led by Jimoh Moshood Olorundare (AIG Zone 2), targeted at Mr. Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi.

The CSO in a press conference addressed by its leader Com Kolawole Emmanuel , gave the Inspector General of Police a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding the immediate transfer of Mr. Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi to a neutral and independent investigative unit and unrestricted access to his legal representatives and family members.

It said: “Our findings reveal that this matter is not isolated but deeply rooted in the long-standing crisis within the Ojomu Royal Family of Ajiran in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State; a crisis that predates the tenure of Jimoh Moshood Olorundare as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

“At the core of this crisis is the control and allocation of vast ancestral lands spanning over 22 communities. This dispute has polarised the community into factions: those aligned with the Kabiesi and those loyal to Mr. Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, who serves as Chairman of the Youth Wing of the Ojomu Royal Family.

“A troubling dimension emerged with the alleged ambition of Bashir Fakorede to ascend the Ojomu stool while the current monarch remains alive. Credible allegations indicate that Bashir Fakorede identified Mr. Akanbi as the principal obstacle to this ambition and openly declared his intention to “crush” him.

“It is further alleged that Bashir Fakorede enlisted the support of Muiz Banire (SAN), who purportedly assured him of leveraging institutional connections, including the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State, to ensure the prosecution and conviction of Mr. Akanbi.

“In furtherance of this alleged scheme, Bashir Fakorede reportedly conspired with Jimoh Moshood Olorundare who was then the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, now Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2.

“It is alleged that inducements, including four plots of land at Chevron Drive valued at about ₦1.2 billion, were offered to Jimoh Moshood to secure cooperation in orchestrating Mr. Akanbi’s arrest and eventual elimination.

“Subsequently, a previously investigated and resolved murder allegation was resurrected under questionable circumstances. Individuals were allegedly arrested at random and coerced into making incriminating statements falsely linking Mr. Akanbi to the death of one Sheriff Salami.

“Despite Mr. Akanbi being outside Nigeria on medical grounds, he was declared wanted on 19th February 2026 by Jimoh Moshood Olorundare, a move widely regarded as procedurally defective. This declaration allegedly triggered sponsored acts of violence, including the destruction of his property in Ajiran.

“Legal proceedings initiated by Mr. Akanbi at the Ikeja High Court (Suit No: ID/21447MFHR/2026) challenged this action. Notably, an earlier arrest and remand order obtained through Charge No: Misc/60A/2026 was set aside by the same court due to misrepresentation and concealment of material facts.

“A subsequent application (Charge No: MISC/126/2026) was also refused, with the court directing proper procedure upon his return.

“Following a petition dated 23rd February 2026, the Inspector General of Police directed that the matter be transferred to the X-Squad, FCID, Alagbon. However, in a controversial turn of events, Jimoh Moshood Olorundare, now AIG Zone 2, allegedly insisted on retaining control over the matter.

“Following the clear directive of Court in charge no: MISC/126/2026 that proper procedure be followed by inviting Mr. Akanbi, he was enroute Nigeria from France through Benin Republic when he was eventually arrested in the Benin Republic but the Police on the claim that they have information that he was declared wanted by Jimoh Moshood.

“He was thereafter transferred to Nigeria on 17th April 2026. Since then, he has allegedly been subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment, including:

“Being publicly exposed in handcuffs by associates linked to Bashir Fakorede, particularly one Rukayat Omolara who is alleged to have over the internet with the photographs and video of Akanbi in hand and leg chain, a recording she made while he was in custody of Jimoh Moshood; denial of access to legal counsel and family; interrogation in the presence of individuals allegedly linked to the law firms of Muiz Banire (SAN) and Olumide Fusika (SAN), who are not law enforcement officers; personal supervision of his detention by Jimoh Moshood Olorundare, including signing detention orders and placing him in a private cell at SCID Panti; continuous use of hand and leg restraints while in custody.

“Most alarming are intelligence reports suggesting a deliberate plot to poison Mr. Akanbi with substances designed to cause delayed fatal consequences after release.

“These actions, if proven, constitute egregious violations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and fundamental human rights protections.

“In light of the foregoing, we hereby issue a 24-HOUR ULTIMATUM to the Inspector General of Police demanding: the immediate transfer of Mr. Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi to a neutral and independent investigative unit; unrestricted access to his legal representatives, family members, and medical professionals; a thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into the roles of all officers and individuals implicated, particularly Jimoh Moshood Olorundare; full compliance with subsisting court rulings and strict adherence to due process.

“Failure to comply within 24 hours will compel us to escalate this matter through all lawful protest and institutional mechanisms, including judicial actions, petitions to oversight bodies, and coordinated civil advocacy at both national and international levels.

“This is a defining moment for the rule of law in Nigeria. We call on the Inspector General of Police to act decisively and restore public confidence in the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.”