DSS drags Prof. Pat Utomi to court

The Department of State Services (DSS) has sued Prof. Pat Utomi over his alleged plan to establish what he called, “a shadow government” in the country.

The DSS, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, prayed the court to declare the move as an attack on the constitution.

In the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, Utomi, the 2007 Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is sued as sole defendant.

The security outfit, in the suit filed on May 13 by Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, contended that the move by Utomi was intended to create chaos and destabilise the country.

 The DSS argued that not only was the planned shadow government an aberration, it constituted a grave attack on the constitution and a threat to the democratically elected government that is currently in place.

It expressed concern that such a structure, styled as a “shadow government,” if left unchecked, may incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which would pose a grave threat to national security.

The plaintiff, therefore, urged the court to declare the purported “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” being planned by Utomi and his associates as “unconstitutional and amounts to an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognised by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

It is also sought a declaration that “under Sections 1(1), 1(2) and 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) is unconstitutional, null, and void.”

The plaintiff prayed the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction, restraining Utomi, his agents and associates “from further taking any steps towards the establishment or operation of a ‘shadow government,’ ‘shadow cabinet’ or any similar entity not recognized by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The plaintiff, in its grounds of argument, hinged its prayers on the fact that Section 1(1) of the Constitution declares its supremacy and binding force on all persons and authorities in Nigeria.

It added that Section 1(2) prohibits the governance of Nigeria or any part thereof except in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

According to the DSS, Section 14(2Xa) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government through the constitution derives all its powers and authority.

It contended that Utomi’s proposed shadow government lacked constitutional recognition and authority, thereby contravening the aforementioned provisions.

We will not relent – EFCC releases update on CBEX fraud

 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it is making progress in its ongoing investigations of the alleged monumental fraud involving many actors in the infamous Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) fraud.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the EFCC to have said on Wednesday that is gaining important ground in its search for eight wanted persons implicated in the fraud.

The commission in a statement disclosed the eight wanted persons as: Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Johnson Okiroh Ofienolu, Israel Mbalika, Joseph Michiro Kabera and Serah Michiro.

The EFCC, however, confirmed that Ellie Bitar of CBEX Solutions Ltd., who was earlier declared wanted, has since been removed from the list owing to new information that does not support his inclusion in the wanted person’s list.

The statement reads: “As part of its ongoing investigations of the alleged monumental fraud involving many actors in the infamous Crypto Bridge Exchange, CBEX, fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is gaining important ground in its search for eight wanted persons implicated in the fraud.

“The eight wanted persons are: Seyi Oloyede, Emmanuel Uko, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Adefowora Abiodun Olanipekun, Johnson Okiroh Ofienolu, Israel Mbalika, Joseph Michiro Kabera and Serah Michiro.

“Ellie Bitar of CBEX Solutions Ltd., who was earlier declared wanted, has since been removed from the list owing to new information that does not support his inclusion in the wanted person’s list.

“The Commission is making good progress in its investigations. Law enforcement agencies across the world are collaborating with it in tracking and arresting all the wanted persons. The EFCC will not relent in bringing every actor involved in the fraudulent dealings to book”.

Minister: No fraud found in student loan disbursement

 

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has declared that there was no fraud uncovered in the student loan scheme.

Alausa stated this at the end of a meeting held with vice chancellors, officials of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Federal Ministry of Education, on Wednesday.

He also described the statement credited to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as incorrect.

“Let me start by saying that there is no fraud in NELFUND. ICPC reported that the information was not correct. There is no fraud in NELFUND; what we have are issues that have to do with the timeline,” he said.

ICPC had recently disclosed that it had commenced a comprehensive investigation into alleged discrepancies surrounding the disbursement of student loan under (NELFUND).

The commission had said its preliminary findings revealed that while the Federal Government released N100 billion for the scheme, only N28.8 billion was disbursed to students, leaving N71.2b unaccounted for.

Worried by the development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) vowed to protest the alleged discrepancy.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) had also alleged that certain schools, conniving with some banks, delayed payments to students who qualified for loans so they could make money off the situation.

This followed a media report alleging that some institutions made unauthorised deductions ranging from N3,500 to N30,000 from students’ fees received from the loan fund.

In a statement last Thursday, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said the commission’s Special Task Force commenced investigations upon receiving the allegations.

Japa: 30% of Lagos workers sent on training abroad fail to return— Commissioner

 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, has disclosed that 30% of civil servants sent abroad for training by the state government failed to return to Nigeria.

Ayantayo made this disclosure at a press briefing to mark the scond anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, on Wednesday.

The commissioner said the government’s goal of building a better workforce through international training has been affected by the growing “Japa syndrome.”

He explained that Lagos State is serious about training its workers, saying: “A total of 23,420 staff members benefitted from various training interventions between May 2022 and December 2024.”

When asked how many staff returned from such trainings, Ayantayo said, “while 70% returned, 30% failed to come back.”

“Within the same period, over 185 training programmes were organised, which cut across multiple cadres, skill levels and thematic areas relevant to public sector efficiency, leadership development and regulatory compliance.

“Despite this large investment, the fact that nearly a third of the trainees stayed back abroad has raised serious concerns about how the programme is monitored and how the state plans to retain its workers,” he said.

Ayantayo also said about 8,000 civil servants across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been granted study leave in the last three years to improve their qualifications and skills.

He highlighted some of the ministry’s achievements, including Sanwo-Olu’s approval of a N35,000 wage increase for workers to reduce the effect of economic hardship.

In the health sector, Ayantayo said the state has paid the Medical Residency Training Fund, Rural Allowance for Primary Healthcare Workers, and also given bonuses and wage awards to staff of the Lagos State College of Medicine.

Oyo govt approves N4.5 billion for Bodija explosion victims

 

The Oyo State Government has approved the sum of M4.5 billion as financial support to the survivors and victims of the Bodija explosion that happened on January 16, 2024.

This decision was taken at the state executive council meeting held at the governor’s office on Wednesday.

Recall that Governor Seyi Makinde had, on December 24, 2024, inaugurated a 10-man committee, headed by the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, to oversee the management and disbursement of relief funds to those who lost property to the explosion.

No fewer than five people died in the January 16, 2024, explosion caused by a water gel-type-based explosive triggered by an electric spark at house number 8, Aderinola Street, rented by one Mahmoud Camara, a Malian engaged in mining and storing explosives in the house.

The incident also saw 78 persons sustain injuries, 335 persons affected, 58 houses damaged, including 16 companies or business operators, churches, mosques, three schools, as well as the University College Hospital.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement on Wednesday, this is apart from the over N200m that the government had expended on accommodation, feeding, hospital and security bills following the tragic incident.

Also, the council approved the recommendation of the 10-man committee to revoke the title of two properties off Adeyi avenue, scene of the explosion, in the overall interest of the public and that the government should build a monument on the location of the revoked land in memory of the victims of the tragedy.

The council also frowned at “disinformation, half-truths and mischievous lies being peddled by persons purportedly representing the residents on the role which the state government has played in the Bodija explosion saga.”

The council said such insinuations are unfair and mischievous, and the government will not be discouraged in taking its time to do what is just for its citizens.

The commissioner said some beneficiaries were engaged in family disputes which required painstaking intervention of the 10-man committee.

The government will also return to the owners of other properties adjoining Ground Zero to rebuild their homes at the advice of government-paid Structural Engineers.

According to the commissioner, the government will, through the Ministry of Justice, ensure effective prosecution of the suspects so far arraigned in Court, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the case but at large.

The government’s announcement came hours after the victims released a statement describing as baffling that 11 weeks after the Relief Fund Management and Disbursement Committee submitted its report to the state governor, Seyi Makinde, they still wait for disbursement of the promised funds.

It would be recalled that the governor, represented by his deputy, while receiving the report on February 26, promised that the recommendations would be reviewed and implemented without delay.

The victims’ latest plea was contained in a statement titled: “Bodija Community Still in Ashes: A Response to Oyo State Government,” on Wednesday, signed by the President, Bodija Estate Residents’ Association, Muyiwa Bamgbose and Chairman, Dejo Oyelese Vigilante Group, Iyiola Oladokun.

Acknowledging that lives lost cannot be replaced and that government provided temporary accommodation and medical treatment after the incident, the victims urged Makinde to honour his promise to bring healing and justice to the Bodija explosion victims.

Their statement read, “Today, 473 days later, Bodija remains in ashes. The community continues to mourn, to rebuild, and to plead, largely without governmental empathy or intervention.

“This is a community of retired civil servants, senior professionals, and elderly citizens who have dedicated their lives to the development of Nigeria in various departments and institutions. Many now live without homes, their dignity diminished, and have been unfairly portrayed as ungrateful by officials who prioritise infrastructure over people.

“The lives lost cannot be replaced, but the lives of those left behind can still be rebuilt with compassion, courage, and justice. We appeal once more to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to honour his promise and take decisive action to bring healing and justice to Bodija. Bodija must not be forgotten. Bodija deserves healing. This is our plea!”

BREAKING: JAMB orders UTME resit for 387,000 candidates

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has ordered resit for 387,000 candidates who were affected by technical glitches in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports JAMB’s Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede gave the order on Wednesday in Bwari, Abuja after admitting that errors were made during the 2025 UTME after investigations that were conducted.

“It has been established that the technical glitch affected 157 centres out of the 887 centres in the 2025 UTME. This was basically responsible for the general low performance of the candidates scheduled to sit the examination in those centres.

“As such, all the affected candidates will be contacted to reprint their examination slips towards retaking their examinations starting from 16th May, 2025,” JAMB stated.

Details shortly…

Trump further reduces Harvard varsity funding

 

The administration of President Donald Trump, on Tuesday announced fresh funding cuts to Harvard University, a day after the elite school’s president said it shared “common ground” with the administration on many issues.

Department of Health and Human Services, in a statement, said federal agencies are terminating $450 million in grants to Harvard, on top of the $2.2 billion in cuts unveiled last week, citing a “dark problem” of discrimination at the institution.

Harvard, one of the world’s top universities, has taken the Trump administration to court over what it called an unlawful attempt to control aspects of the university’s operations.

The White House is cracking down on US universities on several fronts, in what the administration described as uncontrolled anti-semitism and a need to reverse diversity programmes aimed at addressing historical oppression of minorities.

However, in a letter addressed to Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, on Monday, Harvard University President, Alan Garber, asserted that “we share common ground on a number of critical issues.”

Garber said the university had launched institution-wide reforms after “an extraordinarily painful year for our community” in the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel.

“The challenges of that academic year have led to meaningful reforms and recommendations designed to eliminate antisemitism and other forms of hate from our campus,” Garber wrote.

But the Ivy League school was unable to change their grant status as a result in at least one case outlined in a legal filing on Tuesday.

According to the filing, in a grant funding termination letter alleging anti-semitism in May from the National Institute of Health, grant administrators wrote that they typically allow recipients to make fixes and reinstate funding, but there was “no corrective action possible here.”

While refuting claims that Harvard is aligned with any political party or ideology, Garber acknowledged a need for greater intellectual diversity on campus, adding that students were recruited based on “individuals and their unique characteristics rather than race.”

However, Tuesday’s statement from Trump’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism lashed out at the university as “a breeding ground for virtue signaling and discrimination.”

“The university’s own probe into campus dynamics found that Jewish students were subjected to pervasive insults, physical assault and intimidation.

“Harvard, and its leadership group who are tainted by the egregious infractions under its watch, faces a steep, uphill battle to reclaim its legacy as a lawful institution and center of academic excellence,” it said.

I am hated because my dad is wealthy – Davido spills

 

Nigerian singer, David Adeleke better known as Davido has said he is the most criticised celebrity in Nigeria simply for being from a wealthy background.

The singer who is the son of billionaire Adedeji Adeleke, made the claim in a recent episode of the Culture Knock Out podcast, where he explained that  the “rich kid” stigma could have affected his career if he hadn’t hidden his background in the beginning.

He said, “I’m the biggest criticised artist in Nigeria. I mean, I’m on fire and I’ve been on fire for a while. In the beginning, they didn’t know that my dad was rich. So the stigma of a rich kid doing music didn’t end up as crazy as it should have been for me.

“People didn’t know my father was rich. It was too late, I already did three hit songs before they found out that my dad had money…

“But I just wanted to do music. I didn’t care if I had to become homeless. At that point, that was all I wanted to do. Nothing would stop me.

“Over time, people started hating me because my dad is rich. But I keep on dropping good music, and it keeps working out.

“It happens to everyone, once you become the biggest in anything, you will get criticised. You are running for an election, people love you, and they vote for you. But when you become president, they hate you.”

Don’t hide behind TV, let’s meet – Adams Oshiomhole dares Reuben Abati to street fight

 

Adams Oshiomhole, a Senator representing Edo North has dared Arise TV broadcast journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, to a fight over what he described as disrespectful and mischievous comments made on live television.

Oshiomhole issued the challenge while reacting to a recent episode of Abati questioning former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa during a recent interview on Channels TV. 

“I was particularly shocked that a senior editor could ask the immediate past governor of Delta state, Okowa, mischievously, I must say, with all due respect, ‘did you get permission from Oshiomhole that your sins will now be forgiven before you decided to decamp to APC?’” Oshiomhole said.

The former Edo State governor, noted that he found it absurd that Abati would imply he had such powers within the APC.

“How can you ask that? What is my status? I am in the legislature. Is the legislature responsible for the prosecution of anyone wrong in any way?” Oshiomhole questioned.

Although, Oshiomhole did not mention Abati by name during the interview,  his references to Abati’s past and political career pointed clearly in his direction.

Taking a swipe at the Arise TV anchor’s past, Oshimhole referenced his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after his time as President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesperson.

“The man who made that statement was at a time invited by the EFCC after he was Jonathan’s spokesman, shamelessly. Thereafter, EFCC arrested him. Was I the one who granted him bail to leave PDP to go where he is?” he stated.

Oshiomhole further accused the former presidential spokesman of deliberately refusing to acknowledge his role in labour movements, especially on May Day.

“Even on Labour Day, he was saying some labour leaders who had been involved in picketing and fought for workers; he could not even credit me with the fact that I led the protest. This is a guy who wrote ‘Oshiomhole the people’s president’ when I was president of the NLC.

“Rather than crediting me with that, he said when they leave NLC, they now go and become governors,” Oshiomhole said.

The senator concluded with a direct challenge.

“If you are angry because you wanted to be a deputy governor and you lost an election in Ogun state, is that the reason you are paranoid, that every opportunity you want to abuse me? If you want to abuse me, don’t hide behind the TV; let’s meet in the street and fight it out,” he said.

Abati was the running mate to Buruji Kashamu in the 2019 Ogun State gubernatorial election under the People’s Democratic Party.

They lost the election to Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress, APC.