Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), the legal counsel to former Minister of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, has addressed misconceptions surrounding her purported non-compliance with an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation.

Contrary to media reports, Okpeseyi emphasized that Sadiya did not shun the invitation but instead sought an extension of time to appear for an interview. He explained that he personally submitted a letter to the EFCC, requesting a rescheduling of the interview. The lawyer highlighted the eagerness of his client to clarify matters concerning the financial activities of agencies under her ministry.

“The EFCC has yet to send me a formal reply, the leadership availed us of its understanding, which resulted in parties amicably agreeing to have the interview originally scheduled for Wednesday postponed,” Okpeseyi clarified during a media chat.

Responding to allegations of misappropriation of funds, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria countered such claims, asserting that Sadiya’s invitation was centered on offering clarifications about certain expenditures by agencies under her ministry, not fraudulent activities.

The EFCC, through its spokesperson Dele Oyewale, supported Okpeseyi’s statement, confirming that Sadiya did not disregard the invitation but sent a letter citing health challenges. Oyewale stated, “Sadiya didn’t shun EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up. Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honor the invitation.”

Addressing the alleged fraud of N37.1 billion in agencies under the ministry, Oyewale clarified that the figure was yet to be confirmed as investigations were ongoing. He asserted that the EFCC considered Sadiya’s plea and expected her to honor the invitation without further delay.

In a related development, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, who was arrested earlier, has been released. Shehu was directed to appear at the EFCC office for interrogation throughout the ongoing investigation.

While Sadiya had previously issued a response through her media aide, denying any business relationship with a contractor under investigation, she reiterated her readiness to legally seek redress if her name is defamed. Sadiya served as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in the immediate past administration.

The rescheduled interview is expected to shed light on the financial transactions and expenditures of the agencies under her ministry, providing clarity to the ongoing EFCC investigation.

Chief Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), voiced deep concern about the current state of insecurity in Nigeria, stating that it has spiraled beyond control. In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, George emphasized that the nation is facing a dire situation that transcends political considerations.

“The state of our nation has been completely in a shambolic situation, it is perpetual despair and despondency. There is hunger in the land and there is anger in the land; the insecurity has gone beyond control,” remarked George during the interview.

Acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s New Year speech and objectives for the year, George asserted that it is not the time for political games but a crucial moment for the entire nation. He acknowledged the challenges ahead for President Tinubu and expressed readiness among Nigerians to give him the necessary time to address the pressing issues.

George highlighted key areas that demand urgent attention, such as national defence, internal security, and job creation. He urged President Tinubu to leverage modern technology to tackle insecurity effectively, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and the use of cameras to monitor and control situations remotely.

“We all Nigerians will give him a chance, let us see how he is going to handle it. Bola Tinubu, God will guide him – he is in the hottest seat in the whole of Africa today because for every 10 Africans 6 are Nigerians, brilliant people,” George expressed, acknowledging the complexities of the challenges faced by the new administration.

On the issue of security, George reiterated the call for the establishment of state police, emphasizing that much power is concentrated in the hands of the Inspector General of Police. He advocated for a communal approach to policing, suggesting that employing individuals from local communities would enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement.

While acknowledging that addressing these issues may take time, George stressed the importance of President Tinubu initiating concrete steps to demonstrate a commitment to tackling the security challenges plaguing the nation.

The alleged marriage between a four-year-old girl and a 54-year-old man in the Akeddei community of Sagbama Local Government Area in Bayelsa has sparked controversy, with the child’s parents defending the ceremony as a traditional rite to save their daughter’s life.

The parents, along with the 54-year-old man, a traditional ruler, and others involved in the event, faced scrutiny from the Bayelsa Government’s Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) following public outcry.

During the meeting, the father of the toddler, Mr. Morris Aboma, and the “groom,” Mr. Akpos Napoleon, explained that the ceremony was a cultural practice known as “Koripamo,” performed to address the child’s recurring illnesses. They clarified that this ritual required a symbolic amount to be paid by a man to save the child’s life and was not a formal marriage.

Representatives from the Akeddei community emphasized that the ceremony did not involve the man taking the girl as his wife, and it would not prevent her from marrying someone of her choice in the future. They highlighted that the rite, performed during the December 26, 2023 event, was a customary practice specific to their community.

Mr. Napoleon expressed regret over the public outcry, stating that he participated in the ceremony solely to save the child’s life, as she is reportedly no longer suffering from the severe illnesses.

The paramount ruler of Akeddei community, Chief Moneyman Binabo, corroborated the explanation, clarifying that the ritual was not a formal marriage but a fulfillment of a cultural practice. He further mentioned the unexpected demand from the little girl for an elaborate celebration involving food, canopy, and a sound system.

The GRIT team, including Dr. Dise Ogbise-Goddy and Kizito Andah, clarified that based on their investigation, the event was not a formal marriage, and the child had not been sexually abused. Dr. James Omietimi at the GRIT office confirmed that the child was leading a normal life with no relationship with the 54-year-old man.

Chairman of GRIT, Ogbise-Goddy, assured that the Bayelsa Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Social Development, along with stakeholders, would review the situation and make informed decisions. She emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting children from any perceived abuse, reaffirming Bayelsa’s child-friendly stance.

Recent violence in Plateau State, Nigeria, is increasingly being linked to land grabbing, as indigenous communities face forceful occupation and renaming by external groups. The Berom and Irigwe natives, along with other tribes, have been vocal about this issue for several years, urging the Federal Government to address the occupation of their lands by foreign herders.

Communities such as Rotchun, Dankum, Hywa, Fass, Davwak, and others have been attacked and renamed, forcing natives to integrate into safer areas as returning home becomes challenging. The situation has extended to Mangu and Bokkos, with numerous communities affected, leading to displacements and deaths.

Former Governor Jonah Jang and Senator Istifanus Gyang, among others, have consistently called for government intervention. The Beroms provided a list of communities attacked since 2001, emphasizing the need for urgent action.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), often accused of involvement in the attacks, denies the allegations of land grabbing. However, indigenous leaders argue that the recurring violence is a deliberate attempt to dispossess them of their heritage.

Calls for a permanent solution, increased security, and a change in grazing policies are growing. The need for a national approach to the Plateau issue and addressing land grabbing is emphasized by leaders who believe that security, rebuilding efforts, and adopting technology in agriculture are crucial for long-term peace.