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Contracts Awarded By Ex-NHIA Boss Did Not Go Through Procurement Procedures: Witness Tells Court

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Contracts Awarded By Ex-NHIA Boss Did Not Go Through Procurement Procedures: Witness Tells Court

James Balami, the Second Prosecution Witness, PW2, in the trial of the former National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA boss, Professor Usman Yusuf on Thursday, May 14, 2026 told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, presided over by Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu that the contract awarded to Lubekh Nigeria Ltd by NHIA for the supply of vehicles under the leadership of the defendant was not subjected to procurement processes.

The witness, Director of Procurement, NHIA disclosed that the contract was awarded to the company, whose alter ego is Kabiru Yusuf Yar’adua, a brother to the defendant, Professor Yusuf.

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Led in his examination-in-chief by prosecution counsel, Francis Usani, the witness disclosed that Lubekh Nigeria Ltd, Zaramat Global Company Ltd and GK Kanki Foundation were the three companies which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, requested the NHIA in a letter to furnish it with some information.

“Kabiru Yusuf Yar’adua is a business man and owner of Lubekh company and a brother to the defendant, Professor Yusuf, who was the then chief executive,” he said.

He stated that Lubekh Nigeria Ltd submitted documents for the award of contracts, which he disclosed “were evaluated and found to be responsive both technically and financially, and the Tenders Board considered the report presented to it and approved the award of the contract to it for the supply of vehicle.”

When asked by the prosecution counsel if he could recall the value of the contract, he said “I can’t recall, but there is one that is about N9 million,” adding that the process of the award took place between the NHIA Human Resources and the defendant, who was the Chief Executive Officer with the Procurement Department, sidelined.

“It emanated from the Human Resources to the Chief Executive Officer, and Accounting Officer, Professor Yusuf as at that time. So, it did not go through procurement and by implication it did not go through procurement process,” he said.

Testifying further, the witnessed revealed that one Hassan Khalifa Yusuf, the defendant’s nephew and son of his brother, Kabiru Yusuf Yar’adua, (the contract awardee), who was a seconded staffer to the Authority, evaluated the contract, awarded to Lubekh Nig Limited.

“Hassan Khalifa Yusuf is the son of the owner of Lubekh Nig Ltd,” he said.

Further in his testimony, the witness disclosed that there were a series of petitions against Professor Yusuf sent to the ICPC, EFCC, Federal Ministry of Health as well as the Presidency, all bordering on his alleged maladministration of the Authority and procurement breaches.

“There were a series of petitions against Professor Yusuf, the defendant and some of the petitions were addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, ICPC, Federal Ministry of Health, as well as to the Presidency, bordering on maladministration and procurement breaches. Two panels were set up: one ministerial investigative panel was set up to consider the allegations to which I was equally invited. There was another panel, which was a presidential panel to consider these allegations,” he said.

The defence counsel, O. I Habeeb, SAN, objected to oral evidence of the proceedings in the panels, arguing that the evidence concerning the petitions and panels are irrelevant. The judge, however, counteracted him.

“I don’t think he has exceeded his boundaries,” the judge said.

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In his cross-examination, the witness informed the court that Exhibit B, being N80 million, comprising N30 million in 2015 and N50 million in 2016 was budgeted for Prado SUV. Explaining Exhibit B, the witness stated that it was a schedule of contracts, considered and approved by the Tenders Board, not an appropriation and not an approved budget.

He informed the court that based on Exhibit B, the Tenders Board had no authority to approve the contract award.

“Yes my lord, based on Exhibit B, they have no authority to approve the award,” he said.

Justice Nwecheonwu adjourned till October 14 and 15, 2026 for the continuation of cross-examination and hearing on the matter.

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Mosquitoes Don’t Just Bite, Drink Your Blood; Experts

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Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes Don’t Just Bite, Drink Your Blood; Experts

When a female mosquito drinks blood, she is taking in far more liquid than her tiny body can comfortably carry.

To avoid becoming too heavy to fly, the mosquito immediately starts removing excess water from the blood meal while still feeding.

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That means the mosquito is essentially excreting droplets of waste, often described as urine, almost at the same time it is sucking blood. Scientists have observed this process in many mosquito species.

By rapidly filtering out water and certain salts, the insect is able to concentrate the nutrients and proteins it actually needs for egg production while staying light enough to escape quickly.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes

The itchy bump humans experience after a bite is not caused by the mosquito “peeing,” though. The irritation mainly comes from the mosquito’s saliva, which contains chemicals that prevent blood clotting while it feeds.

Your immune system reacts to those substances, creating swelling and itching.

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NPF Intensifies Internal Cleansing, Dismisses Corrupt Officers, Prosecutes Personnel Involved In Misconducts

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NPF Intensifies Internal Cleansing

NPF Intensifies Internal Cleansing, Dismisses Corrupt Officers, Prosecutes Personnel Involved In Misconducts

The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to discipline, accountability, and institutional reform with the dismissal, arrest, and prosecution of police personnel found involved in cases of conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and abuse of office in Rivers State and its environs.

The Force notes that the actions of the affected officers represent a gross betrayal of the ethics, standards, and professional values of the Nigeria Police Force. The leadership of the Force under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, remains resolute in its determination to identify, expose, and remove criminal elements from within the institution, irrespective of rank or position.

Investigations into one of the cases uncovered a criminal syndicate involving serving police officers attached to Zone 16 Headquarters, Yenagoa, namely Inspector Ayanniyi Jelili, Inspector Durojaye Francis, and Inspector Olayemi Titus, who allegedly engaged in armed robbery, kidnapping, and extortion while operating illegal patrols within Port Harcourt. The officers reportedly abducted victims during unlawful stop-and-search operations, forcefully gained access to their banking and cryptocurrency applications, and extorted millions of naira from them.

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The investigation led to the arrest of the three officers, while three other accomplices identified as Inspector Awele Ogbogu, Inspector Prosper Aghotor, and Corporal Favour Onwuchekwa are currently at large. Exhibits recovered include three Toyota Sienna buses used for the illegal operations and the sum of ₦7,338,800.00 traced to the criminal activities. Findings further revealed that the suspects operated with firearms and had allegedly carried out similar operations against unsuspecting members of the public within Rivers State.

In a separate investigation, the Force uncovered another criminal syndicate involving officers formerly attached to the Department of Operations, Rivers State Command, namely Inspector John Okoi, Inspector Eyibo Asuquo, Inspector Udo Ndipmong, Inspector Bright Nwachukwu, and Inspector Anele Ikechukwu, who engaged in organised acts of kidnapping, extortion, stealing, and official corruption. The dismissed officers were found to have routinely abducted citizens, extorted money through unlawful transfers from victims’ bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and dispossessed them of valuables while operating under the guise of official patrol duties.

Consequently, the five implicated officers were subjected to orderly room proceedings and dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force, while the case file has been forwarded for prosecution on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, official corruption, and related offences.

NPF Intensifies Internal Cleansing

NPF Intensifies Internal Cleansing

Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting cases of police misconduct, abuse of office, extortion, and human rights violations through established complaint channels for prompt investigation and action.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to a professional, transparent, accountable, and service-driven policing system firmly rooted in the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
14th May, 2026

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RACC Of ICPC Praised Judges Of Lagos State For Unwavering Fairness, Commitment To Justice

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RACC Of ICPC

RACC Of ICPC Praised Judges Of Lagos State For Unwavering Fairness, Commitment To Justice

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has praised judges of Lagos State for their unwavering fairness and commitment to justice in cases involving the Commission.

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Mr Alexander Chukwurah, fsi, made the remarks recently during a courtesy visit by the ICPC Lagos State Office to the Hon Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Olarewaju Alogba, at the High Court Complex in Lagos.

Describing the visit as both an expression of gratitude and a strategic effort to deepen institutional collaboration, Mr Chukwurah said: “The judges of Lagos State have been fair and just in the cases of the Commission. This visit is to appreciate that commitment and also to seek continued support whenever the Commission has cases.”

In his response, Justice Alogba underscored the need for greater public awareness of the judiciary’s role, noting that many citizens lack a proper understanding of how the courts operate.

“There is a lot to do with educating people to understand what the judiciary does and how we operate,” he stated. “The relationship we share is rooted in constitutional responsibilities.”

The Chief Judge further stressed that effective inter-agency collaboration must be anchored in mutual respect rather than rivalry.

RACC Of ICPC

RACC, ICPC

“Inter-agency collaboration should be carried out with the utmost respect, not as rivals but as partners working towards a common goal,” he said.

Justice Alogba reassured the ICPC delegation of the judiciary’s continued cooperation, pledging: “You can count on our maximum support with minimum bureaucracy.”

The visit highlights ongoing efforts to forge a stronger, more seamless synergy between the two institutions in the fight against corruption.

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