Economy
Tinubu Trying To Stifle Dissent, Turn Nigeria Into One-Party Country – Ex-NHIS Boss
Tinubu Trying To Stifle Dissent, Turn Nigeria Into One-Party Country – Ex-NHIS Boss
Tinubu trying to stifle dissent, turn Nigeria into one-party country – Ex-NHIS boss. Usman Yusuf, former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of suppressing dissent and silencing critics.
Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Yusuf alleged that his detention was orchestrated to intimidate him and weaken his resolve against government actions.
In February, Yusuf was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud. He pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge before Chinyere Nwecheonwu, judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court.
Yusuf described his time in Kuje prison as a period of “retreat for rest, prayers, and reflection”, insisting that it strengthened his spirit.
Recounting the events of January 29, Yusuf said that men claiming to be from the EFCC invaded his home without an arrest warrant.
“On the 29th of January this year, at about 6:30 PM, my wife came up to my room and said there were some gentlemen who knocked and just walked into the house. They walked in through the door and said they wanted to see me, claiming I was expecting them,” he said.
“They said they were from the EFCC and had come to take me. I said, ‘guys, you haven’t even introduced yourselves.’ They quickly brought out their badges and confirmed they were from the EFCC.”
The former NHIS boss said the operatives blocked him from changing his clothes and stopped his wife from bringing him a change of clothing.
He added that he was sandwiched between an armed officer and a young operative in the bus, who high-fived themselves “as if they had captured a notorious criminal like Kachalla Bello Turji”.
Yusuf said he spent six days at the EFCC facility before his arraignment, adding that he was denied bail due to the judge’s cold, and then spent 24 days in Kuje prison.
“The denial of bail was wrong,” he said.
“Bail is a constitutionally guaranteed right for any accused person, except in cases of capital offences or terrorism, and my case was neither.
“This government deliberately denied me bail to shake me up. I spent six days at the EFCC and 24 days in Kuje prison — all to try and silence me. But I am not someone who can be silenced.

Tinubu
“The whole purpose was the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu trying to silence any form of dissent.
“This is coming from a president who himself was once a NADECO activist — someone who fought against the military, who ran across the border, and fled to safety.”
“Criticising a government in a democracy is the legitimate right of every citizen. But now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is trying to stifle dissent and turn Nigeria into a one-party dictatorial state.
We are not going to let that happen.”
Usman was appointed executive secretary of the NHIS in 2016 by then President Muhammadu Buhari.
He was suspended in 2017 by the health minister and in 2018 by the NHIS board for alleged corruption.
Yusuf was removed as NHIS executive secretary in 2019.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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