News
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Civil Society, Journalists Commend Governor Eno On Arrival Of First Batch Of Brand-New CNG Buses, Inspect Fleet
Journalists and civil society stakeholders have commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the arrival of the first batch of brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, describing the initiative as a bold step towards transforming the state’s public transportation system.
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The commendation came on Tuesday , July 1,2026 ,during an inspection of the newly delivered buses at the Government House parking facility in Uyo, where members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), civil society representatives inspected 20 of the 50 buses procured by the state government as part of its integrated mass transit programme.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, lauded Governor Umo Eno for prioritising quality and investing in a transportation system that will benefit residents across the state.
“On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank His Excellency for bringing this to our people. I must say the Governor loves standard, and this is standard,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman encouraged young people in the state to take advantage of opportunities that would emerge from the project by acquiring the technical skills required to operate and maintain the modern transport system.
He also appreciated the Commissioner for Information for granting journalists unrestricted access to inspect the buses, noting that firsthand inspection would enable the media to provide accurate information to members of the public.
Speaking during the inspection, the Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Barr. Clifford Thomas, commended Governor Umo Eno for the initiative, describing the acquisition of the CNG buses as a bold and forward-looking investment in the state’s transportation sector.
He noted that the integrated mass transit system would significantly ease transportation challenges, improve mobility for residents and reduce the cost of commuting across Akwa Ibom State.
Barr. Thomas, however, urged the state government to put in place a sustainable maintenance and management framework to ensure the buses are properly maintained and remain operational for many years.
Addressing journalists, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the inspection was organised following a request by the NUJ Chairman to verify the arrival of the buses amid public speculation.
“We came here on the request of the Chairman of the NUJ to see for himself, and for all of us, the new CNG buses brought in by His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for the mass transportation system he is putting in place. This transport system will cover the 31 Local Government Areas and move our people seamlessly using these CNG buses.”
Dr. Umanah disclosed that Governor Umo Eno approved the procurement of 50 CNG buses, with 20 already delivered to the state while the remaining units are expected after the completion of production and shipping processes.
“Today, 20 of those brand new buses are on ground here in the Government House parking bay. Many people have been wondering whether these buses are real. Here are the buses, gentlemen of the press.
“They are brand-new manufactured buses. For those who have gone about claiming that these are refurbished buses, let me state clearly that they are marchants of falsehood. These are brand-new buses produced specifically for Akwa Ibom State.”
He further revealed that construction of the state’s central transport terminal at Ikot Akpe is progressing steadily and will serve as the operational hub of the integrated transport system.
According to him, the facility will include passenger terminals, a drivers’ academy, maintenance workshops, car wash facilities, CNG refuelling stations and other supporting infrastructure required for efficient operations.
“We are about entering an era of efficient and effective mass transportation for the people of Akwa Ibom State,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Luke, commended Governor Umo Eno for his visionary leadership and commitment to providing a transportation system that meets global standards while improving mobility and reducing transportation costs for residents.
Providing further insight into the procurement process, Mr. Ime Uwah said Governor Umo Eno insisted on quality throughout the acquisition process, leading government officials to travel to Turkey to inspect the buses before payment was made.
“For me, His Excellency Governor Umo Eno stands for quality and standard because these Isuzu buses, he made sure we went for this particular brand. We travelled to Turkey to inspect them before payment was made, ensuring that they met exactly what we wanted.”
Mr. Uwah added that Alpha Dias Project Limited has been engaged to manage the transport system for the first two years to ensure professional and efficient operations.
“His Excellency wants experienced hands and experts to operate these buses before they are eventually handed over for broader local management. The first two years will therefore be managed under contract by Alpha Dias.”
Speaking on the technical features of the fleet, the Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Dias Project Limited, Mr. Alex , dismissed claims that the buses were converted diesel vehicles.
He explained that the buses are original factory-built CNG vehicles powered by Cummins CNG engines and specifically designed for natural gas operations.
“Many CNG buses operating in Nigeria and across West Africa are diesel buses converted to run on gas. These buses are different. They were designed and manufactured from the factory specifically as CNG buses, making the Akwa Ibom fleet one of the most advanced public transport fleets on the African continent.”
Akwa Ibom CNG Buses
He disclosed that the integrated transport network will connect all 31 Local Government Areas through carefully planned routes linking major commercial centers
He added that transport terminals under construction will feature modern passenger facilities, maintenance centres, driver training schools and CNG refuelling stations to support efficient and sustainable operations.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and representatives of civil society organisations were later taken on a demonstration ride aboard the new CNG buses, where they experienced firsthand the comfort, spacious interiors, modern safety features and smooth, quiet operation of the factory-built vehicles.
The inspection reinforced confidence in the state’s integrated transport initiative and underscored the government’s commitment to delivering a safe, affordable, environmentally friendly and world-class mass transportation system that will serve residents across all 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
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EFCC Arraigns ALSCON, Director for Alleged N582.43m Money Launderin
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 12, 2026, arraigned Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, plc, and its Director, Zavyalov Dmitry, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged money laundering offences involving N582,430,250.00 (Five Hundred and Eighty-Two Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira).
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The company and its director were arraigned on a six-count amended charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/644/2025. Dmitry is said to be at large.
According to the charge, the company, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession, DNFBP, and Its Director, Dmitry, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML) single transfers made from the company’s account between March and July 2024, as required under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The transfers include N147,515,050.00 in March 2024, N156,026,860.00 in April 2024, N121,425,200.00 in May 2024 and N127,338,190.00 in July 2024, all paid to UDATSON NIGERIA. Others are N15,124,950.00 paid to Urico Global Services in April 2024 and N15,000,000.00 paid to one Christopher Azogu in June 2024.
Count one reads: “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Limited, plc, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in March, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N147,515,050.00 (One Hundred and Forty Seven Million, Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand, Fifty Naira) paid into UDATSON NIGERIA from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
Count two: “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria, plc, a. Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession (DNFBP) and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in April, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N156,026,860.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Six Million, Twenty Six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Naira) paid into UDATSON NIGERIA from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under Section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
Count four of the charge sheet reads, “That you, Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc, a Designated Non-Financial Business and Profession and Zavyalov Dmitry (at large) being Director of the said DNFBP sometime in May, 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to report in writing to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a single transfer of the sum of N121,425,200.00 (One Hundred and Twenty One Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand, Two Hundred Naira) paid into Udatson Nigeria from account no. 1013726291 operated by Aluminium Smelter Company Of Nigeria Plc as specified under section 11(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 11 (3), 19(2) (b), and 22 of the same Act.”
EFCC
Lead counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the offences are punishable under sections 11(3), 19(2)(b) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
When the charges were read, the company’s Acting Managing Director, Ime Monday Inyang, pleaded not guilty to all six counts on its behalf.
Counsel to the company had asked the court to quash the charges, claiming that the company was innocent of the charges.
In view of the plea, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter to January 27, 2027 for commencement of trial.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
October 12, 2026
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News
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso Meet World Bank President Banga on Nigeria’s Shift From Stability to Growth
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso Meet World Bank President Banga on Nigeria’s Shift From Stability to Growth
Bangkok, 12 October 2026. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, met the President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, on Monday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, where Oyedele leads Nigeria’s delegation.
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The meeting reviewed Nigeria’s reform progress and the next phase of its agenda: turning macroeconomic stability into faster growth, more private investment and stronger domestic revenues.
Banga commended the progress of Nigeria’s reforms. He pointed to the rise in private capital inflows from about $300 million in 2023 to nearly $6 billion in 2026, a twentyfold increase.
Oyedele highlighted the rising economic growth and noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio rose from about 7 per cent to 12.5 per cent over the same period. This gives the government more room to fund public investment without resorting to deficit monetisation.
The meeting discussed how Nigeria can make greater use of World Bank guarantee instruments. These guarantees can unlock financing for infrastructure and draw more private capital into the domestic market.
Power infrastructure and human capital were identified as priorities for continued public investment, given their importance to business competitiveness, productivity and job creation. The meeting also stressed the quality of public spending, so that each naira delivers measurable economic and social returns.
Taiwo Oyedele, Cardoso
The meeting is part of the Federal Government’s wider engagement with development partners to lock in reform gains and attract new investment. As Nigeria moves from stability to growth, the priority is to turn stronger fundamentals into productive investment, more jobs and better living standards for Nigerians.
Efe Ovuakporie
Head of Media
Federal Ministry of Finance
12 October 2026
Eereporter.com
High Court Dismisses Aisha Achimugu’s Fundamental Rights Suit Against EFCC
Justice M.S. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a fundamental human rights suit filed by Abuja-based businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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In the originating suit no : FHC/ABJ/CS/466/2026, Achimugu approached the court for determination of whether the defendant, EFCC’s action of searching her house and seizing her cars and jewelries and other items was within the powers of the Commission.
Achimugu also asked the court to enforce her rights to privacy, including an order of the court restraining the defendant from threatening or harassing and invading her private residence.
Part of her claim was for the court to award a N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) damage against the EFCC for what she described as invasion of her privacy.
Delivering judgment in the suit on Monday, October 10, 2026, Justice Liman dismissed the suit and held that the defendant has the power to search the plaintiff’s property after receiving intelligence on the alleged criminal activities of the plaintiff. “EFCC has the right to search the residence,” he said.
The judge said that Achimugu and her legal representatives failed to show reason to warrant the kind of damage she demanded from the EFCC and equally dismissed the request for N10 billion damages.
On the whole, Justice Liman agreed that there was nothing that should have stopped the EFCC from carrying out its statutory duties. The court therefore held that the matter lacked merit and was dismissed because “ it is frivolous and it was brought in bad faith”. The damage she sought was also denied.
Federal High Court
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the EFCC, Emenike Mgbemele said the judgment was in the interest of justice, adding that the suit was a ploy to waste the time of the court.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
October 12, 2026
Eereporter.com
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