ICPC: Zamfara SUBEB Establishes ACTU To Combat Corruption In Basic Education Sector

ICPC: Zamfara SUBEB establishes ACTU to combat corruption in basic education sector. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), through its Katsina State Office, has officially inaugurated and inducted new members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) recently at the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Gusau.

The ACTU functions as an institutional watchdog, established to entrench a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and other related offences within SUBEB Zamfara represents a strategic step towards embedding accountability and ethical practice at the foundational level of education administration.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Katsina State, Mr. Samuel S. Lodam—represented at the event by Mr. Suleman Muhammad Maishanu commended the management and staff of Zamfara SUBEB for their commitment to institutional integrity. He described the inauguration as a milestone in the collective fight against corruption.

Dr. Aliyu explained that the ACTU is recognised as a government-backed anti-corruption platform designed to build transparent and accountable systems within MDAs.

Addressing the SUBEB management, the ICPC Chairman urged them not to perceive the ACTU as an adversarial body, but rather as a strategic partner whose activities are intended to strengthen the Board. He emphasised that the Unit requires institutional support, adequate funding, and a conducive working environment to discharge its duties effectively, in accordance with the Standing Orders governing ACTU operations across MDAs.

Dr. Aliyu further outlined the Unit’s core mandate, which includes conducting System Study and Reviews to identify and recommend reforms that block corruption loopholes; organising staff sensitisation programmes; enforcing the Board’s Code of Ethics; and undertaking preliminary investigations into reported complaints.

Clarifying the Unit’s status, the ICPC Chairman stressed that the ACTU is not established as a parallel authority to management, but as a collaborative mechanism aimed at enhancing the Board’s reputation and operational integrity.

To the newly inaugurated members, Dr. Aliyu issued a charge: they must demonstrate diligence, impartiality, and teamwork. He cautioned against using their positions to victimise or witch-hunt colleagues, urging them instead to foster a culture of discipline, accountability, and mutual respect within the institution.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Zamfara SUBEB, Professor Nasiru Garba Anka, applauded the ICPC’s sustained anti-corruption initiatives, particularly under the leadership of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN. He described the President’s vision of a corruption-free Nigeria as both noble and attainable, and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to supporting the newly inaugurated Unit.

The induction ceremony formally commenced with the administration of the oath of allegiance by Barr. Hedima Haruna of the ICPC Legal Unit, marking the official assumption of duty by the new ACTU members.

ICPC

As part of the capacity-building component of the event, three technical papers were delivered by ICPC officials. These included:

· “Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU): A Tool for Corruption Prevention in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)”;
· “Fundamentals of System Study and Review”; and
· “Preliminary Investigation Procedure.”

In his acceptance speech, the newly appointed ACTU Chairman, Samaila Musa Anka, expressed profound gratitude to the management and staff of Zamfara SUBEB, as well as the ICPC, for their unwavering support in bringing the Unit to fruition.

He underscored the importance of public enlightenment in the fight against corruption and reaffirmed the Unit’s dedication to advancing transparency, accountability, and national development.

EFCC: Our Operatives Not Involved In Attempt To Arrest El-rufai At Airport, We Already Invited Him

EFCC: Our operatives not involved in attempt to arrest El-rufai at airport, we already invited him. The EFCC said it had already invited the former governor, who is billed to appear before the commission on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied involvement in Thursday’s Abuja airport altercation between former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and some plain-cloth security agents.

The anti-graft agency confirmed that it had already invited the former governor, who is billed to appear before the commission on Monday, February 16, 2026.
“Our operatives were not involved in the altercation with Mr El-Rufai at the airport earlier today,” EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told Peoples Gazette on Thursday night.

He added, “We have invited him, and the agreed date is Monday, February 16. There’s no way we would attempt to arrest someone that we’ve invited.”

Some plain-cloth security agents, who The Gazette has now learnt were operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), attempted to arrest Mr El-Rufai, who resisted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred minutes after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
The SSS’ public relations unit did not respond to inquiries on Thursday.

Mr El-Rufai’s legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, confirmed that his client was earlier invited by the EFCC for questioning while he was abroad and would honour the agency’s invitation on Monday.

“The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad.

“Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the precise place and time for addressing the invitation.

“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” Mr Akpan said in a statement on Thursday.

He condemned the attempted arrest of the politician by SSS operatives, stating that the approach defied reason, as the operatives neither presented a warrant nor a formal invitation.

“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation. When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation—a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action—none could be produced. No document, no signed directive, no lawful process.

El-Rufai

“There was only raw power, unclothed by law. In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport from his person.

This act is nothing short of stealing—the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority. This action constitutes a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” Mr Akpan stated.

Mr Akpan demanded an immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Mr El-Rufai, the immediate return of his passport, and a formal apology for “this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights.”

He also threatened to pursue legal action against all persons and agencies responsible for what he described as unconstitutional conduct to uphold accountability and deter future abuses.

Free Prepaid Meters: BEDC Warns Customers Against Payment

Free prepaid meters: BEDC warns customers against payment. Mr Lawani said the company was expecting a total of 161,000 meters under the programme.

Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has received 75,000 electricity meters from the federal government under the ongoing free metering programme, with installation already underway across its franchise states.

The managing director of BEDC Plc, Jonathan Lawani, disclosed this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Benin on Thursday.

Mr Lawani said the company was expecting a total of 161,000 meters under the programme, covering its four franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

He explained that Edo State had been allocated over 38,000 meters, distributed across BEDC’s three operational regions in the state which include Benin, Uromi and Auchi.
“We have received 75,000 meters for BEDC for the four states of Ondo, Edo, Delta and Ekiti.

“The programme will deliver 161,000 meters for BEDC. Edo State alone has been allocated over 38,000 meters.

“Out of the four states we serve, we allocated 38,000 to the three regions in Edo State, and installation is ongoing,” Mr Lawani said.
He cautioned customers against paying for the meters or installation, stressing that they are provided free of charge under the federal government initiative.

Mr Lawani also raised concern that some customers were rejecting the meters based on the misconception that metering increases electricity consumption.

The BEDC boss urged residents to report any illegal charges or irregularities and warned against electricity theft, noting that offenders would be sanctioned.

Free Prepaid Meters

In his remarks, the Edo commissioner for power, Paul Usenbor, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving electricity supply and establishing a meter assembly plant in the state.
Mr Usenbor said Governor Monday Okpebholo had prioritised the provision of reliable, round-the-clock power supply across Edo.

He noted that the stakeholders’ engagement reflected a strong commitment to infrastructure development, improved service delivery, standardised metering and faster response to customer complaints.

“The long-term goal is to ensure better power supply for citizens and public institutions.

“The long-term plan also involves increased participation of private sector partners in the state.
“His Excellency has mandated that a meter assembly plant will be set up in Edo State,” Mr Usenbor said.