News
Reps Probes Galaxy Backbone Over Alleged Financial Infractions
Reps Probes Galaxy Backbone Over Alleged Financial Infractions
Reps probes galaxy backbone over alleged financial infractions…Conflict resolution institute also indicted for unsubstantiated payments, dubious trainings
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to Galaxy Backbone, the federal government’s IT and shared service provider, to explain alleged financial and contractual irregularities amounting to billions of Naira.
The probe, led by PAC Chairman Hon. Bamidele Salam, stems from findings in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report, which raised concerns over multiple violations of financial and procurement regulations.
At the committee’s hearing on Wednesday, Galaxy Backbone’s Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Service, Mr. Sani Mohammed Ibrahim, alongside other key officials, was grilled over several infractions.
Major Financial and Contract Violations
One of the key concerns was the non-remittance of N329.8 million in taxes, which should have been settled within 21 days. The committee ruled that necessary sanctions should be applied.
Additionally, the committee flagged a N66.8 million payment for contractual obligations that lacked supporting documentation. Galaxy Backbone was given 72 hours to submit all transaction details.
Further scrutiny revealed payments to ST Engineering, a U.S.-based company, which reportedly listed the same street address in two different states raising questions about the legitimacy of the transaction.
PAC found no evidence of contract execution and has demanded all relevant documents, including those required by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Moreover, the organization was unable to satisfactorily explain e-payment violations amounting to N12.6 million, along with dubious transactions worth N2.4 million and a procurement contract valued at $164,403.
As a result, Galaxy Backbone has been summoned for a follow-up hearing on February 27, 2025, at 1 PM to clarify these discrepancies.
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Also Under Fire
The PAC also turned its attention to the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) over questionable expenditures, including the disbursement of N25.8 million for project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) allowances.
IPCR’s Director General, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, attributed the irregularities to the actions of a previous administration, as his leadership only assumed office in 2024.
However, the committee rejected this defense, demanding precise details of the projects, transportation fare calculations, travel personnel lists, and receipts of all related expenditures.
Additionally, the committee flagged N21.4 million spent on “doubtful trainings”, prompting the formation of an ad hoc committee, chaired by Rep. Billy Osawaru (Edo State), to investigate further and report back within a week.

Reps
The PAC concluded that the IPCR was guilty of financial inefficiency and lack of economic prudence.
Accountability Measures Intensify
These investigations are part of a broader effort by the PAC to ensure transparency, accountability, and adherence to financial regulations across government agencies.
With tighter scrutiny on public funds, agencies failing to provide satisfactory explanations could face further consequences.
Both Galaxy Backbone and IPCR remain under the PAC’s watch as the probe continues.
Economy
NNPC Ltd. HSE Chief Sets Tone For Industry-Wide Safety Standards
NNPC Ltd. HSE Chief Sets Tone For Industry-Wide Safety Standards
NNPC Ltd.’s Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer, Tonye Alagba, has urged Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) personnel across the company to strengthen collaboration and build a unified HSE team.
Alagba, who made the call at the recent First Quarter 2026 HSE Council Meeting held in Abuja from 15th to 17th April, 2026, called for collective responsibility, strict compliance, and proactive prevention of HSE violations across all business units.

NNPC
NNPC Ltd. values strict HSE adherence across all its businesses and operations. The HSE Council Meeting signals the company’s broader intent to raise the bar for safety culture across Nigeria’s energy sector.
Economy
NNPC, SNEPCo, NCDMB Donate Geosciences Centre To UNILAG
NNPC, SNEPCo, NCDMB Donate Geosciences Centre To UNILAG
NNPC Limited, in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), commissioned and donated the newly built UNILAG Geosciences Centre of Excellence to the University on Friday.
Purposely built to strengthen geosciences education and research in Nigeria, the Centre was inaugurated by the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services Ltd. (NUIMS), Olanrewaju Igandan, alongside the Managing Director of SNEPCo, Ronald Adams; Director of Capacity Building (NCDMB), Abayomi Bamidele; Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Tolani Sule; and the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.
The Centre boasts of a 250-seat auditorium, geoscience and instrumentation laboratories, a rock preparation workshop, hydrogeology, mineralogy, environmental geology, sedimentary and palaeoenvironmental sciences laboratories, a seismic interpretation room, a modern library, a digital museum, and collaborative spaces for students and researchers. It is also supported by a 600 kVA transformer, a 40 kVA solar power facility, and a field investigation coaster bus.

SNEPCo, NNPC
By connecting academia, industry, and government under one roof, the Centre provides Nigerian students and researchers with hands-on access to modern energy tools, reduces the oil and gas industry’s reliance on international markets for testing and training, and builds the in-country expertise Nigeria’s energy sector needs.
NNPC Limited remains committed to driving capacity building, supporting national development, and working with partners to secure a stronger energy future for Nigeria.
News
APGA Will No Longer Tolerate Vote Buying, Transactional Politics At Primaries, Says Soludo
APGA Will No Longer Tolerate Vote Buying, Transactional Politics At Primaries, Says Soludo
The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, says the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primaries will no longer permit monetary inducement or transactional politics.
He spoke on Saturday at the party’s South-East zonal stakeholders’ meeting in Awka.
Mr Soludo linked the party’s slow growth since 2002 to a culture where officials allegedly exploited aspirants during primaries.
He said the practice weakened internal democracy, discouraged credible participation and undermined institutional development.
“The era of marketing party tickets is over. Parties must be driven by values, policies and accountability, not commerce,” he said.
Mr Soludo lamented a system where party funds were allegedly shared immediately, leaving no structure for sustainable financing.
“The party has not grown because past leaderships treated it as a business venture. That must stop,” he added.
He urged stakeholders to reassess direction and rebuild APGA as a transparent, accountable and ideologically driven platform.
“Our tickets are not for sale. We are rebuilding the party into what it should be, not a trading post,” he said.
Mr Soludo said past practices, where aspirants were allegedly misled after financial commitments, eroded trust and discouraged genuine investment.
He warned that “give-and-take” politics in APGA had ended, stressing the party must serve collective interests.
APGA National Chairman, Sylvester Ezeokenwa, announced an 11-point code of conduct for future primaries.
Mr Ezeokenwa said the framework would promote transparency, equity and internal democracy, while addressing disputes in nomination processes.
He said the party would adopt the Option A4 voting system for the 2026 primaries to enhance transparency and accountability.
“In the past, flawed primaries undermined APGA. Clear rules are needed to address these challenges,” he said.
According to him, the code bans officials from wearing campaign materials or accepting gifts and prohibits the distribution of money or items during primaries.
Mr Ezeokenwa added that only expression of interest fees would be paid initially, with nomination fees after successful screening.
He said officials must not attend private endorsement events and should step aside if supporting any aspirant.

Chukwuma Soludo
“Even presenting money as a kola nut or gift-sharing has been banned,” he said.
Earlier, National Vice Chairman (South-East), Chief Augustine Ehiemere, cited inadequate funding as a major challenge.
Mr Ehiemere urged elected and appointed officials to support the party’s platform for financial sustainability.
“Political activities require logistics, mobilisation and administration. Without funding, the party cannot function effectively,” he said.
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