News
Which Court Order Did You Direct EFCC to Vacate: ADC Ask Tinubu
Which Court Order Did You Direct EFCC to Vacate: ADC Ask Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts but questioned his claim that the EFCC acted on the basis of a court order, noting that the President was either misinformed or he had deliberately misrepresented the situation.
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In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party argued that the President’s admission that he directed the EFCC to discontinue the action undermines claims of the agency’s independence or neutrality, thereby confirming that the President actually directs the operational conduct of the anti-graft agencies.
The party also describes the reversal as a response to sustained public outrage rather than a voluntary act of restraint, noting that the anti-graft agency would not have acted so recklessly in the first if it did not presume the authorisation of the federal government.
The full statement read:
While the African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately discontinue its attempt to freeze the accounts of the Osun State Government, the President’s statement has raised far more troubling questions than it answers.
What we find most curious about the statement is the President’s repeated reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts. This is a remarkable new twist. In all of its public statements on this matter, the EFCC never once claimed that it had obtained a court order. The Commission consistently defended its actions on the basis of its statutory powers and what it described as “preventive mandate.”” At no point did it inform Nigerians that a court had authorised its actions.
The obvious question, therefore, is: where did the president obtain the information that a court order existed? If such an order exists, why was it never mentioned by the EFCC in its statement while defending one of the most controversial actions it has taken in recent times? Why was it not mentioned by the EFCC spokesperson when he appeared on Arise Television on Thursday morning? If no such order exists, why would the president introduce one into the public narrative? It is either the President was misinformed or he had chosen to misrepresent the facts. Either possibility is deeply disturbing.
The President also insists that he does not interfere in the operational activities of anti-corruption agencies, yet in the same statement he publicly announces that he has directed the EFCC to approach the court, vacate the alleged order, and discontinue its case. That admission raises an uncomfortable question.
If the President possesses the authority to direct the EFCC to withdraw from court proceedings because the political consequences may affect an election, then it follows that he possesses the authority to direct the Commission in other operational matters as well. The net implication is that the carefully cultivated argument that these agencies operate entirely independently collapses under the weight of the President’s own statement.
Indeed, the presidency’s attempt at strategic distancing has achieved precisely the opposite. Rather than demonstrating institutional independence, it confirms that the presidency could whimsically intervene or direct one way or another based on political considerations.
Another curious feature of the statement is its form. This is not a communication issued through the Office of the President, the Presidency, or the usual government channels. It is a personal statement signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself.
This is quite unusual, and it raises the question of why the President feels the need to personally sign a press statement on a matter such as this? If all that the President wanted to achieve was to get the EFCC to reverse itself, why did he not simply tell them to do so instead of issuing a press statement signed by the President himself. This solo performance by the president actually exposes more than it was intended to conceal.
ADC, Tinubu
The truth is that it was not a sudden concern for democratic integrity that produced this dramatic reversal. It was the overwhelming condemnation from Nigerians, civil society, political parties, and the wider public who recognised the account freezing for what it was: an extraordinary abuse of state power meant to influence the outcome of the governorship election.
Finally, since the President has now demonstrated that he can direct federal agencies to discontinue proceedings based on pretension to public interest or democratic fairness, perhaps he should also consider directing the ICPC and its counsel to stop opposing the bail application of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
Signed:
Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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US President Trump Lists 25 Achievements of First 20 Months in Office
President Donald Trump has listed 25 achievements he said his administration had recorded since returning to office in January 2025.
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Trump made the claims in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, where he highlighted his administration’s policies on immigration, taxes, trade, crime, defence, energy, education and foreign affairs.
Among the achievements listed by the US president were what he described as the “most secure border in history”, the signing of the Laken Riley Act and what he called the largest drop in the US murder rate in history.
Below is the full list:
Achieved the most secure border in history – ZERO illegal aliens admitted to the United States in the past 16 months.
Signed the Laken Riley Act to get dangerous criminal aliens off our streets.
Achieved the largest drop in the murder rate EVER recorded, to the lowest level in 125 years-since 1900.
Signed the largest tax cuts in American History – the Great Big Beautiful Bill-including No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security for our great seniors.
Secured commitments for $19.2 trillion dollars of new investment in the United States.
Imposed historic tariffs to bring back American Manufacturing – including 50% tariffs on foreign copper, aluminum, and steel, and 25% tariffs on foreign automobiles.
The stock market has set 80 all-time record highs since the election.
More Americans are working today than at any time in the history of our country.
Made the largest-ever investment in the United States Armed Forces- $1 trillion dollars this year, and hopefully $1.5 trillion next year.
Captured and brought to justice the outlaw dictator of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, through Operation Absolute Resolve.
Obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury to ensure Iran will NEVER have a nuclear weapon.
Conducted numerous successful military strikes to smash the drug cartels operating in our hemisphere-brought the flow of deadly fentanyl across our border down by a record 60%.
Secured Most Favoured Nation agreements to reduce the cost of many prescription drugs by price differences of 300, 400, 500, and 600 percent.
Terminated the Green New Scam, declared a National Energy Emergency, and began to Drill, Baby, Drill.
Ended the insane Electric Vehicle Mandate and other crippling regulations on American Automobiles.
American Exports have soared to the highest level in American history-we are on track to export an unprecedented $2.5 TRILLION dollars in goods this year alone.
17 Abolished all discriminatory “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion” (DEI) policies throughout the federal government and private sector.
Banned MEN from playing in women’s sports.
Banned transgender ideology and critical race theory in our schools.
Trump
Launched Trump Accounts – tax free investment accounts for every American child, starting with $1,000 for every newborn child.
Settled 8 raging wars with historic peace deals in our first 12 months- including the War in Gaza.
Got all living hostages returned to their families, both living and dead.
Halted all refugee admissions to the United States, including from Somalia and other dangerous places.
Deployed National Guard to restore Law and Order to Washington, D.C., Memphis, and New Orleans.
Made English the Official Language of the United States.
The list comes as the Trump administration continues to promote its record ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
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Akwa Ibom
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Governor Umo Eno Reveals Economic Gains of Convention Centre, Ibom Hotel, Shopping City Projects
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed delight over the economic impact and employment opportunities created by the ongoing International Convention Centre, Ibom International Hotel and ARISE Shopping City projects in Uyo.
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Governor Eno said the projects, beyond their infrastructural significance, have engaged more than 2,000 people daily over the past year, thereby contributing to economic activities and enhancing peace and security in the State.
The Governor spoke on Thursday, September 17, 2026, while addressing members of the Government House Press Corps shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction works at the three project sites in Uyo.
He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, describing the projects as a manifestation of visions conceived by previous administrations.
“I am happy that there is visible progress and we thank God for what we see on ground. The International Hotel and the International Conference Centre were envisaged 16 years ago and I am happy that we are realizing that vision,” he said.
Governor Eno said the projects would also support the State’s tourism development and youth empowerment objectives under his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the facilities, when completed, would boost tourism, attract visitors and investors, create employment opportunities for youths and showcase Akwa Ibom’s tourism potential to the international community.
“The International Convention Centre can take 5,000 people, and there are partitions that would help you segment your meetings. There are twelve breakout rooms, restaurant and other facilities” he said.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing modern tourism facilities that would complement Akwa Ibom’s growing profile as a tourism destination.
“What we are seeing here is part of development. If this is a state capital, and we want tourists to visit, we must have the facilities to accommodate them by developing those facilities to international standards,” he added.
Governor Eno commended the contractors handling the projects for maintaining the pace of work and expressed hope that the facilities would be completed and commissioned on schedule for the benefit of the people.
Umo Eno
The Governor was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga; Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah; other members of the State Executive Council and government officials.
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NPF Repatriates Chinese Fugitive Wanted Over Smuggling of Endangered African Rosewood
The Nigeria Police Force, through INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja, has repatriated a Chinese fugitive, Zhang Shijie, to Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, following his arrest in Nigeria in connection with alleged large-scale smuggling of endangered African Rosewood.
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Zhang, who was wanted by the Yangpu Sub-Bureau of the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Haikou Customs District, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued on 7th January, 2021 over his alleged involvement in the smuggling of approximately 1,400 tonnes of Pterocarpus erinaceus, commonly known as African Rosewood, an endangered tree species indigenous to West Africa. The consignment was valued at about 15.7 million Chinese Yuan.
The alleged offences were committed between November 2020 and January 2021, after which Zhang remained outside China. Intelligence subsequently established his presence in Nigeria, where he was residing in Ogun State with a Chinese passport which expired since 11th November, 2023.
Following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated investigative efforts, operatives of INTERPOL NCB Abuja arrested the fugitive on 10 September 2026 in the Ogere area of Ogun State, after which he was repatriated to Guangzhou, China, on 16th September 2026 in furtherance of bilateral police cooperation.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, reiterates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening international police cooperation and maximising INTERPOL tools and capabilities in tracking fugitives, combating transnational organised crime and preventing Nigeria from being used as a safe haven by persons wanted for criminal offences in other jurisdictions.
Chinese
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to working with INTERPOL and international law-enforcement partners to strengthen cross-border security, disrupt transnational criminal networks and ensure that fugitives are brought within the reach of justice.
CSP Ani Iniedu, Anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
17th September, 2026
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