By Our Correspondent

Palpable fear of arrest and detention may have gripped Minister of State, Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle as a result of fresh controversy, which may spiral into a major scandal as a viral video released by the United States lawmaker, Kimberly Daniels has alleged that the minister attempted to bribe a U.S. official to change the report indicting him of complicity in Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement, which has sent shockwaves across government circles in Abuja, Kimberly Daniels, who is the Chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), claimed that Matawalle offered money to an elected U.S. official to help him stop the pressure on the Federal Government to remove or redeploy him from the Ministry of Defence.

Congress woman Daniels said the bribe was also intended to suppress a UN-WCD report, which focused on the ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
The report allegedly identified “red flags” and linked Matawalle to bandit groups during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State. Civil society groups have defended the US Congress women’s report and have urged the government to implement the recommendations.

The Middle Belt, expecially Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and Benue states have suffered several bandit and terrorist attacks and the devastating surge in violence in the region has resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, including brutal massacres that were described as systematic religious cleansing.

The UN-WCD report argued that there is “troubling disconnect” between the Federal Government’s official statements and the reality on the ground, and she asserted that the attacks are “allegedly protected by leadership from the inside.”
The Presidency has not made a clear statement on the calls for Matawalle’s sack or his redeloyment since it started early this year but the controversy will likely not disappear from the public radar anytime soon especially as bandit and terrorist attacks continue in the north east, northwest and the middlebelt regions.

MBY UTHMAN BABA- NASEER,MINNA

The newly deployed Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, to Niger State Command CC Ogunleye Seyi Oladipupo has embarked on the inspection of Correctional Custodies in the State.

The State Controller who assumed duty in the state,on the 15th, April 2026 took over the leadership of the Command from CC Ponyak Nandang who retired from the Service, visited the Minna new and Old Medium Security Custodial centres with a call to officers and men of the two facilities to take proactive step to ensure the security of the custodial facilities in the state.

CC Ogunleye posited that he was at the two major Custodial centres to see the staff and inmates in custody with a view to assessing and evaluating the state of the facilities focusing on their welfare, well-being and also the level of security measures put in place to forestall any security breach or threat.

CC Seyi Ogunleye at a separate visit to Minna Old and New Custodial centres, personally interacted with inmates in their various cells, calling on them to obey and cooperate with the constituted authority to improve their well-being.

He further urged them to be of good conduct and grab the available vocational skills and educational programs opportunities provided by the service so as to become better and self-reliant persons after their discharge.

The newly posted controller who assumed duty in the state barely one week ago took time to inspect kitchens, clinics, ICT centres and other sensitive sectors of the facilities to ensure strict compliance to operational standards.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and applauded the incharges for their commitment and dedication in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment urging them to sustain the tempo.

Similarly, the controller also inspected the staff barracks to see areas of intervention that will boost their morale for effective and efficient service delivery.

In his interface with the officers and men, CC Ogunleye told them that he is posted to the command by the Controller General of Corrections, (CGC) Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni to implement his policy direction of Discipline, Professionalism and zero tolerance to unethical conduct.

Adding that under the present leadership of the able CGC Sylvester anybody caught indulging in trafficking of illicit items such handsets, hard drugs and other acts capable of jeopardizing the security of our Custodial Centre will face the full wrath of the law. CC Seyi Ogunleye added that every hand must be on deck to ensure maximum safety and security of our correctional formations especially at this time of insecurity that is bedeviling some parts of Niger State. He urged them to be on high alert and ensure they uphold the red zone declaration of all custodial centres.

CC Ogunleye lastly, screened and thoroughly perused all records of correctional books before departing for the continuation of his visit to other Custodial centres under his watch.

By Our Correspondent

State Chairman Elect, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Enugu State Chapter,Prof. Augustine Akubue, has described as false,baseless and malicious forgery allegation against his person by a group under the aegis of “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” in the state.

In a statement signed by by himself and made available to Journalists Prof Akubue said ” my attention has been drawn to a spurious publication by a group parading itself as “Concerned ADC Stakeholders” led by one Raphael Idoko, wherein they made unfounded allegations of forgery and conspiracy against my person.

“I categorically state that the said allegations are false, baseless, malicious, and a calculated attempt at political bullying by disgruntled elements who lost out in the recently concluded, free and fair ADC State Congress in Enugu State.

“For the record, there was indeed a civil matter arising from a property transaction at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, which I lawfully bought through a legal practitioner. In the course of that transaction, an issue of alleged irregular signature arose and the matter was submitted to court for adjudication.

“Upon diligent inquiry and judicial review, it was established that there was no wrongdoing on my part. Consequently, parties voluntarily opted for an out-of-court settlement, and a Memorandum of Understanding was duly executed by all parties concerned.”

The statement further added,”Any subsequent attempt to impugn the authenticity of the said Memorandum of Understanding was appropriately discountenanced by a High Court of competent jurisdiction, which upheld the settlement. The certified records of the Memorandum of Understanding and the relevant judicial pronouncements are extant and available for verification, and they conclusively establish my innocence.

“Ordinarily, I would not dignify such mischief with a response. However, for the sake of the unsuspecting public and the integrity of our great party, it has become necessary to set the records straight: I, Prof. Augustine Akubue, have never been involved in any act of forgery or conspiracy.

“This contrived allegation is nothing but the handiwork of political detractors seeking to acquire power through the back door, having failed at the ballot during the Congress.

“I therefore advise Mr. Raphael Idoko and his co-travelers to desist from further acts of defamation and political brigandage, and to join hands with the duly elected leadership to build a strong, united, and victorious ADC in Enugu State.

“I remain committed to the rule of law, due process, and the democratic ideals upon which our party is founded.”