News

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday arrested and detained three officials of Nasarawa Local Government Council and a Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Mustapha Maifada, over an alleged diversion of N105 million.

Credible sources told SolaceBase that the council’s Director of Personnel Management, Treasurer, and Cashier were instructed to allocate N105,000 for a program but allegedly issued a cheque of N105 million to the governor’s aide in November 2024.

Acting on intelligence from a monitoring team overseeing local government finances, the commission launched an investigation into the alleged fraud.

During interrogation, the detained officials claimed the payment was a mistake—an explanation the anti-graft agency rejected, citing the time lapse and other evidence gathered.

A source disclosed that the suspects might have turned to the police after sensing the arrangement had failed.

Further investigation reportedly revealed that Maifada had used the funds to acquire properties.

The commission stated that investigations are ongoing and prosecution may follow.

Attempts to reach the commission’s chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, and spokesman, Kabir Abba, were unsuccessful, as their phone lines were either unavailable or unanswered.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senior officials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are up in arms over the appointment of consultants by Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

The officials accused them of wielding undue influence and earning excessively high salaries.

The consultants, Nkiru Balonwu and Daphne Dafinone, reportedly bypass the bank’s hierarchy, issue directives to directors, and earn significantly more than top executives.

Dafinone, who is set to face a fraud trial, allegedly takes home ₦35 million monthly, while Balonwu earns ₦50 million—surpassing even the CBN governor’s salary.

Their appointment, made without a competitive process, has sparked widespread discontent among CBN staff, who view the salaries as obscene and the consultants’ influence as disruptive to the bank’s operations.

By Uzair Adam

With over 837,000 out-of-school children in Kano, the state government has intensified efforts to address the crisis, beginning with a comprehensive assessment tour of rural communities ahead of a planned sensitization campaign.

The Kano State Ministry of Education embarked on the tour to identify the root causes of the problem and engage with communities to find lasting solutions.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve access to education, especially in underserved areas.

Led by the State Coordinator for Girl Child Education, Hajiya Amina Kassim, the assessment team visited several rural settlements, including Bange village in Albasu Local Government Area and Mawashi in Garko Local Government Area.

During the visit, the team engaged with parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to understand the challenges keeping children out of school.

Speaking to residents, Hajiya Kassim emphasized that poverty, insecurity, and socio-cultural norms are key factors contributing to the alarming number of out-of-school children.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges, citing the recent declaration of a state of emergency on education as proof of its dedication to reforms.

“The state government is taking bold steps to improve education outcomes, and this tour is a crucial part of that process.

“We will ensure that our sensitization campaign reaches areas most affected by this issue,” she stated.

Vice Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Alhaji Garba Adamu Wudil, described the assessment tour as a critical step in designing effective strategies to curb the crisis.

He stressed that direct engagement with communities would provide valuable insights into the complexities surrounding access to education.

In their remarks, the village head of Kafin Malamai in Garko, Mukhtar Aliyu, and the representative of the village head of Bange, Yau Ibrahim Bange, commended the government’s initiative.

They appealed for the establishment of more secondary schools in their communities to accommodate the growing number of students completing junior secondary education.

The government’s assessment tour sets the stage for a more focused and community-driven approach to tackling the out-of-school children crisis in Kano State.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Kano State Police Command has deployed 554 newly trained Police Constables to divisional offices and specialized departments across the state.

This move aligns with the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to strengthen community security and policing efforts.

During a ceremony at the Command’s Headquarters in Bompai, Kano, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, congratulated the constables on completing their training.

He urged them to uphold discipline, integrity, and professionalism in their duties.

CP Garba was quoted as saying, “You must be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force, adhering to the Police Act 2020 and respecting human rights. Your role is to serve and protect the community while maintaining the rule of law.”

He also advised the constables to plan for their future, including retirement, as they begin their assignments.

The deployment is part of the IGP’s broader vision to enhance community policing and ensure law and order nationwide.

By Maryam Ahmad

Remita has commenced the sale of ePINs for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry following JAMB’s official announcement.

Sales will run from February 3 to April 7, 2025. Candidates can purchase ePINs via the Remita website, mobile app, and authorised agents nationwide.

Chinedu Alisa, Head of Enterprise Assets at Remita, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to accessible education, ensuring seamless payments for students regardless of location. He warned against unauthorised price hikes, stressing that ePINs must be sold at JAMB’s approved rates.

Remita has also empowered agents and schools to facilitate sales while offering bulk purchase commissions, reinforcing a fair and transparent registration process.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Fatima Alkali Saleh, a bright student from Yobe State, has been awarded a full scholarship by Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, Chairman of ThinkLab Group, after scoring an impressive 336 in the 2024 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam.

The scholarship covers her tuition and essential academic tools, including a laptop and technical drawing instruments, supporting her ambition to study architecture.

Dr. Kori praised Fatima’s dedication, stating that her excellence aligns with ThinkLab Group’s vision of empowering future leaders.

Fatima expressed gratitude for the life-changing opportunity, vowing to give back to her community. Her achievement stands as an inspiration for students across Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Justice Binta Nyako made the ruling on Monday after Kanu insisted that she could not preside over his case, citing her previous decision to recuse herself.

The court’s decision effectively suspends proceedings until further notice.

More details to follow…

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Shafi’u Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 61 Police Mobile Force in Kontagora, Niger State, has reportedly taken his own life.  

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, 8 February 2025, when the officer was found hanging from the ceiling of his room. His father, Mallam Usman Bawa, alerted the authorities after discovering the tragic scene.  

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that the deceased’s body has been released to his family for burial.  

“The reason behind his action is yet to be determined, and the matter is under investigation,” Abiodun stated.  

Further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa student has been apprehended for allegedly murdering a fellow student in a violent confrontation. 

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of John Gambo, a second-year Banking and Finance student, in connection with the death of Ibrahim Matthew, a Computer Science student at the institution.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ramhan Nansel, the arrest followed a complaint from Madam Mercy-Bassey, a resident who witnessed the violent confrontation between the two students. 

When police arrived at the scene, they found Matthew lying in a pool of blood. He was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Nasarawa but was pronounced dead due to the extent of his injuries.

The suspect, Gambo, was arrested and reportedly confessed to using an axe and a knife to attack his victim. The Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, has instructed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia for further investigation and prosecution.

By S. A Ishaq

A group known as Senator Shehu Sani Support Group (SSSG) has publicly declared its support for Governor Uba Sani and his administration in Kaduna State. 

Speaking during a press conference in Kaduna, the group expressed their support, stating that their endorsement was based on the governor’s demonstration of commitment to good governance and a prosperous Kaduna State. 

The group’s Chairman, Comrade Yusha Abdul, said, “Governor Uba Sani is genuinely committed to fostering unity, peace and prosperity in Kaduna State”. 

Comrade Yushau added, “Governor Uba Sani is reshaping Kaduna State through his people-oriented policies in security, economic growth, and social development.” 

This endorsement comes amidst escalating political tensions between Governor Uba Sani and his former political ally, ex-Governor Nasiru El-Rufai.