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Subsidy pain: Tinubu under pressure as Labour, ASUU, protesters condemn relief plans
The groaning occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy grew louder on Monday as the Nigerian Labour Congress said it was ready to fight the economic pains and hardship caused by the Federal Government’s decision.
Also, university workers under the aegis of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the University of Lagos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Congress of University Academics and protesting members of the Edo Civil Society Organisations lamented the subsidy removal and it attendant pains. The varsity unions decried the situation, saying the subsidy was ’unintelligently removed.’
The National Assistant Secretary, NLC, Chris Onyeka, said the Central Working Committee of the congress would hold an important meeting today and take a position.
He said all issues around the suffering of the masses because of the recent price hike in PMS price would be addressed at the meeting.
“We are going to give the Federal Government an ultimatum. We have given them enough leverage to take care of Nigerians and make amends, but they have refused to make amends. Let them prepare themselves because we are preparing. We are ready to fight back,” he said,
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress has faulted plans to allow state governments to roll out palliatives to citizens to cushion the effects of the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
President Bola Tinubu had during his inaugural address on May 29 announced the end of the fuel subsidy regime which instantly shut up the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol from N165 per litre to N540. The product currently sells for between N568 and N617 per litre.
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Speaking on the economic pains brought about by the fuel hikes, the National President, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, in an interview with The PUNCH on Monday, explained that no specific progress had been recorded since the fuel subsidy was removed, adding that Nigerians were in anguish and distraught.
He noted, “The government removed the subsidy very unintelligently; now that they have removed the subsidy, nothing has changed except that people can’t feed, we can’t pay our children’s school fees, and people are committing suicide.
“We lamented the way the government handled this idea of subsidy removal; we welcome the removal if that will be the solution to Nigeria’s problems. But the government is not strategic with the removal, you have thrown people into anguish, into the wild forest and people are scampering.”
Elaborating on the impact of the fuel price hike on university workers and students, he said, “Most university campuses are located on the outskirts and people have to commute 15km to 20 km. How can work be done when a full tank can no longer last a week?”
He lamented that the government had yet to settle four months’ salary, stressing that none of its promises had been fulfilled.
Mohammed added, “Salary not reviewed and other promises made by the past government are not being fulfilled. They are owing us four months’ salary; the revitalisation funds have not been paid.
“If they feel the plight of Nigerians and of university staff, they will fulfil all their promises and meet up with the commitment of Earned Allowance and review salaries so that people can face their jobs. All civil servants have been exposed to hardship, so how can they stop corruption?”
Also speaking, the Chairman, ASUU, University of Lagos chapter, Prof. Kayode Adebayo, revealed that due to the fuel subsidy removal, living in Nigeria was now tough for lecturers as it was for every Nigerian.
He called on the government to galvanise the system and put smiles on the faces of the citizens.
Adebayo added, “All lecturers are paid peanuts; this was part of the reasons we fought against the government about the 2009 agreement. We tried to negotiate; no need to pretend, the situation is still the same. Just as it is tough for ordinary Nigerians, so it is tough for us too.
“Government is responsible for the security of the citizens. The citizen welfare has been compromised. The government needs to put a smile on the faces of Nigerians. Nigerian citizens are hardworking and understanding and that is why we say Nigerians are the most docile people in the world.
“The government needs to look at the plight of the citizens. We have what it takes to build a country that everybody will be proud of, not people who will finish (graduate) here and be looking abroad for greener pastures.”
He also told The PUNCH that the Federal Government was indebted to ASUU, saying it had refused to settle the seven and a half month’s salary incurred when the union members went on a strike last year.
Dr Adedeji Oyenuga of the Department of Sociology, Lagos State University, Ojo, said, “I have been spending more, a lot more. For my children’s car, I buy N7,000 (fuel) per week. The first increment made it N15,000 per week, but now, I do N18,000 per week with no guarantee that it would last the week. I used to fill my car tank with between N12,000 and N13,500 fuel. It rose to about N40,000, but is now N50,000.”
PUNCH
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the Managing Director of Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, Seun Ogunbambo, wanted for jumping bail in his trial over alleged oil subsidy fraud.
The EFCC made the declaration via a notice signed by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, June 13, 2025.
The anti-graft agency said Ogunbambo allegedly defrauded the federal government in bogus oil subsidy claims to the tune of N976,653,110.28.
The commission stated: “He was facing trial before a Lagos State High Court but disappeared after being released on bail.
“His co-defendants, Mamman Nasir Ali and Christian Taylor, were convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment each on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
“Light complexioned Ogunbambo speaks English and Yoruba.
“His last known address is 2, Olamiyuyan Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Friday, June 13, 2025 arraigned the duo of Halima Buba and Innocent Mbagwu before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged fraud.
The defendants, who are Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd, respectively are being prosecuted on a six-count charge, bordering on money laundering to the tune of $12 million (Twelve Million Dollars).
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd, and INNOCENT MBAGWU being the Executive Director /Chief Compliance Officer SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 10th day of March, 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court aided Femi Gbamgboye to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and associates without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2(1), 19(l)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
Count three reads: “That you, HALIMA BUBA, the Managing Director/ChiefExecutive Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd and INNOCENT MBAGWU, the Executive Director/Chief Compliance Officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd on the 13th day of March, 2025 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to make a cash payment of the sum of Three Million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) to Mukhtar Miko an associate of Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2l(a), 2( 1 ), 19(1 )( d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19 (2) (b) of the same Act.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when they read to them, following which the lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN announced the readiness of the prosecution to proceed with the trial and prayed for accelerated hearing of the case. The defence counsel, J.J. Usman, SAN on his part, reminded the court of subsisting bail applications of the defendants, dated May 27, 2025 and prayed that the court should uphold the applications and admit the defendants to bail.
The prosecution counsel in his response, described the May 27, 2025 bail application of the defendants as incompetent, given that the defendants were neither under arrest, nor in detention, nor have appeared before the court, being the grounds provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA that should precipitate a bail application, but rather applied for bail from the comfort of their homes or offices when nor action has been taken against them. He therefore prayed the court to discountenance the said bail application and urged the defendants to make fresh bail applications in court.
While the position of the prosecution met opposition from the defence, Justice Nwite, however, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100million (One Hundred Million Naira), each as well as one surety each, in like sum. The sureties he held must have landed properties in Abuja of which the particulars of the properties would be deposited with the court. The sureties are also to deposit their passports and two recent passport photographs with the court. In addition, all the documents the sureties provided, including their residences must be verified by the court before approval.
He ordered that they should be remanded in correctional facility pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions and adjourned the matter till July 17 and 18 for continuation of trial.
Political anxiety is mounting in Bayelsa State amid strong indications that Governor Douye Diri is in advanced discussions to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Politics Nigeria.
Governor Diri’s potential switch is expected to further weaken the PDP’s standing in the South-South geopolitical zone, following recent defections of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom to the APC.
Investigations reveal that Diri has opened talks with senior officials in the Presidency and has been holding consultations with key political stakeholders in Bayelsa regarding the proposed defection.
A reliable source disclosed that Diri had informed several National Assembly members representing the state of his plans and sought their views on the matter. However, not all lawmakers are reportedly on board.
“Governor Diri has spoken to members of the National Assembly about his intention to leave the PDP.
“While some are supportive, others, like Mitema Obordor (Ogbia), Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), and Maria Ebikake (Brass/Nembe), have expressed reservations.
“They believe there is no urgent need for such a political shift,” the source told Daily Sun.
The source also noted that Oboku Oforji (Yenagoa Federal Constituency) is expected to follow the lead of former governor and current Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson.
Senator Dickson is reportedly not in support of the defection but has chosen not to interfere in Diri’s decision.
Meanwhile, Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) are said to be indifferent but likely to move with the governor if the defection occurs.
Governor Diri has also reportedly instructed the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere, to gauge the opinions of lawmakers on the defection.
A senior member of the Assembly confirmed that the Speaker had begun informal consultations and was expected to formally brief the House upon his return from an overseas trip.
“The chances of the governor defecting are very high. Many of us in the Assembly are ready to follow him.
“Bayelsa cannot be the only South-South state still in the PDP, especially given the internal uncertainties.
“The constant risk of our candidacies being voided by court rulings makes the APC a more stable option,” the lawmaker said.
Former Minister of Petroleum and ex-governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, speaking in a telephone interview, said he was unaware of the reported plans but welcomed the idea.
“If Governor Diri is coming to the APC, I will be happy to receive him.
“When I first introduced the APC in Bayelsa, many dismissed it as not being an Ijaw party. But today, it’s gaining acceptance, and his defection would be a significant boost,” Sylva said.
However, Governor Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, denied knowledge of any such move.
His words: “I’m not aware of any discussions the governor has had with anyone about defecting.
“Governor Diri is a transparent leader. If he makes such a decision, he will communicate it clearly. For now, I cannot confirm anything because I simply don’t have that information.”
A 43-year-old man simply identified as Kazeem of Edun area, Ilorin, Kwara State, has died after jumping into a domestic well under the influence of a hard substance known as ‘Colo’ (Colorado)
According to LEADERSHIP, the incident happened shortly after Kazeem returned from Eid prayer on Friday.
It was gathered that men of the Kwara State Fire Service have recovered the lifeless body of Kazeem from the domestic well.
The spokesman of the State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the incident on Saturday.
He said that the firemen promptly responded to a distress call they received at about 10:29am on Friday that a man has jumped into a well at Alapo compound, Edun, Ilorin.
“The distress call was received by the Fire Service control room at about 10:29 hours, reporting that a man had fallen into a well. Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, where they successfully recovered the body from the well.
“The victim, identified as Kazeem, reportedly jumped into the well under the influence of a hard substance known as Colo (Colorado) shortly after returning from Eid prayers.
“The body was handed over to Inspector Babatunde Amos of the ‘C ‘ Division Police Station, Ilorin. The Ministry awaits formal identification and claim of the body by the victim’s family.
“The director of the Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa, admonish residents of the state to stay away from drug abuse, warning that such acts often lead to tragic outcomes,” Adekunle stated.
When Sharadindu Ghosh* was young, he was taught not to speak about his father’s leprosy. He, like many others, grew up in the lanes of Jamuria Leprosy Colony, in West Bengal, facing stigma and discrimination.
Today, years after his father’s passing and an endless struggle through poverty, Ghosh is an electrical supervisor and a mentor to local children.
“Among the uneducated population in India, people believe that this disease is given by God,” said Mervyn Basil, communications specialist at NGO Until No Leprosy Remains-India (NLR-India).
Leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem in India as per the World Health Organization’s criteria of less than 1 case per 10,000 population, at the national level, in 2005.
However now, experts say, it is quietly resurfacing, particularly in climate stressed States including West Bengal and Bihar.
Floods, displacement and overcrowding have become frequent, leading to these States seeing the disease re-emerge in pockets.
India is hailed for eliminating leprosy two decades ago, but modern effects of climate stress and poverty may lead to its reappearance.
Climate change impacts leprosy through various mechanisms, primarily by exacerbating poverty, disrupting livelihoods, and altering environmental conditions. This can lead to increased vulnerability for people with leprosy-related disabilities, particularly in areas already struggling with malnutrition and food shortages. Additionally, climate change can indirectly influence leprosy transmission by impacting mosquito and tick populations, potentially increasing the spread of other diseases in affected areas.
Here’s a more detailed look at the connections:
- Exacerbated Poverty and Vulnerability:
Disrupted Livelihoods:
Climate change events like floods, droughts, and cyclones can destroy homes, livelihoods (e.g., farming, fishing), and support systems, leaving people more vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and disability.
Increased Displacement:
Climate-induced migration can lead to overcrowding and increased risk of disease transmission, especially for communities already facing challenges with leprosy.
Reduced Access to Healthcare:
Climate change can disrupt healthcare systems, making it harder for people with leprosy to access timely treatment and care.
- Indirect Impacts on Leprosy Transmission:
Environmental Changes:
Climate change can alter natural cycles and processes that impact the spread of leprosy and other infectious diseases. For example, weakening monsoon winds can affect fishing communities and their livelihoods, potentially leading to increased poverty and disease outbreaks.
Vector-Borne Diseases:
While leprosy isn’t directly transmitted by insects like malaria or dengue, climate change can impact mosquito and tick populations, increasing the risk of other infectious diseases that can further burden already vulnerable communities.
- Specific Examples and Case Studies:
India:
While India has been successful in eliminating leprosy, climate stress and poverty may lead to its resurgence in pockets.
Sri Lanka:
A coastal community in Sri Lanka experienced a rise in leprosy cases after a fishing industry crash due to climate change, leading to migration and exposure to the disease.
Mozambique:
The coastal province of Cabo Delgado, which is both poor and has a high prevalence of leprosy, is increasingly drought-prone and was hit by Cyclone Idai, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Bangladesh:
River flooding in Northwest Bangladesh affected 4,000 leprosy-affected farmers, destroying crops and livestock.
- The Need for Integrated Action:
Climate Change Adaptation:
Addressing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including those affected by leprosy, requires a holistic approach that considers their specific needs and vulnerabilities.
Social and Economic Support:
Providing social protection, livelihood support, and healthcare services to these communities can help them cope with the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
Community Empowerment:
Empowering communities to adapt to climate change and manage their health resources is crucial for long-term sustainability.
Sapphire Egemasi, a 28-year-old Nigerian software developer once known for showcasing a life of affluence and global travel, is currently in federal custody in the United States, facing charges connected to a wide-reaching internet fraud and money laundering scheme, as reported by The Guardian Nigeria.
U.S. prosecutors allege that she was part of a syndicate that defrauded several American government institutions of millions of dollars.
Egemasi was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York. Her arrest followed a federal grand jury indictment issued in 2024, which accused her and multiple co-conspirators, led by Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, of conducting a coordinated cyber operation that targeted U.S. city governments through phishing attacks and spoofed websites.
According to Peoples Gazette, Court filings reveal that between September 2021 and February 2023, the syndicate designed and deployed fake websites mimicking official domains of American government agencies. The goal was to deceive municipal employees into entering secure login credentials, which were then used to divert funds into fraudulent accounts controlled by the group.
Egemasi’s alleged role in the scheme was central to its technical execution. Investigators claim she developed the spoofed websites used in the phishing operations and also helped route stolen funds through a series of wire transfers across various banks.
In one instance, prosecutors say the group successfully diverted $965,000 from the government of Kentucky into an account with PNC Bank. In another case, $330,000 was moved into a Bank of America account. Authorities described the transfers as highly sophisticated, masked with false documentation to resemble legitimate government disbursements.
According to investigators, Egemasi had lived in Cambridge, United Kingdom, before her arrest and had spent time in Ghana, where she is believed to have first connected with the other members of the fraud ring. She was allegedly recruited for her software programming skills and soon became the syndicate’s primary tech specialist.
To conceal the source of her income, Egemasi publicly claimed on social media that she had interned at firms such as British Petroleum, H\&M, and Zara—assertions that U.S. prosecutors say are not supported by any employment records. On platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram, she maintained the image of a young African woman thriving in tech. Her posts frequently featured designer fashion, luxury gadgets, and travel across countries, including France, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates.
Federal authorities contend that the lifestyle she advertised online was financed by proceeds of fraud. They argue that her public persona was carefully curated to deflect suspicion while she remained actively involved in the illegal operation.
Egemasi and her co-defendants are now awaiting trial in Lexington, Kentucky. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison, financial restitution, and potential deportation after serving her sentence.
The case is part of a broader crackdown by U.S. federal agencies on transnational cybercrime, especially fraud schemes that exploit public institutions. While the investigation remains ongoing, prosecutors have indicated that more individuals connected to the case may face charges.
EFCC declares Seun Ogunbambo wanted over N976.6m oil subsidy fraud
EFCC arraigns SunTrust Bank Directors over alleged $12 million money laundering scandal
NCC, stakeholders tackle rural connectivity challenges
Another PDP governor declares to join APC after Eno
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Rivers Crisis: What Tinubu told Fubara in Lagos as Pro-Wike kicks
Terrorists: Trump bans 10 fresh African countries from entering US
Why I can’t join APC – Eno’s Commissioner breaks silence
Tragedy in Kwara as man takes ‘Colo’, jumps into well after returning from Eid Prayer
Tree planting efforts could actually worsen Climate Change
Politics7 days agoRivers Crisis: What Tinubu told Fubara in Lagos as Pro-Wike kicks
Spotlights7 days agoSHOCKER: Surprising cost of renting a private jet in Nigeria
News7 days agoAnother PDP governor declares to join APC after Eno
Tech4 days agoNCC, stakeholders tackle rural connectivity challenges
Crime2 days agoEFCC arraigns SunTrust Bank Directors over alleged $12 million money laundering scandal
Crime2 days agoEFCC declares Seun Ogunbambo wanted over N976.6m oil subsidy fraud