National News
SERAP writes Trump, seeks list of Nigerian officials hiding loot in US banks

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged US President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration “to promptly identify US-based proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates and to ensure the full recovery and return of any such stolen assets to Nigeria.”
SERAP said any return of proceeds of corruption from Nigeria must meet strict transparency and accountability standards to ensure the funds are used solely for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
SERAP urged him to direct the US Department of Justice to promptly initiate civil asset forfeiture proceedings against proceeds of corruption traced to former and current Nigerian public officials and their associates so as to fulfill several non-controversial commitments by the US to assist Nigeria in asset recovery matters.
The organisation also urged him to identify and publish the names of former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for corruption and the depositing of its proceeds in US banks, and to apply existing US presidential proclamations to temporarily ban such officials from entering the US.
In the letter dated 18 January 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Diezani Alison-Madueke’s looted assets and other recently returned assets represent a tiny fraction of the over $500 billions that have been reportedly stolen from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction.”
“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the UN Convention against Corruption to which both the US and Nigeria are states parties.”
According to SERAP, “Proceeds of corruption from Nigeria continue to be deposited in US banks or in other locations subject to US jurisdictions.”
The request followed the recently returned $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds linked to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The letter, read in part: “We hope you and your incoming government address the legal impediments that have continued to allow corrupt Nigerian government officials to deposit and conceal their ill-gotten assets in the US and other locations subject to US jurisdiction.”
Returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria is a development imperative. By returning proceeds of corruption to Nigeria, the US would be contributing to the efforts to address the growing poverty in the country and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“The US has the obligations under the relevant provisions of the UN Convention against Corruption to trace, freeze and seize proceeds of corruption from Nigeria and located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction and to return the assets to the Nigerian people.”
“A whole chapter of the Convention is devoted to international cooperation in the recovery and return of stolen assets including from Nigeria (chapter V, comprising 9 articles).”
SERAP is concerned that corruption remains a major obstacle to sustainable development, the rule of law and the effective enjoyment of socio-economic rights in Nigeria. Implementing the recommended measures would contribute to addressing these governance challenges.
“Corrupt practices have long been accepted as a fact of life and an inalienable part of the country’s ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] and the governmental power structures across several states.”
“Nigeria’s auditor-general office annually documents widespread and systemic corruption in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) including in the petroleum, education, health and water sectors, plunging millions of Nigerians further into poverty. The auditor-general office has declared trillions of naira as missing or diverted.”
“SERAP urges you to promptly share information with relevant Nigerian civil society organizations on stolen assets of Nigerian origin located in the US or otherwise subject to US jurisdiction, as required by Articles 46(4) and 56 of the UN Convention Against Corruption.”
“Imposing a temporary travel ban on former and current Nigerian public officials suspected to be responsible for keeping proceeds of corruption in the US or in locations subject to US jurisdiction would not violate due process and presumption of innocence principles, as long as the reasons for the sanctions are communicated to those that may be affected.”
According to reports, the U.S. Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced an agreement to promptly repatriate approximately $52.88 million in forfeited corruption proceeds.”
“These funds were forfeited to the United States as part of the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. The forfeited assets had been illegally acquired using funds linked to money laundering and a conspiracy to bribe former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke.”
National News
Breaking: Tinubu approves recruitment of 50 doctors, 100 nurses for inmates

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has approved the employment of 50 doctors and 100 nurses to cater for the medical needs of inmates in correctional centres across the country.
In a statement signed Thursday in Qbuja, Special Assistant to the the minister on media, Alao Babatunde, said the president also gave approval for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to post medical doctors to correctional centres for the service year, in realization of the need to protect the rights of the weakest in society.
The minister, according to the statement also announced the approval of the extension of service beyond retirement age for existing medical personnel under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to cover for shortfalls in the short term.
“Before his appointment as Minister, a state like Rivers State lacked an adequate number of medical personnel to cater to inmates, hence the need for the employment intervention.
“The Minister notes that the recruitment exercise would alleviate unemployment, as it will become a continuous exercise.
“The Minister also announced the completion of the renovation of the Kuje Correctional Centre, noting that the facility has experienced a facelift from what it used to be into a befitting edifice.
“It is entirely new; from the cells to the water supply, to the hospital, amongst others, as we are making sure Mr. President’s magnanimity is felt across all areas. For the President, it is about building a system that will stand the test of time, as he is not just providing short-term solutions to long-term problems. He is not providing long-term solutions to short-term problems, but providing short-term solutions to short-term problems and long-term solutions to long-term problems, which is encouraging,” the statement said
Babatunde added that also announced the presidential approval for the establishment of a National Paramilitary Academy, reinstating the need to establish a degree-awarding institution where young citizens will be trained in paramilitary engagement.
“We need a degree-awarding institution, like the Nigerian Defence Academy, that will train young persons after securing admissions through the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
“When they come out, they come out as officers, properly trained to contribute their quota to national security,” he said.
On visa issuance, the Minister noted that the process is taking a new dimension, adding that all Nigerian visas will now be applied for online and processed (approved or rejected) within 48 to 72 hours.
On the security of lives and property, the Minister reiterated government efforts in sanitising the Private Guard sector.
“We are ensuring that the sector is structurally built in such a way that it can add value to the security architecture of the country. We are in the process of deploying what we call the Guard Management System for the automation of processes along that line.”
The statement acknowledged the support of the President in achieving the mandates of all agencies under the ministry.
National News
Breaking: Reps approve Tinubu’s N54.990 trn 2025 budget

House of Representatives has passed the 2025 budget.
The budget which is N54.990 trillion was approved on Thursday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on December 18, 2024, presented the budget estimates before a joint session of the National Assembly, requesting the approval for an estimated initial aggregate expenditure of N49.74 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.
However, the President again requested the parliament to increase the aggregate figure from N49.7 trillion to N54.2 trillion, citing additional revenues generated by key government agencies.
The Appropriation Bill enjoyed a unanimous adoption by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
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National News
Nuhu Ribadu faults Canadian Embassy over visa ban on Chief of Defense, others

Canadian Embassy in Nigeria has denied the country’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, and some other senior military officers visas for an official engagement.
Speaking, Thursday at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, expressed his displeasure, stating that Canada “can go to hell.”
The CDS had earlier shared his frustration over the incident, revealing that he and his team were invited to an event honoring war veterans in Canada but were denied visas.
He said, “Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There’s an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there,” Musa said.
“We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It’s very disappointing. This is a clear reminder that we must stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted.”
Reacting to the situation, Ribadu did not hold back his criticism, calling the visa denial an act of disrespect.
“Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell,” Ribadu declared.
“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful and strong. I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work.”
He also commended the CDS for his leadership in combating insecurity, emphasizing that all security agencies are now working together across various regions of the country.
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