Former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has dismissed claims made earlier by Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, a former Minister of Budget and National Planning, who alleged that the 2013 power sector privatization was influenced by political interests rather than being based on the technical and financial capabilities of the buyers.

In a statement released by his Personal Secretary, Mr. Yinka Ibrahim, Sambo described the allegations as “false, mischievous, and hypocritical,” emphasizing that they were aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Goodluck Jonathan administration and the National Council on Privatization, which he chaired at the time.

“My attention was drawn to a shocking statement attributed to Dr. Usman, suggesting that political considerations influenced the selection of preferred bidders during the privatization process. This is utterly ridiculous and a complete falsehood,” the statement declared.

Dr. Usman had made the remarks at a recent event in Abuja, claiming that political figures within the Jonathan administration vied for stakes in the privatized power companies.

Sambo, however, rejected these claims as unfounded, stating, “As Chairman of the Privatization Council, I carried out the responsibilities in line with established procedures and in the best interest of the nation, which was widely acknowledged by both local and international communities.”

He also noted, “It is on record that the Minister of Power at the time had to resign due to apparent conflict of interest in the privatization process.”

“And to further ensure transparency in the privatization process, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies; the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) were included as statutory members of the Council.”

The statement challenged Dr. Usman to provide “specific detail of the ‘foul plays’ or names of persons or organizations he claimed was politically favored or compromised.”

Sambo questioned the timing and motive behind the former minister’s comments, pointing out that Dr. Usman was deeply involved in the privatization process and chaired several committees.

“It is surprising that he would make such accusations more than a decade later. One can only wonder if this is an attempt to curry favor with the current administration,” the statement added.

Finally, Sambo advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to exercise caution in dealing with Dr. Usman, describing him as inconsistent and disloyal.

“It is unfortunate to see someone who was so close to power and indeed the privatization process now turning around to discredit it. This is a classic case of biting the hand that fed him,” the statement concluded.

The National Assembly has officially transmitted the tax reform bills to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), revealed during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.

President Tinubu had initially sent four tax reform bills to the National Assembly last year, requesting their consideration and passage.

The bills sparked intense debates but were eventually approved by both chambers. On May 25, 2025, the harmonised versions from both chambers were adopted and prepared for transmission to the President.

Senator Adaramodu explained the process, saying, “Yes, the bill has now been transmitted. It is out of our hands and on its way to the executive.”

He further highlighted the thoroughness required in handling such legislation, adding, “Tax bills like these require careful scrutiny. Legal departments in both chambers must ensure they align with existing laws before we send them to the Presidency.”

The senator also clarified that the process takes time, noting, “It’s not a matter of two or three days. After harmonisation, the Clerk of the National Assembly prepares the final document. Only then can the Senate President and the Speaker sign off for transmission.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned the Accountant-General of Bauchi State, Mr. Sirajo Jaja, alongside a Bureau de Change (BDC) operator, Aliyu Abubakar, on fresh allegations of money laundering involving state funds.

The duo appeared before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, where they were presented with a five-count amended charge. Both Jaja and Abubakar pleaded not guilty.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this marks a re-arraignment following their initial court appearance on April 7, when Jaja, Abubakar, and Abubakar’s company, Jasfad Resources Enterprise, were arraigned as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants respectively.

Under the amended charge, filed with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2025, Abubakar, described as trading under the name and style of Jasfad Resources Enterprise, is now the 1st defendant, while Jaja is listed as the 2nd.

During the hearing, EFCC counsel Abba Mohammed, SAN, informed the court of the amended charge, stating:

“May I draw the attention of the court to the proof of evidence filed in May 30 and another one filed in June 16.
We pray that the amended charge be read to the defendants.”

Lawyers for the defendants, Gordy Uche, SAN (for Abubakar) and Chief Chris Uche, SAN (for Jaja), did not oppose the application. After the charges were read, the two defendants entered not guilty pleas.

The defence then requested that the existing bail conditions previously granted to the defendants be maintained. With no objection from the prosecution, the court ruled that:

The duo should continue under the same bail terms.

Though Mohammed told the court that a prosecution witness was present to testify, both defence teams sought an adjournment to allow time to review new materials recently served.

“We will be constraint to ask for an adjournment. The additional proof of evidence, especially number two, was just served on us late yesterday. I have not even have the opportunity to confront my client with it.
Secondly, this morning, we were served with this amended charge. Even though we have not read through it, we felt we should not stall the proceedings,” Abubakar’s lawyer said.

Chief Uche also echoed the request for more preparation time. With no opposition from the prosecution, Justice Egwuatu granted the adjournment, fixing the trial to begin on July 21.

In the first count of the amended charge, the EFCC alleged that Abubakar, operating through Jasfad Resources Enterprise, conspired with Jaja, and others, Abubakar Hafiz, Ari Manga, and Muhammed Bose (who are still at large), between 2024 and 2025, to commit money laundering.

The Commission accused the group of converting public funds from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) into Jasfad Resources Enterprise’s account in the same bank.

The charge further states that this act was:

“Contrary to Section 21(a) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Additionally, the alleged fund transfers violated provisions of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, specifically:

“Contrary to Sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act Cap F34 LFN 2010 and punishable under Section 29(2) of the same Act,”

The trial is now set to commence on July 21, 2025.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to accept the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) notification for its upcoming 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, citing a procedural violation in how the notice was submitted.

In a letter dated June 13, 2025, and addressed to PDP’s National Chairman, INEC pointed out that the notification did not align with the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

The Commission referred specifically to Part 2(12)3, which outlines that:

“The National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit same to the Commission.”

The letter, signed by INEC’s Acting Secretary, Hajiya Hau’ru Aminu, highlighted that the PDP’s submitted notice failed to meet this requirement.

“The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance… Be guided,” the letter stated.

Although the PDP filed the notice within the 21-day legal timeframe, it was reportedly endorsed solely by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, without the signature of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, a key procedural lapse.

According to the PDP’s earlier communication to INEC, dated May 30, 2025, the NEC meeting is scheduled for June 30 at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The gathering is expected to deliberate on a number of internal matters, including unresolved leadership tensions, ratification of zonal congresses, and the review of various committee reports.

The party has been grappling with deep-seated internal conflict in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, which led to waves of defections.

High-profile exits included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, among other political stakeholders in the state, who all joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in April.

In response, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened an emergency meeting that same month at the party’s Abuja secretariat to discuss the crisis.

More recently, on June 9, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and members of the influential G5 group held a meeting in which they called for the PDP to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, signaling early moves in shaping the party’s political direction.

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, has launched a series of consultations in an effort to unite key opposition figures.

His discussions with politicians such as Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai are aimed at forming a broader coalition to challenge what he has described as the emergence of a de facto “one-party state” under the ruling APC.

However, not everyone in the party supports the coalition idea.

Some prominent PDP members, including Bode George, remain optimistic that the party will regroup and emerge stronger ahead of the planned NEC meeting.