News
No petition on alleged corruption against me in UK- Akpabio denies report
Minister, Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied media report that a petition on alleged corruption against him and Scott Tommey, has been received by the UK Fraud Office, saying, the allegation is a figment of the imagination of the purveyors and sponsors of the allegation.
A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jackson Udom, called on the public to discountenance and disregard the story and see it as a calculated attempt to tarnish the hard earned image of the Minister over the years.
The statement titled: RE UK Fraud Office Receives Petition Against Akpabio, Scott Tommey, Begins Investigation, reads:
“The attention of the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has been drawn to a fabricated fairytale making the rounds and written by one Jackson Ude and published by Pointblank news on the aforementioned subject.
“Ordinarily, the Honourable Minister would have ignored the gibberish, except that it is expedient for purposes of setting the records in order to clear the air over the falsehood perpetrated by serial blackmailers whose stock-in-trade is to indulge in smear campaigns for pecuniary reasons.
“First and foremost, it is important to state as a preliminary point that His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio is not aware of the pendency of any petition/ investigation against him at the United Kingdom Serious Fraud Office.
“Howbeit, It is safe to say that the purported petition, investigation merely exist as a figment of imagination in the minds of the blackmail merchant(s).
“For the records, Senator Akpabio does not own any Foreign Account or business in the United Kingdom. He has no investment through a proxy. The centrality of his political life or career has been pro publico bono( for public good). He has made huge sacrifices as a consummate politician to better the lot of many who have come in contact with him.
“The former Senate Minority Leader knows Scott Ikot Tommey as a businessman, just as he knows a host of other businessmen and contractors with the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).
Senator Akpabio supervises the NDDC and has worked tirelessly to make a mark in the past few years as the supervisory Minister over the Commission.
“At the risk of repetition, it is categorically denied herein that Scott Tommey is and has been a business front for money laundering on behalf of Senator Akpabio. Scott Tommey’s contractual engagements with the NDDC predates Senator Akpabio’s appointment as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“It is therefore manifestly evident that the publishers of Pointblank news cannot attest to the veracity of this spuriously fabricated blackmail which offends the ethos of modern journalism.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio, possesses a sterling personality that transcends cheap blackmail. His meteoric rise in life, economic acumen, garnered in his over 35 years of successful law practice and his experiences in the private sector, his political clout stand him out as a Nigerian politician and business man of influence.
“He served as Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State for six solid years; Governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, Minority Leader of the 8th Senate and currently serves as member of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria.
“Senator Akpabio is a credible Nigerian who has over the years been committed to the transformation of Nigeria. He has shown great commitment in service in more than two decades of being in public office.
“We challenge the authors of this blackmail to publish and substantiate such claims and documents which they allege link(s) the Honourable Minister to Money laundering.
“The general public should discountenance the said publication and the publisher(s) of this infantile and unverifiable defamatory publication. They must, within seven clear days, retract the said publication with an apology or face the wrath of the law on criminal defamation”.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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