The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared Ambassador-designate, former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Naija News reports that Fani-Kayode was cleared after his appearance before the Senate.

Fani-Kayode, who is also a former Minister of culture, was given the ‘bow-and-go’ privilege.

It was gathered that during the screening, after a brief introductions, former ministers, ambassadors and lawmakers were asked to “take a bow and leave,” in line with Senate tradition.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the continued use of the “bow and go” procedure for certain nominees, saying it is reserved for individuals with established and verifiable records of public service.

Speaking during the screening of non-career ambassadorial nominees, Bamidele explained that anyone who has previously served in the National Assembly automatically qualifies for the privilege,

He noted that their legislative history and public profile are already well known to lawmakers.

Recall that President Tinubu submitted a 32-member list of ambassadorial nominees to the Senate on November 29 for confirmation.

The list includes 15 career diplomats and 17 non-career appointees, who are expected to be posted to countries where Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations and to international organisations such as the United Nations.

The nominations attracted attention due to the inclusion of high-profile political figures. Notable names on the list include former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, former presidential aide Reno Omokri, and Fani-Kayode.

Women also feature in the list, with four career diplomats and six non-career nominees.

A United States Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft is currently conducting operations over Babana, a strategic border crossing between Nigeria and the Benin Republic known for militant smuggling activity. Babana has long served as a key transit route for armed groups, particularly Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), who exploit the porous border to smuggle weapons and supplies. Security expert, Brant Philip, confirmed the ongoing surveillance in a post on (formerly Twitter) on....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly begun compiling charges against the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over alleged misappropriation of funds.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Malami, who has been in the anti-graft agency’s custody since Monday, has been granted administrative bail but remains detained due to ongoing verification of documents submitted to meet his bail conditions.

A source within the EFCC confirmed the development to Daily Trust, stressing that the commission is concluding its investigation and intends to arraign the former AGF in court soon.

“He has been granted an administrative bail but he’s with us because he’s yet to perfect his bail conditions. The documents he submitted for bail are still being scrutinised. Once that is done, he will go,” the source explained.

The source added, “Secondly, he would be arraigned in court as soon as we conclude our investigation. Charges are already being compiled against him. We’re not bittered. This is not persecution, we’re just doing our job.”

The current probe is reportedly revisiting a series of high-profile financial transactions that trailed Malami’s tenure, including those linked to the Abacha loot recovery and other controversial payments.

In the midst of the ongoing detention and compilation of charges, Malami issued a statement strongly defending his innocence and denying any involvement in terrorism financing or other crimes.

Malami stated “My attention has been drawn to a recent publication in which my name was mentioned in connection with allegations of terrorism financing and so-called ‘links’ to persons described as terror suspects or alleged financiers.

“I consider it necessary, in the interest of truth, justice and public record, to make the following clarifications.

“First, I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence.”

He added, “Secondly, even the retired military officer cited as the principal source in the said publication categorically admitted that he was not accusing me, or other named individuals, of financing terrorism.

“His own account, as reported, was limited to a vague assertion that certain suspects allegedly had some form of ‘business’ or ‘institutional’ relationship with various persons.

“That important clarification was, unfortunately, overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions which was unfortunately politically manipulated by my political opponents to create mischievous insinuations implying my involvement in terrorism financing.

“Terrorism financing is a grave crime with devastating consequences for national security and human life. Any attempt—whether by direct allegation or indirect innuendo—to associate an individual with such an offence must be grounded in verifiable facts, due process and lawful findings, not in conjecture, speculation, or guilt by association.

“To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust.”