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Court convicts Ex-NASS member, declares legislative aides public officers

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Nkem Okereh 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Onamusi Onadeko.

A statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Public Communications, J. Okor Odey on Saturday, further stated that the Court also declared legislative aides as public officers.

Onadeko, who represented Ogun East Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003, was in the year 2017 charged to court by the ICPC over his alleged involvement in the award and execution of a N68.7 million contract.

The ICPC had in the 11-count amended charge accused the convict of using his private companies, Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines Limited, to execute several constituency projects while working as a Senior Legislative Aide to late Senator Buruji Kashamu, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District between 2015-2019.

The Commission, had in the course of the eight years trial told the court that several contracts like buying of ambulance vehicles, supply of hospital equipment and drugs for Primary Health Centres, as well as construction of classrooms for some selected schools in six communities of Ogun East Senatorial District, were awarded to both Stanton Engineering Limited and Haines and Baines, where the Senior Legislative Aide doubles as a Managing Director and nominal Director respectively, an action that violates Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

ICPC also accused Onadeko of making an inconsistent statement that contradicted the one previously made to the Commissioner for Oaths where he stated that he is a Director of Haines and Baines Limited in an affidavit dated 30th June, 20216, but subsequently wrote another statement while under investigation on 5th May, 2017 that he is not a shareholder or Director of Haines and Baines Limited. This action violates Section 25(1)(b) of the ICPC Act and, upon conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand naira or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

However, Hon. Onadeko, through his Counsel, Wahab Olatoyebi argued in the course of the trial that his client was not a public officer as his appointment at that material time was on a short-term basis and non-pensionable, hence he, (Onadeko) did not fall within the category of those that could be tried under Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 which criminalize and punish abuse of office by public officers.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, 30th July, 2026, Honourable Justice Chizoba Oji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court rejected the defence’s argument. Relying on the defendant’s letter of appointment as well as the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Federal Government of Nigeria v. Farouk Lawan, the court held that legislative aides are public officers and therefore could be prosecuted under the relevant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The court also found Hon. Onadeko guilty on Count 11 for making inconsistent statements but discharged and acquitted the defendant on Counts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Following allocutus by defence counsel, Justice Oji sentenced the convict to nine months’ imprisonment with an option of a fine of ₦50,000.

This significant judgement has therefore affirmed that Personal Assistants (PAs), Special Assistants (SAs), Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Legislative Aides (LAs), Senior Legislative Aides (SLAs), and other similar appointees to public office holders, who receive salaries, allowances, or other emoluments from public funds, qualify as public officers within the meaning of the ICPC Act, 2000. 

The court further held that this position applies notwithstanding that such appointments may be temporary, fixed-term, or non-pensionable.

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Business and Economy

NCC commends Glo’s efforts on customer service     

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) the telecoms industry regulator, has commended Globacom on  its outstanding performance in consumer complaint management and resolution.

In a letter to the company, which was signed by Kabiru S. Haruna, Principal Manager, Consumer Protection & Advocacy

Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB), the Commission expressed happiness at Globacom’s treatment and resolution of customer issues during the month of August, 2026.

The letter read in part: “We are pleased to note that your organization achieved and surpassed the Commission’s complaint resolution thresholds of 90% and 97% for Level 2 (L2) complaints. This accomplishment reflects your commitment to regulatory compliance, consumer satisfaction, and the continuous improvement of service delivery.”

NCC noted that Globacom’s dedication to timely complaint resolution and adherence to established Service Level Agreements (SLAs) put in place by the Commission has contributed significantly to enhancing consumer confidence and promoting a positive customer experience within the telecommunications sector.

The Commission further encouraged Globacom to sustain this level of outstanding performance while continuing to implement measures aimed at further improving service quality and consumer satisfaction.

Globacom noted that constant training of its customer-interfacing staff and investment in the latest technology were  responsible for observed improvement. The company promised not to relent in this regard.

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TCN, NISO, KEDCO, others meet in Kano to map out outage, load diversion on Kumbotso-Dan Agundi 132KV transmission line

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By Chidera Orji

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Kano Region, has held a coordinating meeting with Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), project contractors, and Kano State Ministry of Works, aimed at discussing a proposed outage and load diversion for the elongation of Towers 27 and 28 on the Kumbotso–Dan Agundi 132kV Transmission Line.

The meeting, which was held on Monday, October 5, , at the Regional Conference Room, Kano, was chaired by General Manager (Transmission), Kano Region, Engr. M. K. Bello, according to press statement made available to DISCLOSURE News by the Management of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), yesterday.

In his opening remarks, Engr. Bello expressed confidence in the contractors’ competence but emphasized that they must thoroughly assess all proposed technical connections and switching arrangements before implementation to ensure operational safety and network reliability.

Also speaking at the meeting, the NISO Regional Operations Coordinator (ROC), Engr. Kunle Egbedinni, stressed the need for strict Grid Code compliance, particularly the requirement to submit planned outage applications at least 14 days in advance for approval.

The Head, Operations and Maintenance, KEDCO, Engr. Sabiu Haruna proposed diverting the load served by Dan Agundi 132kV Substation to alternative substations, including Dakata 132kV, Tamburawa 132kV, Rimin Zakara 330kV, Kumbotso 330kV, and Wudil 132kV substations, within a proposed two-day outage window.

Participants reviewed network capacity and alternative supply arrangements for the exercise. They observed that Hadejia 132kV Substation could not absorb the full 60MW load earmarked for diversion, and assessed supply options from the Tamburawa, Rimin Zakara and Dakata substations. They also emphasised the need to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

The meeting concluded with all stakeholders committing to strengthen inter-agency coordination, ensure regulatory compliance, and facilitate timely project execution.

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General News

APC appoints Wike, Gov Adeleke as campaign coordinators

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a revised list of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

It appointed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to key campaign positions.

Wike will coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, while Adeleke has been named the campaign coordinator for Osun State.

The appointments were contained in a notice obtained on Tuesday, which announced the inauguration of the campaign council for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The revised list also names Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as Director of Finance, while Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Zacch Adedeji, chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), will coordinate fundraising.

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been listed among the campaign council advisers alongside Obafemi George, who will also advise on media matters.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has been appointed Deputy Director-General for South II, while Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule will serve as South-South Deputy Coordinator for State Assemblies mobilisation.

Minister of Works David Umahi has also been named Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Sensitisation.

In the media and communications team, the list includes Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Lere Olayinka, media aide to Wike, and Segun Sowunmi.

Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has been appointed Deputy Director for Sports Sector Mobilisation, while businessman Ayiri Emami will serve as Director of Special Duties.

Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has been named Director of Stakeholder Mobilisation, while former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will coordinate stakeholder mobilisation in the South-West.

Senator Abdulaziz Yari retains his position as Director-General of the campaign council, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole serving as Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation and Femi Gbajabiamila as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State also retains his position as secretary of the council. APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as deputy secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.

Dele Alake remains the campaign council’s spokesman, while James Faleke will oversee election planning, coordination and monitoring as Deputy Director-General.

The revised list follows controversy over the composition of the campaign council initially unveiled in August.

President Tinubu had constituted the council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with himself as chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima as vice chairman. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda was also named a vice chairman.

Yari was appointed Director-General, while the initial list generated controversy over the inclusion and exclusion of some political figures and party leaders.

The Presidency had previously dismissed reports that the list was withdrawn for a comprehensive review, maintaining that it remained valid but could be adjusted where necessary.

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Dare explained that the campaign structure was still being developed and that additional names would be included in the subcommittees yet to be constituted.

“As it is with every other list, there’s a room for subcommittees. Those subcommittees have not been formed, and so many other names will come into that subcommittee,” he had said.

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