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2023 Budget: Finance Ministry in trouble over N424bn ‘Padding’

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The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is on the spot over the alleged insertion of projects amounting to N423.8bn in the 2023 budget proposal of some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), Daily Trust reports.
Federal lawmakers have raised concerns about the abuse of the budget process following submissions by some government agencies that some amounts were inserted into their estimates without their knowledge allegedly by the ministry of finance.
Officials from the National Universities Commission (NUC), Ministries of Defence, Power and Humanitarian Affairs, during ongoing National Assembly budget hearings, disowned some line items running into billions of naira in their 2023 budget proposals.

They told lawmakers that they could not explain what the sums are meant for or the details of the projects tied to the funds since they were not part of their proposals sent to the finance ministry for the 2023 fiscal year.  They blamed the finance ministry for inserting the money into their budgets.

But the finance ministry denied padding up the budget for any agency, saying the proposals as submitted by the ministries, departments and agencies is what President Muhammadu Buhari presented to the National Assembly.

Civil society organisations have urged the National Assembly to be vigilant and ensure that all suspicious budget items are expunged from the fiscal document before it is passed.

Budgeting process

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In preparing the federal government budget, all agencies, using the guidelines and budget ceiling, prepare and submit their estimates for the next fiscal year to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

The ministry, after review, aggregates the budget in the form of consolidated estimates of revenue and expenditure and then sends it to the president for approval.

The president on receipt of the proposal as approved by the budget and planning ministry present the draft estimate to the Federal Executive Council for further consideration and approval after which the draft estimate is sent to the National Assembly in form of an appropriation bill.

The padding allegation

Amid these processes, some line items are said to be inserted into the fiscal estimates without the consent of the supposed beneficiary agencies, resulting in duplication of projects or excess budgetary allocations, with the opportunity for the quiet looting of the public coffers.

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In most cases, the agencies concerned are silent about the insertions called budget padding except when they are detected by lawmakers during budget scrutiny.

N12bn inserted in NUC budget

On November 5, 2022, the Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Abubakar Rashid, told the joint Senate and House Committee on Tertiary Education and TETfund during budget defence, that N12 billion was inserted by the Ministry of Finance into the agency budget.

He said, “In NUC’s budget we have a problem. We had additional money given to us that we didn’t request, but I later went to the Ministry of Finance to find out because our budget was always hovering around N3 billion with about N2 billion for personnel, about N700-N800 million for capital, about N700 million for overhead. But last year, we saw an additional N12 billion given for World Bank projects. The World Bank projects are not processed through this mode.”

N10.8bn found in defence ministry budget

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Also on November 17, the Ministry of Defence during a budget hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Defence blamed the finance ministry for the N10.8bn inserted into their budget.

The vice chairman of the committee, Senator Istifanus Gyang, said N8.6bn is discovered to have been allocated for the purchase of military hardware and N2.25bn for Safe School Initiative.

“The two items, when critically viewed, were not supposed to be in the ministry’s budget since hardware procurements are done by the army, navy and air force; and the Safe School Initiative by the Federal Ministry of Education,” he said.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, said the money was inserted into the ministry’s budget by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Humanitarian affairs ministry disowns N206bn insertion

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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Faruk, on November 21, disowned N206 billion inserted into her ministry’s 2023 budget estimates.

Farouq, at a budget defence session with the Senate Committee on Special Duties, said the money was inserted by the Ministry of Finance without her ministry’s consent.

She said her ministry requested funds to execute some projects for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the National Social Safety Net Project in the 2022 budget.

She expressed surprise that the money, which was not released in 2022, was inflated in the 2023 budget of the ministry.

N195bn for bilateral, multilateral projects in power ministry budget

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On November 1, the Senate Committee on Power also discovered N195bn earmarked as counterpart funding for bilateral and multilateral projects in the ministry of power’s 2023 budget proposal. The chairman of the committee, Senator Gabriel Suswam, in an interview, said his panel, after interfacing with the officials of the ministry during the budget defence session, found out that even the ministry was not aware of the projects.

Suswam said budgetary allocations for such projects are being made every year but they are never seen, and that the power ministry could not explain how the money is expended.

Lawmakers angry

Senators and House of Representatives members said the revelations by heads of agencies, blaming the finance ministry for unknown line items in their budget estimates vindicated members of the National Assembly who are mostly being accused of budget padding.

They said the situation is worrisome, especially at a time the country requires fiscal discipline in the face of falling revenue and increasing deficits.

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Speaking on his committee’s budget hearings with the Ministry of Power, Senator Suswam said it was unfortunate that monies are being allocated as counterpart funding for the implementation of bilateral projects, which are not in existence.

Suswam said his committee would summon the finance minister for explanations on the projects and how the yearly allocations are being expended.

Also, Senator Elisha Abbo, while reacting to the humanitarian affairs minister’s submission disowning the N206 billion inserted in her ministry’s budget, said the government could not continue to borrow money and plunge the country into debt.

He said, “This is serious. We cannot continue to borrow money and plunge this country into debt for our children to come and pay without investing in what they will see.”  The Senate Committee on Special Duties resolved to summon the finance minister to explain the N206 billion tucked in the ministry’s budget.

Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf, who chairs the committee said, “I want to move a motion that the minister of finance should appear before this committee to furnish this committee with details of what they intend to do with N206 billion in 2023 budget.

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“Now that the minister has said that she is not in charge of negotiation with the World Bank and of course she is not, the minister of finance must appear before us and explain what the huge amount is meant for”.

Speaking on the N10.8 billion tucked in the defence ministry’s 2023 budget, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who chairs the Defence Committee of the Senate, said the insertion would be expunged.

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Crime

Tragedy in Anambra: Missing Young Woman, Messioma Nwaora, Reportedly Found Dead in Uga

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A young woman identified as Messioma Nwaora, who was earlier reported missing, has reportedly been found dead in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Unverified reports circulating on social media allege that her former boyfriend, identified as Chima Emmanuel and said to be from Ebonyi State, killed her after she ended their relationship. The reports further claim that he strangled her with clothing, placed her body in a bag and transported it on a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an okada.

The alleged confession and the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death have not been independently verified. Therefore, it cannot be conclusively established that the former boyfriend killed her.

As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Command had not issued an independently confirmed statement establishing the cause of death, confirming the identity of the deceased or stating whether a suspect had been arrested.

The reported death has prompted calls for a thorough investigation. Outstanding questions include where the body was recovered, how the woman died, whether Chima Emmanuel has been detained and whether investigators have obtained evidence linking him to the incident.

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Further details are expected as reliable information becomes available.

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Crime

Enugu Socialite Stone Shot dead After Police Raid Birthday Party, CP Orders Probe

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A birthday party organised by popular Enugu socialite Nnaji Izuchukwu, popularly known as Stone, at Bull Hotel, Asata, Enugu, reportedly turned chaotic following a misunderstanding that allegedly prompted the hotel management to invite the police.

Stone, who was the celebrant, reportedly died from gunshot injuries sustained during the ensuing police operation.

Information available to Everydaynewsngr.net indicated that the misunderstanding at the birthday party degenerated into chaos, prompting the hotel management to call in operatives of the police Anti-Cultism Section.

In the confusion that followed, Stone was said to have attempted to escape through a window alongside another person before he sustained gunshot injuries.

However, the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

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The Enugu State Police Command has since confirmed Stone’s death and ordered an investigation into the incident.

In a press release issued on Friday, October 23, 2026, the command said the Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, had directed a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and determine whether the operation and use of firearms complied with established operational standards and applicable laws.

According to the police, operatives of the Anti-Cultism Section of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed Bull Hotel during an intelligence-led operation targeting Nworie Chidera Kelvin, popularly known as Akidi, an alleged drug dealer and member of the Vikings Confraternity.

The police said Akidi was suspected of involvement in several cases relating to cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The operation reportedly led to the arrest of Akidi and nine other suspects, comprising males and females aged between 17 and 28.

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The police also said quantities of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis, a weighing scale allegedly used for measuring illicit drugs, and ₦43,400 in cash were recovered during the operation.

Giving its account of how Stone died, the command said preliminary findings indicated that he and another suspect jumped through a window in an attempt to escape.

The statement added that an operative pursuing the two suspects was allegedly confronted by them as they attempted to disarm him.

According to the police, the officer’s firearm discharged during the ensuing struggle, leaving Stone with gunshot injuries, while the other suspect escaped.

Stone was rushed to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. His remains have been deposited in a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

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CP Giwa has directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Intelligence Department to establish the facts of the incident and determine whether the officers involved complied with operational standards and applicable laws.

The commissioner assured that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

He also urged Stone’s family, associates and members of the public to remain calm, stressing that professionalism, ethical conduct and strict adherence to operational standards, particularly those governing the use of firearms, must be upheld during police operations.

The police statement was signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, on October 23, 2026.

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Crime

Awaiting-Trial Inmate Escapes From Court

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The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, has launched a manhunt for a 28-year-old awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, who escaped while being taken to court for trial.

Thomas, an inmate of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi, reportedly escaped last week during a court appearance over charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, disclosed the development in a statement dated October 21, 2026, and made available to journalists in Benin City on Thursday.

Suleman said the Controller of Corrections in Edo State had directed intensified efforts towards apprehending the fugitive, assuring residents that security measures across custodial facilities had been strengthened to prevent similar incidents.

The Command appealed to members of the public with useful information about Thomas’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or custodial centre.

It also released two telephone numbers, 08038075882 and 08039243704, through which information could be provided to security authorities.

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Meanwhile, an official of the Correctional Service attributed the escape to inadequate manpower, explaining that the officer escorting Thomas to court could not abandon other inmates in his custody to pursue the fleeing suspect.

According to the official, pursuing Thomas would have exposed the remaining inmates to possible escape.

The official further raised concerns over worsening personnel shortages in the Service, alleging that more than 1,000 officers were expected to retire this year without corresponding plans for fresh recruitment.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently address the manpower deficit, warning that inadequate personnel could continue to undermine the effective management and security of custodial facilities across the country.

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N8m Fraud: Job Racket Lands Enugu Businesswoman in EFCC Net

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An alleged employment racket involving 21 job seekers and N8.29 million has landed an Enugu-based businesswoman, Stella Ezinne Egotanwa, in the net of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The 45-year-old businesswoman is being investigated for allegedly collecting money from unsuspecting applicants under the guise of securing employment for them at a psychiatric hospital in Enugu State.
The EFCC, in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, disclosed that the suspect allegedly collected the money between December 28, 2025, and June 30, 2026, through bank accounts belonging to different Point of Sale (POS) operators.
According to the commission, trouble began for Egotanwa when 16 aggrieved job seekers petitioned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), accusing her of collecting N6.193 million from them without delivering the promised jobs.
The petition subsequently led to her arrest by NSCDC operatives in Anambra State on July 30, 2026.
However, the case took another dimension when five additional victims approached the EFCC, alleging that the businesswoman had similarly defrauded them of N2,098,200 through promises of employment at the same hospital.
The fresh petitions brought the number of alleged victims to 21, with the total amount involved rising to N8,291,200.
One of the victims, who narrated his ordeal to investigators, claimed to have paid Egotanwa N1.05 million on December 28, 2025, believing that she had the connections to secure the promised employment.
“I made the payment in good faith because I believed that the employment opportunity she presented to me was genuine.
“However, after making the payment, the promised employment did not materialise. I subsequently experienced difficulty reaching her and there were periods she did not respond to my calls or messages,” the petitioner stated.
The anti-graft agency further disclosed that Egotanwa was already awaiting trial in a separate case involving a similar alleged employment scam.
It added that the suspect had admitted to the alleged offence during interrogation and would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The EFCC maintained that investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged fraudulent recruitment scheme.
Clarify the EFCC’s role in her arrest
Use consistent language for alleged victims
Tighten the opening for stronger impact

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Crime

Okechukwu lauds FG for acknowledging military operations alone cannot end banditry

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A Foundation Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has lauded the Federal Government through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for acknowledging that military operations alone cannot end banditry.

Okechukwu said that the recent acknowledgement of the NSA reflected the reality on ground on the protracted activities of banditry in the country.

The APC chieftain said this in a statement he signed and issued to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

Okechukwu reacted directly to Ribadu’s remarks at a brainstorming session on coping with banditry, organised by the Sokoto Advancement Forum in collaboration with the Centre for Peace Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Aligning himself with the NSA’s position, he stressed that building community trust, protecting agriculture and rural livelihoods, and preventing youth recruitment into criminal networks are indispensable complements to military operations.

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He said, “We must measure progress by more than arrests, weapons recovered or territory cleared.

“Success must also mean safer communities, returning families, productive farms, reopened schools, functioning markets and the restoration of public confidence.”

Okechukwu argued that this broader understanding of national security must inform the Federal Government’s economic and political policies if Nigeria is to achieve sustainable peace.

He urged Ribadu, as one of the closest presidential advisers, to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to rejig his economic programme to improve living standards, stimulate production, expand employment opportunities and alleviate the hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, economic insecurity, widespread hardship and unemployment can undermine community trust and create conditions that criminal networks exploit to recruit vulnerable youths.

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He maintained that restoring livelihoods, strengthening rural economies and creating productive opportunities for young people must go hand-in-hand with security operations if the country is to achieve lasting peace.

Okechukwu also advised the NSA to recognise that the conduct of free, fair and credible 2027 General Elections as a foremost instrument for rebuilding public confidence nationwide.

The APC chieftain stressed that democratic legitimacy, public trust in institutions and confidence in the electoral process are essential to national cohesion and security.

Okechukwu further advised Ribadu that politicians, whether from APC or opposition parties, who incite violence, promote political intolerance or embrace a do-or-die approach to elections should be treated as threats to democratic stability.

He urged the appropriate authorities to investigate and prosecute those who engage in criminal conduct, irrespective of their political affiliations, in accordance with the law.

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“Those who beat the drums of political violence and turn elections into a do-or-die affair are, in effect, political bandits.

“They threaten our democracy from within and must be held accountable before they pull down the roof of our democratic house,” Okechukwu warned.

He concluded that Nigeria could no longer afford to ignore the connection between economic hardship, political alienation and insecurity.

He said, “Hunger has awakened Nigerians who had hitherto resigned themselves to fate.

“The answer is not to dismiss their grievances, but to restore hope through economic opportunity, accountable governance, credible elections and a security strategy that protects both lives and livelihoods.”

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