News
$418m deductions suspended as FG, states meet for FAAC today
There were strong indications on Wednesday that the federal and state governments had agreed to the suspension of the deduction of $418m Paris Club refunds from states and local governments’ accounts pending the determination of court cases on the issue.
Following the agreement, which was reached between states’ officials and the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federation Account Allocation Committee meeting, which ended in a deadlock last Friday, would now hold today (Thursday).
It was, however, not clear if the decision to suspend the deductions would affect the October revenue allocation, but it was gathered that the Federal Government had already issued promissory notes on the consultants’ pay.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Akin Oyebode, confirmed in an interview with The PUNCH that the issue of deductions had been resolved.
The commissioner, who did not give details of the resolution, also confirmed that the FAAC would either meet on Wednesday or Thursday (today).
He also reiterated the demand of the states for the separation of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government.
Last Friday’ FAAC meeting ended in a deadlock as a disagreement arose between the federal and state governments when the committee was informed by the Ministry of Finance that the deductions for the $418m from the local governments’ allocation had commenced in order to pay the consultants for the work they did on the Paris Club refund.
The country had in 2006 paid $12bn to get a $18bn debt write-off by the Paris Club of international creditors.
States and local governments that did not owe the Paris Club later asked for a refund when they realised that the payment was made directly from the revenue accruing to the entire federation.
There were reports that some consultants, who claimed a percentage of the refunds as payment for services they said they rendered to the states and local governments, went to court to demand their pay.
The Federal Government had negotiated an out-of-court settlement with the contractors and $418m was agreed on as the judgment debt.
But the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, which opposed the payment, approached the court to stop the implementation of the controversial agreement.
The Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Finance and Benue State Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu, had said on Monday that the sharing of the October revenue by the three tiers of government was suspended last Friday because of the deductions.
A top member of FAAC, who confided in The PUNCH on Wednesday, said, “Deductions will not be done until the conclusion of the court cases, but I don’t know what will happen to the October allocation on which deductions had been made.”
Oyebode also told one of our correspondents on Wednesday that the issue of deductions, which led to the delay in the monthly allocation to states from the Federation Account, had been resolved.
The Ekiti finance commissioner said, “The issue has been resolved. We (Federation Account Allocation Committee) expect to meet today (Wednesday) to adopt the communiqué. I believe that the meeting will hold today or latest tomorrow (Thursday).”
Oyebode, who declined comments on the content of the communiqué, said the allocation for October would be released.
He stated, “It (allocation) will be released. It was not withheld. The issue had to do with deductions, which were made on the accounts of the states and local governments. Our position, which has been clearly stated by the Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners, is that we believe that those deductions are being challenged and should not even start unless the claims are verified.
“Also, if we are a federation and we are equal partners, we don’t believe that we should just come to a meeting and see deductions on our statement that were not previously discussed and agreed on. That is the principle of federation that we are upholding and defending. It is not an argument per se. It is just that it is a principle that the federating units should be upheld at all times.”
He added that an issue of concern was the need to have separate accountants-general for the federation and the Federal Government, noting, “The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation is not the same as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government.
“We have argued that the offices should be separated. There should be an accountant-general for the Federal Government and an accountant-general for the federation, and not the present situation where the accountant-general of the federation is only responsible to the Minister of Finance.”
The commissioner gave an assurance that Ekiti State would pay October salaries to workers as scheduled, saying, “We will pay salaries. What is important is paying salaries.”
FG has seen reason why deductions can’t start now – Delta commissioner
The Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Fidelis Tilije, stated in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday that the Federal Government had agreed that the deductions could not start now.
He said, “The Federal Government has seen reason why deductions cannot start now. For crying out loud, there are court processes that are ongoing. Why don’t we wait till the court processes are concluded before talking about deductions?
“The Federal Government has issued promissory notes. The judgment they are talking about is a high court judgment.”
Tilije allayed fears over the non-payment of October salaries by Delta State, saying, “We will manage, but we hope that whatever problem we have will be resolved this week.
“We are supposed to have a conclusive discussion today (Wednesday), but we are still waiting for the Federal Ministry of Finance to determine the time of the meeting. If we don’t hold the meeting today (Wednesday), we will hopefully hold it tomorrow (Thursday).”
The Osun State Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, told one of our correspondents that the state would not borrow to pay salaries.
He said the government would strategise and find a way round the issue to ensure that workers would not suffer.
“We are going to think outside the box as we normally do. We are not going to borrow, but we are going to find a way round the situation. We will strategise and see what we can do to ensure that our people do not suffer,” Oyebamiji stated.
Efforts made to get a response from the spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Henshaw Ogubike, were unsuccessful as calls were not taken and messages delivered were not replied.
PUNCH
Son of the late head of state and former Minister of Defence, Chief Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, in a letter of remembrance and solidarity written on behalf of the Aguiyi-Ironsi family to the Fajuyi family, marking the 60th anniversary of his death, said July 29, 2026, will be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier they described as “a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.”
The family recalled that Lt Col Fajuyi, then Military Governor of the Western Region, made the ultimate sacrifice in 1966 when mutinous soldiers abducted him alongside Maj Gen Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan during the military counter-coup.
They stated that Fajuyi, in a defining moment of conscience, chose honour over personal safety and refused to abandon his guest and superior, a decision the family said reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity, and military brotherhood.
According to the statement, his action transformed him into a national martyr whose legacy continued to inspire unity, courage, and selfless service.
The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the Fajuyi family, acknowledging the enduring pain of their loss, while praying for continued strength, comfort, and peace.
The statement further stated, “He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand. In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.”
The family called on government institutions, military authorities, and custodians of national memory to ensure sustained recognition and support for the Fajuyi family, stressing that his sacrifice remained a national responsibility to remember and honour.
It urged Nigerians to draw inspiration from his life and death, noting that his legacy continues to challenge the nation to uphold unity, courage, honour, and selfless service.
Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, during the military counter-coup in Ibadan alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
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