The House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Wednesday after lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain the alleged non-funding of constituency projects.

The motion, sponsored by Alex Mascot Ikwechegh (LP – Abia State), urged the President to appear before the House over the continued delay in releasing funds for constituency projects nationwide.

The motion received a seconder, while another lawmaker proposed an amendment calling for the House to suspend plenary for one week until the issue was resolved.

The proposals immediately triggered a heated debate on the floor of the chamber.

Yusuf Gagdi (APC – Plateau State) opposed the motion, arguing that there was no justification for summoning the President since the implementation and funding of constituency projects are the responsibility of the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

He also rejected the proposal to suspend legislative activities for one week, describing the suggestion as unnecessary.

Gagdi’s remarks were met with resistance from several lawmakers, leading to shouting matches and disorder in the chamber as members exchanged arguments over the issue.

As tensions escalated, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas stepped in and directed lawmakers to vote on the matter to determine the House’s position.

However, the Speaker ruled the proposal to invite the President out of order, explaining that it was not contained in the original motion presented by Ikwechegh.

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a Presidential Working Group to draft the National Policing Bill, a landmark piece of legislation expected to provide the legal framework for implementing state police across Nigeria.

The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, who represented the President.

The move follows the passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, by the Senate, which proposes a dual policing structure comprising the Nigeria Police Force and state police services across the country’s 36 states.

Speaking during the inauguration, President Tinubu explained that while the constitutional amendment lays the foundation for state policing, the National Policing Bill will provide the operational framework needed to make the system functional.

“The constitutional amendment bill provides the framework for dual policing, but it does not operationalise it. That responsibility rests with the National Policing Bill,” the President said.

He noted that the proposed legislation would define minimum policing standards, establish criteria for state preparedness, create mechanisms for collaboration between federal and state authorities, outline accountability measures, strengthen human rights protections, and set conditions for personnel transition.

According to the President, the committee has been assigned the responsibility of producing a technically sound and implementation-ready draft bill that will be transmitted to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process is completed.

Tinubu added that the panel would also recommend any additional legal instruments required to ensure the seamless implementation of the proposed dual policing system.

“We must not wait until the constitutional process is concluded before beginning this important assignment,” he added.

Gbajabiamila will chair the committee, which includes the Lateef Fagbemi, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), the Chairman of the NGF Committee on State Police, and members of the committee’s secretariat.

Representing the governors, Dapo Abiodun assured the Presidency of the NGF’s full support for the initiative.

He revealed that state governors had agreed to work towards the simultaneous passage of the constitutional amendment by their respective state Houses of Assembly once it is transmitted.

“The plan is that when the bill gets to our various Houses of Assembly, we will all pass it on the same day,” Abiodun said.

He described state policing as a long-awaited response to Nigerians’ demand for a decentralised and community-focused security system.

According to him, the reform builds on the successes recorded by regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West.

Abiodun further argued that establishing state police would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by increasing the number of law enforcement officers nationwide.

“If each state recruits about 6,000 officers, nearly 200,000 additional personnel will complement the existing federal police,” he said.

The governor also commended Tinubu for initiating implementation plans before the constitutional amendment process had been concluded, describing the move as evidence of proactive governance.

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, described the initiative as timely in view of Nigeria’s current security challenges.

He urged state governors to ensure the constitutional amendment receives swift approval in their various legislatures.

“There is no denying that we are at a critical point in our security situation, and all stakeholders must play their part,” Fagbemi said.

Also speaking, NBA President Afam Osigwe reaffirmed the association’s support for state policing, maintaining that a single national police force could no longer adequately address Nigeria’s growing security demands.

He, however, cautioned that the enabling legislation must include strong safeguards to prevent abuse by state authorities.

“We must ensure that we do not create another problem. The legal framework must guarantee accountability and protect citizens from oppression,” Osigwe said.

He pledged the NBA’s commitment to supporting the development of legislation capable of strengthening national security while protecting constitutional rights and upholding the rule of law.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign two former managing directors of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) over separate allegations of money laundering involving more than $989,630 and N1.42 billion.

The separate cases, filed before Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, involve former WRPC Managing Director, Jimoh Yisawu, and former PHRC Managing Director, Ahmed Dikko.

Yisawu is expected to be arraigned on Friday on an eight-count charge, while Dikko is scheduled to appear before the court on Wednesday to answer a 12-count charge.

According to court documents, Yisawu is accused of laundering $789,950 and $122,600, allegedly converted through third parties between 2023 and 2025.

The EFCC alleged that the former refinery boss used one Samaila Bala to convert $789,950, which investigators claim were proceeds of unlawful activities beyond his legitimate earnings as a former official of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The commission further alleged that the transactions were executed through cash payments exceeding the legal threshold without passing through recognised financial institutions, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Investigators also accused Yisawu of laundering an additional $122,600 through Rasheed Yusuf of Rasheedat Anike Global Ventures between February 2024 and March 2025.

In another charge, the EFCC alleged that between January and June 2015, Yisawu knowingly received N25.56 millioninto his Zenith Bank and Access Bank accounts from JKpeez Impex Company, identified as a contractor to the former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, now NNPCL.

The anti-graft agency also accused him of investing N65.86 million in treasury bills through Cordros Securities Limited and retaining N15 million and N3 million allegedly paid by Ebenco Global Link Limited, another contractor linked to NNPCL.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Dikko is facing allegations involving transactions valued at about N1.42 billion, with the alleged offences dating back to 2022.

One of the charges alleges that in February 2024, he arranged a cash payment equivalent to N218.38 million through one Hadeija Bashir for the purchase of a property located at Plot 558, Abubakar Umar Street, Katampe Extension, Abuja, without using any financial institution.

The EFCC further accused the former PHRC Managing Director of retaining N100 million and N90 million allegedly received from Ebenco Global Link Limited, a refinery contractor, and concealing the origin of the funds through an Access Bank account reportedly operated by Aisha Ahmed Dikko.

Another charge alleges that Dikko, working alongside Masterpiece Projects and Investment Limited, disguised the source of N328.71 million allegedly paid by OMSA Integrated Services Limited from transactions linked to NNPCL’s allocation of Vacuum Gas Oil for export.

The commission also alleged that he received N59.2 million from funds channelled through Masterpiece Projects and Investment Limited, procured one Ebenezar Oluwagbemiga of Ebenco Global Link Limited to receive N356.41 millionon his behalf, converted $77,080 through Ibrahim Isa Yaro, and used his son’s GTBank account to receive N20 millionallegedly paid by Ebenco Global Link Limited.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences violate various provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended.

Both former refinery executives are expected to enter their pleas when their respective trials begin before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Federal Government has confirmed a temporary delay to the fourth evacuation flight for Nigerians stranded in South Africa after a technical fault was discovered on the aircraft scheduled for the mission.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that the evacuation was suspended after cracks were detected on the cockpit windscreen of the Air Peace aircraft in Johannesburg, forcing aviation officials to ground the plane for safety reasons.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the aircraft was withdrawn from service as a precaution to protect passengers and crew.

According to the ministry, Air Peace has completed arrangements to dispatch a replacement aircraft to South Africa later on Wednesday to airlift the affected Nigerians back home.

Ebienfa apologised to the stranded passengers for the disruption, emphasising that the decision to postpone the flight was made solely in the interest of passenger safety.

“We have a situation in Johannesburg regarding the fourth evacuation flight. The aircraft could not depart because cracks were discovered on the cockpit windscreen. Air Peace will deploy another aircraft later today to bring the returnees. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience,” the statement said.

The delay affects the fourth batch of Nigerians scheduled for evacuation under the Federal Government’s ongoing repatriation programme from South Africa.

Authorities assured passengers that efforts are underway to complete the operation as quickly as possible while ensuring full compliance with aviation safety standards.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and every issue connected to it.

The President instructed the anti-corruption agency to conclude its investigation and submit a detailed report within 30 days.

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to Onanuga, the decision followed the discovery of the “fictitious” PFIPC, which, according to the Presidency, was never established by the Federal Government and has no legal backing through any law, presidential directive, executive approval or official government instrument.

“One Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew presented himself as the Director-General of the so-called PFIPC and falsely claimed to be a presidential appointee.

“Among the issues to be investigated by the ICPC are the forged appointment letters and other official government documents; the use of a false claim of presidential appointment to seek or obtain official recognition and diplomatic support, including visa facilitation; and the opening of multiple bank accounts in the names of purported government agencies using allegedly forged documents,” the statement said.

The Presidency further stated that the President directed the ICPC to investigate not only the alleged activities of the principal suspect and any collaborators but also the circumstances that may have enabled a non-existent organisation and an alleged false presidential appointment to gain the appearance of official legitimacy.

According to Onanuga, investigators are expected to examine the origin and use of the alleged forged government documents, determine how official recognition or diplomatic support may have been sought or obtained, scrutinise the opening and operation of related bank accounts, trace the source and movement of funds, and identify any public officials, private individuals, financial institutions or intermediaries that may have facilitated or participated in the alleged scheme.

President Tinubu also instructed the commission to identify weaknesses within government systems that may have been exploited and recommend immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

All federal ministries, departments and agencies have been directed to cooperate fully with the ICPC by providing all relevant records, information and assistance required for the investigation.

The President, according to the statement, stressed that the integrity of the Presidency and federal institutions must be protected against impersonation, forgery, abuse of official identity and exploitation of weaknesses within the public service.

He also directed that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law.

Controversy Surrounding Adeyemi

The controversy centres on Adeniyi Adeyemi, who insists he was legally appointed as Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), despite the Presidency maintaining that no such agency exists.

Adeyemi had accused the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of receiving ₦400 million through a proxy and later demanding an additional ₦200 million to facilitate his appointment. He also disputed the Presidency’s denial of the PFIPC’s existence, arguing that the council was referenced in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The embattled claimant has called on President Tinubu to establish an independent investigative panel, insisting he is prepared to defend his allegations in court.

However, the Presidency, through Onanuga, dismissed Adeyemi’s claims and described him as an impostor.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi allegedly forged appointment documents, impersonated a government official, fraudulently opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and operated under the name of a non-existent government agency.

The Presidency added that police investigations resulted in an eight-count criminal charge being filed against Adeyemi and two other defendants, with the matter scheduled for hearing on July 27.

Gbajabiamila Threatens ₦10bn Defamation Suit

Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila has threatened a ₦10 billion defamation lawsuit against Adeyemi over allegations of murder and bribery.

In a letter signed by his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro, the Chief of Staff gave Adeyemi 72 hours to remove all videos and comments containing allegations against him.

The legal team also demanded that Adeyemi publish an apology and full retraction in at least five national newspapers and across his social media platforms, where his June 26 press conference was circulated.

Pinheiro described the allegations as “malicious, reckless and entirely without factual foundation,” arguing that they were intended to portray Gbajabiamila as “corrupt, morally bankrupt, and a murderer.”

The letter further directed Adeyemi to “cease and desist from making, repeating, publishing or causing to be published any further defamatory statements concerning our client” and to “provide our law firm with a written undertaking that you shall refrain from making any further defamatory statements concerning our client.”

The lawyer warned that “unless the foregoing demands are fully complied with within 72 hours of your receipt of this letter, our Client shall, without further reference to you, commence appropriate legal proceedings against you”, including filing a criminal defamation complaint under the applicable laws of the Federal Capital Territory.