News
Why South East was excluded from disbursed N2.9billion Students Loan
The controversy over the disbursement of initial N2.9 billion federal government’s Students Loan without inclusion of universities from South East has refused to abate as stakeholders are still asking questions on the issue
However, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) on Friday attempted to give what seems to be an explanation, saying the exclusion was the fault of the authorities of tertiary institutions from the zone.
The body added that the process is based on eligibility and not influenced by geopolitical factors.
Recall that an X user, Santiago Leo, known as #Donaldsplendo, had pointed out that none of the institutions from Nigeria’s South-East region were among the 19 listed beneficiaries of the loan disbursements.
NELFUND, the Federal Government’s body responsible for handling loan requests, grants, disbursements, and recoveries, had recently announced that a total of N2.9 billion in student loans had been disbursed to 27,667 students across 19 institutions nationwide.
In his tweet, #Donaldsplendo expressed disappointment, suggesting that students from institutions in the South-East, such as UNIZIK, FUTO, MOUAU, and the University of Nigeria (UNN), were overlooked, despite likely having applied for the loans.
Responding to these claims, NELFUND explained that the absence of South-Eastern institutions in the beneficiary list was not due to any form of neglect.
“Thank you for your concern. It is important to clarify that geopolitical zones are not a factor in the disbursement process,” the Fund tweeted.
They further explained that payments were made only to institutions that had responded to a verification list sent out earlier.
“NELFUND sent a verification list to every institution eligible for disbursement. Payments are being made to institutions that have responded to this verification,” they noted.
The Fund urged institutions in the South-East to complete the verification process so their students could also benefit from the loan scheme, stressing that the delay in disbursement to these schools was due to the lack of response from the institutions themselves.
News
Supreme Court to rule on ADC, PDP cases Thursday
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
News
Tinubu to reconstitute NHRC board, retains Ojukwu as ES/CEO
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
News
Breaking: EFCC investigates Pastor Jerry Eze over alleged money laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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