Following repeated verbal abuse, theft, and violent outbursts within the family home, a Zimbabwean man has secured a court order for protection against his 40-year-old son, whose gambling addiction has made life unbearable for the family.

Ethan Abinal brought the matter before Harare Magistrate Meenal Narotam, stating that his son, Trust Abinal, has made life unbearable for the entire household in pursuit of money to feed his gambling habit.

In court, Ethan described how Trust would borrow recklessly from loan sharks and, when unable to repay, resorted to stealing family possessions. One such incident involved Trust taking his sibling’s sewing machine to settle debts.

The father testified that Trust becomes threatening and abusive when confronted, creating an atmosphere of fear. He said the constant stress had worsened both his and his wife’s health conditions, which ultimately forced them to seek legal protection.

Surprisingly, Trust did not oppose the court application. He told the court he would comply with the decision if his presence was causing distress to his family, an admission that underlined the seriousness of the family rift.

Magistrate Narotam, in her ruling, prohibited Trust from harassing or stealing from his family and ordered him to leave the parental home. She also directed him to attend addiction counselling, stressing that at his age he must take responsibility for his actions and begin living independently while working to overcome his addiction.

A government spending tracker has revealed that the Presidency spent over N23bn in 2024 to purchase foreign currencies for the international trips of top executive government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

This figure, compiled from data provided by GovSpend, a government spending tracker managed by BudgIT, reflects a significant increase from the N18.63bn recorded in 2023, showing a rise of approximately 23 per cent.

The spike in spending comes as a result of the rising frequency and scale of international trips undertaken by the President and State House officials. These trips, which are said to be vital for Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements and international relations, are becoming increasingly costly due to the depreciating value of the naira against major global currencies.

In a year marked by economic challenges, the cost of maintaining the country’s diplomatic presence globally has seen a sharp increase. The rising cost of foreign exchange, compounded by the volatile exchange rates and Nigeria’s economic situation, has placed additional pressure on government finances.

The expenditure, spread across various official and diplomatic trips, demonstrates the escalating cost of international travel for Nigeria’s top government officials. For the President, the largest share of the foreign currency expenditure in 2024 was attributed to his international engagements.

Major spending includes N1.04bn for the President’s trip to Ethiopia in February 2024. This was followed by a N1.27bn expenditure in March 2024 for the presidential air fleet’s forex transit funds. The President’s air fleet continues to be a major financial drain, with N5.07bn allocated for its operational and foreign exchange needs in April 2024.

This expenditure reflects the high costs of maintaining Nigeria’s air fleet, which is responsible for supporting the President’s international travel. The funds are used not just for travel but also for the upkeep and operational readiness of the aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Vice President’s international travels in 2024 also contributed significantly to the overall foreign exchange expenditure. In January 2024, the Vice President’s trip to Switzerland was funded with N426.88m, while another N176.77m was spent on his trip to Côte d’Ivoire the same month.

The Vice President’s total foreign exchange expenditure in 2024 amounted to almost N750m, demonstrating a steady increase in the costs of his foreign engagements compared to previous years. The First Lady also accounted for a significant portion of the foreign exchange spending in 2024.

About N149.79m was spent on her trip to France in January 2024, and N202.39m was allocated for her trip to Mozambique in March. The First Lady’s total foreign exchange expenditure for 2024 was over N478m.

The Office of the Chief of Staff, tasked with coordinating the President’s engagements and ensuring smooth operations during official visits abroad, plays a critical role in managing a number of foreign exchange expenditures.

In 2024, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President spent a total of N94.7m on foreign exchange purchases to facilitate various official functions. The expenditure covered a range of high-level government activities, including diplomatic engagements and preparations for international conferences.

The largest portion of this spending under the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, N46.5m, was allocated for foreign exchange to support the President’s trip to the United Kingdom in August 2023.

Another notable allocation of N12.7m was made for preparations for Nigeria’s participation in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States, which took place later in the year. Additional foreign exchange purchases amounting to N5.1m were made to cover other logistical requirements tied to official trips and events.

The increasing volume of foreign exchange transactions underlines the growing demand for financial resources to support Nigeria’s diplomatic presence on the international stage. While these trips are vital for Nigeria’s global presence and influence, they come at a significant cost.

The rising spending on foreign currency for such engagements highlights the challenges the Nigerian government faces in managing foreign exchange, especially as the country grapples with inflation, exchange rate instability, and economic uncertainty.

The 2024 spending figures also show how the increasing frequency of international trips by top government officials has led to higher allocations for foreign exchange. The need for foreign currencies to cover travel, accommodation, and other costs associated with these trips is growing.

The depreciation of the naira further exacerbates this situation, as it now requires more local currency to secure the same amount of foreign exchange. For instance, the President’s trip to Ethiopia in February 2024 saw an allocation of N1.04bn, which was significantly higher than similar trips in 2023. In 2023, the President’s trip to Ethiopia was funded with only N136.12m.

Similarly, the Vice President’s travel costs in 2023 were lower, with only N43.02m allocated for his trip to Ethiopia. The rise in these costs is attributed not only to the increased number of international trips but also to the sharp depreciation of the naira, which has made the cost of acquiring foreign currencies more expensive.

This increase in expenditure is raising concerns over the sustainability of such large allocations for international trips, particularly as Nigeria’s fiscal position remains under pressure.

Further checks by The PUNCH showed that the Presidency bought over $1.274bn for 13 disclosed forex-related transactions for international trips by key government officials in 2024. The largest foreign currency purchase was made for the President’s trip to Dubai, UAE, with $1.271bn bought.

Other notable transactions included $483,277 for the Vice President’s trip to Switzerland, $692,265 for the President’s trip to Ethiopia, and $152,831 for the First Lady’s trip to France. Additional notable expenditures include $117,524 for the Vice President’s trip to Côte d’Ivoire and $93,004 for his trip to Liberia.

The First Lady’s trips were also well-funded, with foreign exchange purchases of $126,834 for her visit to Mozambique and $96,118 for her trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Other allocations included $1.13m for the estacode of participants in the UK and USA training programs and $100,000 for the President’s trips to the UK.

Also, $79,740 was spent on preparations for Nigeria’s participation in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States. While these 13 transactions provided a clear picture of the amount spent, it is important to note that the data did not include the dollar amounts for some transactions (as a total of 43 transactions were recorded), which means the total amount of foreign exchange purchased could be higher.

The PUNCH further observed that the State House recorded a massive surge in its air travel expenses for top executive officials, with spending increasing by 344% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

According to data from the GovSpend platform, the total amount spent on air tickets for local and international trips by government officials reached N7.83bn in 2024. This is a sharp rise from N1.77bn in 2023, reflecting a significant rise in official travel engagements at the highest levels of government.

The bulk of these expenses went to Hinterland Travel & Tours Limited, which continued to secure major contracts for the purchase of air tickets. In March 2024, the company was paid N158.59m, N167.99m, and N164.28m for the purchase of tickets related to presidential trips, both domestic and international.

Other travel agencies also shared in the government’s spending, with Travel Options Ltd receiving N12.84m in March and N53.21m for the purchase of tickets for official trips. Overland Travels and Tours Limited also received N23.30m for the purchase of international and local tickets in July 2024.

In addition to routine travel, the government made significant payments for official educational and conference trips. A notable expense was N5.35m for a government officer’s study visit to Casablanca, Morocco, to attend a five-day seminar on e-procurement.

Other expenses also contributed to the surge in spending, including N5.15bn for the Vice President and First Lady’s international trips. This sharp rise in air travel spending highlights the growing desire of government officials to participate in international diplomacy and educational engagements.

However, the rapid increase in these costs raises concerns about the sustainability of such expenditures, especially as the country faces ongoing fiscal challenges. Critics argue that while such trips may be necessary for diplomatic and professional development, the scale of these expenditures may not always reflect the best interests of taxpayers.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project raised concerns about the expenditure on estacodes by the MDAs, describing it as a potentially troubling misuse of public funds.

In an earlier interview with The PUNCH, SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, expressed his apprehension over the spending, emphasising the misalignment between the government’s priorities and the economic realities faced by Nigerians.

“It will not be surprising given the fact that has been in the public domain in recent times, specifically the findings of the National Assembly committee on the 2024 budget says that the performance of the 2024 budget for capital expenditure is about 25 per cent whereas recurrent expenditure is 100 per cent and this simply shows where the priority of government is, even though what government seem to be saying is different from reality,” Oluwadare said.

He further noted that the discrepancy between capital and recurrent expenditure is a reflection of the government’s skewed fiscal priorities. “Ultimately, Nigerian citizens have been victims of these wrong priorities,” he added.

Credit: PUNCH

Makira Benson, a frozen food seller in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has accused officers suspected to be from the Zonal 16 Anti-Fraud Unit in Bayelsa State of abducting and extorting N2.5 million from her younger brother.

Benson told FIJ that after the police officers arrested her brother, they took him to an unknown location in Bayelsa and demanded N4 million before they eventually settled for N2.5 million.

She said the incident happened on May 19 while her brother was running an errand for their mother, who owns a frozen food store in the city.

According to Benson, her brother had entered a tricycle and was on his way to the market when the police stopped him at Oil Mill in Obio Akpor. She said the officers asked everyone to alight from the vehicle. They began to search the passengers.

The officers, she said, turned to her brother, searched him for drugs, found nothing, and went through his phone looking for evidence of fraud. At that point, they had let go of the other two passengers.

“When they didn’t find anything, they asked how many bank apps he had. He said he had an OPay and Guaranty Trust Bank (GT Bank) account. His Opay had N1,000, but his GT Bank had my mother’s money,” Benson told FIJ.

Benson said her brother explained that the money was not his but had been transferred by their mother, a nurse, to purchase frozen food items for their store. The officers did not listen to him.

“They handcuffed him, seized his phone, and took him to their Hilux parked around Oil Mill. They then drove him out of Port Harcourt to Bayelsa. This was his first time in Bayelsa,” Benson said.

“Along the way in Bayelsa, they picked up a man, gave my brother his phone back and told him to switch it on. They instructed him to transfer N2.5 million to the new person, which he did, only after he had pleaded with the officers,” she said.

“They saw over N4 million in the GT Bank account and wanted it all. But after he negotiated, the guy who they had picked along the way, used his point of sale machine to withdraw N2.5 million and his charges of N50,000.

“After receiving the money, the officers switched off his phone again, drove him back to Rivers State and dropped him off by the roadside — not even at the same location where they picked him up.”

Benson said the officers told her brother they were from the anti-fraud unit in Bayelsa and that their superior had been sent to Port Harcourt to find internet fraudsters.

When FIJ called the Zonal 16 Police Spokesperson in Bayelsa for comment, he asked for Benson’s phone number, adding that he had not been briefed on the matter until FIJ’s call.

FIJ

Professor Jibril Aminu, a former Minister of Petroleum and Education, and one of Nigeria’s most accomplished scholars and statesmen, has died at the age of 85.

Likewise, Daniel Dantshoho Abutu, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, is dead. He was 79 years old.

Aminu’s death was confirmed on Wednesday by Hon. Abdullahi Prambe, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in Adamawa State.

A towering figure in Nigeria’s public service, academia, and diplomacy, Professor Aminu’s passing marks the end of an era for a man whose career spanned medicine, education, politics, and international relations. He had celebrated his 85th birthday on August 25, 2024.

The news of his death was first announced in a Facebook post by former senator and human rights advocate, Shehu Sani, who praised the late professor’s contributions to national development.

“He constructed the Eleme Refinery and most of the petroleum depots in the country when he was the Petroleum Minister,” Sani wrote. “He decentralised and reformed the NNPC. Since he left office, none has been added.”

Sani also recalled Aminu’s achievements as Minister of Education, during which he established the Nomadic Education Commission and the School for Gifted Children, among other far-reaching reforms. “He served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and headed the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the 1970s. He represented Adamawa in the Senate twice,” Sani noted. “He was the best medical student at the UCH Ibadan in the 60s — a rare feat for a northerner at that time. The nation has lost one of its greatest intellectuals and visionary leaders.”

Born in 1939 in Song, Adamawa State, Professor Aminu’s distinguished career began in medicine, where he trained as a Consultant Cardiologist. He was regarded as a pioneer in his field and an intellectual force who used his medical expertise as a foundation for national service.

He later transitioned into public administration and diplomacy, holding several top-level positions, including Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Education. He also served two terms in the Nigerian Senate, representing Adamawa Central.

As Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, and later as Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Aminu played a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s higher education landscape. His leadership was widely credited with raising standards and expanding access to education in underserved regions.

Reacting to the news, Hon. Prambe described the deceased as “a mentor and a guiding light for both Adamawa and Nigeria.” He added, “His contributions to education, healthcare, and governance will remain etched in our history.”

Justice Abutu’s death was announced by Sulaiman Hassan, the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Born on March 15, 1946, in Kogi State, Justice Abutu rose through the judicial ranks to become Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

He was widely respected for his bold leadership, administrative acumen, and steadfast adherence to the rule of law.

In a personal tribute, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, described the late jurist as a beacon of wisdom. He noted that he would be remembered not only for his legal brilliance but also for his humility and the invaluable mentorship he provided to younger judges and lawyers.

“Justice Abutu’s death closes a significant chapter in the court’s history,” Justice Tsoho said.

“The entire judiciary mourns the loss of a rare gem,” he added.

Abutu served as chief judge of the court from September 2009 to March 2011.

Federal High Court’s Chief Registrar described the late former chief judge as a jurist who served the court and the nation with “distinction, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice”.

“The federal high court regrets to announce the passing of our former chief judge, Hon. Justice D. D. Abutu, who served the court and the nation with distinction, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice,” the statement reads.

“In honour of his exemplary service and enduring legacy, all divisions of the federal high court are hereby directed to display a portrait of the late chief judge in a dignified and visible area within the respective court premises.”

Hassan said the court has ordered the immediate opening of condolence registers at all its divisions to allow judges, staff, members of the bar, and the general public to pay their tributes and express sympathies to the late Abutu.

He added that further details regarding funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.

The Council of Legal Education is deeply saddened by the unfortunate death of Mr Victor Chibueze Olumba, a Bar Part 2 student at Dr Nabo Graham Douglas Campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, 30th of May 2025. Our thoughts and prayers are with the parents and other family members of the deceased student at this difficult time.

The management of the Nigerian Law School is currently interfacing with the family of the deceased and had earlier sent its condolences on the unfortunate passing of their beloved son.

The circumstances and the cause of death of the deceased student are now subject of full investigation by the Nigerian Police Force, Rivers State Command. Consequently, it would be presumptuous to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation. Accordingly, the Council of Legal Education will, at this stage, refrain from joining issues with some social media bloggers who have been engaged in unsubstantiated, reckless, unguarded, and sensational speculations on the cause and circumstances of the student’s death. While we await the outcome of the Police investigation, let us honour the memory of the deceased and respect the dignity and privacy of his loved ones to mourn their loss with fortitude and grace.

A detailed report on the incident will be released to the public as soon as the Police investigation is concluded.

The Council wishes to reassure parents, students, and other stakeholders that the welfare and security of the students at each of the seven campuses of the Nigerian Law School remain its priority.

May the soul of Mr Victor Chibueze Olumba rest in peace.

Dated this 4th day of May 2025

Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR                         Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN                                                       

(Chairman, Council of Legal Education)      (Director-General, Nigerian Law School)