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A former accountant-general of Bauchi State, Sa’idu Abubakar, has been arraigned before a High Court in the state over an alleged N11 billion loan fraud involving the procurement of thousands of motorcycles.

Abubakar was docked on Friday on a 16-count charge bordering on the alleged diversion of public funds, forgery, criminal breach of trust, abuse of office and other related offences.

According to court documents, the former accountant-general allegedly diverted N3 billion from a loan facility obtained from UBA Bank for the purchase of 5,000 motorcycles said to be non-existent.

The prosecution further accused him of misleading the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government by allegedly presenting unauthorised loan facilities as having received official government approval.

Investigators claimed that the alleged misrepresentation led to the issuance and use of approval documents that were not lawfully authorised.

The charge sheet also alleged that Abubakar diverted N4.65 billion and N3.36 billion from separate loan facilities obtained from Polaris Bank and UBA Bank for motorcycle procurement projects.

The prosecution accused the defendant of creating Irrevocable Standing Payment Orders without due authorisation and possessing and using documents suspected to be forged.

To prove its case, the prosecution said it would tender several documents, including Executive Council and House of Assembly resolutions, official correspondence, bank records, investigative reports, witness statements and ISPO documents.

It also disclosed that government officials, investigators and finance personnel linked to the transactions would testify during the proceedings.

The case is expected to continue before the Bauchi State Financial Crimes Court, where Abubakar will respond to the allegations.

Former Bauchi Accountant-General faces 16 charges in N11bn fraud case

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), under the national leadership of Shehu Musa Gabam, has affirmed Chief Saheed Oladele as its consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State. An event held in Ibadan on Tuesday saw Oladele unanimously adopted by party delegates and members. Speaking during the exercise, the state chairman […]

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The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has re-elected its President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, for another term, as the institute announced significant milestones in membership growth, digital transformation, and regulatory enforcement at its 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Mallam Gobir secured a total of 2,784 votes to retain his position, while the Vice President, Mrs. Chidinma Justina Obiejesi, FCIPM, was also re-elected with 1,469 votes. The AGM also saw the emergence of Mr. Adeyemi Ajayi, FCIPM, Chartered FCIPD, as National Treasurer, polling 1,785 votes.

Several members of the Governing Council were returned to office, including Eng. Sean Olabode Badiru, MCIPM (2,334 votes), Mrs. Sa’adatu Asabe Faruk, MCIPM (2,279), Mr. Michael Ewomazino Ogu, MCIPM (1,992), and Comrade Osahon Omole, MCIPM (1,750). In addition, Dr. Sabastine Okeke, FCIPM, was elected as a new Council Member with 1,698 votes.

Presenting his scorecard to members, Mallam Gobir highlighted major achievements recorded by the Institute during the year under review, including unprecedented membership growth, digital transformation, stronger regulatory enforcement, and increased global recognition.

According to him, inducted membership rose from about 1,700 in 2023 to over 3,000 in 2025, while total membership grew to 27,000. The CIPM President attributed the growth to deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening professionalism and expanding the Institute’s reach across the country.

He said the Institute intensified efforts to enforce professional standards through regulatory advocacy, public sensitisation campaigns, delisting exercises, professional compliance initiatives, and strategic engagement with government institutions.

One of the major highlights of the administration, according to Mallam Gobir, was the accelerated digital transformation of the Institute. He disclosed that several technology-driven platforms were successfully deployed during the period, including a new examination portal, membership application portal, e-voting platform, upgraded members’ portal, learning and conference portal, Human Resource Practitioners License (HRPL) portal, CIPM mobile application, and the integration of the Body of Competence and Knowledge framework.

Beyond Nigeria, he said the Institute continued to strengthen its global footprint through strategic collaborations with leading international professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the United Kingdom, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada, the African Human Resources Confederation (AHRC), and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).

The partnerships, he noted, have created additional opportunities for members while enhancing the Institute’s international profile.

Reflecting on the Institute’s progress, Mallam Gobir said the achievements recorded over the past year demonstrate an organisation committed to innovation, growth, and professional excellence.

“When future generations look back at this period in our history, they will see an institute that chose progress over complacency, innovation over tradition, growth over stagnation, and courage over comfort,” he said.

Members who spoke during the AGM commended the leadership team and Governing Council for what they described as a successful year of institutional growth and visibility.

Several members particularly praised the increased media visibility achieved by the Institute, noting that it has helped reinforce CIPM’s position as the statutory regulatory body for human resource management practice in Nigeria and encouraged more HR practitioners to seek certification.

The members also lauded the Institute’s mutual recognition arrangements with CPHR Canada and CIPD UK, describing the partnerships as beneficial to Nigerian HR professionals seeking global career opportunities.

They urged the Institute to sustain its advocacy efforts towards ensuring that human resource practitioners in Nigeria obtain professional certification and comply with established regulatory standards.

The AGM ended with renewed confidence in the Institute’s future direction, as members expressed support for the leadership’s commitment to strengthening professionalism, deepening regulatory compliance, advancing digital innovation, and positioning Nigerian HR practice on the global stage.

CIPM unveils milestones in membership growth, digital innovation at 57th AGM

The Nigerian stock market ended the week bullish as investors gained N234 billion on Friday after a four-day bearish run, which amounted to N5.1 trillion in losses.

Friday’s data from the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that market capitalisation rose by N234 billion, or 0.15 per cent, from N155.359 trillion on Thursday to N155.593 trillion.

The All-Share Index (ASI) also gained 366 points, or 0.15 per cent, closing at 242,593.31 from 242,227.31 in the previous session.

Consequently, the market’s year-to-date return improved to 55.90 per cent.

Market breadth closed positive, with 39 stocks recording gains against 11 losers, reflecting stronger investor confidence.

On the gainers’ chart, Abbey Mortgage Bank, International Energy Insurance and DAAR Communications topped the list, each advancing 10 per cent to close at N9.35, N7.26 and N1.98, respectively.

Meanwhile, on the flip side, Academy Press declined by 9.84 per cent to N8.25, while University Press fell by 9.73 per cent to N5.10.

VFD Group shed 7.59 per cent to close at N10.35 per share.

Further analysis showed that trading activity improved, with total volume rising by 3.40 per cent to 608.49 million shares valued at N32.03 billion in 53,826 deals.

Abbey Mortgage Bank emerged as the most traded stock by volume, accounting for 164.08 million shares, or 26.97 per cent of the total volume traded.

Seplat led in value terms, recording transactions worth N9.74 billion, representing 30.39 per cent of the market’s total turnover.

Recall that on Thursday, investors lost N1.8 trillion, while the period from Monday to Wednesday also witnessed significant losses.

Nigerian stock market records N234bn gain after four days of N5.1tn loss

Former presidential aspirant of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mrs. Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, has confirmed receiving a refund of ₦10.8 million from the party following her withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race.

Busari-Akinnadeju disclosed this in a statement on Friday, noting that while the party had returned the bulk of the nomination fee she paid in April 2026, an outstanding balance of ₦1.2 million was yet to be refunded.

According to her, the refund followed her resignation from the DLA on May 28 after disagreements over the party’s candidate selection process.

“I acknowledge receipt of ₦10.8 million out of the presidential nomination fee I paid. While I appreciate this action, a balance of ₦1.2 million remains outstanding,” she stated.

The former aspirant, however, stressed that the refund did not address what she described as fundamental concerns surrounding the integrity of the party’s presidential primary process.

She alleged that efforts were made to prevent her participation in the screening exercise and claimed that a disciplinary procedure was later deployed to remove her from the contest after she declined to endorse a consensus arrangement.

According to Busari-Akinnadeju, the issues at stake go beyond the reimbursement of funds and raise broader questions about internal democracy and compliance with electoral regulations.

“The return of the money does not resolve the concerns surrounding the process. It only addresses one aspect of a much larger issue involving transparency, fairness, and adherence to democratic principles,” she said.

She further alleged that state chairmen of the party were instructed not to attend the presidential primary but instead submit figures to the national secretariat as part of a process intended to produce a consensus candidate.

The former aspirant argued that the Electoral Act requires the consent of all cleared aspirants before a consensus candidate can emerge, insisting that such conditions were not met in her case.

She maintained that her experience points to the need for stronger safeguards to protect aspirants seeking elective offices, regardless of their financial capacity or political influence.

“My concern is no longer limited to the money. It is about ensuring that future aspirants are protected from similar experiences and that political participation remains fair and accessible to all Nigerians,” she said.

She thanked supporters, civil society groups, and members of the public who followed developments surrounding the matter, noting that public scrutiny played a key role in securing the refund.

Having resigned from partisan politics, Busari-Akinnadeju said she would now focus on the Dare Agenda Movement, a platform she described as dedicated to promoting purposeful leadership and citizen-driven governance.

According to her, the movement aims to mobilise Nigerians toward active engagement in nation-building beyond electoral cycles.

“The work of building a better Nigeria cannot wait until 2027. The Dare Agenda is already in motion, and we remain committed to pursuing leadership accountability and national development,” she added.

Ex-DLA presidential aspirant confirms partial refund of nomination fee, raises fresh concerns over primary process

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has paid a solidarity visit to the residence of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, following the abduction of Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons. During the visit, the governor expressed concern over the incident and reassured the family that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ release. “We […]

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Edo South Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senatorial aspirant, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, has alleged that the just concluded party’s primary election was massively rigged.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Agbonayinma said he won the primaries despite the rigging, and asked for the announcement of the result.

Recall that the NDC is yet to announce the result of her primary election which was held last week.

Agbonayinma said, “I won Edo South NDC primaries despite the process being rigged. I won the election honourably, with a large turnout, and ward chairmen, local government chairmen, and other party leaders all affirmed that I clearly won.

“There is no ambiguity about the result. What is delaying the announcement of the results since May 29th? Today is June 5th, so what exactly is being hidden or held back?

“We went through the primaries, and those who win should be allowed to move forward.

“If I had not won, I would have conceded to the rightful winner, but since I won, I should be given the opportunity to proceed based on the outcome of the election.”

NDC primaries massively rigged, I won regardless – Senatorial aspirant, Agbonayinma

​Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dan Preston Omatsola (Rtd), has expressed concern over the state of the nation, warning that Nigeria’s challenges could worsen if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen discipline, national unity and security.

Omatsola spoke during activities organised by NNS Delta to mark the 70th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Navy where he reflected on the role of the Armed Forces in preserving Nigeria’s unity and stability.

According to the retired naval chief, the Armed Forces remain the “keystone” of Nigeria’s unity, stressing that the country cannot afford to take its security institutions for granted.

“Today is a special day for the Navy. The Navy and the Armed Forces, I believe from my experiences, are the keystone to Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

Expressing concern over the current state of affairs in the country, Omatsola stated: “Things are going very wrong in the country. If we are not careful, it will be worse.”

He called on the military, paramilitary agencies and other security institutions to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities, noting that growing insecurity and fear among citizens were increasing demands for greater security presence across communities.

The former naval chief attributed many of the nation’s challenges to a decline in discipline, arguing that discipline remains the foundation of effective leadership and nation-building.

“Discipline has always been missing. If I am not disciplined, I cannot discipline my wife, I cannot discipline my family,” he said.

Omatsola warned against making policies or laws out of fear, insisting that decisions taken under panic often fail to address the root causes of societal problems.

“You cannot do anything through fear. If you make any law through fear, the law will not hold. You must not be afraid when you are making a law,” he added.

The retired naval officer urged Nigerians to embrace discipline, patriotism and collective responsibility in order to safeguard the country’s unity and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.

The Nigerian Navy is currently marking its 70th anniversary with a series of activities celebrating its contributions to national security, maritime safety and the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Things are going wrong in Nigeria, we must be careful — Ex-Chief of Naval Staff, Omatsola

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has called for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need to balance innovation with ethics, accountability, and human-centred values as the technology continues to reshape the world of work.

The call was made at the CIPM 3rd International Academic Conference, organised in collaboration with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact.”

Speaking at the conference, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, said the conversation around AI should no longer focus on whether the technology will transform society, but on how stakeholders can guide that transformation responsibly.

According to him, innovation without ethics and technology without accountability can be dangerous, making it imperative for organisations and institutions to ensure that human dignity, fairness, transparency, inclusion, and responsibility remain at the centre of AI adoption.

Mallam Gobir emphasized that despite rapid technological advancements, people remain the driving force behind successful organisations.

“Algorithms do not build trust. People build trust. Machines do not create culture. People create culture,” he said, adding that organisations thrive not because they possess the most advanced technology, but because they have the right people with the right skills, mindset, and values.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Sunday Adebisi described AI as “the world’s new infrastructure,” noting that it has evolved beyond being a workplace tool to becoming a major force shaping learning, production, governance, and communication.

While acknowledging the immense opportunities AI presents, he warned that Africa faces significant challenges that could limit its ability to maximise the technology’s benefits. These include inadequate digital infrastructure, ICT skills gaps, regulatory concerns, ethical issues, and disparities in access to technology.

Prof. Adebisi noted that if these challenges are not addressed, AI adoption could worsen employment concerns across the continent.

Another keynote speaker, Mr. Henry Onukuba, FCIPM, described AI as one of the most transformative developments of the modern era, capable of revolutionising service delivery, productivity, and access to knowledge.

According to him, the critical issue facing institutions is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to integrate it responsibly without compromising fairness, accountability, public trust, and human dignity.

Mr. Onukwuba highlighted AI’s potential to democratise access to education and bridge information gaps, noting that students in remote communities can now access the same information available to their counterparts in major urban centres.

He further observed that AI-powered learning environments could help address faculty shortages in Nigerian universities and improve educational outcomes.

“AI will not take over your job. Your job will be taken over by someone who knows how to work smarter and more effectively with AI,” he stated.

Chairman of the Academic Conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, ACIPM, described the conference theme as timely and relevant given the rapid advancements associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He noted that while AI is creating opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and knowledge creation, it is also raising concerns around employment displacement, privacy, inequality, and the responsible use of technology.

According to him, addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government to build AI systems that are innovative, transparent, fair, and human-centred.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, commended CIPM and the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management for organising the conference and urged participants to apply the lessons learned in their respective organisations and institutions.

The conference also recognised outstanding research contributions. Out of 47 abstracts submitted by researchers and scholars, 38 papers advanced to the full paper presentation stage following a rigorous review process.

At the end of the exercise, Dr. Aramide Kuforiji emerged as the overall best researcher, while Prof. Sam Bodunrin and Dr. Ifeanyi Enukorah secured second and third positions, respectively.

The awards underscored the conference’s commitment to promoting academic excellence, innovation, research integrity, and evidence-based contributions to the advancement of human resource management and the future of work.

As the conference ended, one message resonated strongly across all sessions: Artificial Intelligence may shape the future, but people will determine its impact. The challenge before academia, industry, and government is not merely to adopt AI, but to guide its development and application in ways that uphold human dignity, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.

CIPM and UNILAG lead conversation on ethical AI adoption and the future of work