A lawsuit has been filed in the High Court of Enugu State by two women’s rights organizations against the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Ken Ohanenye over the attempt to mismanage a $500 million loan provided by the World Bank to improve the lives of Nigerian women.

Other defendants included in the lawsuit are the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Finance, Wale Edun and Director of International Economic Relations Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Nyeso Stanley George.

The applicants, Amb. Onyinye Joy Mamah, representing Heroine Women Foundation, and Amaka-Ajuzie Ogbu, of NET Bridge Empowerment Foundation, claimed that the previous $100 million loan from the World Bank, intended to empower impoverished Nigerian women, which was released during President Muhammadu Buhari’s government was allegedly squandered on consultancy fees, seminars, and other non-essential activities. 

According to the plaintiffs, the funds never reached the intended beneficiaries who are poor Nigerian women.

The women’s activities said they are worried that the $500 million loan is at risk of suffering the same fate as the previous funds, being diverted into private pockets instead of being utilized for meaningful development projects.

Amb. Mamah, the lead plaintiff, emphasized in her affidavit that Nigerian women, who will bear the responsibility of repaying the loan, have not seen any tangible benefits from previous funds. 

She warned that failure to utilize the current loan effectively could leave the country in prolonged economic servitude.

“That another 500 Million Dollars has just been provided by the selfsame World Bank for the benefit of the Nigerian women, it is not free manna from the Heavens but still a loan facility to be repaid with interest in due course of time by the teaming Nigerian populace.

“That the enemies of the people are circling again determined to divert the fund, away from the Nigerian women for whom the money is meant and into private pockets. A whole of 500 Million United States Dollars ploughed into useful and meaningful endeavors – agriculture, fishery, trading, making of crafts eic. wi: chase hunger, death, slavery insecurity, prostitution and other vices out of the land.

“It is the bounden responsibility of the respondents to ensure that this fund, intended for the empowerment of Nigerian women, is not misappropriated”.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to enforce the proper use of the $500 million loan for its intended purpose, arguing that Nigeria’s economic recovery, especially the dignity of its women, depends on it.

The plaintiffs argued that if the funds are mismanaged again, it will deepen Nigeria’s economic crisis and perpetuate the nation’s poor international reputation.

The court has yet to set a hearing date for the case.

A socio-cultural group, Ndigbo Youths Movement Worldwide (NYMW), has alleged a covert plot to target the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, for his stance in the ongoing dispute between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Group.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Israel Akaego, and Secretary, Amaka Ukadike, the group pointed fingers at NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, and other collaborators within the National Assembly, accusing them of orchestrating an attack on Ugochinyere with a view to mounting a campaign of intimidation and calumny against him. The group alleged that the move is being bankrolled by Mele Kyari.

According to NYMW, the lawmaker is being targeted for defending the interests of Nigerians in the oil sector, particularly through his support for the Dangote Refinery.

The group expressed concern over attempts to discredit Ugochinyere, citing the recent creation of a joint Senate committee, headed by Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi, as part of the alleged plot. 

The group believes this is an effort to weaken Ugochinyere, who has been outspoken in calling for Kyari’s removal over what he described as poor management of NNPCL.

The statement added that some moves have been orchestrated by some powerful individuals within the corridors of power to manipulate the investigative process and even discredit Ugochinyere.

It noted “it is deeply concerning to witness the recent witch-hunt against a dedicated lawmaker who has taken a bold stand in defense of the masses, challenging the unchecked powers of the oil industry cabals,” the statement read. 

“At a time when Nigerians are grappling with rising fuel prices, inflation, and economic pressure from a few powerful players, we need voices that prioritize the public interest over corporate elites.”

The group emphasized that Ugochinyere’s efforts have disrupted the status quo, leading to attempts to silence him through intimidation and character assassination. 

NYMW vowed to resist any further moves to frame the lawmaker and called on Nigerians to support those advocating for transparency and fairness in the oil sector.

“This is not just about one lawmaker; it’s about the future of our oil industry and the millions of lives affected by its governance. The witch-hunt must stop now, or we risk losing the few voices still standing up for the common man in the face of corporate greed and corruption,” the group stated.

The group urged the public to rally behind lawmakers like Ugochinyere who are willing to fight for national interests and resist undue pressure from powerful individuals within the oil industry.

• Ajube combs PDP structures for APC; pledges to fund election in Ondo South senatorial district

• we will reciprocate Ilaje’s 2023 support for Rep”-Agadagba-In-Council

Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo state, the Ijaw speaking Arogbo Kingdom on Sunday, boosted the chances of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the Kingdoms Traditional Council endorsed his candidature. 

Governor Aiyedatiwa is also the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom’s endorsement came as Niger Delta Peace Ambassador and entrepreneur, Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube pledged to fund the governors election in the six local government areas of the south senatorial district of Ondo state. 

The Agadagba and Paramount Ruler of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom, Pere(Barrister) Zaccheus Doubra Egbunu, Opukutu 111, who made the endorsement pronouncement said the decision hinges on the massive support the Ilajes gave to their son, Hon Donald Ojogo during the 2023 House of Representatives election.

“Our governor is our son in Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom because he is our closest neighbour. There is no way we will not give him maximum support especially as an Ilaje man.

“In Ijaw land, we value and reciprocate good gestures; we cannot forget in a hurry how the Ilajes mobilized hugely for our son, Hon Donald Ojogo to win the House of Representatives seat in 2023. For the very first time, an Ijaw man is in the Green Chamber. So it’s our duty, it’s an obligation for us to massively vote for this Governor who happens to be our Ilaje son”, the monarch said.

Ajube, who is the Pathfinder of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom while playing host to Governor Aiyedatiwa at an elaborate ceremony where over 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC pledged his commitment to fund the election 

“Mr Governor, your election is our election and that of the president because it is the first governorship election in the Southwest since the 2023 presidential election that produced our own President Ahmed Bola Tinubu. 

“As such, it is of great consequence to the President, and we cannot afford to play with it. We will not disappoint our president and that is why we have demolished all the ward structures of the PDP in our Kingdom.

“So Your Excellency, just leave the six local government areas in the southern senatorial district of the state for me to provide the money. Just keep the little money you have for other senatorial districts. I have the capacity. I am an Ijaw man. We don’t deceive people. If we say, we will do something, don’t doubt it, we will do it.

The Governor, while receiving the defectors, appreciated them for joining the APC family of the true progressives where everyone’s voice counts. He thanked all the party leaders for their support and announced various initiatives of his administration aimed at improving the lives of the people of the state.

The Chairman of Arogbo LCDA, Hon Caleb Ebi Molos, in His welcome address, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his concern for Arogbo Kingdom and assured him of the total support of the people of Arogbo LCDA.

The event was attended by Hon Donald Ojogo, member of the House of Representatives representing Ilaje/ Ese-Odo Federal Constituency; Hon Agabra Atili, Deputy State Chairman of APC; Hon Toyin Allen, House of Assembly Member representing Ese-Odo State Constituency; Hon Samuel Twatimi, Head of the Ondo State Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Hon Kolade Akinjo, former member House of Representatives, among other leaders.