The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has charged Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu , former Chief of Staff to Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, with money laundering before the Federal High Court, Kaduna on Tuesday.

According to the charge sheet, Saidu, who also served as Commissioner of Finance in Kaduna State, allegedly accepted a cash payment of N155,000,000 from one Ibrahim Muktar, a public officer in the Ministry of Finance, exceeding the amount authorized by law.

The ICPC alleged that the transaction took place in March 2022, and that Saidu received the cash through his Special Assistant, Muazu Abdu.

According to charge No FHC/KD/IC/2025, the defendants are being accused of two-count charges of Money Laundering, contrary to earlier claim that Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu had been exonerated of all charges after 10 months of investigation.

The court document stated that sometime in March 2022 or thereabouts, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir Saidu, who at that time Commissioner of Finance, ‘’did accept cash payment of the sum of N155,000,000.00 from one Ibrahim Muktar exceeding the amount authorised by law, which sum you received in cash through proxy to wit: Muazu Abdu, your Special Assistant and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section2(a) and punishable under the Section 19(d) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’’

The ICPC further alleged that in the same March 2022 or thereabouts, the former commissioner, ‘’indirectly took control of the sum of N155, 000,000.00 received in cash for and on behalf of you by one Muazu Abdul from Ibrahim Muktar, which fund you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: corruption and you hereby committed an offence contrary to section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’’

“Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 states that ‘’any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection(2) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than four years but not more than fourteen years or a fine not less than five times the value of the proceeds of the crime or both.’’

The charge which was signed by the Assistant Chief Legal Officer of ICPC, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, was filed on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

Saidu was being investigated for allegedly laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government.

The Kaduna State House of Assembly had also indicted El-Rufai’s government for allegedly syphoning state government funds to the tune of over N423 billion.

Daily Trust Newspaper.

Mr. John Dramani Mahama has been officially sworn in as Ghana’s president at a grand inauguration ceremony held at the Black Star Square in Accra.

Thousands of Ghanaians, alongside dignitaries and global leaders, gathered to witness the historic event, which marked an important moment in Ghana’s democratic journey.

President Mahama, 65, assumes office after a decisive victory in last year’s presidential election, where he secured 56.6 percent of the vote against the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, then Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who garnered 41.6 percent. This margin of victory is the largest seen in Ghana’s elections in 24 years, with a voter turnout of 60.9 percent.

Mahama replaces Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, promising to address pressing issues such as economic challenges, corruption, unemployment, and the environmental damage caused by illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”

Historic return

Mr. Mahama’s inauguration is particularly significant as it represents a stunning political comeback. After serving as president from 2012 to 2017. Mahama lost the 2020 elections. His return to power has been hailed as a testament to his resilience and the electorate’s demand for change.

The victory also continues Ghana’s tradition of alternating power between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the NPP, with no party winning more than two consecutive terms since the return to multi-party democracy in 1992.

Oaths of Office

Mr. John Mahama and Vice-President-elect Professor Jane Naane Opoku Agyemang were administered the oaths of office by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo with the latter taking her turn first in the ceremony which also doubled as a sitting of the ninth Parliament.

They took the Oath of Allegiance first followed by the Oaths for their respective Offices as President and Vice President.

Inaugural address

In his inaugural speech, President Mahama addressed key national issues, outlining his vision for the future of Ghana.

Looking ahead

The challenges facing Mahama’s administration are significant. During his previous tenure, Ghana grappled with economic difficulties, persistent power cuts, and corruption scandals. Many Ghanaians are hopeful that his return will herald a new era of progress and accountability.

As the nation enters this new chapter under President Mahama’s leadership, all eyes are on his administration to deliver on its promises and restore hope to the Ghanaian people. The coming months will be critical in shaping the legacy of his unprecedented third term.

The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has raised the alarm that bandits from the Northwest are fleeing to the southern state.

According to him, the development is due to a continued military onslaught in the Northwestern region which has forced the bandits to flee to Ibadan, the state capital.

He made this assertion at the 2025 annual inter-faith service for workers held in Agodi area of Ibadan, the state capital.

Makinde, however, vowed to smoke out the fleeing bandits and deal with them.

He said: “The year 2024 was challenging, particularly in terms of safety and security.

“We had incidents of fire outbreaks, armed robberies, and kidnappings. However, in 2025, we will redouble our efforts to address these issues.”

“During a security briefing this morning, I learned that some bad elements from the North-West are relocating here due to military heat in their zones. But we will find and deal with them.”

“During my birthday retreat, bandits had camped less than two kilometres from where I was staying.”

“This underscores the seriousness of the situation.”

The governor urged residents and traditional rulers to report any suspicious movements.

“To our traditional rulers, who are custodians of your domains, and to all residents, this is no joke. If you see suspicious movements, report them immediately.”

“For us in Oyo, bandits will have no foothold. I will not sleep until every inch of this state is safe,” Makinde noted.

Nigerian states especially in the Northern region are battling from activities of bandits and terrorists, a situation that has usually led to deaths, kidnappings, destructions and destabilisation of states.