President Bola Tinubu has announced leadership changes at several federal universities, including the University of Abuja, now known as Yakubu Gowon University.

The changes take effective immediately, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Thursday.

“At Yakubu Gowon University, President Tinubu dissolved the entire governing council and relieved Prof Aisha Maikudi of her duties as Vice-Chancellor.

“Sen. Lanre Tejuoso, currently Pro-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, has been appointed Pro-Chancellor of the Yakubu Gowon University.

“He will be succeeded in Makurdi by Sen. Joy Emordi, now pro-chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education,” said the statement.

To succeed Maikudi, Tinubu appointed Prof. Lar Patricia Manko as Acting Vice Chancellor at the Yakubu Gowon University for a six-month term.

She will not be eligible to apply for the substantive Vice Chancellor position when it becomes available.

The President has also removed Prof. Polycarp Chigbu from his position as Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, before his tenure ends on Feb. 14.

Prof. Oguejiofu Ujam has been appointed as his successor for six months and will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position.

“The leadership changes at UNN extends to the role of Pro-Chancellor, with Gen. Ike Nwachukwu reassigned to Pro-Chancellor at the University of Uyo.

“President Tinubu appointed Engr Olubunmi Ojo as the new Pro-Chancellor of UNN. Previously, Ojo held the same position at the Federal University of Lokoja and the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

“Prof. Zubairu Abdullahi, currently the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, has been appointed to succeed Ojo at the Federal University of Lokoja,” said the statement.

Sen. Sani Stores is the new Pro-Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, succeeding Sen. Joy Emordi, while Stores is now a Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Additionally, Mr Olugbenga Kukoyi, a current Council Member at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has been appointed the new Pro-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra.

“All appointments and reassignment decisions are effective immediately.

“President Tinubu emphasised that these changes reflect his administration’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s higher education system through dynamic leadership and accountability.

“The restructuring aims to strengthen governance and academic excellence within Nigeria’s tertiary education sector,” concluded the statement.

The Edo State Government has announced the suspension of its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani.

The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, made this announcement in a statement released on Thursday morning in Benin, the state capital.

Ikhilor stated that the two high-ranking state officials were suspended due to allegations of “grave official and financial infractions.”

According to him, the suspension, which takes immediate effect, is pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Gov. Monday Okpebholo has approved the suspension from office of the Chairman of Edo Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie over allegations of grave official and financial infractions.

“The suspension is with immediate effect.

“Consequently, the governor has ordered the setting up of an Investigative Committee to investigate the allegations levelled against them and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.

“The suspension of Osagie and Lawani became necessary to enable the government to carry out a thorough investigation into the allegation of financial infractions levelled against them.

“The suspension is pending the conclusion of the investigation,” the SSG said.

The suspension came less than three months after the two officials were appointed.

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has reportedly ordered the final forfeiture of funds totalling N1,168,602,877.44, $392,818.01, and £35,070, recovered from a former employee of First Bank of Nigeria, Muiz Tijani Adeyinka, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission via X, Justice A.O. Owoeye granted the final forfeiture order on Monday, February 3, 2025, following a motion on notice filed by the EFCC.

The order came after an initial interim forfeiture ruling made on November 27, 2024, which required the publication of the forfeiture notice in a national newspaper, allowing any interested party to contest the claim.

Counsel to the EFCC, Zeenat Atiku, while presenting the application, stated, “The Commission, on March 26, 2024, received a petition from First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) alleging fraudulent transactions in various bank accounts within and outside the bank.”

According to Atiku, investigations revealed that Adeyinka, the principal suspect, was a former staff member of First Bank and also served as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Golden Sieve Logistics Ltd, Golden Sieve Properties Ltd, and Golden Sieve Motors Ltd. These companies were duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“He was attached to the Settlement Office of the bank and, by virtue of his office, had some inalienable access available only to the Settlement Office,” Atiku explained.

The EFCC’s counsel further stated that Adeyinka manipulated the settlement accounts by creating fictitious domiciliary inflows, transferring the naira equivalent to himself and his associates.

“In a bid to conceal and disguise the said fraudulent proceeds derived, he laundered the same by purchasing US Dollars and USDT,” Atiku added.

The illicit funds were traced to Adeyinka’s personal dollar account and cryptocurrency wallets.

Following the publication of the interim forfeiture order in The PUNCH newspaper on December 5, 2024, the court found no contesting claims against the forfeiture application.

After reviewing the supporting affidavit, written address, and the publication, Justice Owoeye ruled in favour of the EFCC’s application.

“I have considered the application. I have examined the affidavit in support, the written address, and the publication attached. The application has merit and the same is hereby granted,” the judge declared.