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Unraveling the Nexus of Power: NGIJ Challenges PSFU’s Narrative on Journalists’ Arrest
In response to the recent press release by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, signed by SP Eyitayo Johnson regarding the arrest and arraignment of four journalists for alleged cyberstalking and attempted extortion of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has said that it is constrained to set the record straight on several key points. googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
In a statement jointly signed by the President and the Vice President Administration and Strategic Communications, Malam Abdulrahman Aliagan and Oyewale Oyelola respectively, on Thursday, and made available to Journalists in Abuja, the Guild noted that without joining issues with the parties involved, the Police overstepped its boundaries under the law by issuing a statement that clearly pronounced the defendants guilty as charged.
The statement read in parts: “NGIJ view with dismay the desperate media war the PSFU seems to be waging against four journalists arrested by the unit at on the orders of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank).
“The Guild is shocked at the tone of the press release signed by SP Eyitayo Johnson and made available to the media on Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, when the Journalists have been arraigned in court and remanded at Ikoyi Prison until 4th of October, 2024.
“The tone of the press release is not only assertive and judgmental but smacks of a desperate attempt of giving a dog a bad name to hang it.
“Again, it seems PSFU wants to be a judge in its own case when they affirmed in the said press release that “having established contact with a staff member of the PR department of the bank, and despite being informed that the story in false; (sic) resorted to economic blackmail by demanding for financial compensation before the false publication could be pulled down.”
“One would think that a reputable unit like the PSFU would be professional enough to allow the Court determined this case based on its merits (if any). This is because to the best of our knowledge, whether or not the arrested journalists demanded for financial compensation before pulling down the stories is a matter to be determined by the court.
“In setting the record straight: First and foremost, it is crucial to highlight that the four journalists in question were arraigned in court on Friday, 27th of September, 2024, before Hon. Justice Ayokunle Faji and are scheduled for trial from the 4th of October, 2024. This demonstrates that due legal process is already ongoing and the matter is being handled in a transparent and accountable manner by a court of law. Therefore, for PSFU to start issuing a press release and sending pictures of the Journalists to the media on the 2nd of October, even when their arraignment was widely reported by major newspapers on the 28th and 29th of September, 2024 has left a big question mark as to what the special interests of the Police in the matter is.
“Furthermore, it has come to light that the House of Representatives has received a petition regarding the subject matter in the case, with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen granting approval for a thorough probe of the allegations against the GTBank. This indicates that the issue has broader implications and is being taken seriously at a higher legislative level.
“GTBANK itself had before an investigative panel at the National Assembly in September confirmed that the bank did not remit (Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Federal Government for an extended period of 8 years. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Nigeria’s House of Representatives then ordered the GTBank to calculate the VAT owed on commissions earned through the Remita platform between 2015 and 2022 to the Federal Government.
“This fraudulent act was part of the content of the original report by the defendants, leading to their arrests. This revelation, without prejudice to the ongoing case in court, underscores the need for thorough investigation and scrutiny of the bank’s practices, lending credibility to the four accused journalists’ publications.
“Additionally, concerns have been raised about the fundamental human rights of the journalists as they were kept in custody by the Police for up to a week before they were charged to court. Moreso, the nature of the arrest of the Journalists in question in a ‘Gestapo-style’ without their arrests duly registered their with the local authorities in Ilorin and Abeokuta, remains a big question on the professionalism of the PSFU Police. This also raises questions about the fairness and legality of their detention and the nature of the arrest, especially considering the sensitive nature of press freedom globally.
“It is evident that the Police’s actions in this case may indicate an attempt to suppress freedom of the press and stifle truthful reportage, particularly when considering the influence of powerful individuals and entity involved, like the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr Segun Agbaje.
“Without any doubt, the role of the police should be to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of individuals, including journalists, without bias but in this case, adhering to these noble duties are doubtful.
“We therefore strongly condemn position taken by the Police in the allegations made against our four colleagues, in which they have taken a NOT GUILTY plea before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.
“It’s disturbing to see the police seemingly working to justify their actions, rather than upholding the principles of democracy and protecting the rights of journalists to report the truth by the obvious show of bias by the PSFU.
“The allegations appear to be a blatant attempt to continue to harass, intimidate, and silence our colleagues and stifle press freedom in efforts to protect the rich and the influential in the society.
“The NGIJ therefore stand in solidarity with rule of law and our colleagues as well as demands that their rights be respected, as we will continue to report the truth, without fear or favour, and hold those in power accountable for their actions in public interest.
“We therefore call on Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, the Chairman Police Service Commission, PSC, democratic institutions, the National Assembly, human rights organizations, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the international community to condemn the position of the PSFU as the prosecutor and the judge in the matter before the court”, the statement concluded.
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NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature Exoneration
NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationThe Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the unfolding scandal surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), insisting that the gravity of the allegations and the institutions reportedly involved make an ordinary investigation inadequate.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and National Secretary, Rowland Olonishuwa, the Guild faulted the Presidency’s swift public exoneration of the Chief of Staff to the President by the President’s spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, describing it as premature and inconsistent with the principles of natural justice.
According to the Guild, declaring any public official innocent before the conclusion of an impartial investigation undermines public confidence in the process and creates the impression that the outcome has already been predetermined.
“The hasty exoneration of any public official before a comprehensive investigation has been concluded negates the principles of justice, fairness and good conscience.
Every Nigerian deserves to see that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to have been done,” the statement said.
NGIJ said the controversy surrounding the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has become one of the most significant governance scandals in recent years, alleging that the sequence of events surrounding the Council points to a level of official backing that requires a truly independent investigation.
The Guild argued that several developments associated with the Council have raised serious questions that cannot be ignored.
According to the statement, available information indicates that an account was reportedly opened for the Council at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the controversial PFIPC was reportedly captured in the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly, office accommodation was allocated to the Council within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, and more than 300 personnel, including eight directors, were reportedly recruited or sourced to work for the Council.
NGIJ noted that these developments, if established through investigation, suggest that the activities attributed to the Council went far beyond the actions of a few individuals and may have involved approvals or support from influential actors within government.
“The establishment of banking arrangements, budgetary provisions, office allocation, recruitment of hundreds of personnel and appointment of directors are not processes ordinarily executed without official authorisation and institutional support. These issues raise legitimate public interest questions that deserve thorough and independent scrutiny,” the Guild stated.
It added that the scale of the allegations has created widespread public concern and, if left unresolved, could erode confidence in Nigeria’s governance institutions and anti-corruption framework.
The Guild expressed reservations over allowing the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to solely investigate the matter, arguing that given the alleged involvement of powerful figures and the institutional implications of the case, a broader and more independent mechanism would inspire greater public confidence.
According to NGIJ, the investigation should be handled by an independent judicial panel comprising retired judicial officers, forensic auditors, representatives of relevant anti-corruption institutions, professional bodies and civil society organisations, with full powers to examine documents, invite witnesses and recommend appropriate actions based on its findings.
The Guild further urged the National Assembly to commence a public legislative inquiry into the establishment, funding, operations and legal status of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.
It maintained that no public official, irrespective of rank or political influence, should be insulated from investigation where credible allegations exist.
NGIJ stressed that the circumstances surrounding the controversial PFIPC have made the matter unprecedented and deserving of the highest level of independent scrutiny.
The Guild said only a transparent, credible and independent investigation can establish the true facts, identify any wrongdoing where it exists, protect innocent persons where appropriate, and restore public confidence in the administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency and the rule of law.
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MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New Product
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Lagos, Nigeria — July 2026 — MeCure Industries Plc closed the first half of 2026 on a strong note, marked by the affirmation of its national scale issuer ratings by GCR Ratings, the award of Halal certification, and the launch of two new products. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
GCR Ratings affirmed MeCure Industries Plc’s long-term issuer rating at BBB(NG) and short-term issuer rating at A3(NG), with the company’s long-term outlook revised to Stable. The rating agency said the decision was supported by improvements in MeCure’s competitive position, sound earnings performance, ongoing expansion, product innovation, and wider market penetration. GCR also noted the company’s diversified portfolio of more than 140 formulations across five therapeutic classes, its extensive distribution network, and its relationships with suppliers and technical partners.
During the period, MeCure also received Halal certification, reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality, compliance, and broader consumer accessibility. For the everyday consumer, Halal certification means that the certified products have been reviewed to ensure that their ingredients, sourcing, handling, and production processes comply with recognised Halal requirements. In practical terms, it gives Muslim consumers greater confidence that the medicines they use are permissible, while also providing an additional layer of assurance around transparency, product integrity, and manufacturing discipline.
The certification is expected to support trust among customers, healthcare professionals, distributors, and institutional partners, while strengthening MeCure’s positioning in markets where Halal-compliant products are an important consideration.
In June 2026, MeCure further expanded its product portfolio with the introduction of Fluconazole Capsules and EBU Suspension. Fluconazole Capsules add to the company’s antifungal offering, while EBU Suspension, an ibuprofen oral suspension, strengthens MeCure’s paediatric and family care range. The launches reflect the company’s continued focus on affordable, locally manufactured medicines across key therapeutic needs.
As MeCure enters the second half of 2026, the company said it remains focused on deepening local manufacturing, improving access to quality medicines, expanding its product pipeline, and delivering sustainable value to shareholders.
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NewsJuly 15, 2026NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationNewsJuly 1, 2026MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New ProductNewsJune 29, 2026Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme BorderNewsJune 12, 2026June 12: Ajia Congratulates Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Calls for Youth Inclusion and Grassroots Development
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Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme Border
Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme Borde
By Usman Aliyu | June 27, 2026
Ajaka, Kogi State — The family of Sgt. Benjamin Etuh, a native of Ajaka in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, has appealed to the public for information regarding his whereabouts following reports that he may have been involved in a drowning incident at the Seme Border area of Lagos State.
According to information available to the family, Sgt. Etuh, who was last known to be serving at the Seme Border Patrol, was reportedly involved in an incident on the water around the border community. However, relatives say they have not received any official confirmation regarding his condition or whereabouts.
The uncertainty surrounding the incident has left family members distressed and searching for answers. Efforts to contact the officer through his mobile phone numbers have also proved unsuccessful, as the lines have reportedly remained unreachable for several days.
Family sources expressed concern over the lack of verified information and appealed to the relevant authorities to provide clarity on the officer’s status. They also called on security agencies, colleagues, residents of the Seme Border area, and members of the public with any useful information to come forward.
Efforts by reporters to obtain official confirmation from the Ikeja Command were unsuccessful, as no response had been received at the time of filing this report.
As of the time of publication, there has been no official statement confirming Sgt. Benjamin Etuh’s whereabouts or condition. The family continues to appeal for credible information that may help establish the facts surrounding the incident.
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NewsJuly 15, 2026NGIJ Demands Independent Probe of Controversial PFIPC, Rejects Premature ExonerationNewsJuly 1, 2026MeCure Industries Plc Closes H1 2026 with Stable BBB GCR Outlook, Halal Certification, Launches New ProductNewsJune 29, 2026Family Seeks Information on Missing Sergeant After Reported Drowning Incident at Seme BorderNewsJune 12, 2026June 12: Ajia Congratulates Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Calls for Youth Inclusion and Grassroots Development