2026

Former President Goodluck Jonathan stirred laughter at a public event after describing the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as “my good friend,” despite their well-known past political differences. Jonathan made the remark on Tuesday during the launch of former Head of State Yakubu Gowon’s memoir yesterday in Abuja. Witnesses at the event said the audience burst into laughter shortly after the former president made the comment, prompting him to pause briefly before continuing his speech. Jonathan and Sanusi were involved in a major public fallout during Sanusi’s tenure as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Read Also: Billions Flow as Gowon Unveils Tell-All Memoir in Abuja Why PCACC is Investigating Kano’s Former Head of Service Photos: EFCC arrests ex-minister Mamman convicted for N33bn fraud The disagreement escalated in February 2014 after Sanusi appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance and alleged that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit nearly $20 billion to the Federation Account. The allegation sparked nationwide controversy and strained relations between the presidency and the then CBN governor. Jonathan later suspended Sanusi from office over allegations bordering on financial recklessness and misconduct. Following his removal as CBN governor, Sanusi was appointed Emir of Kano in 2014 after the death of the late Ado Bayero. He was appointed by the Kano State Government under the administration of former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, days after he was sentenced in absentia over the alleged diversion of more than N33 billion earmarked for the Mambilla power project and other electricity schemes. Mamman’s arrest came less than a week after a court ordered security agencies to apprehend him following his conviction on 12 counts bordering on the alleged fraud. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed the development during a media briefing in Abuja. According to him, the former minister was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. in Kaduna after operatives carried out extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance operations. Olukoyede said: “Ladies and gentlemen, you will recall that sometime in January 2025, charges were finally filed against the former Minister for allegedly obtaining over N33 billion meant for the Mambilla and other power projects. Read Also: Kano Anti-Graft Agency Launches Probe into Ex-Head of Service Billions Flow as Gowon Unveils Tell-All Memoir in Abuja Kano: ALGON Chair Escapes Attack After Political Rally “About 14 or 15 months down the line, specifically on the 7th of this month, we secured conviction on all 12 counts. “However, because the main defendant was not present, the issue of sentencing was deferred. “On the 13th of this month, he was sentenced in absentia. Since then, we have intensified our intelligence, surveillance and recovery operations in search of him. “I am happy to announce to Nigerians that at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, we arrested Mr Saleh Mamman somewhere in Kaduna.” Olukoyede described the arrest as proof of the Federal Government’s resolve to fight corruption, warning that public officials accused of looting public funds would eventually face justice. He said: “This is a testament to the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the fight against corruption and an assurance to Nigerians that anyone who has looted government and national resources will not go unpunished. “The eagle eye of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will always catch up with you wherever you are.” He added that the commission would leave no stone unturned in investigating and prosecuting anyone found to have stolen public funds. Asked whether Mamman was in EFCC custody, Olukoyede replied: “Yes, he is in our custody at the moment.” On whether the convict had been transferred to a correctional facility, the EFCC chairman said the process was ongoing because the arrest took place in the early hours of Tuesday. “That is fine. I told you the man was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. this morning, and there was no way we could immediately take him to a correctional facility. We have our own facilities,” he said. Olukoyede also disclosed that two other persons were arrested during the operation, saying investigators believed the former minister had been shielded while evading arrest. He said, “We discovered that he was actually being protected. At the location where we effected the arrest, we arrested two other Nigerians, including individuals linked to the property where he was found. “They are currently under investigation because it is a crime to harbour, protect or provide shelter for a convicted felon.” The EFCC chairman said the commission had also uncovered another property suspected to belong to Mamman and was moving to recover additional assets linked to him. The EFCC chairman said, “He was arrested in the Rigasa area of Kaduna. With respect to other properties we suspect belong to him, as a matter of fact, just a few days ago we discovered another one. We are seeking to go after those properties as well. “But with respect to the properties already tied to the charges before the court, those are the ones currently under legal process.”

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, on Tuesday unveiled his memoir, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, at a high-profile ceremony in Abuja attended by prominent political, military, and business leaders. The event drew notable dignitaries, including former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, launched the memoir with a donation of ₦3 billion for copies to be distributed to the 20 universities that awarded Gowon honorary doctorate degrees. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, also purchased copies worth ₦500 million in support of the project. The memoir was reviewed by Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, while Gowon described the publication as an effort to set the record straight on major historical events in Nigeria, particularly the circumstances surrounding the Nigerian Civil War. Read Also: Coups, Counter-Coups and the Cost to Nigeria Between Discipline and Dissent: Musa Bamaiyi and the Burden of Command At 50 Years, Murtala’s Legacy Still Outpaces Many Governments In the book, Gowon recounted tensions within the military hierarchy following the January 1966 coup, revealing that some Northern military officers believed the then Eastern Region Governor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was complicit in the coup and wanted action taken against him. Gowon explained that despite pressures and disagreements over military seniority, he chose to retain Ojukwu in office in what he described as an altruistic decision aimed at preserving unity and stability. According to him, Ojukwu rejected his leadership and insisted that Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, who was senior in rank, should have succeeded General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. The former Head of State also disclosed that he prevented attempts by Northern officers to move against Ojukwu, stressing that he viewed him as a colleague with whom he hoped to rebuild the country after the crisis. Ojukwu later declared the secession of Biafra in May 1967, leading to a 30-month civil war that ended in January 1970 following the surrender of Biafra.