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Gov. Kefas, General Faransa in cold war over destruction of N10 billion mining equipment

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo

There is an ongoing sour relationship between Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and his strong political Aly, General Jeremiah Faransa (rtd), Chairman, Task force Committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation over the circumstances sourounding the destruction of over N10 billion worth of government owned mining equipment in Akwana, Wukari local government of the state.

General Faransa (Rtd) holds two exhalted positions as Chairman, Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation as well as the Chairman of Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue Services.

During his last visit to Akwana mining site, Faransa allegedly ordered his team to set fire on all the mining equipment worth N10.5 billion Naira and burnt them.

The Akwana mining site which is located at the boarder between Taraba and Benue states, is believed to be richly endowed with Lithium, Gold and Sodium said to be in large deposits, has over the years been a centre of mining activities for both officials and Illegal miners.

Our investigation reveals that the equipment which includes two brand new Excavators, Soundproof MiKano Generators, Detecting Machines, motorcycles and other equipment used for such activities, were purchased by Governor Kefas through the Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources at the cost of about N10.5 billion early this year.

The Permanent Secretary, Taraba State Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Matsai David confirmed that after the purchase, he personally conveyed the mining equipment to Akwana on the directives of the Governor.

“I conveyed the mining equipment to Wukari on the directive of the governor, I am not answerable to the Taskforce. So when the governor comes back from the trip, I will give my explanation on the situation, for now, I reserve my comment” David disclosed when contacted over the incident.

The question by many Tarabans last week is whether Governor Kefas has also embarked on secret Illegal Mining activities. Citizens are wondering why the purchase of the mining equipment without the knowledge of the Chairman of the Taskforce committee on illegal mining?

Meanwhile, the Taraba Concern Citizens (TCC), a pressure group operating within the state has requested that both Gov Kefas and General Faransa owe the people of the state explanation why equipment procured with state funds amounting to a whopping sum of over N10.5 billion be destroyed by a committee set up by a committee set up by the state government.

The Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emos Tijani said, “we are calling on Governor Kefas to come out clearly and tell the people of the state why a Taskforce established by his government would destroy equipment worth Billions of Naira which was procured by tax payers money

“We the concern citizens are still confused of what led to the destruction of the mining equipment, is it that the Faransa led Taskforce is in disagreement with the state government? Or, is it that the governor and his government are also engaged in secret illegal mining activities without the knowledge of the Faransa committee? “he questioned.

The action of General Faransa to burn down the equipment of such magnitude is still questionable as why couldn’t the committee confiscate the equipment which would have served as exhibit and would have justified their claims of having illegal miners operating in the state.

There are feelers that the general has his hidden plans to begin his own private Mining business in the area and as such destroyed the government’s equipment with the motive to frustrate the government’s mining business.

There are other suspicions from different quarters that the General was bringing in partners who mostly are powerful retired generals who are into mining business and who had been his godfathers while he was serving in the military.

According to a source who was at the mining site during the destruction at Akwana told our correspondent last week that the Chairman, Gen. Faransa, had told them that the equipment belonged to illegal Miners who always hide to harness mineral resources in the state.

National Trail investigation reveals that Governor Kefas has since fallen apart with General Faransa following his alleged excesses and secret dealing, including arrogating powers to himself as Chairman of the Taskforce.

It was gathered that during the raid by Faransa’s Taskforce on several mining locations in the state few months ago , the Taskforce recovered different kinds of mineral resources amounting to billions of naira from illegal miners, but the items were later sold and the proceeds were allegedly diverted to personal pockets.

These and many other reasons was responsible to why Governor Kefas in April this year appointed Faransa as Chairman Taraba state board of internal revenue to relief him of the position of the Taskforce committee Chairman.

It was gathered that since his appointment as Chairman, board of internal revenue, Faransa has vowed not to relinquish his position as Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining.

Aside from his refusal to relinquish the position of the Taskforce Chairman, Faransa sometimes last week allegedly wrote to the office of the State Accountant General directing that the AG must henceforth furnish his office with details of all revenue acrueing to the state, including monthly federal allocations.

Again, General Faransa under the board of internal revenue is currently recruiting boys loyal to him to handle collections of revenue on heads and sub-heads that are domicile in all the MDAS in the state, thereby depriving the professionals and technical officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies from doing their duties.

It was however gathered that this development did not go down well with Governor Kefas who according to sources viewed Faransa as arrogating too much powers to himself and over stepping his bounds.

Sources reveals that for the past three weeks, Governor Kefas has shot his doors against Faransa, including declining to pick all his phone calls.

All efforts by our correspondent to reach General Faransa, the Chairman of the Taskforce committee on Illegal Mining and Deforestation proved abortive.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kefas on media and communication, Hon. Emmanul Bello told our correspondent that the appropriate person to comment on the matter was the Permanent Secretary Bureau for Solid Mineral Resources, Mr. Matsai David who earlier confirmed his office purchased the mining equipment on the directives of the Governor.

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Alao-Akala’s Widow Urges Full Implementation Of LG Autonomy

Published

33 minutes ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

Drums support for Tinubu, APC candidates

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Chairperson of the Akala Transformation Movement (ATM) and former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has called for the full implementation of local government autonomy, saying it will bring governance closer to Nigerians and accelerate development at the grassroots.

Alao-Akala made the call during an ATM outreach held at Equilibrium Resorts, Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State, where she also urged Nigerians, particularly women, to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and participate actively in the democratic process.

She said the effective functioning of local governments was crucial because they remained the closest tier of government to the people.

“One important thing I am preaching now is local government autonomy. Obviously, we are going to have our local governments properly elected. They are going to be funded, and they are the closest to the people,” she said.

The former First Lady urged Nigerians to understand and assess the impact of government policies before making political decisions, stressing that the coming years should be devoted to consolidating ongoing reforms and ensuring that their benefits reach ordinary citizens.

She also called on women to remain actively involved in governance and continue supporting leaders through their votes and prayers.

According to her, voting remained a major responsibility of citizens because it determines the quality and direction of leadership at all levels.

Alao-Akala further urged ATM members and supporters to work for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support its candidates in state and national elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She clarified that ATM was a movement and not a political party, adding that its activities were aimed at mobilising support for the APC and its candidates.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of ATM, Mr Demola Alao-Akala, said the movement would continue to preserve and promote the legacy of his late father, former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

He said the essence of the movement was not merely to remember the late governor but to sustain the values and principles he stood for, particularly people-oriented governance and the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“The concept of remembrance of our father is about making sure that his legacy survives. When he left, he left us a pattern, and we strongly believe that the legacy he left behind can be used to propagate his ideas and keep his memory alive,” he said.

The ATM DG said members of the movement were determined to build on the ideals of service and good governance associated with the late governor.

“We believe strongly that if we are alive, we are going to go back to our lives and continue in the spirit that he showed. We are moving forward, and I think we are supposed to continue,” he added.

Alao-Akala said the late governor’s political philosophy placed the welfare of the people at the centre of governance, noting that democracy should ultimately be judged by its positive impact on citizens.

He assured ATM members that the movement would remain committed to promoting the late governor’s ideals while mobilising support for programmes and candidates it believes can improve the lives of Nigerians.

“We are going forward,” he declared.

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Bank Cannot Freeze Customer’s Account Without Valid Court Order — Zarewa

Published

9 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

A legal practitioner, Mr M. D. Zarewa, has said that a bank cannot freeze or restrict a customer’s account without a valid court order.
Zarewa said it was prevalent in the society for law enforcement agencies to give directives to banks to freeze customers’ accounts whenever there was a pending case before them, adding that banks often complied with such directives.
He, however, said such practice was alien to Nigeria’s jurisprudence, stressing that banks were enjoined not to interfere with or restrict the activities of any customer’s account without a valid court order.
According to him, it is trite law and settled beyond argument that a bank cannot freeze a customer’s account without a valid court order.
He said the position was entrenched in the case of GTB Plc v. Olachi & Anor (2025) LPELR-81833(CA), where the Court of Appeal held that “whether frozen or restricted, neither can be done without the valid order of a Court of Law.”
Zarewa further cited GTBank v. Adedamola (2019) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1664) 30 at 43, Paras. E-F, where the court held:
“Before freezing customer’s account or placing any form of restraint on any account, the bank must be satisfied that there is an Order of Court.
“By the provisions of Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has no power to give direct instructions to banks to freeze the account of a customer without an Order of Court. So doing, constitutes a flagrant disregard and violation of the rights of a customer.”
The lawyer said any customer whose account had been frozen or restricted without a valid court order could institute a suit against the bank for grossly violating his or her rights.
He said such a customer could particularly seek redress for the violation of the right to own movable and immovable property and seek compensation from the court.
Furthermore, Zarewa said the law was trite that where there was a wrong, there was a remedy, as captured in the Latin maxim, Ubi jus ibi remedium.

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Gov AbdulRazaq Inaugurates 464-Unit Housing Estate In Kwara

Published

9 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

‌‌‌‍‍‍⁠⁠‍⁠⁠Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated the ‘AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate’ in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the housing estates, which included 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom units and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes, the
Governor, noted that housing should not be seen or regarded as a luxury, but rather as a fundamental human requirement and cornerstone of dignity, security, and family stability, lamenting the daunting challenge of addressing housing deficits across the country.

He said: “Dear Kwarans, housing is not a luxury. Basic housing is a
fundamental human need and a cornerstone of dignity, security,
and family stability. Yet, across Nigeria and indeed in Kwara State,
the challenge of addressing housing deficit is daunting.

“This administration believes that inadequacy of proper shelter
for Nigerians is not merely a problem of not building enough
houses. Indeed, several studies have attributed the housing deficit in Nigeria to a complex mix of causes, key among them being high costs and rising costs of building materials, weak finance, difficult land systems, infrastructure gaps, institutional limitations, among others.

“On behalf of the people of Kwara, I thank the management of ISHI
Homes Limited for this partnership and for choosing Kwara State
as the location for this important development.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, the Governor applauded the developer for recognising his administration’s contributions to mass housing development in the State.

“The administration has consistently placed housing development high on its agenda. The government recognises access to decent and affordable housing as essential to the wellbeing of the people.

“The State Government has also been in active collaboration with
institutional partners including the Federal Ministry of Housing
with a view to increasing housing stock in the State.

“Recently, we acquired a housing estate with over 130 flats at
Ogbondoroko in Asa LGA of the State. Government has approved
that the estate be onboarded onto the administration’s social
support scheme,” he disclosed.

AbdulRazaq said the commitment was reflected in the development of the Kwara Smart City and other mass housing initiatives across the State.

The Governor disclosed that his reforms in land administration have reduced the processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from 180 days to 35 days.

AbdulRazaq said the improved turnaround time demonstrated the administration’s commitment to making land administration more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ISHI Homes, Dr Olayinka Ilufoye, said the project was intended to democratise home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara South senatorial district.

Ilufoye said the estate was meant for civil servants, traders and other Nigerians who can access it through the National Housing Fund (NHF).

“The name AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire, which translates to ‘I have seen goodness’, is a deliberate expression of our faith, hope and expectation.

“We believe this estate will become a testimony of prosperity, progress and abundance in Kwara South,” he said.

Ilufoye pledged that the company would remain committed to transparency, accountability, quality construction and timely delivery.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem said the state government has consistently placed housing development high on its development agenda.

He commended the state government for ensuring access to land, facilitating the prompt issuance of titles and certificate of occupancy.

Abdulkareem pointed out that by providing timely approval for mortgage transactions, the Governor is creating the conditions necessary for housing development to thrive in Kwara State.