Metro
Railway contractors tackle Deux projects Ltd over N600m debt
***Ask EFCC to investigate alleged diversion of said amount
Contractors who were engaged to fence Nigeria Railway line from the Federal Capital Territory to Kaduna have protested alleged diversion of N600 million meant to offset their outstanding payments over the weekend.
The contractors who executed various projects from 2017 till date have not been paid for the projects they executed, a situation, they lamented has got them indebted to banks with interest accruing on daily basis.
The angry contractors numbering about 30 explained that they acted as subcontractors to the major company called Deux Projects Limited owned by one Dr. Tunji Olowolafe whom they were relating well with, when the projects were being exevuteduntil the situation went awry after the Federal government paid the CECC, a Chinese Construction company which later paid Deux Projects Limited with the view to pay subcontractors.
The protesting contractors speaking through their leader, Mr Onyekene Chukwu said they have been agitating for the debts owed them without success noting that the Chairman of Deux Projects Limited who is their debtor is an ally of “powers that be” in government circles particularly in the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Mr Chukwu said: “We worked on Abuja Kaduna railway Deux projects Limited since 2017, 2018, some 2019 and since then till now we are not being paid.
“The main company said they have over paid some contractors and since them they have been promising they will come and pay us. They have been dribbling us since them.
“The other day they called us and their team of engineers did valuation. Almost all of us were captured in the valuation and the Kilometers that we worked were captured. Since they have been turning us up and down, come today, tomorrow and so on.
“We have been coming, we came last week, some from Lagos, Delta, Onitsha, many have died, others are bankrupt.
He said many contractors sold their properties like cars, land to execute the projects only to be deceived.
The worse part he said they worked under most precarious situation as they were probed to being kidnapped adding that after all the sacrifices their paymasters are engaging in hide and seek
The contractors who confirmed to newsmen that the Federal Government has discharged it’s obligations by releasing funds meant for the railway, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to wade in, stressing that Dr Olowolafe who is the promoter of Deux Projects Limited might have been fronting the business for some powerful personalities in government and has no single asset in Nigeria, hence, he could travel out of the country any moment.
“Now we want President Muhammadu Buhari to dig in and know the source of this project and those behind the project to know why we have done the job since 2019 and we are yet to be paid. They have been paid and yet they refused to pay.
“The main contractors are the chisels CCECC they gave this fencing project to Deus Project limited and Deus Project limited subletted to the local contractors
“They gave the contract to Deux Project Limited who subletted it to us under their supervision
“Over N600 million is what they are owing them what they are owing the local contractors. They have collected a lot of money from the Chinese who got the original contract from the Federal Government .
“Instead of them to pay they decided to divert that money to other projects they have elsewhere. Some came from Lagos, from Delta State.
Each contractor related their bitter experiences on the project site amid kidnappings and attacks by bandits, noting that it most painful and undermining of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
In his words, Mr. Raymond Agama a contractor said: “I worked with three different companies as a sub contractor Ascot Consult Nigeria Limited.
“Ascot has been working with them since 2017 and it has done production of blocks, casting and also supply and distribution of coping and laying. What they are owing Ascot is N57 million, it is more than that but that is what their paper says, but let the N57m come out first then we can go back and fight for the balance. I work for DSP as a sub contractor.
“I laid blocks in several kilometers . I work with Rock ways, I did concrete about 5.5km which amounts to about N30.8m, he said he worked with another subcontractor where they are owing him N19.6m. They came with an excuse in 2020 that the main contractor under whom we worked has been over paid.”
Effort to get the reaction of Dr. Tunji Olowolafe whom they accused to have allegedly diverted the money proved abortive as he did not pick his calls neither did he reply to a text message to his phone number 08035605656.
Metro
Obidient Movement tackles APC for threatening Peter Obi, demands accountability
The Obidient Movement has strongly condemned the recent remarks by Mr. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, describing his comments as reckless and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking on Arise TV on January 5, 2025, Mr. Morka asserted that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.” This statement, the movement insists, constitutes a veiled threat to Mr. Obi’s life and safety, as well as an assault on the fundamental principles of democracy.
The coordinator of the Obidient Movement Dr. Yunusa Tanko in a statement on Monday raised critical questions about the legitimacy of such remarks asking rhetorically what line Mr. Obi crossed, and who set these boundaries? What specific actions or statements justify such ominous threats? What exactly is ‘coming to him,’ as implied by the APC spokesman?
Such language, the group contended, reflects authoritarian tendencies and undermines the rule of law, which guarantees freedom of speech and protection from harm.
Explaining further, the statement indicated that Mr. Peter Obi’s commitment to issue-based politics, constructive criticism, and solutions-driven proposals has been a hallmark of his leadership.
“His New Year address, which evaluated Nigeria’s current challenges while offering actionable solutions, was devoid of hate or incitement.
“The APC’s attack on Mr. Obi shows a disturbing trend of silencing opposition voices rather than engaging in meaningful debate,” the statement noted.
The Obidient Movement issued a stern warning to the ruling APC and its agents, declaring that they will be held directly responsible should any harm come to Mr. Obi, his family, or supporters.
“This administration must know that democracy cannot thrive under threats and intimidation,” the statement emphasized.
The Obidient Movement therefore semanded an immediate retraction and apology from Mr. Felix Morka and the APC leadership.
The Movement demanded an investigation by security agencies into the intent and implications of Mr. Morka’s remarks.
It also demanded a commitment by the government to protect democratic values and promote constructive engagement over divisive rhetoric.
The monement vowed that it can not be intimidated, stressing that Nigerians must resist the slide into dictatorship by demanding accountability and justice.
“We urge Nigerians to stand united and protect the gains of democracy. We also call on the international community to take note of this emerging pattern of repression and help safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
Finally, the Obidient Movement called on the APC to discipline its spokespersons and adopt a more mature approach to political discourse, focusing on solutions rather than threats.
Metro
Incessant Military Strikes on Defenceless Nigerians Unacceptable
An activist and public affairs commentator, Malam Salihu Othman Isah, has condemned what he described as the incessant air strikes and other forms of military attacks on defenceless civilians in some parts of the country.
Isah, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said in an interview that it is unprofessional for the Nigerian military to continue unleashing its weapons on people they are trained and paid to protect.
He also criticized the approach being deployed by the authorities—both the government and the Nigerian Armed Forces—to stop the killings, which have become a recurring situation in the country.
He disclosed that it is common knowledge that hapless and harmless Nigerians, going about their normal duties to seek their livelihoods, are sent to their early graves through avoidable military attacks.
According to him, some of these attacks and killings—both by the ground army and the Air Force—cannot be justified, as they are extrajudicial in nature.
“The army of any nation is established primarily to defend the territorial integrity of its people and not to eliminate them.
“The army is supposed to complement other arms of the security apparatus of a nation. It is meant to protect its citizens and not mow them down,” he reiterated.
It will be recalled that a few days ago, a fighter jet said to be carrying out an attack on Lakurawa bandits in Sokoto killed over ten innocent civilians during the operation.
An Air Force fighter jet, on a mission to dislodge the bandits, was reported to have terminated the lives of innocent villagers going about their legitimate businesses.
But in their usual manner, the Federal Government as well as the army authorities have set up commissions of inquiry primarily to ascertain the remote cause of the incident.
Isah expressed disappointment over the trend, saying, “We often travel this same lane anytime there is an occurrence.
“Why would the Chief of Army Staff constitute an inquiry to investigate the remote cause of the attack on defenceless Nigerians instead of acting decisively to tackle the failure of its men and officers?
“Instead, energies should also be directed at solution-seeking, beginning with holding errant officers responsible for such killings accountable.”
He lamented that investigations and inquiries have become too monotonous and counterproductive, surmising that real action is required.
The civil rights activist advocated that the armed forces must follow laid-down rules of engagement, which is a global practice required for any army operation to be successful, especially when carried out in civilian-populated areas.
Isah pointed out that, “Beyond the rules of engagement, every individual army officer must have service rules to guide their operations. And while these are available but flouted, there must be consequences.
“It is not enough to set up inquiries whose reports are kept secret and with no reprimand of violators.”
He further stressed that the trend has always been to condemn military actions against civilians, adding that such condemnations have come in torrents.
Nigerians in both high and low places have been unanimous in their criticisms after the recent attack.
“It’s sad that after this, we usually move on, awaiting the next incident and speculating where and how it will occur. Don’t expect any severe action against any of the officers responsible for this action. And next time, another attack will occur, the real targets will be missed, innocent souls will be terminated, and the vicious circle will continue with no end in sight. For how long will this be?” he noted.
The political scientist also stated that a nation with no disciplined army and no regard for its citizens is bound to fail. This is simply unacceptable.
“Henceforth, those found wanting should be called out, and punishment must be meted out to serve as a deterrent in the future.”
Metro
Bayelsa Groom Flees Engagement Ceremony Over Endless Cash Demands in Imo
***Elders’ N850,000 Refund Request Sparks Drama
What was meant to be a joyous union turned into high drama in Imo State when a Bayelsa man, Biobelemoye David, fled his engagement ceremony after being subjected to a series of outrageous financial demands by his bride’s family.
The ceremony, which began on a celebratory note, took a dramatic turn as David faced mounting charges, including a N1.5 million bill for food, tents, chairs, and a public address system, in addition to a N100,000 bride price that both families had initially agreed upon.
However, tensions escalated when David was asked to pay an extra N50,000 fine for impregnating his fiancée before the ceremony. The fines didn’t stop there—he was slapped with another N10,000 penalty for mistakenly taking a wrong route to the bride’s homestead and a N15,000 charge to appease elders who had grown impatient with his late arrival.
The breaking point came when David was subjected to a bizarre test. Twelve veiled women were paraded before him, and he was asked to identify his fiancée. When he guessed incorrectly, he was fined N15,000 yet again.
But the final straw was the elders’ demand for an N850,000 refund—allegedly covering the bride’s school fees and upkeep since childhood. Unable to contain his frustration, David excused himself under the guise of using the toilet.
Eyewitnesses later confirmed that David switched off his phone and was spotted boarding a bus back to Bayelsa, leaving the ceremony in chaos and disbelief.
The incident has since sparked widespread debate on social media, with many condemning the excessive demands and calling for an end to exploitative marriage practices.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach David for comments have been unsuccessful as his whereabouts remain unknown.
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