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August protest: PTD- NUPENG raises alarm of infiltration

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***Dismisses rumour of leadership crisis

Ahead of August 1 planned protest by Nigerian Youths, the national secretriat of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) has raised alarm of move to infiltrate its ranks by individuals bent on making themselves available to promote the protest.
National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG,
Comrades Augustine Egbon raised the alarm in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Egbon’s declaration was on the heels of an online report attributed to a member of the Union, Comrade Olaitan Idris, who vowed that an industrial crisis was imminent as the recent special delegates conference held in Lagos, where Comrades Augustine Egbon and Oluchi Chinagorom were elected as the national chairman and national secretary, respectively along with fifteen others did not enjoy the support of majority of the members of the Union.
He also demanded for a fresh election to forestall a major industrial crisis.
But the National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG, Comrade Augustine Egbon maintained that the declaration of impending crisis was not true and a wild claim.
Egbon declared that members across the Zones and the 150 units of the PTD- NUPENG were fully represented in the election held in Lagos with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Labour in attendance.
He alerted the security agencies to invite Comrade Olaitan whom he alleged was being used by forces bent on collaborating with masterminds of the August protest for interrogation.
He said: ” There was no truth in the claim made by the so called Comrade Idris who claimed to be a member of the Union. We don’t even know him in any of our units.
“Nigerians should disregard rumours of strike by our Union. Those saying that are people planning for August protest.
” The PTD- NUPENG under my leadership are not going on strike as there was no reason for it.
” We are not going to partake in any August protest. I urge the Federal Government to fish out those issuing threat of strike at this critical period in our industry.
The PTD-NUPENG chairman restated that the election held in Lagos was done in compliance with due process..
” Duly accredited delegates voted freely voted without any molestation and they elected candidates of their choice.
We recall that those who decided to boycott the election at the last minutes actually picked Forms which they submitted to the electoral Committee. They had earlier run to the Industrial Court in Abuja seeking for an injunction to stop the election but they were not granted.
” If they have any genuine case, they should seek redress before the National Industrial Court rather than creating panic in the industry.
“We restate that the special delegates exercise conducted in Lagos where I was elected returned as National Chairman along with fifteen others as national officers was in full compliance with the judgment of the NIC under its Lordship, Justice O Y Anuwe of the National Industrial Court,( NIC) in Abuja which on May 29, 2024, annulled previous election of the union held in Ibadan and Abuja last October.”
“The election conducted in Lagos was done with strict compliance with the NUPENG Constitution and the PTD Bye Laws.
“Nigerians should ignore the jesters parading themselves as members of our Union. They are being used by fifth columnist desperate to create panic in the country.”

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Group Calls for Suspension, Investigation, Prosecution of FERMA MD Over Alleged Corruption

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A group, Coalition for National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (CNRR), has issued a formal plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the immediate suspension, investigation, and potential prosecution of the Managing Director of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Their call is coming amid series of damning allegations surrounding corruption, incompetence, and misuse of office.
The group who converged on Thursday morning at the Headquarters of the FERMA at the Wuse 11 in the Federal Capital Territory carried banners and placards with inscriptions calling for the investigation and possible sack of the Managing Director of the Agency, Engr Emeka Agbasi.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the President and Commader in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Three Arms Zone, and read by the National converner of the coalition Alhaji Ali Abacha, they outlined numerous accusations against the FERMA boss.
They accused him of gross mismanagement and criminal activity, which threaten to undermine the government’s anti-corruption drive. Key allegations include the sale of contracts for financial gain, abuse of Direct Labor Agencies for unauthorized projects, and financial irregularities involving the illegal virement and swapping of payments without due process.

According to the letter, the FERMA MD is also accused of laundering money through fronts operating via Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and Zenith Bank, living lavishly in Abuja hotel suites such as Pinnatech Suites Ltd., and sidelining experienced contractors in favor of cronies.
Furthermore, the MD is being accused of ignoring directives from the Ministry of Works, acting independently and awarding contracts unrelated to federal road maintenance.

Abacha stressed the importance of suspending and investigating the official to maintain public trust and uphold the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), to take immediate action.

The statement warned that allowing such actions to continue unaddressed would reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration, which has made fighting corruption a key priority. CNRR urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further damage to its image and credibility.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Presidency or FERMA regarding these allegations. The Nigerian public and stakeholders in the construction sector are closely watching for developments in what could become a significant test of the government’s resolve in combating corruption.

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Protests Erupt in Abuja Demanding Investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank

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A significant protest was held today at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, organized by the Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, calling for an urgent investigation into serious allegations against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB). The bank, under the leadership of Segun Agbaje, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, unsolicited account openings, and more.

The Chief Convener of the coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman addressed the crowd, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape since 1960. He emphasized the critical role of the banking sector in economic development and criticized the lack of action from regulatory and law enforcement agencies regarding GTB’s alleged infractions.

“The allegations against GTB are serious and cannot be ignored,” Usman stated. He urged the Nigeria Police Force to prioritize these claims and conduct a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for any wrongdoing.

Participants in the protest voiced their concerns about recent operational failures at GTB, particularly a prolonged outage of the bank’s payment systems, which resulted in substantial losses for customers. The coalition called for the bank’s management to focus on resolving these critical issues instead of engaging in activities that undermine trust.

The protesters also appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take a proactive stance in investigating the allegations and ensuring accountability within the banking sector.

As the coalition continues its peaceful demonstrations, they remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice for affected customers and investors. This protest reflects a growing demand for greater transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s banking system, as civil society seeks to foster an environment where corruption is actively challenged and addressed.

The response from authorities to this protest may significantly impact the future governance of financial institutions in Nigeria, highlighting the necessity for reform and vigilance in the fight against corruption.

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Guaranty Trust Bank Faces Allegations of Data Breach, Unsolicited Account Openings

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***False Profit Declarations also

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has been accused of unethical practices, including opening accounts for individuals without consent, data privacy violations, and inflating profit figures, according to a damning private investigation report.

The report, released by the Global Integrity Coalition of Nigeria (GICN), also implicates the bank in breaching Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines.

The investigation alleged that GTBank engaged in the unauthorized collection of personal information—such as Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), phone numbers, and other sensitive data—used to open unsolicited accounts.
This strategy reportedly allowed the bank to inflate its customer base and present itself as a more robust institution to potential investors and stakeholders. Over 10,000 individuals may have been impacted, raising concerns about potential exposure to fraud and other financial crimes.

Edward Omaga, President of GICN, addressed the findings during a press conference in Abuja, describing the situation as a serious breach of trust. “We discovered that GTBank has been involved in opening accounts without the knowledge or consent of customers, putting them at serious financial risk,” Omaga said. “This is not just a violation of corporate governance standards but a clear breach of Nigeria’s data privacy laws.”

Further allegations involve the bank’s financial reporting whereby in September 2024, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO), the parent company of GTBank, declared a profit before tax of ₦1.004 trillion for the first half of the year.
This announcement made GTCO the first Nigerian financial institution to reach such a figure. However, GICN’s investigation claims the profit figures were artificially inflated, misleading regulators, investors, and the public.

“The financial statements were hurriedly compiled to paint a false picture of the bank’s profitability,” the report states, pointing fingers at Segun Julius Agbaje, GTCO’s Group Chief Executive Officer, and his management team.
The report suggests that this misrepresentation was an effort to maintain investor confidence and boost the bank’s market value on both the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

The investigation also noted the bank’s lack of adherence to corporate governance standards, warning that such practices undermine public trust in Nigeria’s financial institutions. According to Omaga, the report was compiled using constitutional provisions that empower citizens and civil society groups to expose corrupt practices.

With the serious accusations in the spotlight, the report has prompted calls for regulatory action from bodies like the CBN, the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Affected customers have also expressed their intent to pursue legal action, citing violations of data privacy laws and unauthorized use of their personal information.

GTBank has yet to officially comment on the allegations at the time of this publication.

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