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We’ve zero tolerance for corruption – NIMC boss *How we cleared FEP debts
Those seeking to introduce corruption within the operations of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), whether as insiders or from outside will have their fingers burnt, as the body now has a zero tolerance for all manners of malfeasances and abuses within the system.
Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, Director General, Chief Executive Officer (DG-CEO), told participants at the end of a two-day roundtable with key media operators on the platform of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), on Friday that the organisation was poised on carrying out the mandate given to it by President Bola Tinubu under its renewed hope agenda, which included ensuring full transparency.
It was also on a day the NIMC boss, who outlined a bouquet of achievements since assuming office at the helm of affairs in the commission, narrated how she was able to solve one of the major crises affecting the body – clearing the arrears of debts owed the Front-End Partners (FEPs) – the agents who carried out the registration of Nigerians for the National Identity Card (NIN).
She explained that the payment of the agents ran into murky waters because the previous managers of the scheme could not meet the transparency threshold of the foreign funding partners, who therefore refused to pay, adding that it took her own management a lot of efforts to eventually break the ice and offset the arrears of debt to the extent that not a single one of them had been left out in terms of full payment.
She said: “We expect that all our funding partners will adhere strictly to the rules that have been set out by the NIMC. This also applies to all our verification partners. We have reviewed all our verification methods and we have made sure that the Data Protection Act is reflected in all the documentations and to let every single partner of ours in the identity eco system to understand that once we have created an enabling environment for the private sector to participate in the eco system, we will not allow corruption to breathe in NIMC.
“We will tackle all the corruption and what we know is that we must protect the dignity of rights of every citizen in this country. We are going to stick by it and we are going to issue penalties and necessary fines. If anyone is caught, we will ensure that they are prosecuted in line with the Federal Government’s laws.”
Regarding the FEPs, she explained: “That money they were owed, wasn’t actually owed by the World Bank, even thought the World Bank had come up with a fund for the Front-End Partners. When they engaged them, those Front-End Partners were not engaged through the procedures with the procurement processes of the Bank, because the World Bank is very strict about their procurement processes.
“So, they engaged them and from the document I saw – you know I wasn’t there at the time, the outstanding payment of the first year, was made by the Ministry of Digital Economy at that time. Now the payment of the second year and third year was what I met on ground. So, what else transpired that that payment wasn’t made, I don’t know. That’s me saying it from a sincere perspective because I wasn’t there.
“But when I came on board, I wasn’t happy. It was unfair for someone to participate in a programme and don’t get paid their money. I looked at it and took up that challenge said I’m going to find a way to see how we can pay this money. We had back and forth conversations with the Bank, who had told them this wasn’t our process and we’re not going to pay. After having several meetings, over several months, they agreed to make payment.
“But before they could make payment, all of the FEPs had to be validated according to their own process which is only fair. If you recall, last year, we were doing the revalidation of the FEPs. In the process of revalidating all those FEPs, we also needed to audit because you pay somebody, you must check. We had to make sure that that audit process was done. After auditing that – the enrollees that they claimed they had enrolled were validated.
“Everything became fine after that. So, as I stand here talking to you, the payment for the FEPs has been done. All outstanding payments for the FEPs have been paid. It took a lot of dedication and a lot of back and forth sweat to be able to achieve that. It wasn’t an easy job. What has also now been done to be able to address and stop that kind of problem from reoccurring is the software that has been designed for the Front-End Partners.
“This software which has been incorporated will allow them to be paid in real time. So, as they are enrolling those people and are completing their enrolment, they are getting their clicks immediately. This is to let you know that we have done that. Another thing that we have done regarding the FEPs to agree with the Bank that on a quarterly basis, to review the cost of whatever they pay them according to the rate of inflation, which I think is also fair. We’ve done our part.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgement of the federal high court in Abuja nullifying the timelines issued for the conduct of party primaries and the nomination of candidates.
Alex Izinyon SAN, leading a team of lawyers of the commission in a notice of appeal dated May 25, raised nine grounds it urged the appellate court to consider and vacate the judgment the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on May 20.
Apart from raising the issue of jurisdiction, which it said the lower court did not determine, INEC also maintained that the legal action the Youth Party (YP) initiated against it was not only hypothetical but academic.
Arguing that failure of the trial court to make pronouncements on the issues, resulted in the denial of fair hearing to the Appellant, the commission also stressed the lower court misinterpreted the provisions of the electoral act.
It said: “The high court erred in law when it held that: ‘It is clear from the wordings of Sections 29(1), 82 and 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026, the following can be understood. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026 mandates Political Parties to submit the names of candidates in prescribed forms of the candidates who emerged from its valid primaries which such a political party intends to sponsor at the elections, not later than 120 days before the date of the General Election.
“What is required of Political Parties to do under the Electoral Act, 2026 is to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 21 days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, days before the holding of its primaries, congresses or conventions, or any conference or meeting convened for the election of its executive committees, other governing bodies for nominating candidates.
“The Defendant is not mandated to impose a timeframe for political parties to conduct their primaries provided that it will be done and submitted not later than the 120 days provided by the Electoral Act, 2026. See Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
It was another day of misery in Kwara State, when daredevil terrorists reportedly stormed Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State, and as has been the case in many of the attacks, abducting scores of residents including women and children.
But, apparently to register their authority, the gunmen, who were said to have operated for hours without challenge from the security operatives, were said to have torched the palace of the Emir.
The attackers, which reportedly occurred late Sunday night were said to have announced their presence through heavy firing and after storming the palace of the monarch during the period, set it on fire before whisking away their victims, but a similar attempt at the police station in the community, was repelled.
While some of the residents, narrated how the spent hours without resistance, leaving behind destruction and fear in the border community, another account said the villagers were caught unawares as the gunmen invaded the town under the cover of darkness.
However operatives made up of the police and military personnel, were said to have launched a manhunt immediately for the immediate rescue of the victims, including throwing a cordon in the area as part of the mission.
“The suspect offered ₦500 million to the SPU commander in an attempt to make the team stand down and allow him to contact his associates to move the consignment elsewhere. The offer was rejected immediately and properly documented for further investigation.”
These were the exact words of Olohundare Jimoh Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), with which he detailed how operatives of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) scoffed at a N500million bribe to turn their eyes off the importation of a huge consignment of drugs imported into the country.
This was part of the details of a major breakthrough by the operatives after bursting a major drug trafficking syndicate in Lagos, which led to the seizure of suspected illicit drugs estimated at ₦7.8 billion and arresting several suspects, including the alleged kingpin.
In the operation, reportedly carried out by officers of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) in collaboration with divisional police detectives, the operatives, were said to have stormed a house in Mende, Maryland area of Lagos, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering coordinated by the Zone 2 Headquarters.
The recovered drugs consisted of hundreds of bags of suspected Canadian Loud, allegedly stored in the residence of the prime suspect, Jimoh, said disclosing that the suspect was apprehended on May 19 after weeks of strategic monitoring by operatives.
Offering further details, he said the operation was executed with technical support and guidance from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, alongside coordinated efforts between the SPU and divisional police teams.
Jimoh revealed that during the operation, the suspect allegedly attempted to bribe the SPU commander with ₦500 million to compromise the mission and allow the movement of the drug consignment.
The AIG described the development as a reflection of the renewed professionalism and operational discipline being entrenched in the Force under the current policing strategy.
He noted that the success of the operation underscored the importance of deploying specialized police units alongside conventional divisional teams in tackling organized crime.
According to him, the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of rapid containment strategies, intelligence-led policing, and professional conduct among the operatives involved in the raid.
“Rapid containment was achieved as the Special Protection Unit worked with divisional teams to secure the perimeter and prevent escape or interference with evidence.
“The operation was intelligence-driven, following months of surveillance and technical monitoring before the raid was carried out.
“The immediate rejection and documentation of the bribe attempt also reflect the standard expected from redeployed personnel at the divisional level,” Jimoh added.
Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the success of the operation validated the ongoing redeployment of personnel to divisions and units across Lagos and Ogun states.
The IGP noted: “Policing must be close to the people, and our specialized units must work side by side with divisional teams on the ground.
“The professionalism shown by the SPU commander in rejecting a ₦500 million bribe and following due procedure is the standard we expect. It shows that when you put your best foot forward at the grassroots, you get results and restore public trust.”
Disu further assured that the Force leadership would continue to reward integrity while holding officers accountable to the highest ethical standards.
Police authorities said exhibits recovered during the operation have been properly documented and will be tendered in court. The suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to track down other members of the drug trafficking network.
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