COVER
Adebowale Yemi And His Hatchet Man’s Job On Bichi

By Lateef Olaleye
The piece, The Obsessive Security Chap Called Yusuf Bichi, by Adebowale Yemi, which appeared in Thisday Newspaper edition of Saturday, 7th January, 2023 is by all indication a hatchet man’s job. This is more so that it came from Adebowale Yemi, the Saturday Editor who writes without logic and reason.
He is a hatchet man. Aspects of his constituency have been in defence of the new paymaster in town, Chief Emefiele, the CBN Governor and former Presidential aspirant of no political party.The connection between Emefiele and Adebowale’s enclave is not in doubt. He is one writer without focus. As loose cannon, he writes recklessly.
He throws darts. He writes before he thinks. One wonders why a journalist of his standing (doubtful) would choose to write emotionally without facts. His previous writings on varied subject matters betray his exposure and composure as a lettered and trained penman. He simply casts aspersions on persons and tries to demean personalities he never came across.His tirade on Bichi, the internationally acclaimed Director-General of the DSS is unnecessary. Bichi is known for his calmness. He is a thorough bread intelligence officer who Adebowale has tried to present as a non-achiever. No.
By the way, what does Adebowale know about intelligence and its management. I do not speak for the DSS. I will be surprised if the agency considers a response to the empty writing of Adebowale. A response to him will make him assume what and who he is not. But it is important that those who know Bichi and the discreet method of operation of the DSS put words across to the reading public lest it is believed that Adebowale is right.
On Emefiele, the DSS has not muttered a word. It is only the CBN Governor that is running helter skelter; pillar to post; mobilising all sorts of persons, groups and organisations to attack Bichi and his organisation, the DSS. Emefiele is a Nigerian. Assuming he was invited by the DSS, shouldn’t he go to answer? No one is above the law. That’s what the rule of law entails. In this same country, we saw former NSAs, Military Chiefs investigated and/or prosecuted. Sponsored groups and people will exhaust.
The time is nigh. DSS has maintained a studied silence without joining issues with Emefiele or his hired crowd. It is becoming apparent who the sponsors of the virulent attacks on Bichi are. Adebowale is doing the bidding of his pay master so he can earn his pittance. Rather than castigate Bichi, why not Adebowale and his cohorts encourage Emefiele to return to the country and not go into hiding in Jamaica and US. It is said that a clear conscience fears no accusation. Emefiele is doing all the reactions and defences. CSOs are holding press conferences for him. Clerics are defending him. Itinerant tribal associations and leaders are on his side. Good. Why don’t they advise him to come home and not abandon his seat.
Neither the DSS nor Bichi has come out to confirm they are looking for Emefiele or even declared him wanted. Yet, there are court actions initiated by Emefiele group(s). The court has issued a restraining order on the DSS from arresting Emefiele. Why doesn’t he return home to continue with his work? This is what is important now. Not to abuse or call Bichi names. I am certain the Bichi I know will not utter a word of reply unless he is not the taciturn intelligence czar we all imagine him to be.
For Adebowale, Bichi is a good for nothing person and has not achieved anything. To him and his ilk, Bichi should face criminal prosecution or get sacked as DGSS. Wonderful! What a recommendation?
Adebowale actually showed his heightened ignorance when he stupidly argued that Bichi “dabbles into areas he has no business with”. He mentioned that DSS intervention in what would have been the mother of all fuel scarcities in Nigeria prior to the yuletide if the Service did not intervene, was a waste of time. Adebowale did not think the intervention was necessary. He did not ascertain from NNPC, NARTO, NUPENG, PTD, DAPPMAN, MOMAN and the regulatory authorities if that was timely and result oriented. It is also obvious that Adebowale does not understand the role of DSS as an intelligence agency, policy adviser, security organisation and a law enforcement outfit.
That the agency is mandated to investigate economic sabotage of national security dimension is not in doubt. Only an Adebowale that did not see reason the impending sabotage was nipped. He preferred that the country went in flames as a result of the public agitations that would have followed the scarcity. The intervention did not matter to Adebowale. But it mattered to millions of ordinary Nigerians – home and abroad, who expressed their love for the agency under Bichi for the expeditious intervention.
It is needless educating Adebowale on the workings of intelligence services. A research will help him. On Sowore, Dasuki and El-Zakzaky, Adebowale should hold his jaundiced views. It is still part of his entitlement as an educated illiterate. Does Adebowale still remember that El-Zakkaky and wife in 2019 demanded while in India, to be returned to DSS custody because they preferred it to that of India. Bichi was the DG and still remains same.
Adebowale is using his pen wrongly. He is using it to misinform his audience. He is using it to espouse hate. Call him to defend his write up before the DSS and he will cry foul and run to everywhere. He cannot defend a line of his piece. He is only pushing an agenda as dictated to him by his controllers.
To say that Bichi’s “disdain for the rule of law is legendary” is a careless statement. It is idiotic if not abusive. If Bichi, “has no business staying a day longer in office”, the President and Commander- in – chief would not have reappointed him to a second term in office. He was considered for the honour of reappointment due to his excellent services. On all fronts relating to the execution of DSS mandate, Bichi has scored all time high.
Just recently, operatives under his command arrested those behind the bomb explosion in Kogi. This is just one out of many. Ask stakeholders about Bichi’s feats, analytical precision, preemptive disposition, team spirit and unparalleled achievements, he is an alpha man. He is not given to the type of noise that Adebowale’s circle make.
Adebowale and his Emefiele gang can never equal the accomplishments of Bichi. Bichi has won laurels including awards in human rights, corporate and human resource management, interagency relations, humanitarian services among many others from within and outside Nigeria. He is a champion of repute that cannot be diminished by a thousand Adebowales. In the DSS, news abound of how his staff love him because of his affectionate and fatherly mien. Adebowale, you are wrong with Bichi. Look for another target.
Olaleye is a public commentator and resides in Ile-Ife, Osun State
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FG, States, LGCs Share N1.818trn June Revenue

By Tony Obiechina Abuja
A total sum of N1.818 trillion, being June 2025 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared to the Federal Government, States and the Local Government Councils.The revenue was shared at the July 2025 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting held in Abuja, in a statement by Bawa Mokwa Director of Press and Public relations in the Office of the Account General of the AGF during the weekend.
The N1. 818 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.018 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N631.507 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N29.165 billion, Exchange Difference revenue of N38.849 billion and N100 billion Augmentation from Non-Mineral revenue.A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that total gross revenue of N4.232 trillion was available in the month of June 2025. Total deduction for cost of collection was N162.786 billion while total transfers, interventions, refunds and savings was N2.251 trillion.According to the communiqué, gross statutory revenue of N3.485 trillion was received for the month of June 2025. This was higher than the sum of N2.094 trillion received in the month of May 2025 by N1.390 trillion.Gross revenue of N678.165 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in June 2025. This was lower than the N742.820 billion available in the month of May 2025 by N64.655 billion. The communiqué stated that from the N1.818 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N645.383 billion and the State Governments received total sum of N607.417 billion.The Local government Council received N444.853 billion, while the sum of N120.759 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting State as derivation revenue.On the N1.018 trllion distributable statutory revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N474.455 billion and the State Governments received N240.650 billion.The Local Government Councils received N185.531 billion and the sum of N118.256 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.From the N631.507 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N94.726 billion, the State Governments received N315.754 billion and the Local Government Councils received N221.027 billion.A total sum of N4.375 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N29.165 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N14.582 billion and the Local Government Councils received N10.208 billion.From the N38.849 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the communiqué stated that the Federal Government received N19.147 billion and the State Governments received N9.712 billion.The Local Government Councils received N7.487 billion, while the sum of N2.503 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.The communique stated that the Federal Government received a total sum of N52.680 billion, the State Governments received N26,720 billion and the Local Government Councils received N20.600 billion from the N100 billion Augmentation.In June 2025, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Petroleum Profit Tax(PPT), Electronic Money Transfer Levy(EMTL) increased significantly while Oil and Gas Royalty, Value Added Tax( VAT), Import Duty, Excise Duty and CET Levies decreased considerably.COVER
Senate, Natasha Thread Words over Resumption as Court Ends Suspension

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Senate has warned suspended Kogi lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to desist from forcefully resuming her legislative duties on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu gave the warning in a statement issued on Sunday.
While insisting that no valid court order mandates her immediate recall, Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law. He said, “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to reaffirm, for the third time, that there is no subsisting court order mandating the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before the expiration of her suspension.”The clarification followed media reports quoting the embattled lawmaker as saying she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, allegedly based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.However, Adaramodu said the Senate had previously issued two public statements after the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, making it clear that no positive or mandatory directive was issued against the Senate regarding her recall.“Rather, the Honourable Court gave a non-binding advisory urging the Senate to consider amending its Standing Orders and reviewing the suspension, which it opined might be excessive.“The Court, however, explicitly held that the Senate did not breach any law or constitutional provision in imposing the disciplinary measure based on the Senator’s misconduct during plenary,” he said.The Senate further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a N5m fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has reportedly not been complied with.“It is therefore surprising and legally untenable that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, while on appeal and having filed a motion for stay against the valid and binding orders made against her, is attempting to act upon an imaginary order of recall that does not exist,” the Senate spokesman added.He warned that any move by the suspended lawmaker to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.“The Senate will, at the appropriate time, consider the advisory opinion of the court on both amending the Standing Orders of the Senate, her recall, and communicate the same thereof to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.“Until then, she is respectfully advised to stay away from the Senate chambers and allow due process to run its full course,” the statement concluded.I’ll resume on Tuesday – Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Dares SenateSuspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to resume her duties in the Senate on Tuesday.Akpoti-Uduaghan said her resumption was in line with a court decision.She disclosed this in a chat with journalists while in her constituency for a training programme on Saturday.The embattled lawmaker said the suspension limited her from performing her legislative duties.Natasha disclosed that she has officially informed the Senate in writing about her intentions to resume.She noted that despite the controversy surrounding the ruling of the Abuja Federal High Court, she will resume on Tuesday.“I have pretty much two months more before the six months expire. However, I have written to the Senate again telling them that I’m resuming on the 22nd, which is on Tuesday, by the special grace of God.“I will be there, because the court did make the decision on that,” she said.COVER
Dangote Refinery Targets 700,000bpd Capacity

By David Torough, Abuja
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is undergoing a major capacity upgrade to increase its output from 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group. The expansion, currently underway at the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Dangote, who spoke during a recent facility tour with stakeholders and journalists, explained that the upgrade is aimed at maximising the refinery’s potential, despite ongoing modifications slowing its ability to operate at full capacity this year. “As of July, our Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking (RFCC) unit is running at 85 per cent capacity. Once modifications are complete, we expect to exceed the original design and hit 700,000bpd,” he said. The RFCC process converts heavy crude residue into valuable lighter fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and LPG.Dangote disclosed that the refinery sourced 19 million barrels of crude oil from the United States between June and July 2025 alone. “We bought 10 million barrels in July, which accounts for about 55 per cent of our current crude needs,” he said.He also reflected on the journey of building the $20 billion refinery, revealing it began after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua halted his attempt to purchase Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in 2007.“Had I known the complexity and challenges involved, I might never have started. But we pushed through the setbacks, and today we’ve proved that nothing is impossible,” Dangote remarked.He further noted that most African nations are still dependent on imported refined fuels, with the exception of Algeria and Libya. “We needed to change that narrative. Only one refinery is currently operating in South Africa. So, we decided to take the risk,” he added.Dangote criticised what he described as “foreign sabotage through importation,” claiming some external forces use large volumes of imports to undermine domestic industries in Africa.In a related development, Nigeria has secured over $20 billion in new investment commitments from China to support key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, mining, steel, energy, and automotive manufacturing.Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe disclosed the breakthrough over the weekend, noting that the funding was the result of sustained bilateral engagements following the elevation of Nigeria-China ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.“These are real commitments, not just pledges,” Tegbe said. “We’re talking about tangible projects that will create jobs, boost local production, enhance food security, and make Nigeria a leading manufacturing hub in Africa.”Tegbe added that the NCSP is driving efforts to ensure the success of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) projects in Nigeria, while also leveraging Chinese expertise and financing to reposition the country’s industrial base.The partnership also aims to open Asian markets to Nigerian-made goods, enhancing exports and creating value-added supply chains in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“We’re not only building bridges with investors; we’re delivering results that will transform Nigeria’s economy for generations to come,” Tegbe said.