News

Plateau Group, PLATAI Accuses Gov. Lalong of Contract Scam

Published

4 years ago

February 8, 2023

vicky

A non-partisan and apolitical assemblage of professionals and patriots, the Plateau Transparency and Accountability Initiative (PLATAI), has accused Governor Simon Lalong of inflating the cost of the ongoing British-America Overhead Bridge Project for the purpose of funding the state All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship election.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has denied it, saying the allegation is frivolous and baseless.

Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Dan Manjang, said Prices of things have changed, asking whether the PLATAI chairman is a quantity surveyor.

In a media briefing, yesterday, by PLATAI’s Chairman, Simon Dung, the group claimed that it uncovered plans by the Lalong administration to do an upward review of the contract cost in response to the current inflationary trend in the country, as well as new projection of cost of the election, especially as it has become obvious that the contractor will not be able to deliver the project as earlier specified.

Platai said: “We feel duty bound to rise to the occasion and demand for quality delivery of public infrastructure and other social services to the people of Plateau, especially in this period of political transition from one administration to the other.”

Against public outcry, “the Lalong administration initiated and launched the construction of an overhead bridge at the British-America Junction area that interfaces the Bauchi Bye Pass with Murtala Mohammed Way and Bauchi Road, as well as the Terminus area of Jos metropolis.”

According to the group, “at the ceremony to commence the one kilometre stretch of road from Lamingo junction to the British-America interface, the project value was put at N8 billion to be executed and delivered over a 12-month duration, with funding (loan) being guaranteed by Access Bank, which agreed to a 100 per cent mobilisation of the contractor to deliver on specifics, details and duration of the project as designed and planned.”

The body said: “A project that the Lalong administration, against public outcry that the timing is not right, and the motive politically complicated, valued at a reviewed sum of N18 billion, would be part of bourgeoning debt profile incurred by the same government as part of legacies to be bequeath to the state and its future generations.”

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NJC recommends new judges across five states, two appellate courts

Published

15 minutes ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 28 candidates for appointment as judicial officers across five states and two appellate courts.

The recommendations were made at the council’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by NJC’s deputy director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe.

Of the 28 candidates, 24 were recommended for appointment as judges of the High Courts of Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun states.

One candidate was recommended for appointment as Grand Kadi of the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal, while another was recommended as Kadi of the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal.

Two other candidates were recommended for appointment as judges of the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.

The council also included Ijeoma Agugua in the shortlist of candidates for appointment as substantive chief judge of Imo State.

The candidates recommended for the various courts include Tijjani Zololo for appointment as Grand Kadi of the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal.

For the Kano State High Court, the recommended candidates are Hassan Nafisan, Ahmad Halima, Bature Abdullahi and Umar Musa.

Amaga Dickson was recommended for appointment as a judge of the Ebonyi State High Court.

The candidates recommended for the Edo State High Court are Osawaru Benson, Omoruyi Taiye, Adamaigbo Dorathy, Usiobaifo Festus, Oiwoh Pius, Amune Majebi and Imuekemhe Emile.

Those recommended for the Adamawa State High Court are Sa’ad Aminu, Musa Ibrahim, Giwa Sadiq, Mijinyawa Musa, Ibrahim Japhet, Bakari Aliyu and Ahmadu Yakubu.

For the Ogun State High Court, the recommended candidates are Oke Olakulehin, Obienu Adebimpe, Daudu Fatimat, Kadiri Rafiat and Osho Oludotun.

Ishaku Abubakar was recommended for appointment as Kadi of the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, while Dimas Elsha and Pembi David were recommended as judges of the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.

News

Nigeria Get Second Chance as CAF Reportedly Considers Flying Eagles for 2027 U-20 AFCON

Published

2 hours ago

November 6, 2026

PlateauReports

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles could be handed a lifeline in their quest to qualify for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering including the team in the 2027 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The development follows Ghana’s reported removal as hosts of the continental competition, potentially creating an opening for Nigeria to secure a place in the tournament.

Sports247 reports that CAF has informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the Flying Eagles on standby for a possible invitation to the 2027 U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria initially missed out on automatic qualification after suffering a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the final of the 2026 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.

Burkina Faso secured the region’s automatic qualification ticket, while Ghana were expected to occupy the second available place as hosts of the continental tournament.

However, Ghana’s reported failure to meet CAF’s hosting requirements has thrown the arrangement into uncertainty, with the continental governing body expected to appoint a new host.

The situation could work in Nigeria’s favour, with the Flying Eagles potentially considered for the place initially reserved for Ghana as tournament hosts, having finished runners-up in the WAFU Zone B competition.

Although CAF is yet to make an official announcement confirming Nigeria’s inclusion, the reported development has raised hopes of a second opportunity for the seven-time African champions.

The 2027 U-20 AFCON will carry additional significance as it will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

According to CAF’s qualification format, the four semi-finalists will represent the continent at the global tournament.

Nigeria’s possible inclusion would therefore provide the Flying Eagles with another opportunity to compete for continental honours and keep their World Cup ambitions alive.

The West African giants have a proud history at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, having finished runners-up on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005.

For now, Nigeria will await CAF’s final decision, with the reported development offering renewed hope after their disappointment in the WAFU Zone B final.