Outrage as Nigerian Government Plans $9 Million Lobbying Contract Amid Southeast Crisis
Allegations of corruption have surfaced in Nigeria following revelations that the government, through the office of the National Security Advisor, is preparing to pay a staggering $9 million to a U.S. lobbying firm in an effort to improve its image in Washington. This move comes amidst a turbulent period of violence and insecurity in Nigeria’s southeast, as well as mounting frustration over the government’s handling of the crisis. Insiders allege that the Nigerian government is justifying this hefty lobbying expenditure by claiming it is a response to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) hiring its own lobbyist in the United States. However, investigations reveal a stark disparity: while IPOB reportedly paid less than $70,000 for its lobbying efforts, the government’s proposed contract is more than one hundred times larger. Furthermore, evidence suggests that Nigeria began negotiations with its chosen lobbyists before IPOB hired theirs, undermining official claims and fueling suspicions of dishonesty. Questions have also been raised about the contract’s structure. The $9 million deal is being funneled through a law firm in Kaduna, rather than being handled directly by the government’s own Ministry of Justice, which possesses the necessary legal expertise. Critics argue that this arrangement opens the door for further financial impropriety, speculating that the law firm itself could receive more than $10 million, money that could be diverted for personal gain by officials involved. Observers and activists have condemned the plan, describing it as evidence of entrenched corruption reminiscent of past regimes. Many are left wondering why such enormous sums are being spent on foreign lobbying when these resources could instead be used to address the root causes of unrest in southeastern Nigeria. Suggestions for local solutions, such as compensation for victims, amnesty, or dialogue with community leaders, have been sidelined in favor of costly image management campaigns abroad. The situation has caused widespread disillusionment. As Nigeria faces continued violence and hardship, citizens are demanding greater accountability and a redirection of funds toward genuine peace-building initiatives. The controversy over the lobbying contract has become a stark symbol of broader frustrations with government priorities and persistent allegations of corruption at the highest levels. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Central East Police Rescue 46 Trafficking Victims in Dramatic Operation, Arrest One Suspect
In a breakthrough against human trafficking, the Central East Regional Police Intelligence Department has rescued 46 victims, including a child, who were smuggled into Ghana from various African countries. The victims, hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Togo, and other Francophone nations, were reportedly enticed with promises of assistance to travel abroad, only to be held captive upon arrival in Ghana. According to police sources, the victims were discovered in a heavily fortified house at Royal City, a suburb of Gomoa Buduburam. The traffickers are alleged to have extorted significant sums of money from the victims and their families, taking advantage of their desperation for better opportunities overseas. Residents described the police rescue as dramatic, recounting how officers disabled an electric fence and scaled the property’s wall to gain entry. The operation led to the arrest of one suspect, while police continue to search for additional accomplices. A relative of one of the victims revealed that the traffickers demanded ransom payments, only for families to later realize they had fallen prey to a sophisticated trafficking scheme. Central East Regional Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Victor Dosoo, confirmed the successful operation and stated that the victims are now receiving care while investigations proceed. Police have issued a public warning, urging vigilance against syndicates that exploit vulnerable individuals with false promises of overseas travel and employment. Authorities remain committed to dismantling human trafficking networks and ensuring the safety of victims across the region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghanaian Military Medics Excel at Multinational Competition in Italy, Deepening U.S. Partnership
A team of medical personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has showcased its expertise and resilience alongside counterparts from the United States, Italy, and Liberia at a prestigious multinational military medical competition in Italy. The event, held at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza from January 5 to 15, was hosted by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and brought together 24 elite military medics for a rigorous test of physical endurance and technical skill under simulated combat conditions. For the second consecutive year, Ghana fielded a joint four-member team representing the army, navy, and air force, a move officials say reflects the country’s deepening partnership with the United States, particularly in the realm of battlefield medical readiness and interoperability. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim in Ghana, Rolf Olson, commended Ghana’s continued participation, noting, “They are not just training for a competition; they are solidifying a partnership that saves lives.” The competition unfolded in two phases: a knowledge-sharing segment and a high-intensity medical contest replicating the chaos of combat scenarios. Training modules included trauma care, chemical and radiological response, casualty management, and marksmanship, culminating in a demanding two-day challenge that assessed medics’ ability to operate effectively while under extreme physical and mental stress. Ghana’s contingent delivered an impressive performance. Sgt. Cornelius Adagbe and Leading Seaman Ato Amonoo-Rockson secured third place overall, amassing 2,789 out of a possible 3,000 points. Amonoo-Rockson also earned the second-highest score in the U.S. Army Fitness Test, while Adagbe finished second in the grueling foot march event. Several Ghanaian medics, including Captain Emmanuel Oti-Boateng, were recognized for excellence in tactical combat casualty care and K-9 casualty care, underscoring the team’s all-around capabilities. According to military officials, the event not only honed advanced trauma and delayed evacuation techniques but also fostered trust and cooperation among allied forces. “This competition is about building medical excellence for the fight today,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Shanett Robinson. Organizers emphasized that such multinational exercises are vital for ensuring seamless integration during future crises, peacekeeping operations, or disaster relief missions—areas where Ghana’s medics are now proven partners. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu Detained in U.S. Pending Extradition to Ghana
Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), is currently in custody at the Nevada Southern Detention Centre in the United States, according to a statement issued by Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S., Emmanuel Victor Smith, on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu was apprehended by U.S. Marshals on January 6, 2026, following an extradition request from Ghanaian authorities submitted in July 2024. She now awaits court proceedings that could see her returned to Ghana. The development comes after Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu was convicted in April 2024 on 78 counts, including causing financial loss to the state, theft, money laundering, conspiracy, and breaches of the Public Procurement Act. She was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison with hard labour, after failing to return to Ghana from an approved medical trip abroad. Her co-defendant, former MASLOC Chief Operating Officer Daniel Axim, received a five-year sentence with hard labour, having chosen not to call any witnesses in his defence during the trial. The convictions stemmed from offences committed between 2013 and 2016, where public funds intended for MASLOC programmes were misappropriated. The trial, which began in 2019, heard testimony from six prosecution witnesses and uncovered a series of financial irregularities. These included a GH¢500,000 loan to Obaatampa Savings and Loans Company that was never properly accounted for, and over GH¢1.7 million allocated for a public sensitisation programme that was largely diverted, with only a fraction reaching its intended beneficiaries. Further investigations revealed that of the GH¢1.4 million set aside to aid victims of the Kantamanso fire outbreak, just GH¢579,800 was actually disbursed, with the rest unlawfully appropriated. The case also exposed inflated procurement costs for vehicles and Samsung mobile phones, with MASLOC paying well above market rates despite bulk purchases. Mrs. Tamakloe-Attionu remains in U.S. detention as legal proceedings continue, marking a significant chapter in Ghana’s efforts to recover public funds and enforce accountability for financial crimes. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Urges Public to Safeguard State-Owned Transport Assets
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has made a heartfelt appeal to both transport operators and commuters, urging them to protect and diligently manage state-owned transport assets for the benefit of all Ghanaians. Her call comes amid ongoing concerns about a shortage of commercial vehicles, an issue that has led to crowded stations, extended waiting times, and, at times, the mistreatment of passengers. During a stakeholder engagement with management and staff of Metro Mass Transit Limited on Friday, January 16, the Vice President reiterated the government’s commitment to building a reliable, efficient, and well-organised public transport system. She encouraged Metro Mass employees to prioritize the regular maintenance of buses, highlighting that proper upkeep is vital to extending the lifespan of vehicles and ensuring uninterrupted service for commuters. Professor Opoku-Agyemang assured workers that the government stands ready to retool Metro Mass and provide additional buses to boost the company’s operations. She explained that even older vehicles can continue to serve the public effectively if they are well cared for, emphasizing the shared responsibility of all Ghanaians in preserving public transport assets. “Government is ready to retool Metro Mass and provide more buses. While ten years may seem long, we also know that in this country, vehicles can remain operational far beyond that if they are well-maintained. We must all take responsibility for public property because it belongs to every Ghanaian,” she affirmed. Her remarks underscore the urgent need for collective stewardship of state resources to ensure a dependable and accessible transport system for all. Source: Apexnewsgh.com